HP OmniDesk HP OmniDesk Slim Desktop PC, Intel Processor 300, Review

It's a basic PC in a slim box. Fine for a single, simple task, but painfully underpowered for 2025. Don't be fooled by the gaming talk.

Look, the HP OmniDesk Slim is a basic computer. That's the one thing you need to know. It's a slim, quiet tower designed to run Windows 11, handle web browsing, and fit in a small space without drawing attention. For $380, you're getting a functional machine that's fine for checking email or running a single office application. But if you read the marketing about 'gaming' and 'creating,' you're going to be sorely disappointed. This is a productivity appliance, not a performance PC.

The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a 2-core Intel 300 CPU and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 710. It's fine for basic tasks, but our database shows its CPU lands in the 17th percentile. That means it's slower than over 80% of desktops we track. The 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD are also in the bottom quartile for storage and memory. The one pleasant surprise is its reliability score, which sits in the 76th percentile. So while it's not fast, it seems to be dependable for what it is.

At $380, it's priced for its form factor, not its power. You're paying for a compact, ready-to-go Windows machine. If you need the absolute cheapest new desktop that isn't a complete disaster, this qualifies. But you can often find used business desktops with better specs for the same price, if you don't mind a bulkier case.

This isn't competing with the gaming towers like the HP Omen or Alienware Aurora listed. That's a different universe. A more relevant comparison is against other basic desktops or mini-PCs. For similar money, you could look at an Intel NUC or similar mini-PC, which might offer more modern processor options in an even smaller footprint. If you need more power, even a budget gaming tower like the Legion Tower 5i, while more expensive, will run circles around this for multitasking and light creative work.

If you're looking to do any real work, play games, or future-proof your purchase, this isn't it. Go get a used business desktop with an i5 or i7, or spend a bit more on a modern mini-PC with better specs. If you need a gaming PC, look at the budget towers from Lenovo or HP's own Omen line.

We can only recommend the HP OmniDesk Slim to one specific person: someone who needs a brand new, ultra-compact, and dead-simple Windows computer for the most basic tasks, and who values a small size and clean look over any semblance of performance or upgradeability. For literally anyone else—students, home office workers who multitask, casual gamers, or people on a tight budget—there are better options.