This ultraportable Windows laptop gives my favorite ThinkPad model a run for its money

This ultraportable Windows laptop gives my favorite ThinkPad model a run for its money

Follow ZDNET:Add us as a preferred source, a well-performing work laptop that lives up to its name as a thin and lightweight device. Also:This Windows laptop has MacBook Pro written all over it (but it’s better in key ways) “Aero” is the perfect descriptor here. Weighing just 2.1 pounds, it’s lighter than theM4 MacBook Air,…

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Follow ZDNET:Add us as a preferred source, a well-performing work laptop that lives up to its name as a thin and lightweight device.

Also:This Windows laptop has MacBook Pro written all over it (but it’s better in key ways)

“Aero” is the perfect descriptor here. Weighing just 2.1 pounds, it’s lighter than theM4 MacBook Air, which comes in at 2.7 pounds. However, it is thicker than Apple’s machine, measuring 0.69 inches.

That extra thickness pays off with a better port selection. You get two USB-C ports, two USB-A inputs (one supporting 10Gbps transfer speeds, the other 5Gbps), an HDMI 2.1 port, and a headphone jack.

Weight distribution is interesting to say the least. The OmniBook feels noticeably denser in the center when held from there. However, when you pick it up from the corner, it’s flimsier and even wobbles a bit. Because of this construction, the laptop technically fails the one-finger lift test. It stayed in one spot when I raised the screen, although I also ended up lifting the whole device at the same time.

The keyboard is solid overall, sporting raised keycaps for comfortable typing. I usually don’t comment on the letter font, but I found the bold lettering against the sheer white keyboard to be particularly striking. My only real gripe with the OmniBook’s design is with the touchpad. It’s too small for my liking, although that’s understandable given that the laptop only measures 13.3 inches.

Small yet mighty

Speaking of size, the OmniBook 7 Aero boasts a 13-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600 resolution) IPS display covering the entire sRGB color gamut. As a result, the screen is impressively vibrant. It helps that the glass is covered in an anti-glare coating, which cuts down on disruptive reflections and enhances clarity. I also appreciate the thoughtful hinge design.

The display doesn’t open all the way back. Instead, it stops at about 45 degrees. This has the effect of lifting the rear of the laptop slightly to improve typing ergonomics. My only major complaint with the screen is the 400 nits of brightness. This level of brightness is pretty low, so it can be hard to see the display under bright environments.

normally retails for $1,250, but at the time of this writing, you can purchase the laptop in Glacier Silver on sale for $840. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an ultrathin computer that delivers above-average performance and has a solid display. However, if you travel frequently or want a much longer battery life, the OmniBook 5 remains the better option thanks to its great endurance.

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