HP OmniBook X Flip 14-fm0023TU Review

Premium 2-in-1 with Stunning OLED Display

The 2-in-1 convertible laptop market targets a specific audience – users who want the versatility of both laptop and tablet modes in a single device. Whether it’s for presentations, creative work with a stylus, or media consumption in tablet mode, convertibles offer flexibility that traditional clamshell laptops simply can’t match.

However, building a good 2-in-1 is genuinely challenging. The 360-degree hinge mechanism adds weight and complexity, the touchscreen adds cost, and the convertible design often compromises either portability or durability. Most 2-in-1 laptops end up being heavier, thicker, or less sturdy than their traditional laptop counterparts.

HP’s OmniBook X Flip 14-fm0023TU attempts to solve these challenges with a premium approach. It packs a stunning 14-inch 3K OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage, variable 48-120Hz refresh rate, Intel’s new Core Ultra 5 226V processor (Lunar Lake generation), and a 360-degree convertible hinge into a chassis weighing just 1.38kg. That’s remarkably light for a convertible laptop – many traditional clamshell laptops weigh more.

At $2,299 exclusively through JB Hi-Fi and Good Guys, this sits firmly in the premium laptop category. The price reflects the high-end OLED display, convertible design, lightweight construction, and a lack of competition (being JB Group exclusive model). But to achieve this combination of features, HP has made some concerning compromises – thermal issues, potential hinge durability concerns, and a divisive keyboard layout all impact the overall experience.

Is the stunning display and versatile design worth the premium price and compromises? Let’s dig in.

Key Specifications

• Display: 14″ 3K (2880 x 1800), OLED, touchscreen, variable 48-120Hz, 0.2ms response time, 400 nits SDR / 500 nits HDR, 100% DCI-P3, 1.07 billion colours (HDR), Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Low Blue Light
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (Lunar Lake, 8 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.5 GHz, 8MB L3 cache)
• Neural Processing Unit: Intel AI Boost (40 TOPS)
• Graphics: Intel Arc 130V GPU (8GB)
• Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5x-8533 (onboard, not upgradable)
• Storage: 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Wireless: Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201 (2×2), Bluetooth 5.4
• Battery: 59 Wh (3-cell Li-ion polymer)
• Ports: 2x USB-A (10Gbps), 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (40Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge), 1x USB-C (10Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, HP Sleep and Charge), HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack
• Keyboard: Full-size backlit, soft gray, lattice-free design
• Touchpad: Precision touchpad
• Camera: 5MP IR with temporal noise reduction, dual array digital microphones
• Audio: Dual speakers with DTS:X Ultra, HP Audio Boost, Poly Studio
• Input devices: Accelerometer, gyroscope, IR thermal sensor
• Weight: 1.38 kg (remarkably light for 2-in-1)
• Dimensions: 313 x 218.5 x 14.6 mm
• Build: Meteor Silver aluminium, sandblasted anodized finish
• Power: 65W USB-C adapter
• Security: Mic mute key, camera privacy shutter, Firmware TPM, fingerprint reader (likely)
• Screen-to-body ratio: 89.58%
• Certifications: Energy Star, EPEAT Gold with Climate+
• Contrast ratio: 1,000,000:1 (dynamic, OLED)
• Design: 360-degree convertible hinge, 2-in-1
• Price: $2,299 (JB Hi-Fi, Good Guys exclusive)

Understanding the 2-in-1 Design

Before we go into the review, it’s important to understand what makes this a 2-in-1 convertible laptop. The 360-degree hinge allows the display to fold completely back, transforming the laptop into different modes:

• Laptop mode: Traditional clamshell for productivity work
• Tent mode: Display angled toward you, useful for presentations or video watching
• Stand mode: Display upright, keyboard hidden, for media consumption
• Tablet mode: Fully folded back for use as a touchscreen tablet

This versatility comes at a cost – the hinge mechanism adds weight, complexity, and potential durability concerns compared to traditional laptops. The touchscreen also adds thickness to the display panel. For the HP OmniBook X Flip to achieve just 1.38kg in a convertible design is genuinely impressive engineering.

