HP Notebook AI 15 Review: Core Ultra 5 225U, AI & Performance

HP NoteBook AI 15 Review: Core Ultra 5 225U Performance, AI, Battery & Display Tested

The HP Notebook AI 15 is a 15.6-inch productivity laptop built around Intel's Core Ultra 5 225U, with its overall suitability depending heavily on the 8GB memory configuration, 41Wh battery and 250-nit/45% NTSC display.

The Core Ultra 5 225U brings 12 cores, 14 threads and a maximum boost of 4.8GHz, while the system pairs it with 8GB DDR5-5600 memory and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The key buying questions are therefore not just processor speed, but memory capacity, display quality, battery capacity and the practical usefulness of its AI hardware.

BEFORE BUYING THE HP 15-FD2104TU, KNOW THESE THREE THINGS

The Core Ultra 5 225U needs context

The Core Ultra 5 225U is not simply a conventional 12-core processor. It combines 2 Performance-cores, 8 Efficient-cores and 2 Low-Power E-cores, delivering 12 cores and 14 threads. Its P-cores can boost to 4.8GHz, while the E-cores reach up to 3.8GHz. Intel specifies a 15W Processor Base Power and up to 57W Maximum Turbo Power, so short bursts and sustained workloads can behave differently.

8GB RAM is the configuration's biggest question

The laptop uses DDR5-5600 memory and supports up to 32GB through two SO-DIMM slots. However, the supplied configuration lists 8GB as dual-channel, while HP's service documentation identifies the base 8GB arrangement as 1×8GB single-channel. Dual-channel operation begins with a two-module configuration such as 2×8GB. This distinction matters because the integrated Intel Graphics uses system memory rather than dedicated VRAM.

The 250-nit/45% NTSC display needs to match your work

The 15.6-inch panel provides 1920×1080 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, anti-glare treatment, 250-nit rated brightness and 45% NTSC coverage. That specification is oriented toward general productivity rather than color-critical creative work. A wide-gamut display is materially different from a basic FHD office panel, so creators should consider the color requirement of their workflow before buying.

HP NOTEBOOK AI 15 CONFIGURATION

Component	Reviewed configuration
Model	HP 15-FD2104TU
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 5 225U
CPU cores/threads	12 / 14
Max boost	Up to 4.8GHz
Cache	12MB
Graphics	Intel integrated graphics, 4 Xe-cores
RAM	8GB DDR5-5600
Memory configuration	Listed as dual-channel; HP service documentation identifies the base 8GB configuration as 1×8GB single-channel

DESIGN & BUILD

The HP Notebook AI 15 uses a conventional 15.6-inch laptop format focused on everyday productivity rather than an ultra-thin design. It measures 359.9 × 236 × 18.6mm, weighs a listed 1.59kg, and comes in silver. The 18.6mm profile keeps the notebook relatively slim for its class, while the larger chassis accommodates a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad.

Design detail	HP Notebook AI 15
Dimensions	359.9 × 236 × 18.6mm
Listed weight	1.59kg
Color	Silver
Display size	15.6-inch
Keyboard	Full-size, backlit, numeric keypad
Construction	Exact material requires verification

The exact chassis material should not be assumed from the wider HP 15 family. Physical characteristics such as keyboard-deck flex, palm-rest flex, display-lid torsion, creaking and surface resistance also require hands-on inspection.

Hinge and Chassis Rigidity

The hinge should be assessed for one-hand opening, wobble, maximum opening angle and screen stability. These characteristics determine how easily the notebook can be adjusted on a desk and how stable the display remains during use.

Chassis rigidity is equally important. Testing the keyboard deck, palm rest and display lid can reveal whether the larger 15.6-inch body feels solid under normal pressure. No specific flex or hinge-test results should be claimed without physical testing.

PORTABILITY REALITY

The listed 1.59kg laptop weight makes the HP Notebook AI 15 manageable to carry, but the real travel load also includes its power adapter.

Actual travel weight = 1.59kg laptop + charger weight

The notebook uses a 45W Smart AC power adapter, but its exact physical weight is not established. Therefore, a precise charger-inclusive travel weight cannot be stated.

For students and commuters, the 15.6-inch footprint is also part of the equation. It is practical for carrying between home, college and office, but it remains a full-size notebook rather than a compact ultraportable.

