This new HP OmniDesk is a mini PC with Intel Wildcat Lake chips that starts at $799 with 8 GB of RAM
HP has presented the OmniDesk, a mini PC that wants to look face to face with the Mac mini. Unlike other desktop computers launched by the company earlier this year, this model uses Intel’s entry-level Wildcat Lake range. For now, The team debuts with a base price of $799 despite having a very modest initial configuration. At the moment, the equipment is aimed at the American market and, as we have been able to verify, there is no trace of this model in the Spanish store.
Returning to the price, it is evident that this is a device with a somewhat poor quality-price ratio. In fact, if HP wanted to compete with Apple’s equipment, at a minimum it should have included 16 GB of RAM, which is the minimum of the current Mac mini. This situation, once again, reflects the critical situation in which we find ourselves and which is completely skyrocketing the prices of equipment like this.
Technical sheet of the new HP OmniDesk mini PC
| HP OmniDesk | |
|---|---|
| Chassis dimensions | 5.12 x 5.12 x 1.89 inches (approx. 13 x 13 x 4.8 cm) |
| Available processors | Intel Core 3 304 (1P + 4LP-E) / Intel Core 5 320 (2P + 4LP-E) |
| Core architecture | Cougar Cove performance and Darkmont low-power cores |
| RAM memory | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Base storage | 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 3 SSD |
| Maximum disk capacity | Dual M.2 slot with support for up to 16TB (up to 2TB out of the box) |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 (optional Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3) |
| Starting price | From $799 in the US market |
A fair mini PC for the price it has
HP’s new mini PC comes with chips from Intel’s Core Series 3 family, starting with the Core 3 304 model. This processor has a high-performance Cougar Cove core and four low-power Darkmont cores. For those looking for a step up, there is the option to mount the Core 5 320 for an additional $80. In this way, the platform bases its power on five- and six-core hybrid configurations optimized to maximize electrical efficiency.
In the memory section, the motherboard mounts welded modules LPDDR5X-8533 with 8 GB in the most affordable model, expandable up to 16 GB with an additional payment. The intermediate and higher options require adding between 140 and 200 dollars on the initial budget to obtain greater margin in multitasking. Without a doubt, it is a missed opportunity on HP’s part not to allow expanding RAM memory. For its part, the dual M.2 expansion slot does allow up to 16 TB of storage through additional SSD units.
The official HP catalog offers storage units that start from a 256 GB NVMe PCIe Gen 3 disk and reach a maximum of 2 TB in store. However, the official customization options significantly increase the total cost, since incorporating the largest unit represents an extra price of $760. In the networks section, the device offers options with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E along with Bluetooth connectivity depending on the communications card chosen.
Without a doubt, this is one more example of the difficult situation in which we find ourselves. Expensive equipment, low specifications and, incidentally, few options to expand in the future.