Display – The Star Feature

The 14-inch 3K OLED display is genuinely exceptional and represents one of the best laptop displays available in any category. Let’s break down what makes it special:

Resolution and Sharpness: The 2880 x 1800 resolution provides incredibly sharp visuals – text appears crisp, and you have ample screen real estate for detailed work. The 16:10 aspect ratio offers extra vertical space compared to 16:9 displays, which helps significantly with productivity tasks.

OLED Technology Benefits:

• Perfect blacks: OLED pixels turn completely off for true black and infinite contrast (1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio)
• Vibrant colours: 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut delivers incredibly rich, accurate colours suitable for creative work
• 1.07 billion colours in HDR mode for smooth gradients
• 0.2ms response time eliminates motion blur completely
• HDR support: 400 nits SDR / 500 nits HDR brightness

Variable Refresh Rate: The 48-120Hz variable refresh capability is genuinely impressive. Most laptop displays are fixed at 60Hz or 120Hz, but this display dynamically adjusts refresh rate based on content, improving both smoothness and battery efficiency. Fast-paced content gets higher refresh rates, while static content drops to lower rates to save power.

Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection adds durability to the touchscreen surface, important for a convertible laptop that’ll be touched frequently.

Low Blue Light: Hardware-based low blue light reduction helps minimize eye strain during extended use.

For creative professionals, the 100% DCI-P3 coverage makes this suitable for colour-critical work – photo editing, graphic design, and video work all benefit from accurate colour reproduction. For media consumption, the OLED’s perfect blacks and vibrant colours make movies and videos look stunning.

The only potential downside of OLED is the glossy finish inherent to the technology – you’ll see reflections in bright environments. But the 500 nits HDR brightness helps combat this somewhat.

This display alone justifies a significant portion of the $2,299 price. It’s genuinely one of the best laptop displays you can buy.

Design and Build Quality – Premium with Concerns

The HP OmniBook X Flip features premium aluminum construction in Meteor Silver with a sandblasted anodized finish. The build quality feels genuinely premium – the aluminium chassis is solid, and the finish looks and feels quality.

At just 1.38kg, this is remarkably lightweight for a 14-inch convertible 2-in-1 laptop. For comparison:

• Traditional 14-inch laptops: 1.2-1.6kg
• Typical 2-in-1 convertibles: 1.5-1.8kg
• This HP OmniBook X Flip: 1.38kg

Achieving this weight in a convertible design with OLED touchscreen is genuinely impressive engineering. The 14.6mm thickness is slim as well, making this genuinely portable for a 2-in-1.

The 89.58% screen-to-body ratio shows HP has minimized bezels effectively, giving it a modern appearance. The edge-to-edge glass adds to the premium aesthetic.

However, there’s a concerning caveat: the display hinge and housing could be sturdier. This is a significant concern for a convertible laptop that’ll be constantly opened, closed, and repositioned through different modes. The 360-degree hinge mechanism experiences more stress than traditional laptop hinges, and if the construction isn’t robust, durability becomes questionable.

For a $2,299 laptop, having hinge durability concerns is worrying. Convertible laptops live or die by their hinge quality – if it loosens, wobbles, or fails over time, the entire laptop becomes compromised. This is an area where HP apparently cut corners or over-prioritized weight reduction.

The sustainability credentials are genuine – ocean-bound plastic in speakers/bezel, recycled metal throughout, and post-consumer recycled plastic in keyboard components show environmental consideration.

Performance

The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V represents Intel’s new Lunar Lake generation – the same processor in the LG Gram 17 we reviewed recently. With 8 cores, 8 threads, and up to 4.5 GHz boost clocks, it’s designed for thin-and-light laptops, prioritizing efficiency over raw power.

