Nowadays, laptops have become one of the most essential piece of technology. Day by day they are getting more and more powerful. They are pretty much the stable of everyone’s workspace. Whether it be the classroom, work place, or home, laptops are being used everywhere.
HP is one of the leading manufacturers of laptop. For doing normal day-to-day works, HP Stream and HP Chromebook are two great options. But since their specifications and performance are quite similar, the HP Stream VS Chromebook is currently one of the most controversial ones. If you are also confused between these two options, then this article is for you.
The HP Chromebook is a small laptop that has been designed to be as easy to use as possible. In recent years, the HP Chromebooks have developed a reputation for being a cheaper alternative to both Windows and Macbooks. Responsive user experience and easy-to-use features have made them an ideal option for regular tasks.
Throughout the years, Chromebooks have established themselves as a dominant player in the tech market. But now there is a strong competitor in the market which is the HP Stream line. The Stream series laptops are affordable and feature almost everything that you would require.
For better understanding, in this article, I am going to point out the differences between HP Stream 14 and Chromebook 11. Hopefully this article will help you with your selection.
At first, we are going to take a look at the HP Stream 14. It is a lightweight (3.00 lbs) and small (8.94 x 13.27 x 0.72 in) laptop that features a touchscreen and Intel UHD Graphics. It’s definitely a good and cheap laptop that will definitely be worth the money for anyone looking for a great inexpensive option.
The design and build quality of this laptop look pretty attractive. In addition to being slim and nice-looking, it has a vibrant blue finish, too. The blue interior continues inside, except for some ridges on the lid and you can feel the texture and added grip. Besides it features a bright white keyboard. And the plastic material used in this model is quite durable.
With a dual-core Intel Celeron N3350 processor, this laptop offers high performance and efficiency. Since the laptop doesn’t come with any dedicated graphics card, it uses the integrated Intel UHD Graphics of the processor. I think it is enough for normal day-to-day tasks. Plus, it has Windows 10 operating system which provides better responsiveness and performance.
Moreover, the HP Stream 14 comes with 4GB of RAM. I won’t say that it is enough to memory-intensive tasks like gaming but you will be able to perform normal tasks easily. Besides, it offers 32GB eMMC storage space. But unfortunately you are only allowed to use about half of this space.
The HP Stream 14 features a 14-inch full HD resolution screen which delivers bright and vivid visuals. However, if you are looking for a smaller option then should check out the 11.6-inch screen size variant which costs $20 less. Additionally, when it comes to battery performance, the laptop can survive more than 8 hours on a single charge.
Specifications:
| Processor | Intel Celeron N3350 |
|---|---|
| Memory | 4GB |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Screen Size | 14 Inches |
| Resolution | 1920x1080 pixels |
| Display Technology | LCD |
| Weight | 3.00 lbs |
| Dimensions | 8.94 x 13.27 x 0.72 inches |
Pros
- Great value for the money.
- Lightweight and easy to carry.
- Delivers crisp and vivid images.
- Long lasting battery life.
- Durable build quality
Cons
- Unable to perform heavy tasks
- Limited storage
HP Chromebook 11
If you are looking for luxury but are on a budget, the HP Chromebook 11 is a great option. This netbook-like device comes with all the features that a computer offers. In fact, the device nearly acts the same as a computer. Almost everything about the device is as a computer would, but it runs on an entirely different operating system: Chrome OS. While using the laptop, it feels like you are browsing on a semi-offline version of Google Chrome.
The Chromebook 11 more closely matches the specs of a tablet than a laptop. It features a 8-core MediaTek MT8183 processor which provides versatile multitasking capabilities in addition to responsive browsing experience. The turbo speed of this processor can be extended to up to 2.0 GHz. It includes MediaTek Integrated Graphics that offers better visuals.
When it comes to memory, the laptop comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM. The RAM is sufficient for performing normal tasks. In addition, it offers 32GB eMMC of storage. You may be wondering why Chromebooks always come with minimal storage capacity. Well, this is because Google Chromebooks are cloud-based and account-based computing devices. So, it doesn’t put extra load on the laptop and makes the laptop faster.
Moreover, the portability and compact shape make this device an ideal option for frequent travelers. It is so lightweight (2.37 lbs) and durable that you can play or work on the go. To enhance the portability of this device, HP used a powerful battery in it which has a 15 hours and 45 minutes of battery life, so you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet while traveling.