ERGONOMICS

The 15.6-inch chassis provides enough room for a full-size keyboard and numeric keypad, which is useful for spreadsheets, document work and frequent numerical input. Key ergonomic factors include the typing angle, keyboard height, palm-rest area, hinge position, screen height and desk positioning. The larger chassis can provide a familiar workstation layout, while lap comfort depends on the physical shape and underside temperature during use.

KEYBOARD & TRACKPAD

The HP Notebook AI 15 features a full-size backlit keyboard with a numeric keypad. This layout is particularly useful for office workloads, spreadsheets and data entry because the dedicated number pad avoids compressing the main keyboard area.

The backlighting also makes the keys easier to locate in lower-light environments. The notebook uses an HP Imagepad multitouch trackpad for cursor control and gesture input. Its actual precision, click mechanism, palm rejection, gesture recognition and long-session comfort are physical characteristics that require hands-on assessment.

A 1,000-word typing test could measure typing comfort, errors per minute and fatigue, but no measured results are established here. Those figures should therefore not be presented as completed test results.

The specification-level takeaway is clear: the HP Notebook AI 15 prioritizes a conventional productivity layout, with a full-size backlit keyboard, numeric keypad and multitouch trackpad, rather than a compact keyboard design.

DISPLAY

The HP Notebook AI 15 uses a 15.6-inch FHD panel with 1920 × 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, anti-glare treatment, 250-nit rated brightness and 45% NTSC color coverage. The exact panel is identified in HP's service documentation as an SVA panel, rather than the higher-grade 300-nit UWVA option used on some other configurations.

Display specification	HP Notebook AI 15
Size	15.6 inches
Panel	SVA
Resolution	1920 × 1080
Refresh rate	60Hz
Brightness	250 nits rated
Color gamut	45% NTSC
Surface	Anti-glare
Touch	Non-touch
Panel interface

Why do these numbers matter?

1920 × 1080 is sufficient for standard office work, web browsing and media consumption on a 15.6-inch screen. The 60Hz refresh rate is conventional for a productivity notebook, while anti-glare treatment helps reduce reflections from surrounding light.

The bigger considerations are 250-nit brightness and 45% NTSC coverage. Brightness affects how easily the screen can be viewed in brighter environments, while color gamut determines how broad the displayed color range is. A 45% NTSC panel is therefore very different from a wide-gamut display intended for color-critical work.

45% NTSC EXPLAINED

45% NTSC describes the approximate color-gamut coverage of the display; it does not mean that the screen is 45% bright or that colors are 45% accurate.

In practical terms, a 45% NTSC panel has a narrower color range than a wide-gamut display. That distinction becomes increasingly visible as the workload becomes more color-sensitive.

Office work: Generally less important. Documents, spreadsheets and web applications do not normally require a wide color gamut.
YouTube: Adequate for general viewing, although richer colors can look less expansive than on a wider-gamut panel.
Netflix: Usable for normal consumption, but the panel's limited gamut remains a display limitation.
Photo editing: More significant. A restricted gamut makes accurate evaluation of colors more difficult.
Video editing: Editing itself can be performed, but the display is less suitable for judging final color.
Graphic design: The limitation matters more because color selection and reproduction are central to the workflow.

So calling the panel simply “bad” would miss the point. Its suitability depends on what is being displayed and how accurately those colors need to be represented.

Verdict: The HP Notebook AI 15's FHD resolution and anti-glare surface suit conventional productivity, while the 250-nit/45% NTSC SVA panel is the more important limitation for users who need higher brightness, wider color coverage or color-critical work.

CORE ULTRA 5 225U ARCHITECTURE

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225U is an Arrow Lake-U processor with a hybrid 12-core/14-thread design: 2 Performance-cores, 8 Efficient-cores and 2 Low-Power E-cores. The P-cores use Redwood Cove architecture and reach up to 4.8GHz; the E-cores use Skymont and reach up to 3.8GHz, while the Low-Power E-cores reach up to 2.4GHz.

It includes 12MB Intel Smart Cache and is manufactured on Intel's Intel 3 process. Intel specifies 15W Processor Base Power, 12W Minimum Assured Power and 57W Maximum Turbo Power. These figures describe the processor's power envelope, not a guarantee that the HP chassis will sustain 57W during long workloads.

The processor supports DDR5 memory up to 6400MT/s at the silicon level and includes integrated Intel Graphics plus a dedicated Intel AI Boost NPU. The combination gives this chip CPU, GPU and NPU acceleration rather than relying entirely on conventional CPU cores.

