The Best 2-in-1 Design

2-in-1 laptops usually compromise. Either they're tablets with keyboard attachments that feel awkward as laptops, or they're laptops with stiff hinges that make tablet mode impractical. The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip (2024) at $1,699 nails the 2-in-1 design.

With Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB LPDDR5x, a gorgeous 14-inch OLED 2.8K touchscreen, and a hinge that actually works, this is incredible.

Performance: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is Intel's efficiency-focused Ultra Series 2 processor.

CPU Performance

The Core Ultra 7 258V delivers:

• Strong single-core: Snappy responsiveness
• Good multi-core: Handles multitasking well
• Excellent efficiency: Series 2 focuses on battery life
• AI acceleration: NPU for AI workloads

This isn't flagship performance, but for productivity and light creative work, it's more than adequate.

Integrated Graphics Only

With Intel Arc Graphics (integrated):

• Light photo editing: Lightroom works well
• Light video editing: 1080p possible, 4K struggles
• Casual gaming: Indie games and older titles work
• 3D work: Very limited

This is a productivity 2-in-1, not a creator workstation.

The 32GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for a 2-in-1. Multitasking with dozens of apps and browser tabs is smooth. The 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD provides ample storage.

Display: Incredible OLED 2.8K Touch

The 14-inch OLED touchscreen with 2.8K (2880x1800) resolution is stunning:

• Resolution: 2.8K provides excellent sharpness
• OLED: Perfect blacks, infinite contrast, vibrant colors
• Touch: Responsive 10-point multi-touch
• Brightness: 400 nits (good for OLED)
• Color coverage: 100% DCI-P3 (excellent)
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Pen support: HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Pen (optional)

Touch and Pen Experience

The touchscreen is responsive:

• Tablet mode: Multi-touch gestures work smoothly
• Pen input: HP Pen (sold separately) provides accurate drawing
• Windows Ink: Integration with Windows 11 pen features

For digital artists and note-takers, the pen experience is good (though not iPad Pro level).

OLED Quality

The OLED panel delivers:

• Perfect blacks: Dark mode looks stunning
• Vibrant colors: Photos and videos pop
• Infinite contrast: Great for watching content
• Professional color: 100% DCI-P3 suitable for light creative work

Burn-in Risk: Use dark themes and vary content to minimize risk.

Build Quality: Premium 2-in-1

At 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg), the OmniBook Ultra Flip is typical for 14-inch 2-in-1 laptops. The aluminum chassis feels premium.

Design Language

HP's design is elegant:

• Aluminum unibody construction
• Clean lines
• Atmospheric Blue color (gorgeous!)
• Professional appearance

The Atmospheric Blue finish is a refreshing change from endless grey laptops.

The Hinge: Actually Works

Many 2-in-1 hinges are problematic - either too stiff or too loose. HP nailed it:

• Smooth rotation: 360° rotation feels controlled
• Stable positions: Holds any angle reliably
• Durable: Feels like it'll last

Modes:

• Laptop mode: Normal clamshell use
• Tent mode: Great for watching content
• Stand mode: Touchscreen use on desk
• Tablet mode: Full tablet experience

All modes actually work well.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard offers:

• 1.3mm key travel (shallow but comfortable for 2-in-1)
• Backlit keys (white LED, auto-adjusts)
• Good typing experience for thin design
• Centered layout (no number pad)

The large haptic trackpad is excellent with Windows Precision drivers.

Port Selection

Adequate for thin 2-in-1:

• 3× USB-C (2× Thunderbolt 4, 1× USB 3.2)
• 1× 3.5mm headphone jack

Trade-off: No USB-A ports. Minimal ports for ultra-thin design. USB-C hub recommended.

Battery Life: All-Day Use

The 68Wh battery with efficient Intel Series 2 processor delivers:

• Light productivity: 14-16 hours
• Mixed usage: 12-14 hours
• Video playback: 15-17 hours
• Tablet mode: 10-12 hours

For a 2-in-1 with OLED display, these numbers are excellent. Intel's Series 2 efficiency shows.

