Review of the HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop: A Student and Business Essential
The HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop has carved a niche for itself in the budget laptop market, particularly appealing to students and professionals seeking a lightweight, easy-to-use device. This laptop, equipped with an Intel Quad-Core processor and ample RAM, promises a functional computing experience without the frills that often accompany higher-end models. In this review, we will delve into its features, performance, and real-world usability, providing a detailed assessment for potential buyers.
Design and Build Quality
Lightweight and Portable
One of the standout features of the HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop is its portability. Weighing just 3.24 pounds and measuring 8.86 x 12.76 x 0.71 inches, this device is exceptionally lightweight, making it easy to carry around in a backpack. The sleek Snowflake White finish adds a touch of elegance, appealing to both students and professionals.
Display Quality
The laptop features a 14-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. While this resolution may not be the highest on the market, the micro-edge design allows for a more immersive viewing experience, especially for tasks like online lectures or browsing. The BrightView technology enhances brightness, making it usable in various lighting conditions.
Performance
Processor and RAM
Powered by an Intel Celeron N4120 processor with a base frequency of 1.1 GHz and a burst frequency of up to 2.6 GHz, the laptop delivers adequate performance for daily tasks. With 8GB of DDR4 RAM running at 2400 MHz, multitasking becomes seamless, allowing users to run multiple applications and browser tabs simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
Storage Solutions
Equipped with a 64GB eMMC storage and an additional 128GB Ghost Manta SD card, users receive a total of 192GB of storage. While the base storage may seem limited, the inclusion of an SD card significantly enhances storage capacity, making it suitable for documents, presentations, and even moderate media storage.
Battery Life
The average battery life of 11 hours is a significant advantage for busy students and professionals. This long-lasting battery ensures you can work through a full day of classes or business meetings without needing to recharge frequently.
Connectivity Options
The HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop is equipped with a variety of ports to enhance connectivity:
- 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C
- 2 x USB 3.1 Type-A
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
- MicroSD slot
These options provide sufficient flexibility for connecting to peripherals, external displays, and storage devices.
Software
Windows 11 in S Mode
The laptop comes with Windows 11 in S Mode, which is optimized for security and performance. However, users seeking more flexibility can easily switch to the regular version of Windows 11. This transition is straightforward, allowing users to install a wider range of applications, including Google Chrome and other productivity tools.
Office 365
Included with the laptop is a one-year subscription to Office 365, which is invaluable for students and professionals alike. This feature enhances the value proposition, making it easier to complete assignments, create presentations, and communicate effectively.
User Experiences
Positive Feedback
Users generally appreciate the straightforward functionality of the HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop. Many have highlighted its ease of setup, lightweight design, and adequate performance for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing. The long battery life is also frequently praised, particularly for students who need a reliable laptop for a full day of classes.
Areas for Improvement
On the flip side, several users have reported issues with the laptop’s hardware over time. Complaints about the battery losing its charge, keyboard malfunctions, and touchpad responsiveness were noted, indicating potential quality control issues. Additionally, some users found the initial storage capacity limiting, even with the added SD card.
Overall Rating
In summary, the HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop offers a compelling package for students and casual users who require a reliable, lightweight device for everyday tasks. While it excels in portability, battery life, and the inclusion of Office 365, potential buyers should be mindful of the reported hardware issues that could arise over time.
Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The rating reflects a balance of its strengths and weaknesses. It is a solid choice for basic needs, but individuals seeking a more robust laptop for intensive tasks might want to explore higher-end options.
John –
This computer is definitely worth the investment. It’s lightweight, has a long battery life, and the white color looks great with my Philadelphia Eagles gear. It holds plenty of data, and I can easily use both Adobe and WordPress on it. Overall, a fantastic purchase!
Nancy Neal –
This device may not be extravagant, but it performs well for internet browsing and word processing. Be sure to exit S mode. It’s a solid value, especially since it includes an extra storage card due to its limited internal capacity. The battery life is decent, and as long as it lasts a few years, I’m satisfied. I was looking for a simple backup computer, and I would definitely recommend it for light, basic use.