CPU PERFORMANCE TESTING

Independent testing of the same Core Ultra 5 225U provides useful performance context. Reported results include approximately 11,612 in Cinebench R23 Multi, 101 in Cinebench 2024 Single, 520–621 in Cinebench 2024 Multi, and 2,390–2,425 in Geekbench 6 Single with 9,276–9,965 in Geekbench 6 Multi. PassMark results are around 3,555 single-thread and 17,705 multi-thread.

These are third-party results rather than measurements from this HP Notebook AI 15 unit, so they establish the processor's performance class rather than this laptop's exact benchmark score.

REAL-WORLD CPU PERFORMANCE

The Core Ultra 5 225U's 12-core/14-thread configuration is designed to handle a broad range of productivity workloads, but real-world responsiveness depends on the entire system, particularly its 8GB memory configuration.

Office workloads such as large Word documents, Excel workbooks and PowerPoint presentations are primarily productivity tasks. Browser testing with 20, 40 or 60 tabs, compression, code compilation, media encoding and multitasking provide progressively heavier CPU and memory loads.

The distinction is important: an application can be CPU-capable while still becoming memory-constrained when multiple workloads run simultaneously.

HOW FAST DOES IT FEEL?

For everyday use, CPU performance is not represented by benchmark scores alone. Boot and wake behavior, application launch times, browser responsiveness, file management and multitasking all contribute to perceived speed.

The Core Ultra 5 225U has the architectural resources for modern productivity workloads, but the 8GB RAM configuration can become the system-level constraint before the processor itself is exhausted, particularly with many browser tabs or several applications open simultaneously. HP's service documentation confirms that the memory is upgradeable through two SO-DIMM slots, allowing the system to move beyond the base configuration.

AI / NPU

The HP Notebook AI 15 qualifies as an AI PC because its Core Ultra 5 225U includes an Intel AI Boost NPU rated at 12 TOPS (INT8). However, having an NPU does not automatically make every AI feature local, faster or more useful. The NPU must be supported by the operating system and application, and the workload must actually benefit from dedicated neural-processing hardware.

This distinction is particularly important here because Microsoft's Copilot+ PC requirements call for a 40+ TOPS NPU. The 12-TOPS NPU in this system therefore does not meet that hardware threshold.

AI HARDWARE VERIFICATION

The important hardware figure is 12 TOPS INT8 for the NPU. Intel identifies it as Intel AI Boost, while the integrated GPU itself is rated at up to 8 TOPS INT8. A combined CPU/GPU/NPU platform figure can reach 24 TOPS, but that number should not be confused with NPU performance.

That distinction matters because 12 NPU TOPS and 24 total platform TOPS are different measurements. A higher combined figure does not turn this into a 40-TOPS Copilot+ machine.

AI level	HP Notebook AI 15
NPU	Intel AI Boost
NPU performance	12 TOPS INT8
GPU AI capability	Up to 8 TOPS INT8
Combined platform figure	24 TOPS
Copilot+ threshold	40+ TOPS NPU
Copilot+ status	Does not meet NPU threshold

The NPU is therefore real hardware, but its practical value depends on software support and workload.

AI SOFTWARE ECOSYSTEM

The AI experience also depends on where processing takes place. Cloud AI sends appropriate workloads to remote servers, while local AI processes the workload on the notebook using the CPU, GPU or NPU where supported. The HP Notebook AI 15 can therefore have AI functionality without every AI feature running locally. Its Copilot key, for example, does not itself prove local NPU processing. The 12-TOPS NPU also means the machine falls below Microsoft's 40-TOPS Copilot+ hardware requirement.

Supported Windows features and third-party applications should consequently be evaluated individually rather than grouped under a generic “AI laptop” label.

Is 8GB RAM Enough for an AI Laptop in 2026?

The 8GB memory configuration deserves more attention than its specification suggests. Modern multitasking combines the operating system, browser tabs, Office applications, communication software and background services, while some AI workloads can add another layer of memory demand.

The practical difference should be measured under four workloads:

Light: browser + Word
Moderate: 20+ browser tabs + Office + Teams
Heavy: browser + Office + video + background processes
AI: AI application running alongside productivity software

The useful measurements are RAM utilization, paging, SSD activity, application-switching behavior and stutter frequency.

Without those direct measurements, a precise workload limit should not be claimed. However, 8GB gives considerably less memory headroom than a 16GB configuration, making the memory configuration an important buying consideration for heavier users.

