Our favorite thing about the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 isn't the laptop but the charger

While the latest OmniBook Ultra 14 is one of HP's best subnotebooks, the included 65 W adapter deserves a bit of the spotlight as well. The often overlooked adapter can potentially make traveling much easier depending on how it was designed and the one that ships with the new HP system is probably the best we've used.

Firstly, the size of the adapter is one of the smallest of any 65 W USB-C charger at approximately 6.5 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm. This is made possible by both the switch to GaN and the fact that the USB-C end of the adapter is detachable. This contrasts most other USB-C power adapters where the USB-C end is often fixed or integrated and cannot be removed even if the cable becomes damaged. A standard USB-C to USB-C cable is also included in the box, of course, but we love the freedom of replaceable cables and the native support for user-provided USB-C cables of any length.

Secondly, the integrated AC prongs on the HP adapter are retractable for easier stowing and traveling. When we questioned other manufacturers why they don't do the same, their main reasoning was that such a feature would add both weight and volume. HP has seemingly gotten the best of both worlds here as the adapter isn't any heavier or larger than most other adapters without retractable prongs.

If there's one drawback to the integrated AC prongs, however, it's that the overall length of the charger is normally shorter and consequently limited by the length of the detachable USB-C to USB-C cable. Even so, that's a disadvantage we're willing to take as power adapters or outlets in most spaces are typically never too far away.