Why Is Everyone Buying this Laptop?

Why the HP 14 Laptop is Amazon's Best-Selling Laptop: Is It Worth the Hype?

When it comes to selecting a laptop, there are just so many things to think about:

 performance, battery life, display quality, build quality, and even how the materials feel. But if Amazon's best-sellers list is anything to go by, one thing trumps everything else—price. Enter the HP 14 Laptop, a $169 machine that’s so unremarkable that HP didn’t even bother giving it a proper name. Yet, it’s the top-selling laptop on Amazon. So, why is everyone buying it? Let’s dive in and find out.

First Impressions: Not as Bad as You’d Think

At first glance, the HP 14 Laptop doesn’t seem terrible—which is surprising for a sub-$200 laptop. The chassis is plastic but isn't too bad with a white color scheme and brushed finish on the palm rest. It isn't the best-built laptop in the world, but it's no worse than some of the laptops three or four times its price. The keyboard is surprisingly good, and the trackpad has very good tracking and click feel. But the tiny size of the trackpad is a disadvantage for others.

The display, though, is where things begin to be compromised. It's just 768p, so text appears chunky, and the contrast ratio shifts if you tilt the screen. But if you only use it for simple things such as typing in Google Docs or watching YouTube, it's fine.

Performance: Where the HP 14 Fails

The actual problem with the HP 14 Laptop is its performance. It has 4GB of RAM, which is hardly sufficient for general usage in 2023, and 64GB of sluggish eMMC storage. The dual-core Intel Celeron N4020 processor, relying on technology developed in 2016, can't cope even with the most trivial tasks. Opening a folder or streaming a video feels like a burden, and multitasking is impossible. Gaming? Don't even think about it.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 1: A Step Up?

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 ($280) fixes some of the HP 14’s shortcomings. It comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is a significant upgrade. The 1080p TN display is also a step up in terms of text readability. However, the typing experience suffers due to the flex in the all-plastic chassis, and the trackpad becomes harder to use when your palm rests on it.

Performance-wise, the IdeaPad 1 is not significantly more powerful than the HP 14. It uses yet another dual-core Celeron processor, and these struggle to even handle basic tasks. Opening up Task Manager or a context menu can take forever, and the overall experience is infuriating.

The MacBook Air M3: A Different League Altogether

As a comparison, let's consider the MacBook Air 13-inch M3, currently the third best-selling laptop on Amazon. Priced at $850, it's in a whole different class. The MacBook Air features outstanding build quality, a gorgeous 500-nit display, and a keyboard that's a pleasure to type on. The M3 chip provides performance 73% more powerful than the HP 14 when compared in benchmarks, making it an absolute beast for productivity and content creation.

While the MacBook Air is much more costly, it's a reminder that you tend to get what you pay for. Apple's refusal to sell cheap, underpowered laptops preserves its prestige for quality, something other manufacturers might do well to follow.

Why Are People Buying the HP 14 Laptop?

So, why is the HP 14 Laptop so well-liked? The reason is that it's inexpensive. At $169, it's a cheap alternative for simple things such as homework, web surfing, and video streaming. It's not a beast, but it will suffice for those on a budget. But if you can afford a little more, it's worth avoiding the Celeron-based laptops and getting something with at least a Core i3 or Ryzen 3 processor.

Final Thoughts: Is the HP 14 Laptop Worth It?

The HP 14 Laptop is proof that performance is usually second to price for the majority of consumers. It's not a good laptop, but it'll do for everyday tasks at an unbeatable price. If you want a budget laptop for casual use, the HP 14 may be an option. But if you want something better, it's worth spending money on a better device.

What do you guys think? Is the HP 14 Laptop a steal or a hard pass? Let us know in the comments below!