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HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook Review: A Streamlined Laptop Experience

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HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook Review: A Streamlined Laptop Experience


Reviews

Michael Grothaus

14:46, 12 Jun 2014

Michael checks out HP’s take on the Chromebook concept – can it replace your laptop?

Typical Price: 
£249.00
Pros: 
Terrific laptop for those married to Google or those whose computer needs only include surfing the web. Generous amount of ports. Nice trackpad.
Cons: 
Pathetic battery life. Hollow keyboard. Not for those who like to store files locally.
Verdict: 
From a hardware perspective, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is a strong entry into the growing field of Chromebooks. It offers a nice number of ports, including HDMI, and has more than enough processing power and storage to meet a Chromebook user’s needs. The only thing that really kills this Chromebook is its battery life. A battery life of under four hours is something I expect from a laptop made in 2004, not 2014.

As someone who grew up using Windows PCs and then switched to Macs about twelve years ago there’s one thing I knew I always needed in a laptop: a solid operating system that was capable of running the apps and accomplishing the tasks I needed for work. However, a lot has changed in computing over the last five years. Now much of what we do, like editing and sharing photos, creating documents, sending emails, and (of course) browsing the web can all be done through a humble web browser with no extra apps needed. So it comes as little surprise that an OS would eventually arise that was, for all intents and purposes, just a web browser and nothing else. And that’s exactly what Google’s Chrome OS is, which runs on Chromebooks. I wanted to see how both the device and the OS fared against PC and Mac laptops, so I decided to take one model–the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook–for a spin. Here’s what I found.

Specs

First let’s look at the raw specs of the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook.

  • Display: 14’’ BrightView LED-backlit display (1366 x 768)

  • Weight: 3.96 lbs / 1.8 kg

  • Dimensions: 34.7 x 23.8 x 2.1 cm

  • Processor: 1.1 GHz Dual-core Intel Celeron 847 Processor

  • RAM: 4 GB DDR3

  • OS: Chrome OS

  • Storage: 16 GB

  • Battery: 4-cell Li-Ion, up to 4.25 hours of battery life

  • Cameras: HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated digital microphone

  • Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, Integrated 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN

  • Ports: 3x USB 2.0, HDMI, 2-in-1 memory card slot (SD, MMC)

Storage, Processor and RAM

Normally I start reviews out by looking at a product’s display since that is the window through which we communicate with a device. However, I want to start this review out by talking about the Chromebook’s internal specs because by just glancing at the specs above–a 1.1 GHz Dual-core Intel Celeron 847 Processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD drive–you may naturally think the Chromebook is massively under-spec’d. And for a normal laptop you’d be right.

But a Chromebook has one function and one function only: to serve as a thin client to access services on the web. Its Chrome OS (which I’ll go over in more detail later) is essentially just Google’s Chrome browser and everything you do on the Chromebook you do via the web. That’s why a 1.1 GHz Dual-core Intel Celeron 847 Processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD is more than enough for Chromebooks. And indeed, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook flies with those specs when it comes to surfing the web, sending emails, using social media, and composing documents.

Display and Design

Okay, now that I’ve explained the relatively “low” specs, let’s take a look at the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook’s display. It’s a larger than normal display for most Chromebooks, which usually have displays of 11-12 inches. I happen to prefer 15-inch laptops, so I appreciate that HP decided to make a 14-inch Chromebook for others who like bigger displays too. The 14-inch display is a BrightView with LED-backlighting and runs at an optimal resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. By far that resolution is in no way the best on the market, but for general web use it’s more than enough.

The body of the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is made of a glossy (and slightly glittery) black plastic and features comfortable rounded corners. It’s not the thinnest laptop ever at 34.7 (L) x 23.8 (H) x 2.1 cm (D) but it feels exceptionally light for some reason even though it weighs 1.8kg.

The thing I really love about its design is the textured trackpad which makes running your finger over it a pleasant experience and seems to help with cursor control. Another thing about the trackpad is you can configure a tap to act as a click–something which is good because the trackpad’s physical buttons feel a bit flimsy. And speaking of buttons…the keyboard is perfectly competent, yet its keys feel hollow. However, I’m spoilt for quality as I’m used to typing on a MacBook Pro’s unibody keyboard.

One thing that makes a laptop sink or swim is how its hinge holds the position of the screen once you adjust it. I’m happy to report that the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook’s hinge is one of the sturdiest hinges I’ve ever seen. The display held at any angle even when I moved the laptop around the room.