For productivity tasks – Microsoft Office, web browsing, email, video calls, document editing, and moderate multitasking – the Core Ultra 5 226V handles everything smoothly. It’s not as powerful as H-series processors in gaming laptops or workstations, but for business productivity and everyday computing, it’s perfectly adequate.

The Intel Arc 130V GPU with 8GB of dedicated graphics memory is more capable than typical integrated graphics. You can handle light photo editing, video playback (including 4K), and basic creative tasks. Don’t expect serious gaming or intensive 3D work, but it’s a step above basic integrated graphics.

The 16GB of LPDDR5x-8533 memory is in-package (soldered with the processor), providing extremely fast memory bandwidth. However, it’s not upgradable – you’re stuck with 16GB permanently. For most users, 16GB suffices, but power users wanting 32GB are out of luck.

The 512GB SSD provides adequate storage, though some users might prefer 1TB at this price point.

The Intel AI Boost NPU with 40 TOPS positions this as an AI-capable laptop ready for Windows 11’s AI features and applications leveraging neural processing.

Thermal Performance – The Major Flaw

Here’s where the HP OmniBook X Flip stumbles: the laptop can get hot and noisy under load. This is becoming a recurring theme with thin-and-light laptops – packing performance hardware into slim, lightweight chassis creates thermal challenges.

During sustained workloads – video calls, multitasking, or moderately intensive tasks – the laptop gets noticeably warm, particularly on the bottom panel and around the keyboard area. The cooling system struggles to dissipate heat effectively in such a thin chassis.

The fans become audible and potentially loud when working to manage temperatures. For a premium laptop targeting professionals, excessive fan noise during video calls or presentations is genuinely problematic.

For light productivity work, thermals are manageable. But push the laptop with sustained multitasking or intensive applications, and you’ll experience both heat and fan noise.

This thermal limitation is frustrating because it undermines the otherwise premium experience. You’re paying $2,299 for a beautiful display and elegant design, but the laptop reminds you of its thermal struggles whenever you push it.

Keyboard and Trackpad – The Divisive Layout

The full-size backlit keyboard uses HP’s lattice-free design in soft gray. This is where opinions will diverge dramatically.

Lattice-free keyboard means the keys don’t have the traditional chiclet-style island layout with gaps between keys. Instead, keys are closer together with minimal spacing. Some users love the continuous feel, while others find it cramped and error-prone.

If you prefer chiclet-style keyboards with clear separation between keys, this lattice-free design may be a deal-breaker. The traditional island layout provides visual and tactile separation that helps with typing accuracy, especially for touch typists. The lattice-free design eliminates that separation.

Key travel and tactile feedback should be reasonable for a thin laptop, and the backlighting provides visibility in low-light conditions.

The precision touchpad should provide smooth tracking with Windows Precision driver support.

For a $2,299 laptop, having a divisive keyboard layout is risky.

If you are not sure about the keyboard, please test before you buy.

Convertible Functionality

As a 2-in-1, the OmniBook X Flip offers versatility that traditional laptops can’t match:

Tent mode: Excellent for presentations or watching videos on desks or airplane tray tables Stand mode: Display upright for media consumption with keyboard hidden Tablet mode: Fully folded for touchscreen use, though at 1.38kg it’s heavy for extended tablet use

The accelerometer and gyroscope automatically rotate the display based on orientation, and the touchscreen is responsive for navigation and drawing.

However, the hinge durability concerns mentioned earlier become particularly important for convertible use – constant repositioning through different modes stresses the hinge mechanism more than traditional laptop use.

Ports and Connectivity

The port selection is comprehensive and modern:

• 2x USB-A (10Gbps) – faster than typical 5Gbps USB-A
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (40Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge)
• 1x USB-C (10Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, HP Sleep and Charge)
• HDMI 2.1 (4K/60Hz)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Having Thunderbolt 4 enables ultra-fast data transfer, high-resolution external displays, and compatibility with Thunderbolt docking stations. The HDMI 2.1 port supports modern displays and projectors.

