HP 14z Laptop review: A budget device you can depend on

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Solid affordable operation

HP 14z Laptop review: A budget device you can depend on

Despite a mediocre trackpad and a dim display, the HP 14z Laptop is nevertheless a strong option for people looking to save.

HP 14z Laptop Source: Windows Fundamental

If you're not willing or able to pay for the costs of some of the best Windows laptops, your all-time bet is to turn to budget-friendly laptops that are designed to offer users a decent computing experience for a significantly lower cost. There are tons of these devices out there, but unfortunately, their quality varies widely. Some cheap laptops are simply terrible due to bug like mediocre performance and unacceptably poor build quality, while others are surprisingly polish and enjoyable to utilize.

The HP 14z Laptop, which is one of HP's most affordable devices, falls into the latter category. While it lacks the bells and whistles that make top-notch devices and so appealing, this model has traditionally offered solid overall performance and decent battery longevity for a very affordable price. This has consistently made the HP 14z Laptop one of the all-time budget laptops in recent years, and it recently got a 2022 refresh that includes some brand new Ryzen CPUs.

I was able to get my hands on one to test, and after spending over a calendar week with the laptop, I can confidently say that the HP 14z Laptop is one of the height budget-friendly devices on the market place right now — though it's definitely non without its disappointing drawbacks.

HP 14z Laptop

HP 14z Laptop (fq1000)

Lesser line: Despite bug like a dim display and a disappointing trackpad, the HP 14z Laptop withal remains a great upkeep-friendly device thank you to solid and dependable performance.

The Adept

Solid and dependable performance
Display looks skillful for the price
Decent battery life
Solid overall build quality
Good port pick

The Bad

Display is dim
Trackpad feels loose and hollow
No fingerprint reader
No backlit keys
No 1080p touch option
Collects fingerprints similar no tomorrow

HP 14z Laptop: Price, availability, and specs

HP 14z Laptop Source: Windows Central

HP supplied Windows Central with a review unit of the HP 14z Laptop. It was configured by the manufacturer with an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, 28GB SSD, and xiv-inch FHD non-touch brandish.

This exact model costs $550 on HP's website at the time of writing (the most expensive configuration is $990). Additionally, my review unit of measurement shipped with Windows 10 installed; HP is at present selling the device with Windows 11. Notably, you can buy the HP 14z Laptop with Windows x installed from Amazon, although the prices are college.

Below are all of the different specs that y'all can customize an HP 14z Laptop with:

Category	Spec
OS	Windows 10 Home Windows xi Habitation
Processor	AMD Ryzen 3 5300U AMD Ryzen 5 5500U AMD Ryzen seven 5700U
RAM	8GB 12GB 16GB
Graphics	AMD Radeon Graphics
Storage	128GB SSD 256GB SSD 512GB SSD 1TB SSD
Display	14-inch HD display (1366x768), non-bear upon (250 nits) 14-inch HD brandish (1366x768), touch (250 nits) 14-inch FHD IPS display (1920x1080), non-impact (250 nits)
Ports	1x USB-C 2x USB-A 1x HDMI 1.4b 1x Air-conditioning smart pin 1x SD card reader 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo
Audio	Dual speakers
Connectivity	Wi-Fi half-dozen Bluetooth 4.two Bluetooth v.0 Bluetooth 5.two
Camera	Forepart-facing 720p
Keyboard	Not backlit Backlit
Touchpad	Precision
Security	None
Bombardment	41Wh battery seven.5 hours
Dimensions	12.76 ten 8.86 x 0.71 in (324 x 225 x 18 mm)
Weight	3.24 pounds (1.47kg)
Color	Jet black Mercury burgundy Natural silver Indigo blueish Pale golden Snowflake white

HP 14z Laptop: What I like

HP 14z Laptop Source: Windows Cardinal

At the price level that HP is targeting with the HP 14z Laptop, it's crucial for devices to offer solid and dependable performance for general productivity and other light tasks. Thankfully, the HP 14z Laptop delivers this in spades. I spent over a week using the device for work, and throughout the duration of my testing, I was able to bounce between Give-and-take documents, Google Docs files, emails, and webpages with speed and precision. In that location'south even plenty horsepower hither to evangelize practiced performance in calorie-free games like Minecraft, which volition no incertitude make Xbox Game Pass subscribers happy. It's far from the fastest laptop I've used, simply it's nevertheless impressive for something in the $400-600 range.