Dennis Sandberg –
Updated Review (5/31/2024): I’ve changed my rating from 1 star to 4 stars. If you’re tempted by an Amazon flash deal, be sure to thoroughly compare the product descriptions. Otherwise, you might end up with something you didn’t want after setting everything up. I faced an issue with exiting Windows 11 S mode. After spending hours following standard methods and watching complicated YouTube tutorials, I was about to give up. However, I decided to express my frustration in the Microsoft Edge search bar, and Copilot provided a quick three-step solution (see screenshot above). I successfully exited S mode and am now happily using Google Chrome, along with all my files from my broken laptop. Just a note: this laptop is definitely geared towards students. The price is reasonable given the post-COVID inflation. It’s relatively slow and not suitable for gaming, but it meets my needs for research and writing papers.
Original Review (5/30/2024): My laptop broke and I needed to finish paperwork for a project on a tight deadline. I was attracted by a “deal” for a laptop with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi for $169 with a 12-hour delivery. I thought it would be good enough to complete my work. When I arrived at the site, I found similar options with better features and more memory, all available within 1-2 days. One had 8GB RAM and 192GB storage for $259 with a $40 coupon, which seemed worth the extra $90. The computer arrived but took an hour and a half to update. When I tried to download Chrome for Google Docs, I discovered it was locked in S mode, preventing me from downloading apps outside the Microsoft Store. After two frustrating hours of attempting to exit S mode, I resorted to using my Samsung S20, which took three hours to accomplish what should have taken just one. This computer lacks Bluetooth and is extremely slow. Microsoft has effectively locked users into Edge, reminiscent of their past issues with Internet Explorer. The free year of Office 365 is not a draw. I can’t return it since I used it, and it’s technically not broken. HP seems to be reverting to low-quality Compaq standards—an unfortunate example of greedflation. It also transferred data from my broken laptop, resulting in additional hours of cleanup to prepare it for resale at half price on eBay.
Dennis Sandberg –
As a teacher, I needed a new computer equipped with Windows 11 and Office 365. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the setup was; everything transferred seamlessly from my old laptop. I’m really satisfied with the speed and performance of this HP laptop, and the price is great too.
ben –
This laptop is straightforward and practical, providing all the essentials without unnecessary features. Unlike some pricier models that come with built-in Alexa, proprietary ports, or fingerprint scanners that I don’t need, this one sticks to the basics, which I appreciate. The TKL keyboard design is a welcome change and should be standard in more laptops. While it lacks a backlit keyboard—an oversight—it’s not a major drawback considering the price.
You can easily exit S-mode and remove extra add-ons, resulting in a fully functional Windows machine. Despite its lower-tier hardware, it boots up quickly as long as you keep bloatware to a minimum. It may lag occasionally, but it’s perfectly suitable for everyday tasks. The battery life is impressive, and the laptop is quite lightweight. Overall, it offers great value for the price.
Koala Steve –
UPDATE: I’ve had this laptop for under three months, and the battery has already failed to hold a charge. It needs to be plugged in constantly, and finding information on how to replace the battery has proven to be a challenge.
Not all the keys respond when pressed, leading to numerous spelling and grammatical errors, a problem that worsens over time. The shift key occasionally locks on its own, and some function keys activate randomly.
The touchpad frequently becomes unresponsive, either failing to register clicks or registering extra clicks without input.
Many troubleshooting features have been removed, making it a hassle to locate various options. It also suffers from memory issues, despite not saving anything on the device itself. This has led to a lack of memory for streaming shows, opening folders, or saving files.
As I write this, I’m contending with all of the aforementioned issues. If you’re looking for a basic laptop that you can use as a desktop and don’t mind constant corrections, this might suffice. However, it falls short for writing, watching videos, web browsing, emailing, or any work-related tasks. Its capabilities are very limited, requiring constant adjustments, including rewriting everything and reloading pages repeatedly.
I’m extremely disappointed. I simply needed a reliable computer for writing, and this has turned out to be more frustrating than helpful. Not worth the money or effort.