Both USB-C ports support Power Delivery and DisplayPort, with HP Sleep and Charge letting you charge devices even when the laptop is sleeping.

The Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201 wireless card is genuinely future-proofed – Wi-Fi 7 is the latest standard, faster than Wi-Fi 6E. Bluetooth 5.4 handles wireless peripherals.

Audio and Webcam

The dual speakers with DTS:X Ultra, HP Audio Boost, and Poly Studio should deliver better audio than typical laptop speakers. Poly Studio is professional-grade conferencing technology, suggesting this laptop targets business users who do frequent video calls.

The 5MP IR camera is a significant upgrade over typical 1080p webcams. The higher resolution provides clearer video quality, and the IR sensor enables Windows Hello facial recognition for convenient biometric login. The dual array digital microphones with temporal noise reduction help with audio quality during video calls.

The camera privacy shutter provides physical security when not in use, and the mic mute key allows quick audio muting during calls.

For a laptop targeting professionals who do video conferencing, the upgraded camera and audio setup adds genuine value.

Battery Life

The 59Wh battery combined with Intel’s efficient Lunar Lake processor should deliver decent battery life, though HP’s claims suggest it could be better:

HP’s battery life claims:

• General use: Up to 14 hours 45 minutes
• Video playback: Up to 17 hours 45 minutes

Real-world battery life will likely be:

• Light productivity use: 8-10 hours
• Mixed usage: 7-8 hours
• Heavy use: 5-7 hours

These numbers are good but not exceptional for a Lunar Lake processor optimized for efficiency. The OLED display consumes more power than LCD, and the variable refresh rate helps but doesn’t completely offset OLED’s power draw.

The fast charging feature (50% in 30 minutes) helps minimize downtime, and the 65W USB-C charger provides adequate charging speed.

Battery life is decent but “could have been better” as noted in the drawbacks – some competitors with similar processors achieve longer endurance.

Pricing and Availability

At $2,299 exclusively through JB Hi-Fi and Good Guys, this sits firmly in the premium laptop category. The exclusive availability through these retailers limits your purchasing options and potential for finding competitive pricing elsewhere.

Value Comparison:

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 ARM (OLED): $1,200-1,299 with OLED display, ARM processor, no convertible functionality – much cheaper but different platform

At $2,299, you’re paying for the exceptional OLED display, convertible functionality, lightweight design, and premium build quality. The price is justified if these features matter to you, but it’s genuinely expensive.

Who Is This Laptop For?

The HP OmniBook X Flip excels for specific use cases:

Perfect for:

• Creative professionals needing accurate colour reproduction (100% DCI-P3)
• Business users doing frequent presentations (tent/stand modes useful)
• Mobile professionals wanting premium experience with portability (1.38kg)
• Users who value display quality above everything else
• Anyone needing convertible versatility in a lightweight package

Not ideal for:

• Users preferring chiclet-style keyboards (lattice-free is divisive)
• Anyone concerned about long-term hinge durability
• Budget-conscious buyers ($2,299 is expensive)
• Users who prioritize maximum battery life
• Anyone sensitive to fan noise

Pros:

• Stunning 3K OLED display (2880×1800, 100% DCI-P3) – genuinely exceptional
• Variable 48-120Hz refresh rate for smoothness and efficiency
• Remarkably lightweight at 1.38kg for 2-in-1 convertible
• 360-degree hinge enables versatile laptop/tent/stand/tablet modes
• 5MP IR camera with Windows Hello facial recognition
• Thunderbolt 4 support for modern connectivity
• Wi-Fi 7 genuinely future-proofed
• Premium aluminum construction with quality finish
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection on touchscreen
• DTS:X Ultra audio with Poly Studio conferencing
• HDMI 2.1 for modern displays
• Both USB-C ports support Power Delivery
• Fast charging (50% in 30 minutes)
• Mic mute key and camera privacy shutter
• Accelerometer and gyroscope for auto-rotation
• Sustainable materials throughout
• 89.58% screen-to-body ratio with minimal bezels
• 1.07 billion colours in HDR mode
• Perfect blacks from OLED (1,000,000:1 contrast)

