Staples offers a 29% discount on last year's HP OmniBook 3, featuring AMD's AI-powered Ryzen 7 350 APU with 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD for just $749.99.
Staples has dropped the price of last year's HP OmniBook 3 laptop to just $749.99, representing a 29% discount off the original price. This lightweight 15.6-inch notebook combines AMD's latest AI-powered processors with substantial memory and storage, making it an intriguing option for budget-conscious buyers seeking modern specifications.
AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Performance
The heart of this configuration is the 8-core/16-thread AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 APU, which pairs the CPU with Radeon 860M integrated graphics and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit. The NPU enables access to 50 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of AI processing power, supporting Microsoft's Copilot+ PC features and other AI-accelerated applications. The Radeon 860M iGPU provides capable graphics performance for everyday tasks and light gaming without requiring a dedicated graphics card.
Memory and Storage Configuration
HP has equipped this model with 32 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, which is notably generous for a laptop in this price range. The high-speed memory should provide excellent multitasking performance and future-proofing for memory-intensive applications. Users can upgrade the RAM if needed, though 32 GB should suffice for most use cases. Storage comes in the form of a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, offering fast boot times and application loading speeds.
Display and Camera Features
The 15.6-inch display features a 1080p IPS LCD panel with 300 nits maximum brightness and 62.5% sRGB color gamut coverage. While not the most vibrant or color-accurate display available, it should provide adequate brightness for indoor use and reasonable color reproduction for general productivity work. Above the display sits an FHD webcam with temporal noise reduction and dual-array microphones, making it suitable for video conferencing and online meetings.
Port Selection and Connectivity
Port selection represents one of the laptop's weaker aspects. The OmniBook 3 lacks modern connectors like USB4 or HDMI 2.1, instead offering a full-size USB-C 10 Gbps port, two USB-A 5 Gbps ports, a headphone jack, and HDMI 1.4b video output. The Realtek Wi-Fi 6 + BT 5.4 card provides wireless connectivity, though Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 would have been preferable for future-proofing.
Design and Portability
Despite its 15.6-inch display, the OmniBook 3 maintains excellent portability at just 1.7 kg (3.75 lbs) and 1.85 cm (0.73 inches) thick. The backlit keyboard includes a dedicated Windows Copilot key for quick access to Microsoft's AI assistant. The laptop's slim profile and relatively light weight make it suitable for frequent travelers or students who need to carry their device regularly.
Battery Life Claims
HP claims the laptop can achieve up to 9 hours and 15 minutes of normal use or 11 hours and 30 minutes of video playback on its 41 Wh battery. These figures seem optimistic given the battery's modest capacity, though AMD's efficient Ryzen processors may help achieve these numbers in real-world usage. Users should expect somewhat lower battery life during intensive tasks or with screen brightness at maximum levels.
Value Proposition
At $749.99, this configuration offers compelling value for users who prioritize processing power and memory over cutting-edge connectivity options. The combination of AMD's AI-capable processor, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD in a sub-$800 package represents strong value, particularly for users who can work within the port limitations and don't require the latest display technology.
The deal is available through Staples for US customers, though prices and availability may change. As with any discounted electronics purchase, potential buyers should verify current pricing and specifications before making a purchase decision.
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