MEMORY ARCHITECTURE

The HP service documentation provides an important advantage: the memory is not soldered. The chassis has two SO-DIMM slots, and the supported configurations extend to 32GB. The documented 8GB base arrangement is 1×8GB, meaning single-channel operation; a 16GB configuration using two 8GB modules enables dual-channel memory.

That matters because the integrated Intel Graphics does not have dedicated VRAM. It uses system memory, so memory capacity and memory bandwidth can influence graphics performance as well as multitasking.

The upgrade path is therefore straightforward in principle: moving from 8GB to a two-module configuration increases capacity and enables dual-channel operation. HP documents support for configurations up to 2×16GB/32GB.

Bottom line: 8GB is the entry configuration; the two-SO-DIMM design makes the limitation less severe because the memory can be upgraded.

SSD CAPACITY REALITY

The HP Notebook AI 15 uses a 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe 4×4 NVMe SSD. The advertised 512GB is the drive's nominal capacity, not the amount available to the user after Windows, recovery data, formatting and applications occupy space. For office users, 512GB provides considerably more working space than a very small system drive. The calculation changes for users storing large games, video projects, photo libraries or local AI models, where individual files and model packages can consume substantial storage.

That makes 512GB a reasonable starting capacity, but long-term storage requirements depend heavily on workload.

SSD UPGRADEABILITY

The system has one M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD slot. This means an SSD upgrade is a replacement rather than an additional-drive installation. The important practical question is therefore whether the existing 512GB drive should be retained, replaced with a higher-capacity drive, or backed up externally.

Maximum replacement capacity, physical access procedure and any regional warranty/service conditions should be checked against the exact unit before making a service-specific claim.

THERMAL SYSTEM

The HP Notebook AI 15 uses a single-fan cooling design on its UMA-graphics configuration. That makes thermal behavior particularly relevant because the cooling system must manage CPU, integrated graphics and sustained system heat through the same thermal solution.

A proper thermal assessment should measure:

CPU: idle, normal work and sustained load
GPU: gaming load
AI: supported NPU/AI workload
Chassis: keyboard center, WASD area, palm rest and underside

Temperature alone is not enough. The useful relationship is performance × temperature × fan noise. A laptop that maintains higher performance at acceptable temperatures and noise can be preferable to one that produces a high initial benchmark but quickly reduces power

PORTS & CONNECTIVITY

The HP Notebook AI 15 provides the essential ports for everyday productivity, but its external-display and expansion options have important limits. The key detail is that its USB-C port is considerably more capable than its HDMI output.

Port / connection	Specification	Practical use
USB-A ×2	USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5Gbps	Storage, mouse, keyboard, peripherals
USB-C ×1	USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps	Data, Power Delivery, DisplayPort
HDMI ×1	HDMI 1.4b	External display up to 1080p60
3.5mm combo jack	Headphone/microphone	Wired audio
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6, 2×2	Wireless networking

The two USB-A ports run at 5Gbps, while the USB-C port doubles that theoretical interface speed to 10Gbps. The USB-C connection also supports Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4b Alt Mode, allowing it to drive an external display at up to 4K 60Hz when the monitor and connection support it.

USB-C is the more important display port

For a modern desk setup, the USB-C port is the most flexible connection. It combines 10Gbps data, charging support and DisplayPort output, so a compatible dock or monitor can potentially consolidate display, peripherals and power through one connection.

The limitation is that the laptop has only one USB-C port, so that single connection becomes valuable when using a dock or USB-C monitor.

HDMI 1.4b: 1080p60 is the practical ceiling

The HDMI connector is HDMI 1.4b, and the HP implementation is limited to 1920×1080 at 60Hz. Therefore, users wanting a 4K60 external display should use the USB-C DisplayPort output rather than relying on HDMI.

This is a meaningful limitation for a 2026 workstation setup, particularly if a monitor, projector or TV only has HDMI and the user expects 4K60 output.

3.5mm audio

The 3.5mm combo jack supports wired headphone/microphone connectivity, which remains useful for headsets, external microphones and conventional headphones without occupying a USB port.

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4

Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 2×2 and Bluetooth 5.4. Theoretical wireless specifications should not be confused with real throughput: Wi-Fi performance depends on the router, channel width, signal strength, interference and network configuration.

Likewise, Bluetooth 5.4 establishes the wireless standard but does not by itself guarantee a particular peripheral range or latency. Mouse, keyboard, headset and controller reliability should be judged from hands-on use rather than the Bluetooth version alone.

