Whenever one hears of budget-friendly laptops, there are usually some students and casual users who think of the HP Stream 14. It’s after all an entry-level device that has been noted for quality-performance, but now that newer models exist, it becomes extremely important to analyze its features and performance compared to the competition. Discover the HP Stream 14 design and main features, evaluate its performance, camera quality, and battery life, and compare it with newer models from HP to determine whether this is the one for you.
Price
The HP Stream 14 was priced attractively when in-store selling for around $200 to $300. The HP Stream 14 is no longer on sale. If one is looking for a similar price segment but with newer components, the HP Laptop 14s-dq3032TU is an excellent alternative, using the Intel Celeron N4500 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256GB M.2 SSD. If a little more performance is expected, there’s the HP Laptop 14s-dq3033TU, which will include the Intel Pentium Silver N6000 CPU.
Design
The HP Stream 14 design is very uncomplicated but practical. Key features include:
- Lightweight and Portable: Weigh about 3.4 pounds, this laptop is very easy to carry around and slips into most backpacks.
- Colours: Available often in colours that appeal to the younger set and those who like to add a bit of personality to their device.
- Rugged Build: Though the design has plastic, it is still adequately sturdy for daily use. However, care should be taken not to drop the device.
Key Features
The HP Stream 14 features several things that can accommodate computer use:
- Display: The laptop comes with 14-inch HD that does well enough for video streaming and web surfing.
- Storage: The base eMMC storage is only 32GB, but it comes with a one-year subscription to OneDrive, offering cloud storage.
- Connectivity: It includes multiple USB ports, and HDMI output, as well as a headphone and microphone combo jack, to mention a few connectivity-related options.
Performance
For an entry-level laptop, the HP Stream 14 is satisfactory in terms of performance for running basic tasks:
- Processor: It comes with an inbuilt Intel Celeron N2840 or N3050 processor, making it perform smoothly without a hanging effect on web browsers, documents, and streaming.
- RAM: It has a RAM of 4GB, which can perform only a few multitasks; however, it can deliver simple applications smoothly.
- Software: It runs on Windows 10, meaning a user can enjoy all varieties of applications though the performance may slump from experience with demanding software.
Camera Quality
The HP Stream 14 has a front camera that is bare-bones, decent enough for video calls:
- Webcam: The quality of the 720p webcam should suffice for online classes and conference calls, but low-light performance would be marred.
The built-in microphone might just cut it for crisp audio while on video calls, but an external microphone would be required for higher audio quality.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most crucial features for college students and mobile users. The HP Stream 14 offers:
- Duration: It can provide up to 8 hours of working time on a single full charge. So, there is no need to recharge it throughout a busy day of lectures or work.
- Charging: Average at best, charging makes it possible to offer enough power for short sessions during the day.
Why You Should Buy the HP Stream 14
The HP Stream 14 is not so easy to find these days, but the characteristics and performance it gives can be attractive to those with a low budget. Here are some
Advantages
- It is very cheap, hence it is accessible to students and casual users.
- Very light in design so perfect for a student, for they often have to be on the move.
- Good battery life; its utilization is quite okay as it stays on for a relatively long time without recharging.
- Basic Computing Requirements: All those tasks that do not require rare computing powers, web browsing, writing documents, and viewing videos, to name a few.
HP Stream 14 Features
- Affordable: For people who have tight budgets but still want to purchase a laptop
- Easy to use: It is simple as a design as well as a user interface
- Meets Day-to-day Needs: Serves well for students who want a laptop to note down their ideas and for some research work.
Conclusion
Hence, HP Stream 14 could serve as a good laptop for those users who would look for an entry-level device to perform basic computing activities. However, the device is no longer in production nowadays. The purchasing potential customers will thus consider newer options like HP Laptop 14s-dq3032TU or HP Laptop 14s-dq3033TU. These are much more reliable and, with newer components, the same price makes them a better choice than HP Stream 14. Therefore, your decision shall accordingly depend on your necessities and financial capacity.
Related More:
The Best Laptops for College in 2024: Featured Reviews and Top Picks
1. Is the HP Stream 14 suitable for gaming?
No, the HP Stream 14 is not designed for gaming and is better suited for basic tasks like browsing and document editing.
2. Can the HP Stream 14 handle multiple applications at once?
It can manage light multitasking, but its 4GB RAM may limit performance with demanding applications.
3. What are the alternatives to the HP Stream 14?
Alternatives include the HP Laptop 14s-dq3032TU and HP Laptop 14s-dq3033TU, which offer newer components and better performance.