The design of HP Chromebook 11 is quite user friendly. It features a sleek, colorful design that provides a visual equivalent to any MacBook or kid-friendly PC. Furthermore, it includes a 11.5-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixels resolution.
Specifications:
| Processor | MediaTek Chipset |
|---|---|
| Memory | 4GB |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Graphics | MediaTek Integrated Graphics |
| Screen Size | 11 Inches |
| Resolution | 1366x768 pixels |
| Display Technology | LCD |
| Weight | 2.36 lbs |
| Dimensions | 7.59 x 11.22 x 0.66 inches |
Pros
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Offers extended battery life.
- Innovative design and build quality.
- Features multiple connectivity options.
- High-definition anti-glare screen.
Cons
- Limited internal storage.
HP Stream 14 VS Chromebook 11 (Comparison):
The specifications of these two laptops are quite similar. These two models are competing with each other for the same market, so it’s understandable why people are confused. It gets even more confusing because they are both manufactured by the same company.
Both of the laptops are almost equal in a number of different ways. When it comes to memory and storage, both of the laptops come with 4GB of RAM and 32GB eMMC storage capacity. Also, both of them feature a portable and lightweight design. So, separating the two becomes very difficult.
However, there are some differences between them that I will try to point out here –
1. Operating System
The main difference between these two laptops is the operating system, which can be a deciding factor for most people.
While the HP Stream 14 runs on a Windows operating system, the Chromebook runs on the Chrome OS. Most users are used to using Windows, so this might be a crucial difference for them. Mainly, Google wants you to use only their brower for everything. So, if you want to work with different software and programs then the Chromebook is not for you.
However, the advantage of using Chromebook is that they are mostly responsive and snappy. It stores your data and applications on the Google cloud. Google’s cloud-based services keep getting better.
2. Size
Size is another crucial difference between the two laptops. The HP Stream 14 features a 14-inch screen and the overall size of the laptop is not much compact. With a dimension of about 8.9 x 13.27 x 0.7 inches, the laptop is bigger than a 13.3-inch MacBook Air.
In comparison to this, the Chromebook 11 is features a compact and attractive design. This appears to be a simple minicomputer. It includes a 11.6-inch screen. The compact shape of this laptop makes it so portable that you can carry it anywhere you want without any issues. It even gets fit in smaller size backpacks.
3. Processor
Processor is one of the main components of a laptop that performs all the calculations to run the device. Since, both HP Stream 14 and Chromebook 11 are budget laptops, they come with low-end processors. The processors are capable of doing normal day-to-day tasks without any issues. But there are some slight differences when it comes to performance.
The HP Strem 14 comes with a 2-core Intel Celeron N3060 processor which performs well. It can easily handle normal tasks. Laptop manufacturers prefer this chipset because it offers all the necessary features. It has a good reputation in the laptop market.
On the other hand, the HP Chromebook 11 runs on a MediaTek – MT8183 mobile chipset. This chipset is mainly manufactured for smartphones. But since you are not going to perform heavy tasks on a Chromebook, it should be enough. The performance of MediaTek processors have improved significantly.
4. Battery Life
Battery life is another important difference between these laptops, which can help you make a decision.
The Chromebook 11 comes with a Li-ion polymer battery which can last up to 16 hours on a single charge. Most travelers prefer this laptop because it allows them to stay connected and keep working without having to search for a outlet.
In comparison to this, the HP Stream 11 also comes with a powerful enough battery but it cannot last as long as the HP Chromebook’s battery. On a single charge, you can expect up to 6-8 hours of battery life. This is because, the Stream 14 includes a bigger screen and runs on the Windows operating system. Also, the processor used in it requires more power to run properly.
Conclusion
Overall, the performance of HP Strem 14 is better. Although it doesn’t offer longer battery life than the Chromebook, it comes with all the features that you will require. It runs on Windows operating system and provides you a smooth working experience. However, if your aim is to get a laptop which can perform heavy-intensive task, then this one is not for you. You should read this article from here.
While on the other hand, the Chromebook will likely suit you if you are looking for a portable laptop which can help you perform daily tasks on the go. However, the operating system used in a Chromebook is not as comprehensive as Windows. Therefore, many people hesitate while buying a Chromebook.
Let us know in the comment section which laptop will you pick.