Cons:

• Gets hot and noisy under load – thermal management struggles
• Display hinge and housing durability concerns for $2,299 laptop
• Lattice-free keyboard layout polarizing (chiclet fans should skip)
• Battery life decent but could be better despite efficient processor
• Expensive at $2,299 with no competitive pricing options
• Only available through JB Hi-Fi/Good Guys – limits purchasing flexibility and price competition
• 512GB storage base configuration (would prefer 1TB at this price)
• 16GB RAM not upgradable (soldered)
• Windows 11 Home (not Pro)
• OLED glossy display reflects light in bright environments
• 1.38kg heavy for extended tablet mode use

Final Verdict

The HP OmniBook X Flip 14-fm0023TU is a premium 2-in-1 convertible that delivers a genuinely exceptional display and impressive lightweight design, but makes concerning compromises in thermal management, hinge durability, and keyboard layout that prevent it from achieving excellence.

The 3K OLED display with 100% DCI-P3, variable 48-120Hz refresh, and perfect OLED blacks is genuinely one of the best laptop displays available anywhere. It alone justifies a significant portion of the $2,299 price – creative professionals, media enthusiasts, and anyone who values display quality will be genuinely impressed.

The 1.38kg weight for a 14-inch convertible 2-in-1 with OLED touchscreen is remarkable engineering. Most convertibles weigh 1.5-1.7kg, making this notably more portable. The aluminium construction feels premium, and the 360-degree hinge enables genuine versatility for presentations, media consumption, and creative work.

However, the thermal issues are frustrating. Getting hot and noisy under load undermines the premium experience – you’re paying $2,299 but dealing with fan noise during video calls. The hinge durability concerns are even more worrying for a convertible laptop where hinge quality is absolutely critical. For a laptop at this price point, these issues shouldn’t exist.

The lattice-free keyboard will divide users dramatically. If you prefer traditional chiclet-style layouts with clear key separation, this keyboard may be a deal-breaker. HP took a risk with this design choice that won’t pay off for everyone.

At $2,299 exclusively through JB Hi-Fi/Good Guys, you’re paying premium pricing with no flexibility for competitive shopping. The value proposition makes sense if the exceptional display, convertible functionality, and lightweight design solve specific problems for you. But for general users, the price is steep given the compromises.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you:

• Need the best display possible (100% DCI-P3 OLED is exceptional)
• Do creative work requiring colour accuracy
• Want convertible versatility in lightweight package (1.38kg)
• Value premium design and are willing to pay for it
• Can tolerate lattice-free keyboard and thermal issues
• Need 5MP camera for professional video calls

No, if you:

• Prefer chiclet-style keyboards (deal-breaker)
• Are concerned about long-term hinge durability
• Want maximum value for money (expensive at $2,299)
• Prioritize quiet operation and cool thermals
• Need maximum battery life
• Want purchasing flexibility beyond JB Hi-Fi/Good Guys

The HP OmniBook X Flip 14-fm0023TU is a laptop that does several things exceptionally well – the display is genuinely stunning, the weight is remarkably low for a 2-in-1, and the convertible functionality works as intended. But the thermal issues, hinge concerns, and divisive keyboard prevent it from being an easy recommendation at $2,299.

If the exceptional OLED display and convertible versatility solve specific needs and you can accept the compromises, this delivers a genuinely premium experience. But for most users, I’d recommend either spending less on a traditional laptop with better thermals, or ensuring you can test the keyboard layout before committing to this premium-priced convertible.

The display truly is exceptional. Just make sure the rest of the package works for your specific needs before spending $2,299.