In the ever-evolving landscape of 2-in-1 devices, two formidable contenders stand ready to battle for supremacy: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 and HP’s OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. While the Surface Pro 11 epitomizes the detachable tablet form factor, boasting impressive performance and battery life, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 embraces the 360-degree convertible design, offering versatility and a robust keyboard experience.
Let’s dive into a head-to-head comparison, exploring the key features and performance metrics to crown the ultimate 2-in-1 champion.
Specs and Configurations
The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 kicks off at $1,450, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a vibrant 14.0-inch 2.8K OLED display (the only option). However, a current $400 discount makes the base model incredibly appealing at $1,050. Upgrading to 1TB of storage adds $50, and 2TB costs an extra $100. At its fully configured price of $1,900, the OmniBook packs a Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, making it a premium powerhouse, especially considering its sale price.
The Surface Pro 11 starts at a more accessible $1,000, equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 13.0-inch 2.8K IPS display. The 5Gb configuration jumps to $1,300, while a 512GB SSD with Wi-Fi only costs $1,200. Stepping up to the Snapdragon X Elite and a 13.0-inch 2.8K OLED display starts at $1,500 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. For the ultimate configuration, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD will set you back $2,100. While the OmniBook might be slightly less expensive, especially with its sale price, the Surface Pro 11 offers a wider range of configurations to suit individual needs.
Design: Form Meets Function
The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 shines as a 360-degree convertible, excelling as a clamshell laptop while maintaining remarkable flexibility. It’s significantly thicker and heavier as a tablet compared to the Surface Pro 11 without its keyboard, but the gap closes when the Surface Pro 11’s keyboard is attached. Both devices boast exceptional build quality, showcasing the epitome of their respective form factors.
Aesthetically, the Surface Pro 11 keeps it simple, offering four color options – Platinum, Sapphire, Dune, and Black. The front features a sleek, black slate design. The Surface Pro Flex keyboards, available in Black and Bright Sapphire, don’t perfectly match the tablet’s color choices, but the overall look remains attractive. Its flip-out keyboard transforms it into a competent clamshell laptop when paired.
The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 also impresses with its stylish design, available in two elegant colors – dark blue and gray. The notched accents on the rear of the chassis and the bottom of the display add a touch of sophistication. The OmniBook boasts an exceptional keyboard with large keycaps and a full-size layout, providing an incredibly comfortable typing experience. The keys offer a light and snappy response, making for a smooth and efficient workflow.
The Surface Pro 11’s keyboard, while very good, features a slightly cramped layout. However, its precise switches offer a satisfying typing experience, although a slight bounce occurs when the keyboard is propped up for typing. Both devices feature haptic touchpads that perform remarkably well, but the OmniBook’s touchpad is considerably larger.
Both devices support touch- and pen-enabled displays. The Surface Pro 11 truly excels in this domain, offering haptic feedback that mimics writing on a sheet of paper, making it ideal for writing and drawing.
Connectivity-wise, both devices boast dual high-speed ports, but the OmniBook goes the extra mile with a USB-A port for legacy support. The Surface Pro 11 relies on its Surface Connect port for charging, freeing up a port for accessories compared to the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. Both offer up-to-date wireless connectivity, with the Surface Pro 11 offering optional 5G connectivity for enhanced mobility.
The OmniBook boasts a superior 9MP webcam compared to the Surface Pro 11’s 1440p version. The Surface Pro 11 also features a rear 10.5MP camera. Both devices incorporate infrared cameras for seamless Windows 11 Hello facial recognition. Furthermore, both feature fast Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to fully support Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC AI initiative. HP also offers its own AI Companion software, promising additional AI functionalities in the near future.
Performance: Powering Through Productivity
Both 2-in-1s utilize brand-new chipsets designed for efficiency. However, the Surface Pro 11’s Qualcomm Snapdragon X, available in either Plus or Elite versions, delivers faster performance compared to the Intel Lunar Lake chipsets found in the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. Benchmark tests clearly demonstrate the superior performance of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which sits near the top of Intel’s lineup.
Both laptops are more than capable of handling demanding productivity tasks. Neither device features integrated graphics powerful enough for gaming or creative applications.
Display: Visual Brilliance
The Surface Pro 11 offers a choice between OLED and IPS displays, both boasting 13.0-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution at up to 120Hz refresh rate. The OmniBook comes with a single option: a 14.0-inch 2.8K OLED panel also running at a smooth 120Hz. This gives the Surface Pro 11 a slight edge in terms of display sharpness due to its smaller screen size.
Our review units included OLED displays for both devices, revealing that the Surface Pro 11’s OLED display offered significantly higher brightness, while the OmniBook’s display showcased wider and slightly more accurate colors. While there’s a difference in measured contrast, both deliver perfect blacks, creating a truly immersive viewing experience. Both displays are exceptional, capable of satisfying even the most demanding users.
Portability: Untethered Freedom
The Surface Pro 11, by itself, is lighter and thinner than the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. However, when the keyboard is added, the weight difference becomes less pronounced. Both devices excel in portability, but the Surface Pro 11 offers a more comfortable tablet experience.
The real difference lies in battery life. Despite having a smaller battery, the Surface Pro 11 achieves significantly longer battery life, making it more likely to last through a full day of work and then some.
The Verdict: A Close Call
The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 stands as an exceptional example of a convertible 2-in-1. Its robust build, elegant design, impressive keyboard and touchpad, and stunning OLED display make it a compelling choice. The fact that it can be found on sale at a more affordable price further enhances its appeal.
However, the Surface Pro 11 emerges as the victor, thanks to its blazing-fast performance and remarkable battery life. This makes it a truly remarkable tablet capable of functioning as a capable clamshell laptop. While it comes at a higher price point, features like its haptic active pen give it a slight advantage in this comparison.
Ultimately, the choice between these two exceptional 2-in-1 devices boils down to individual preferences and priorities. If you prioritize portability and battery life, the Surface Pro 11 reigns supreme. If you seek a more versatile convertible experience with a fantastic keyboard and a stunning display, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a worthy contender.