The device's display also looks good considering the price of the HP 14z Laptop, as it serves up decently vibrant colors and a dainty 1080p resolution. You can save a little coin by opting for a slightly less expensive 1366x768 panel instead, but I think it's worth the $40 upcharge. If you desire support for touch, y'all can spend $xxx to get a 1366x768 touchscreen.

The HP 14z Laptop delivers solid and dependable functioning in spades.

In terms of bombardment life, the HP 14z Laptop clocks in at seven.5 hours later on general productivity tasks and 50% brightness. This falls only short of the 8-hour standard, which is solid for something this affordable. If you lot need to get every bit much time out of each charge as possible, I recommend turning the effulgence downwardly to salvage on power.

Lastly, the physical design of the laptop is good. It's got relatively thin bezels, and even though it's a bit heavier and thicker than I'd like at three.24 pounds, I've seen far worse in this price range. The build quality is solid (aside from one issue I'll impact later), featuring a hard plastic chassis that feels nice and sturdy and has a textured end that'southward pleasant to the touch. The keyboard is nice, too. Information technology comes with chiclet depression-profile keys that are comfortable to utilise and actuate with snappy precision. The laptop also comes with a prissy choice of ports, including a USB-C slot, dual USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader.

HP 14z Laptop: What I don't similar

HP 14z Laptop Source: Windows Primal

The HP 14z Laptop doesn't have a ton of significant bug, but one drawback is the 250-nit max brightness that all of the device'due south bachelor displays have. It would have been nice if HP could go the brightness up to the 300-nit range, every bit 250 merely isn't enough to fight off dominicus glare while using the laptop outside (especially since the display isn't matte).

The dim brandish and the mediocre trackpad are disappointing.

Another problem is that the laptop'due south trackpad feels very loose and hollow, which leads to an unsatisfying user experience that contrasts the otherwise enjoyable keyboard. The trackpad is accurate, at to the lowest degree, but ultimately HP could have done better to manufacture a trackpad that feels sturdy to use. Information technology might exist a good thought to wait around for practiced deals on wireless mice to pair with the HP 14z Laptop.

Another annoyances include the lack of a fingerprint reader to use with Windows Hello, the lack of an pick for a 1080p touchscreen, and the absenteeism of backlighting for the keyboard. Information technology's also worth noting that the device'south textured chassis collects so many smudges and fingerprints, which will definitely badger people who like keeping their laptops looking spiffy.

HP 14z Laptop: Competition

Asus Vivobook 15 Review Source: Windows Central

While the HP 14z Laptop is certainly an first-class upkeep device, it's not the merely one out there. If it's non what you lot're looking for, whether you lot desire more features or a smaller device, both the ASUS VivoBook 15 and the Surface Go 3 are great alternatives to consider.

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is ideal for people who want the features that the HP 14z Laptop lacks. These include a fingerprint reader and a backlit keyboard, both of which can exist very useful. The overall functioning is worse and the battery life falls short of six hours, but the ASUS VivoBook xv is nevertheless a cracking option for those who want more features.

If you'd prefer something that prioritizes meaty size and a small-scale weight above all else, look no further than the Surface Go 3. Its performance isn't as good as the HP 14z Laptop, simply the upside is that the Surface Go 3 is far thinner and lighter than HP's budget offering (besides as pretty much every other laptop on the marketplace in general). It tin can also exist used equally a tablet, and it has a rock lesser starting price of $399 likewise.

HP 14z Laptop: Should you buy information technology?

HP 14z Laptop Source: Windows Central

You should buy this if ...

You need capable functioning
You lot demand a device with solid battery life
You demand something affordable

Y'all shouldn't buy this if...

Yous're a hardcore gamer
You do demanding tasks like video editing
You desire something on the premium side

Folks who need or want an advanced machine for things like video editing or hardcore gaming should look elsewhere, and people that desire a laptop with premium build quality, functioning, and features will be disappointed. However, for the budget buyer that needs reliable performance and solid overall quality for an affordable cost, the HP 14z Laptop is a swell option.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows. Things like the subpar trackpad and the lack of a fingerprint reader or backlit keyboard are unfortunate, but ultimately, the HP 14z Laptop is fantastic for folks who need a lot of laptop functionality for not a lot of money. Without a doubt, it'south one of the best budget devices you can buy in 2022.

HP 14z Laptop

HP 14z Laptop (fq1000)

Lesser line: The HP 14z Laptop is platonic for people who need proficient performance at a not bad price, although information technology doesn't come without some drawbacks.

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Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland Academy graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he'south been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.