HP Stream 14 review
The HP HP Stream 14 ranks as the #851 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 55. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #747-ranked features among 350 laptops. Consider the HP Chromebook 11 G9 or Acer Chromebook 317, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The HP Stream 14 is an affordable Windows laptop that packs a punch for its price tag. However, with four gigs of RAM, it's clear that the memory is severely lacking. This results in sluggish performance and frequent crashes, making everyday tasks a chore. While the display is decent for indoor use, it's highly reflective and causes eye strain when used outdoors or in bright light. Overall, I'd give this laptop a 4/10. Unless you're deeply invested in the Windows ecosystem, I wouldn't recommend it. A Chromebook or Linux installation might be a better option.
Build
The HP Stream 14's build is underwhelming, given its price point. The plastic body feels cheap and flimsy, lacking the durability expected from a Windows laptop. The display, while decent for general use, becomes reflective in bright light, straining the eyes. The port selection is adequate, with two USB-A ports, one USB-C, and an SD card reader. However, the lack of HDMI or Ethernet ports is noticeable. Overall, the build quality feels like a budget product, not a $200 laptop. A more premium material would elevate the user experience, making it more comparable to laptops in its price range. You may find HP Pro c640 Chromebook a better fit, thanks to its superior build.
Display
The display on the HP Stream 14 is a major letdown. The screen's high reflectivity makes it difficult to view in bright environments, and the colors seem to strain my eyes, especially when viewing white text. I found myself tilting the laptop at just the right angle to try and alleviate the discomfort. While the display is technically 1920x1080 resolution, it's clear that this is a budget compromise. For $200, I wouldn't expect perfection, but HP could have done better here. The display's flaws detract from an otherwise decent user experience. If you’re after a better display, HP ProBook 440 G8 could be the ideal option.
Performance
The HP Stream 14's performance is subpar. The laptop struggles with basic tasks, such as browsing the web and running Windows 11, due to its paltry 4GB of RAM. The Celeron processor isn't the primary issue; it's the insufficient memory that causes the computer to lag and stutter. With only 2.7GB of usable RAM, multitasking is virtually impossible. This is unacceptable for a modern laptop, especially considering its price point. Overall, the performance of the HP Stream 14 is disappointing and frustrating to use. HP 14 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded performance.
Battery and Charging
I was disappointed with the HP Stream 14's battery life, which lasted around 4-5 hours. The charging process took approximately 2-3 hours to fully charge the laptop. Considering its affordable price, I expected a bit more in terms of power management. While it's not unusable, it's not ideal either. Overall, the battery and charging experience was underwhelming for me.
Connectivity
The HP Stream 14's connectivity is mediocre at best. The laptop lacks USB-A ports, relying solely on USB-C. While it supports Wi-Fi 5, the processor struggles to maintain a stable connection, causing frequent drops in signal strength and speed. You might want to check out HP ZBook x2 G4, featuring an upgraded connectivity for a superior experience.
Features
The HP Stream 14 offers decent display quality, although it can be reflective and causes eye strain. The port selection is satisfactory, and the overall design is great. However, the laptop's performance suffers from a mere 4GB of RAM, making Windows 11 run inefficiently, particularly with the Celeron processor. Take a look at HP ProBook 440 G8 - its improved features sets a new standard.
Support and Maintenance
The HP Stream 14's support and maintenance are lacking. The shipping box was subpar and the setup process was cumbersome. With four gigs of RAM, the laptop struggles to run Windows 11 efficiently. This causes frequent system slowdowns and limited multitasking capabilities. Overall, I would not recommend this device for heavy use due to its poor performance under standard conditions.
Pros
1. The overall design is great
2. Port selection is fantastic
3. The packaging, I should say, the shipping box didn't suck
4. The user experience within using the laptop wasn't horrible (a 4 out of 10)
5. With all that being said, guys, I appreciate every sub like and comment
Cons
1. Windows four years of memory is not suitable for this laptop
2. The display is very reflective so keep that in mind if you intend to use it with any light source
3. The display causes eye strain because you have to have it at the perfect angle while looking at the laptop
4. You really can't do much on this laptop, four gigs of ram just chews up everything
5. It's not worth buying for anyone, get a Chromebook or wipe it and get Linux
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