Connectivity, Ports, Cameras, and Battery

Before I get to the meat of what makes the Chromebook so different–its OS–lets first examine the rest of the physical and component features of the laptop.

As far as connectivity goes this Chromebook comes with 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi built in, Bluetooth 3.0, and a 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet port. The inclusion of the ethernet port is quite baffling as it’s something most people don’t use anymore, but I suspect network administrators who want a Chromebook will appreciate the throwback. It’s also a bit disappointing that this Chromebook offers only Bluetooth 3.0 instead of Bluetooth 4.0. But since most wireless mice and keyboards only require Bluetooth 2.1 or above it’s not that big of a loss.

For a budget laptop, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is packed with ports. On the left side you’ll find a Kensington laptop lock slot, one USB 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the right side you’ll find two more USB 2.0 ports, the ethernet port, a 2-in-1 memory card slot that supports both SD and MMC cards, and an HDMI port.

The HDMI port is a nice touch as I can see many Chromebook owners connecting their laptop to their TV at home to use it as an external monitor to watch streaming YouTube or Netflix movies on. I’m a bit disappointed that, while 3 USB ports are generous on a laptop, they are all only USB 2.0. Then again USB 3.0 is primarily used for external hard drives and given that this laptop only has a 16GB SSD and is designed for web use and storage, there’s not going to be a lot of large files on it that need backing up.

On the top bezel of the display is an HP TrueVision HD webcam and mic. It’s decent enough for Google video Hangouts, but nothing to write home about.

The biggest letdown of the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is one of the most important features of any laptop: its battery life. HP decided to only put a 4-cell Li-Ion battery in here, which barely takes up any room. But given the battery needs to power a 14-inch display it’s nowhere near enough juice for a laptop. In my tests of basic web browsing and document creation the laptop only averaged between 3 hours and 3 hours and 45 minutes before it was dead. HP says it can last “up to 4.25 hours” on a single charge, but even that is pathetic. Without the clunky power adapter the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook won’t even get you through half a day’s work.

Software, Services and OS

The sole reason anyone would buy a Chromebook is for the Chrome OS. It’s either going to be enough for what you need to do or won’t be enough at all. As I said earlier, the Chrome OS is just an operating system that is Google’s Chrome browser. Everything you can do in this OS must be done through the web browser. There are no native apps–not even an email client. Checking your mail must be done through the web browser, like everything else. Even the “apps” that look like individual apps are just HTML5 web apps, like the calculator.

The good news is if you know how to use the Chrome web browser, you’re automatically an expert at using Chrome OS. The OS does have a launcher that runs along the bottom of the screen, but clicking on any of the buttons in it–like the documents or YouTube buttons–will simply take you to the Google Docs or YouTube website in the Chrome browser. There are plenty of web apps you can install on the Chromebook, but again, they are all HTML5 browser-based apps.

The good news for the Chromebook is that, for some people, this is the only laptop they need. Google has a plethora of online services from Google Documents to Hangouts to Maps that work exceptionally well via a browser. And of course any other online apps made by Apple or Microsoft or anyone else also run fine. Another great thing about the Chrome OS is that it stays up to date automatically, includes built-in virus protection you never need to fiddle with, and is about as simple to use as an OS can be.

Verdict

From a hardware perspective, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is a strong entry into the growing field of Chromebooks. It offers a nice number of ports, including HDMI, and has more than enough processing power and storage to meet a Chromebook user’s needs. The only thing that really kills this Chromebook is its battery life. A battery life of under four hours is something I expect from a laptop made in 2004, not 2014.

But the real deciding factor if this laptop is for you depends on how heavily you are married to Google’s services. If you’re a heavy Gmail user and use your Google ID more than any other ID on the Internet, then a Chromebook is probably for you–if you are also a very limited computer user, which means if everything you do on your current computer is via a web browser only.

Who a Chromebook is not for, however, is probably 80% of the computer-using world. If you like the ability to install native apps and keep a large amount of your files–such as various types of documents and photos and videos–locally on your hard drive the Chromebook would not in any way be for you.

Reviews Michael Grothaus 14:forty six, 12 Jun 2014

Michael checks out HP's tackle the Chromebook idea - can it substitute your laptop computer?

Typical Worth: 
£249.00
Execs: 
Terrific laptop computer for these married to Google or these whose pc wants solely embrace browsing the online. Beneficiant quantity of ports. Good trackpad.
Cons: 
Pathetic battery life. Hole keyboard. Not for many who wish to retailer information regionally.
Verdict: 
From a hardware perspective, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is a robust entry into the rising subject of Chromebooks. It presents a pleasant variety of ports, together with HDMI, and has greater than sufficient processing energy and storage to satisfy a Chromebook consumer’s wants. The one factor that basically kills this Chromebook is its battery life. A battery lifetime of underneath 4 hours is one thing I anticipate from a laptop computer made in 2004, not 2014.

