HP Chromebook x360 14c Review: Premium Features on a Budget

The HP Chromebook x360 14c presents a compelling proposition: premium features at a budget-friendly price. This 2-in-1 Chromebook boasts a sleek design, a vibrant display, and surprisingly robust performance. But does it truly deliver on its promise of premium quality without breaking the bank? We put it through its paces to find out. This in-depth review will explore its strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide if it’s the right Chromebook for you.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Chromebook x360 14c immediately impresses with its elegant aluminum chassis. The build quality feels surprisingly solid for a Chromebook in this price range, exuding a sense of durability that surpasses many of its competitors. Its slim profile and lightweight design make it incredibly portable, ideal for students, professionals, or anyone on the go. The 360-degree hinge allows for seamless transitions between laptop mode, tablet mode, and various tent and stand modes, enhancing its versatility. The subtle branding adds to its sophisticated aesthetic. The power button is integrated seamlessly into the keyboard, adding to the clean design.

Display and Audio

The 14-inch touchscreen display is a standout feature. With its vibrant colors and sharp resolution, it’s a pleasure to watch videos, browse the web, or work on documents. The brightness levels are ample for most indoor and outdoor viewing conditions, although direct sunlight might cause some glare. The touchscreen is responsive and accurate, making navigation intuitive and enjoyable. The audio experience, while not exceptional, is surprisingly good for a Chromebook. The speakers, positioned on the bottom, deliver clear and reasonably loud sound, sufficient for casual listening and video conferencing. However, bass response is limited.

Display Detail

The display’s anti-glare coating helps to minimize reflections, improving visibility in various lighting conditions. The color accuracy is impressive, making it suitable for light photo editing or graphic design tasks. The viewing angles are also quite wide, allowing for comfortable viewing from different positions. The resolution is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks, though some users might prefer a higher pixel density.

Performance and Battery Life

The HP Chromebook x360 14c’s performance is generally smooth and efficient. It handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without any noticeable lag. While not designed for demanding applications like video editing or gaming, it performs admirably for its intended purpose. The battery life is another highlight, easily lasting a full workday on a single charge. This makes it an excellent choice for students or professionals who need a reliable device for extended periods without access to a power outlet. The fast charging capabilities are a welcome addition, allowing for quick top-ups when needed.

Performance Benchmarks

In our testing, the Chromebook exhibited consistently strong performance in web browsing benchmarks, easily handling multiple tabs and streaming videos concurrently. Its responsiveness in everyday tasks is impressive, making it a joy to use. However, more demanding applications might push its limits, resulting in slightly longer processing times.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard is comfortable and responsive, with well-spaced keys that provide a satisfying tactile feedback. Typing long documents is a comfortable experience, thanks to the well-designed key layout and the slightly indented keycaps. The trackpad is smooth and accurate, with responsive multi-touch gestures. It provides a precise and comfortable navigating experience. The size is ample for comfortable use, and its responsiveness is excellent. Navigation feels intuitive and seamless.

Connectivity and Ports

The HP Chromebook x360 14c offers a decent selection of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, and a headphone jack. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of peripherals. The inclusion of USB-A is particularly helpful, as many users still rely on devices that use this older standard. Wi-Fi connectivity is reliable and consistent, providing strong signal strength in most environments. Bluetooth connectivity is also seamless, allowing for easy pairing with wireless peripherals like headphones and mice. The lack of an SD card reader is a minor drawback, but not a significant issue for most users.

Software and Operating System

Running Chrome OS, the HP Chromebook x360 14c benefits from the simplicity and security of Google’s operating system. It’s easy to navigate, even for first-time users, and its intuitive interface requires minimal learning curve. The seamless integration with Google services is a significant advantage, offering access to a vast ecosystem of apps and online services. The regular software updates ensure that the Chromebook remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features and performance improvements. The user experience is generally smooth and efficient, with minimal system lag.

Camera and Microphone

The webcam, while not exceptional, provides adequate video quality for video calls and conferencing. The image quality is acceptable in well-lit conditions, although it struggles in low-light environments. The microphone performs adequately for voice calls, capturing clear audio in most situations. While not suitable for professional recording, it’s sufficient for everyday communication needs. The camera’s position ensures that video calls remain clear and focused.

Overall Value and Conclusion

The HP Chromebook x360 14c offers exceptional value for its price. It packs a punch with its premium design, vibrant display, and surprisingly robust performance. Its long battery life, comfortable keyboard, and versatile 2-in-1 design make it a highly practical and enjoyable device. While it might not be the most powerful Chromebook on the market, it excels in its target demographic of students and everyday users who need a reliable, portable, and affordable device. The combination of features and affordability makes it a strong contender in its price bracket. It’s a Chromebook that truly delivers on its promise of premium quality at a budget-friendly price.

This device surpasses expectations in several key areas. Its build quality feels surprisingly robust, the display is vibrant and clear, and the battery life is exceptional. The simple yet effective Chrome OS adds to its overall appeal. However, minor shortcomings exist, but they are easily outweighed by the numerous positives. Ultimately, this is a Chromebook that deserves strong consideration from anyone searching for a reliable and affordable 2-in-1 laptop.

Pros and Cons

• Sleek and durable aluminum design
• Vibrant and sharp 14-inch touchscreen display
• Excellent battery life
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Smooth and efficient performance for everyday tasks
• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Affordable price

• No SD card reader
• Webcam quality could be improved
• Limited bass response from speakers