The HP Chromebook 14 is the first model with an AMD processor to be introduced at CES 2019. (db0020nr). It will be available later this month (just before the AMD-powered Acer Chromebook 315 in February) for a starting price of $269 and will be powered by AMD A4 and A6 CPUs with integrated Radeon R4 and R5 GPUs.
While those graphics performance improvements are yet to be seen, the average Chromebook user should benefit from Android app emulation via the Google Play store. Also, HP rates this Chromebook’s battery life at up to 9 hours and 15 minutes, which is impressive if it lives up to the hype. We’re excited to put the Laptop Mag Battery Test to the test and see how it goes.
HP Chromebook 14 (AMD) Specifications
| Starting Price | $269 |
| Processor | AMD A4 / AMD A6 |
| Display | 14-inch, 1366 x 768 non-touch / 1920 x 1080 touchscreen ($30 extra) |
| GPU | Radeon R4 / Radeon R5 (Integrated) |
| Ports | 2x USB Type-C, 2x USB 2.0 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB eMMC |
| Battery Life (Estimated) | Up to 9:15 |
| Weight | 3.4 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.27 x 8.93 x 0.72 inches |
During my hands-on time with this 14-inch Chromebook, I noticed how well it handles several minor details. Its keyboard deck is made of plastic, but the keys are very comfortable to type on, and the deck has a nice brushed-metal finish.
I saw the Chromebook 14 in an elegant Ink Blue color, which I prefer over the Charcoal Grey option. For those who prefer all-white gadgets, HP will also sell the Chromebook 14 in Snow White.
While the $269 starting price is appealing for those looking for the cheapest option, you’ll need to spend an extra $30 to upgrade from the 1366 x 768 non-touch screen to a Full HD (1920 x 1080) touchscreen. You’ll be able to get the most out of those Google Play apps, which are all designed for touch interaction, this way.
The Chromebook 14 has two USB Type-C ports (which also charge) and two boxy USB 2.0 ports, which are split between its left and right sides. As someone who has tried relying on the MacBook Pro (which only has power-drawing ports on the left side), I must commend HP for its versatility, as it comes in handy when your nearest power outlet is on one side but not the other.
To get a complete read on this laptop, we’ll have to test it ourselves for our full review, but it’s great to see that the Chromebook market is thriving enough to warrant AMD variants of existing models. We’re excited to get it into the lab for more thorough testing.