As somebody who grew up utilizing Home windows PCs after which switched to Macs about twelve years in the past there’s one factor I knew I all the time wanted in a laptop computer: a strong working system that was able to operating the apps and undertaking the duties I wanted for work. Nevertheless, so much has modified in computing during the last 5 years. Now a lot of what we do, like modifying and sharing photographs, creating paperwork, sending emails, and (in fact) shopping the online can all be achieved via a humble net browser with no additional apps wanted. So it comes as little shock that an OS would ultimately come up that was, for all intents and functions, only a net browser and nothing else. And that’s precisely what Google’s Chrome OS is, which runs on Chromebooks. I needed to see how each the system and the OS fared towards PC and Mac laptops, so I made a decision to take one mannequin--the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook--for a spin. Right here’s what I discovered.

Specs

First let’s take a look at the uncooked specs of the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook.

  • Show: 14’’ BrightView LED-backlit show (1366 x 768)

  • Weight: three.ninety six lbs / 1.eight kg

  • Dimensions: 34.7 x 23.eight x 2.1 cm

  • Processor: 1.1 GHz Twin-core Intel Celeron 847 Processor

  • RAM: four GB DDR3

  • OS: Chrome OS

  • Storage: sixteen GB

  • Battery: four-cell Li-Ion, as much as four.25 hours of battery life

  • Cameras: HP TrueVision HD Webcam with built-in digital microphone

  • Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth three.zero, Built-in 10/one hundred BASE-T Ethernet LAN

  • Ports: 3x USB 2.zero, HDMI, 2-in-1 reminiscence card slot (SD, MMC)

Storage, Processor and RAM

Usually I begin evaluations out by taking a look at a product’s show since that's the window via which we talk with a tool. Nevertheless, I need to begin this evaluate out by speaking concerning the Chromebook’s inner specs as a result of by simply glancing on the specs above--a 1.1 GHz Twin-core Intel Celeron 847 Processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD drive--chances are you'll naturally assume the Chromebook is massively beneath-spec’d. And for a standard laptop computer you’d be proper.

However a Chromebook has one perform and one perform solely: to function a skinny shopper to entry providers on the internet. Its Chrome OS (which I’ll go over in additional element later) is actually simply Google’s Chrome browser and every part you do on the Chromebook you do by way of the online. That’s why a 1.1 GHz Twin-core Intel Celeron 847 Processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD is greater than sufficient for Chromebooks. And certainly, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook flies with these specs relating to browsing the online, sending emails, utilizing social media, and composing paperwork.

Show and Design

Okay, now that I’ve defined the comparatively “low” specs, let’s check out the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook’s show. It’s a bigger than regular show for many Chromebooks, which often have shows of eleven-12 inches. I occur to choose 15-inch laptops, so I recognize that HP determined to make a 14-inch Chromebook for others who like greater shows too. The 14-inch show is a BrightView with LED-backlighting and runs at an optimum decision of 1366 x 768 pixels. By far that decision is on no account the most effective available on the market, however for common net use it’s greater than sufficient.

The physique of the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is made from a shiny (and barely glittery) black plastic and options snug rounded corners. It’s not the thinnest laptop computer ever at 34.7 (L) x 23.eight (H) x 2.1 cm (D) nevertheless it feels exceptionally mild for some cause regardless that it weighs 1.8kg.

The factor I actually love about its design is the textured trackpad which makes operating your finger over it a pleasing expertise and appears to assist with cursor management. One other factor concerning the trackpad is you possibly can configure a faucet to behave as a click on--one thing which is sweet as a result of the trackpad’s bodily buttons really feel a bit flimsy. And talking of buttons...the keyboard is completely competent, but its keys really feel hole. Nevertheless, I’m spoilt for high quality as I’m used to typing on a MacBook Professional’s unibody keyboard.

One factor that makes a laptop computer sink or swim is how its hinge holds the place of the display when you modify it. I’m glad to report that the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook’s hinge is among the sturdiest hinges I’ve ever seen. The show held at any angle even once I moved the laptop computer across the room.

Connectivity, Ports, Cameras, and Battery

Earlier than I get to the meat of what makes the Chromebook so totally different--its OS--lets first look at the remainder of the bodily and element options of the laptop computer.