The absence of Ethernet and an SD/microSD card reader means photographers, creators and users requiring wired networking will need adapters or a dock. For basic wireless office work, however, the port selection covers the primary everyday connections.

SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE

The HP Notebook AI 15 is offered with Windows 11 Home or FreeDOS, depending on the specific retail configuration. This distinction matters because a FreeDOS unit does not provide the same out-of-box experience as a Windows-equipped model.

On Windows 11 configurations, the software experience centers around Microsoft's operating system with HP's supporting utilities and drivers. HP's software layer is primarily relevant to device management, updates, hardware settings and power behavior.

The Core Ultra 5 225U also gives the system access to Windows features designed around its CPU, integrated graphics and 12-TOPS NPU. However, the presence of an NPU does not mean that every Windows AI feature runs locally. The software and workload must specifically support NPU acceleration.

Power-management behavior is another important part of the software experience. Windows power modes can influence processor performance, power consumption and battery behavior, making the selected power profile relevant when comparing plugged-in and battery performance.

Because no hands-on software testing has been conducted, specific boot times, background-process counts or update behavior should not be presented as measured results.

SOFTWARE FRICTION

The day-to-day Windows experience is affected not only by the operating system itself, but also by everything that starts around it.

For the HP Notebook AI 15, the useful audit areas are:

Preinstalled applications: Identify unnecessary third-party software and manufacturer utilities.
Notifications: Check whether promotional or non-essential notifications become distracting.
Duplicated utilities: Look for overlapping Windows and HP functions.
Trialware: Identify any time-limited software offers included with the system.
Update prompts: Check how Windows, HP utilities and drivers handle update notifications.
Background activity: Monitor whether unnecessary applications consume CPU, memory or storage resources.
Power profiles: Check how HP and Windows expose performance and power-saving controls.

This matters particularly with an 8GB RAM configuration. Background applications consume part of the available system memory before the user opens a browser, Office application or other workload. A clean software installation therefore leaves more memory available for actual work.

Without a completed software audit on the physical unit, it would be inappropriate to label the HP Notebook AI 15 as having excessive bloatware or specific background-process problems. The important point is that Windows 11, HP utilities, startup applications and power-management settings collectively shape the everyday experience, and these should be checked on the exact retail configuration.

WHO SHOULD BUY THE HP NOTEBOOK AI 15?

The HP Notebook AI 15 makes the most sense for users whose needs align with its productivity-focused hardware and practical feature set.

Buy it if…	Don't buy it if…
Your workload is mainly productivity	You need serious gaming performance
You value portability	You need color-critical editing
You don't need wide-gamut color	You routinely exceed 8GB memory
Your AI needs fit its supported ecosystem	You need a larger battery
The price is competitive	You require extensive I/O

HP Notebook AI 15 Final Verdict

The HP Notebook AI 15 is a capable productivity-focused laptop built around the Core Ultra 5 225U, with upgradeable memory giving it useful flexibility beyond the base 8GB configuration. Its biggest compromises are the 8GB RAM, 250-nit/45% NTSC display and 41Wh battery, while the integrated graphics also limits its appeal for serious gaming. It makes the most sense for students, office users and everyday productivity workloads, especially if upgraded to 16GB dual-channel memory. For color-critical creators, demanding gamers or workstation-heavy users, there are better-suited options. Our recommendation: buy it only when the price is competitive.

HP Notebook AI 15 Price in Nepal

The HP Notebook AI 15-FD2104TU price in Nepal is Rs. 105,999, down from the listed Rs. 130,000, representing an 18% discount. At this price, the Core Ultra 5 225U platform, 512GB NVMe SSD and upgradeable memory make it worth considering for productivity-focused buyers. However, the value depends on whether the 8GB RAM, 41Wh battery and 250-nit/45% NTSC display fit your requirements. If you are comparing the laptop price in Nepal, it is also worth checking similarly priced models from Lenovo, Dell, Acer, ASUS and MSI before making a final decision.

Why Buy the HP Notebook AI 15 from Hukut Store?

Hukut Store is a Nepal-based gadget retailer where customers can purchase products online or from its physical store, with nationwide online delivery. Buying through an established local retailer also makes it easier to compare the HP Notebook AI 15 with other laptop options and configurations available in Nepal.

If you're comparing the laptop price in Nepal, Hukut Store can also be a convenient place to explore alternatives from brands such as Asus, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Apple MacBook helping you compare specifications and pricing before choosing the right laptop for your workload.