Charging

65W USB-C charging. Full charge in about 2 hours. Fast charge to 50% in 45 minutes.

2-in-1 Use Cases

Laptop Mode (Primary)

As a laptop, the OmniBook Ultra Flip excels:

• Excellent keyboard for productivity
• Great trackpad
• OLED display beautiful for all work

Tent Mode (Media Consumption)

For watching content:

• Speakers positioned toward you
• Touchscreen controls accessible
• Stable on desk or bed

Stand Mode (Touch Interaction)

For presentations or touch-heavy work:

• Keyboard hidden for clean appearance
• Touchscreen at comfortable angle

Tablet Mode (Digital Ink)

With HP Pen for note-taking and sketching:

• Lightweight enough to hold one-handed briefly
• Responsive touch and pen input
• Good for annotations and notes

Reality Check: At 3.3 lbs, this is heavier than dedicated tablets for extended hand-held use. Best for desk/lap use in tablet mode.

HP Software

HP's pre-installed software is minimal:

• HP Command Center (system settings)
• Battery optimization
• Display management

It's unobtrusive and functional.

Who Should Buy This?

The OmniBook Ultra Flip is perfect for:

• Business professionals who want versatility
• Students who take digital notes
• Presenters who use touchscreens
• Hybrid workers who need laptop and tablet functionality
• Anyone who wants best-in-class 2-in-1 design

Skip it if you:

• Need discrete GPU (integrated graphics only)
• Want maximum performance (efficiency-focused CPU)
• Prefer dedicated tablets (iPad Pro lighter for pure tablet use)
• Need many ports

Comparison to Alternatives

vs HP Spectre x360:

• OmniBook: Better battery, newer CPU, better value
• Spectre: More premium materials, slightly thinner

vs Lenovo Yoga 9i:

• OmniBook: Better hinge, simpler design
• Yoga 9i: More features, rotating soundbar

vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio:

• OmniBook: Better value, OLED, lighter
• Surface: Unique hinge, better pen experience, more powerful

The OmniBook Ultra Flip offers the best balance of 2-in-1 functionality and value.

Is 2-in-1 Worth It?

If you regularly:

• Take digital notes in meetings
• Present using touchscreens
• Watch content in tent mode
• Switch between work modes

Then yes, 2-in-1 adds real value.

If you:

• Use laptop mode 99% of the time
• Never touch the screen

Then save money with a traditional clamshell.

Verdict

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip (2024) is incredible for anyone who wants a true 2-in-1. The 360° hinge actually works smoothly and reliably. The OLED 2.8K touchscreen is gorgeous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V delivers excellent battery life.

The 32GB LPDDR5x RAM handles heavy multitasking. The 68Wh battery provides 14+ hours of productivity use. The 3.3 lbs weight is light for a 14-inch 2-in-1.

Is it perfect? No. The integrated graphics limit creative work. The minimal ports require dongles. The 3.3 lbs is heavy for extended tablet-mode hand-holding.

But for business professionals, students, and hybrid workers who want laptop functionality with tablet versatility, the OmniBook Ultra Flip is the best 2-in-1 design. The hinge alone makes it worth considering - it finally works the way 2-in-1 laptops should.

Great battery life, beautiful OLED display, and a hinge that doesn't compromise. The best 2-in-1 design of 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the pen experience compare to iPad Pro? A: iPad Pro is better for drawing/art. OmniBook is better for productivity with occasional pen use. Different strengths.

Q: Is 3.3 lbs too heavy for tablet mode? A: For desk/lap use, fine. For extended hand-held use, heavier than dedicated tablets. Good for brief tablet sessions.

Q: Can I upgrade RAM or storage? A: No. LPDDR5x is soldered. Choose 32GB configuration upfront.

Q: How loud are the fans? A: Very quiet. Intel Series 2 runs cool. Fans rarely spin up for productivity work.

Q: Does the hinge loosen over time? A: HP claims 25,000 open/close cycle durability. Early reports suggest it holds up well.