HP Chromebook 14A Review: A Budget-Friendly Laptop for Students and Small Businesses

If you’re in the market for an affordable, reliable laptop, the HP Chromebook 14A is worth considering. Designed with students and small businesses in mind, this Chromebook delivers solid performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and document editing. It offers a good balance of features, portability, and value without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into what makes this Chromebook stand out.

Overview

The HP Chromebook 14A is a lightweight, 14-inch laptop powered by Chrome OS, making it an ideal choice for users who need a simple, easy-to-use device for basic tasks. It’s built with a sturdy yet lightweight design, featuring a 180-degree hinge and 32GB of built-in storage, which is expandable via a microSD card. While it’s not designed for heavy computing tasks like video editing or gaming, it excels at more everyday uses, such as browsing the web, checking emails, and streaming media.

Product Features

The Chromebook 14A is equipped with a dual-core AMD A4-9120C processor clocked at 1.6GHz, paired with 4GB of RAM, which is sufficient for casual use. The 14-inch anti-glare HD display (1366 x 768 resolution) provides clear visuals and reduces screen reflections, making it easy to work or watch movies in bright environments.

In terms of storage, the Chromebook comes with 32GB of internal eMMC storage, which is decent for its price point, but you can expand this with a microSD card. Additionally, HP provides 100GB of Google One cloud storage for the first 12 months, offering more space for files and data.

Battery life is solid, lasting around 8 to 10 hours on a full charge, and the HP Fast Charge feature allows for 90% charge in just 90 minutes. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the touchpad is responsive, making it easy to navigate Chrome OS.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight and Portable: At just 1.5kg, the Chromebook 14A is easy to carry around, making it ideal for students or professionals on the go.

• Battery Life: With up to 10 hours of use on a single charge, this Chromebook can get you through a full day of work or study without needing to plug in.

• Performance: The dual-core processor and 4GB of RAM offer smooth performance for basic tasks, and the lightweight Chrome OS ensures fast boot times.

• Affordable: The 14A offers good value for money, especially considering its price point.

• Anti-glare Display: The HD screen reduces glare and reflections, making it more comfortable to use in various lighting conditions.

Cons:

• Modest Display: While the display is functional, it lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of higher-end laptops.

• Plastic Build: The construction is solid, but the plastic chassis isn’t as durable as some premium models.

• Limited Ports: With only two USB-C ports and a microSD slot, connectivity options are limited, making it difficult to connect multiple external devices simultaneously.

• No Touchscreen: Unlike some of its competitors, the Chromebook 14A doesn’t offer a touchscreen, which may limit the user experience for those who prefer touch navigation.

Key Specifications

• Processor: AMD A4-9120C with Radeon R4 Graphics (1.6 GHz)

• Operating System: Chrome OS™ 64

• Display: 14″ HD anti-glare (1366 x 768)

• Memory: 4 GB DDR4 RAM

• Storage: 32 GB eMMC (expandable via microSD)

• Battery Life: Up to 9 hours

• Camera: 720p HD camera

• Audio: HD audio, dual speakers, integrated microphone

Ports and Connectivity

• 2 USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 (Power delivery, DisplayPort™)

• 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (HP Sleep and Charge)

• 1 Stereo headphone/microphone combo jack

• 1 Multi-format digital media reader

Customer Feedback

The HP Chromebook 14A has received positive feedback for its lightweight design, long battery life, and comfortable keyboard. Many users appreciate how easy it is to use for day-to-day tasks and enjoy the anti-glare display for working in bright settings. The laptop’s affordability is also frequently highlighted, with users feeling they get good value for money.

However, some users have pointed out that the lack of a touchscreen makes navigation a bit tricky at times. Additionally, the display’s brightness can be underwhelming, especially when watching videos with darker scenes. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Chromebook 14A is generally well-regarded for its functionality, especially for those seeking a budget-friendly device.

Unique Selling Points

The HP Chromebook 14A shines in its balance of design, performance, and price. It offers a lightweight, durable build, a responsive keyboard, and solid battery life, making it a great option for students or small business owners who need a reliable device for everyday tasks. The anti-glare display and expandable storage are standout features, and the inclusion of 100GB of cloud storage adds extra convenience.

Alternative Options to Consider

If you’re considering alternatives to the HP Chromebook 14A, the Samsung Chromebook 4 and Lenovo Chromebook C340 both offer similar specs but come with superior 1080p displays. For those looking for a Windows option, the Asus L210MA-DB01 and Acer Aspire 5 are affordable choices, though they provide more performance for demanding tasks compared to Chromebooks.

If you’re after a more premium device with a 2-in-1 design, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 is a solid choice, offering updated components and more storage but at a higher price point.

Changes from the Previous Model

The HP Chromebook 14A G5 is a slight upgrade over the previous G5 model. The biggest change is the shift from a Celeron N3350 processor in the G5 to a more capable AMD A4-9120C processor in the G6. Other than that, the overall design and features remain quite similar, with both models offering the same connectivity options and storage configurations.

Summary

The HP Chromebook 14A is an excellent budget-friendly laptop for students and small businesses. It provides solid performance for everyday tasks, long battery life, and a lightweight design. While it might not be suited for demanding applications like gaming or video editing, it’s a great choice for those who need a reliable device for basic computing needs without breaking the bank.