Recently, analysts warned that PC manufacturers would revert to releasing laptops with 8GB of memory outside the lowest segment, and now we have the first clear confirmation of this. The unannounced HP OmniBook 5, priced at $780, has appeared in a Walmart store, offering just 8GB of RAM.
This new model cannot be called budget-friendly. Neither in terms of price nor other parameters. For example, it is based on the unannounced Ryzen AI 5 430 APU. Its predecessor was never found in very cheap laptops. In fact, it is unlikely that there is a single model on the market with the Ryzen AI 5 330 featuring 8GB of RAM.
The laptop is also equipped with a 16-inch screen, a 512GB SSD, but other specifications are not yet available. It is likely that after CES 2026, we will see many other new models with 8GB of RAM in the mid-price segment.
The decision to include 8GB of RAM in the OmniBook 5 indicates a potential shift in market strategies. As RAM demands were expected to rise with advancing software requirements, this move suggests a focus on other features like processing power and storage to attract consumers. It taps into the nostalgia of simpler configurations while balancing cost against performance enhancements.
Interestingly, this trend isn’t isolated to HP alone. Some competitors have also hinted at revisiting 8GB configurations, possibly aiming to appeal to budget-conscious buyers who seek powerful processors without the additional expense of higher RAM.
