HP Omni 10 - Office 2024

In the last months of last year HP released the HP Omni 10, a 10-inch tablet with full Windows 8.1 . It did so by choosing to adjust its price below 400 euros but without giving up a certain level in its specifications. On sale in Spain since mid-November, this tablet began to compete directly with the ASUS Transformer T100, with the Dell Venue 11 Pro, and even with Microsoft's Surface 2.

Although price is one of its main claims, once in hand the HP Omni 10 shows that it has not compromised its quality. Design, screen and specifications seem to more than meet.The problem is that as we use it, we may realize the importance of some of its limitations. Use this analysis to try to clear up doubts.

HP Omni 10 Features

Display: 10">
Resolution: 1920x1200
Processor: Intel Atom Z3770, 4 cores, 1.46 GHz up to 2.4 GH
RAM memory: 2 GB SDRAM DDR3 1600 MHz
Storage: 32 GB eMMC
Cameras: Front 8 MP and Rear 2 MP
Battery: 2 cells, 31Wh
Others: microSD, Micro-USB 2.0, Micro-HDMI
Size: 259, 6 x 181, 9 x 9, 9 mm
Weight: 661 grams
Operating System: Windows 8.1 32-bit

Size, design and construction

The external appearance of the HP Omni 10 is quite a pleasant surprise. This despite the fact that its ten-inch screen forces HP to give the tablet a certain size that perhaps could have been more rushed. Even though it is not particularly thick, it does not reach a centimeter, if it does get a little heavy. 661 grams is somewhat more than what would be desirable and in long periods of use it can be noticeable.

But that's pretty much the end of the complaints about the exterior appearance of the Omni 10. HP has done a great job designing and building the tabletIt is aesthetically pleasing ( although this will always depend on taste) and it is solid and firm in the hand, without compromising its mission as a mobile device.

The casing provides a good grip, especially thanks to the rounded design of its edges, perhaps less aesthetic but more effective for daily use. Good weight distribution also helps make it comfortable even when held upright. The material from which it is made makes it easy to hold, although sometimes it seems to be somewhat slippery. It also allows you to largely avoid unsightly fingerprints.

Unfortunately, all that good work on the tablet's look and feel is somewhat marred by misplaced port and speaker layout The microUSB and microHDMI inputs are located on the lower side of the tablet, resulting in trouble on more than one occasion, such as when connecting a mouse and keyboard via USB or an external monitor via HDMI. The position next to the battery charging port is a problem when using it plugged in and the connection doesn't seem as strong as one would expect.Placing the speakers pointing downwards doesn't seem like the best idea either, since they tend to retain sound.

Touch Screen and Control

Few will argue that the fundamental element of a tablet is its screen and at HP they have taken care of the Omni 10. The 10-inch touch screen looks full and defined thanks to the 1920x1200 resolution chosen With a density of 220 pixels per inch it is not the best on the market but it is more than enough for a computer that allows you to enjoy Windows 8.1 in all its splendor.

With the example of HP and others it is difficult to justify the decision of some manufacturers to maintain lower resolutions. The same as not opting for IPS technology or the like. The HP Omni 10 has an IPS panel with more than correct contrast and brightness, achieving good viewing angles and allowing it to be used in certain outdoor conditions.Of course, on sunny days the reflections advise against the experience.

The touch screen recognizes up to 10 points at a time and responds quickly. The precision is adequate for a tablet but here the HP Omni 10 has to deal with the needs of a computer that allows access to the Windows desktop In more than one Occasionally we can feel frustrated when navigating menus and windows of some other program and we wish that Microsoft had made more efforts to populate the Windows Store with touch applications.

The truth is that HP could have done little in that sense, other than adjusting the precision a little more and solving certain defects. Some derive from choices such as the design, size or shape chosen, with those who feel more comfortable with some than others. But there are other flaws that should have been avoided, such as the fact that the Windows button often fails and we end up pressing 2 or 3 times until it responds.

Performance and autonomy

I understand that reading the Intel Atom in the specifications may arouse the prejudices of more than one, but listen to me when I tell you that these are not the old Atoms that accompanied the netbook phenomenon. Gone are the continuous slowdowns and waiting to open a simple file explorer window. Intel has greatly improved its processors and Windows 8.1 works more than correctly on them.

