HP Stream 14-inch Laptop, Intel Celeron N4000, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC, Windows 10 Home in S Mode With Office 365 Personal For 1 Year (14-cb185nr, Royal Blue)

Review: HP Stream 14-inch Laptop

I recently purchased the HP Stream 14-inch Laptop and have been using it for a few weeks now. I must say, I am quite impressed with this budget-friendly notebook computer. Here's my review of the HP Stream 14.

Firstly, the design of this laptop is sleek and stylish. The royal blue color gives it a modern and vibrant look. The 14-inch display is just the right size for a portable laptop, and the slim profile makes it easy to carry around. The package dimensions and weight are also reasonable, allowing for convenient transportation.

In terms of performance, the HP Stream 14 runs on an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, which delivers decent speed for everyday tasks. While it may not be the most powerful processor on the market, it handles web browsing, document editing, and multimedia playback without any noticeable lag. The 4 GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking, and the 64 GB eMMC storage provides sufficient space for essential files and applications.

The laptop comes with Windows 10 Home in S Mode, which offers a secure and streamlined computing experience. The S Mode limits app installations to the Microsoft Store, ensuring better protection against malware. However, if you need to install software outside of the Microsoft Store, you can easily switch out of S Mode. Additionally, the inclusion of Office 365 Personal for 1 year is a great bonus for productivity, enabling you to use popular Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

The display quality of the HP Stream 14 is satisfactory for its price range. While it's not the sharpest or most vibrant display out there, it still provides a good viewing experience for browsing the web, watching videos, and working on documents. The audio quality is decent as well, although I would recommend using headphones or external speakers for a more immersive audio experience.

One aspect where the HP Stream 14 truly shines is its battery life. With a full charge, I can comfortably use the laptop for around 8 to 10 hours of moderate usage, which is impressive for a portable device. This extended battery life allows me to work on the go without constantly worrying about finding a power outlet.

The keyboard and trackpad of the HP Stream 14 are comfortable to use, providing a good typing experience. The keys are well-spaced and offer decent tactile feedback. The trackpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures, making navigation smooth and intuitive.

One downside to note is that the HP Stream 14 does not come with a lot of ports. It includes two USB ports (one USB 3.1 Gen 1 and one USB 2.0), an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. While this selection is sufficient for most basic needs, it may be limiting if you require multiple peripheral connections simultaneously.

In conclusion, the HP Stream 14-inch Laptop is an excellent choice for those on a budget or looking for a secondary portable device. It offers a stylish design, satisfactory performance for everyday tasks, and a generous battery life. The inclusion of Windows 10 Home in S Mode and Office 365 Personal for 1 year further enhances its value. While it may have some limitations, such as limited ports, the overall package is impressive considering the price point. If you need a reliable and affordable laptop for basic computing needs, the HP Stream 14 is definitely worth considering.