HP's $520 OmniBook 3 shows why 16GB of RAM beats a fancier 8GB laptop
A Verge review of HP's OmniBook 3 16 finds that for roughly $520, the laptop offers 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD — a rare combination at this price point in 2026. Despite a basic screen and plastic build, it's praised as a smart budget choice amid rising RAM costs across the industry.
Laptop pricing has grown increasingly unpredictable, a trend now referred to as "RAMageddon." Even pricier models, such as the $950 Surface Laptop, now ship with just 8GB of RAM, which is often insufficient for smooth everyday use. At the lower end of the market, manufacturers are cutting costs on storage, processing power, and build quality in an effort to compete with the $700 MacBook Neo.
Against this backdrop, a Verge review highlights HP's 16-inch OmniBook 3, typically priced around $520 at retailers like Walmart and Amazon. The tested configuration includes an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD — a storage and memory combination that's unusually generous for this price bracket.
Basic but capable
The laptop features a 16-inch 1920x1200 anti-glare IPS display that isn't especially bright and covers a limited portion of the color spectrum. The speakers were also flagged as a weak point, lacking bass. The keyboard felt somewhat stiff, leading to more typing errors than expected, while the trackpad and webcam were rated as decent. Despite its plastic chassis, the laptop doesn't feel cheap, and it includes a solid range of ports, including USB-C charging support.
Performance and battery
While its processor is slightly slower than the one in the pricier Surface Laptop, the OmniBook 3 performs better in daily use thanks to its ample RAM and faster storage. It handled multiple open applications and dozens of browser tabs without slowdown. Battery life is a standout feature, lasting around 12 hours of mixed web browsing and streaming.
The review concludes that the OmniBook 3 represents strong value for everyday productivity tasks, though it notes concern that such favorable pricing may not last as RAM costs continue to affect the broader laptop market.