Of course we're talking about a 400-euro tablet, so no one should expect to find the performance of a full PC on it. For that price HP offers the most powerful of the latest Atoms on the Bay Trail platform: a 4-core Z3770 running at 1.46 GHz and can go up to 2.4 GHz with TurboIt's still an Atom, but it works and looks more than enough for a tablet.

The accompanying battery also guarantees sufficient autonomy.Although the 8.5 hours advertised by HP are a bit far off at times, the tablet is capable of enduring a day of intensive use without problems And you're going to need it because what does last is its load. The HP Omni 10 can take up to almost 5 hours to fully charge its battery from zero. At least the tablet can be used perfectly at such times as it doesn't get too hot.

Little complaints about the accompanying 2 GB of RAM either. The problems come when we check the storage. HP offers its Omni 10 tablet with the only option of 32 GB of internal storage, insufficient space when we're talking about a full Windows 8.1 PC. The mere installation of a minimum number of programs or games soon leaves us without space and the possibility of expanding it using a microSD card does not seem like the solution. More GB of storage or more options to choose from wouldn't have hurt anyone

Save for the above, with the HP Omni 10 we should have no problems playing all kinds of multimedia content and playing the vast majority (if not all) of the games from the Windows Store. It is probable that some game does not go as smoothly as one would like, but all the ones tested allowed us to play properly. The same happens with programs and work tools. The Omni 10 can run all the basic apps you'd expect to use on a tablet, but for more demanding tasks it probably won't cut it, and not just for performance reasons.

The need for accessories

The HP Omni 10 is a tablet. Neither hybrid nor convertible. The problem is that it is a tablet with full Windows 8.1 and when one is in front of the desktop of a lifetime, one expects to be able to carry out all kinds of tasks. The lack of accessories that enhance productivity with the computer, beyond a bluetooth keyboard, is a drag that we can hardly let go of.This is probably its biggest flaw.

It is true that we can always resort to keyboards and mice and take advantage of the compatibility of Windows 8, but the very design of the tablet seems to want to prevent us from doing so. The location of the microUSB and microHDMI ports on the bottom edge make it impossible to connect accessories and screen and work at the same time, unless we place the tablet horizontally on the desk.

Other options on the market offer greater flexibility thanks to a complete range of accessories or smart solutions that allow you to place the tablet in different positions . HP has ignored all this convinced that what they had in their hands was a tablet and nothing more than a tablet. The problem is that a tablet hardly looks like just a tablet when it has Windows 8.1 inside.

Operating system: Windows 8.1

It's the usual debate but it's inevitable to think about it when you have a tablet with these characteristics in your hands.Windows desktop does not work in tablet format. You can spin it as you want and try again and again but in the end you find it impossible to move and work comfortably with your fingers in classic Windows software. The solution would have been accessories.

In the new environment of Windows 8.1 the thing is another story. The home screen and Windows Store apps work seamlessly on the HP Omni 10 The tablet has enough power and quality to provide a more that satisfying for a small price. Of course, we continue to miss more applications in the Windows store.

Having said all of the above, one wonders why manufacturers are trying to set aside Windows 8.1 RT on this type of device. A tablet that only allows you to work as such does not need all the Windows software since most of the time it provides a frustrating experience.At least HP has avoided filling its tablet with all those programs with which OEMs usually accompany their Windows computers.

HP Omni 10, conclusions

As soon as you take out the HP Omni 10 you will find a well-designed team, attractive to the eye and with a successful construction. The matte black of its casing and the feeling in the hand will end up convincing you of it. The sensation will continue with the first ignition and the vision of a more than decent 10-inch screen with an adequate resolution. But as you use it, you will become aware of certain defects and limitations that may reduce your initial satisfaction. The lack of suitable software for tablets is not HP's fault and may be fixed in the future. But if certain failures in precision or response of the buttons are your responsibility, as well as the decision to place the main ports on the bottom edge or to do without accessories. If you do not find problems with what was said in the previous paragraph and you want a tablet with Windows 8.1 full, the truth is that the HP Omni 10 could be the right choice. Even more so considering that it offers satisfactory performance thanks to a renewed Intel Atom processor and that it also has a lower price than its direct rivals (399 euros).