So far as connectivity goes this Chromebook comes with 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi inbuilt, Bluetooth three.zero, and a ten/one hundred BASE-T Ethernet port. The inclusion of the ethernet port is sort of baffling because it’s one thing most individuals don’t use anymore, however I think network directors who need a Chromebook will recognize the throwback. It’s additionally a bit disappointing that this Chromebook gives solely Bluetooth three.zero as an alternative of Bluetooth four.zero. However since most wi-fi mice and keyboards solely require Bluetooth 2.1 or above it’s not that massive of a loss.

For a price range laptop computer, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is full of ports. On the left aspect you’ll discover a Kensington laptop computer lock slot, one USB 2.zero port, and a three.5mm headphone jack. On the fitting aspect you’ll discover two extra USB 2.zero ports, the ethernet port, a 2-in-1 reminiscence card slot that helps each SD and MMC playing cards, and an HDMI port.

The HDMI port is a pleasant contact as I can see many Chromebook house owners connecting their laptop computer to their TV at residence to make use of it as an exterior monitor to observe streaming YouTube or Netflix films on. I’m a bit dissatisfied that, whereas three USB ports are beneficiant on a laptop computer, they're all solely USB 2.zero. Then once more USB three.zero is primarily used for exterior onerous drives and provided that this laptop computer solely has a 16GB SSD and is designed for net use and storage, there’s not going to be a number of giant information on it that want backing up.

On the highest bezel of the show is an HP TrueVision HD webcam and mic. It’s respectable sufficient for Google video Hangouts, however nothing to write down residence about.

The most important letdown of the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is likely one of the most essential options of any laptop computer: its battery life. HP determined to solely put a four-cell Li-Ion battery in right here, which barely takes up any room. However given the battery must energy a 14-inch show it’s nowhere close to sufficient juice for a laptop computer. In my checks of primary net shopping and doc creation the laptop computer solely averaged between three hours and three hours and forty five minutes earlier than it was lifeless. HP says it may possibly final “as much as four.25 hours” on a single cost, however even that's pathetic. With out the clunky energy adapter the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook gained’t even get you thru half a day’s work.

Software program, Providers and OS

The only purpose anybody would purchase a Chromebook is for the Chrome OS. It’s both going to be sufficient for what you should do or gained’t be sufficient in any respect. As I stated earlier, the Chrome OS is simply an working system that's Google’s Chrome browser. Every thing you are able to do on this OS have to be achieved via the online browser. There are not any native apps--not even an e mail shopper. Checking your mail have to be achieved via the online browser, like all the things else. Even the “apps” that appear to be particular person apps are simply HTML5 net apps, just like the calculator.

The excellent news is that if you understand how to make use of the Chrome net browser, you’re mechanically an professional at utilizing Chrome OS. The OS does have a launcher that runs alongside the underside of the display, however clicking on any of the buttons in it--just like the paperwork or YouTube buttons--will merely take you to the Google Docs or YouTube web site within the Chrome browser. There are many net apps you possibly can set up on the Chromebook, however once more, they're all HTML5 browser-based mostly apps.

The excellent news for the Chromebook is that, for some individuals, that is the one laptop computer they want. Google has a plethora of on-line providers from Google Paperwork to Hangouts to Maps that work exceptionally nicely by way of a browser. And naturally some other on-line apps made by Apple or Microsoft or anybody else additionally run high-quality. One other wonderful thing about the Chrome OS is that it stays updated mechanically, consists of constructed-in virus safety you by no means have to fiddle with, and is about as easy to make use of as an OS might be.

Verdict

From a hardware perspective, the HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is a robust entry into the rising subject of Chromebooks. It provides a pleasant variety of ports, together with HDMI, and has greater than sufficient processing energy and storage to satisfy a Chromebook consumer’s wants. The one factor that basically kills this Chromebook is its battery life. A battery lifetime of beneath 4 hours is one thing I anticipate from a laptop computer made in 2004, not 2014.

However the actual deciding issue if this laptop computer is for you depends upon how closely you're married to Google’s providers. When you’re a heavy Gmail consumer and use your Google ID greater than some other ID on the Web, then a Chromebook might be for you--in case you are additionally a really restricted pc consumer, which suggests if the whole lot you do in your present pc is by way of an internet browser solely.

Who a Chromebook just isn't for, nevertheless, might be eighty% of the pc-utilizing world. For those who like the power to put in native apps and hold a considerable amount of your information--akin to numerous kinds of paperwork and pictures and movies--regionally in your exhausting drive the Chromebook wouldn't in any means be for you.

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