HP Stream 14" 2024, Celeron N4120, 16GB, 64GB eMMC, Blue

The HP Stream 14 is a budget Windows laptop with 16GB of RAM but a weak Celeron CPU and only 64GB of slow eMMC storage. It's fine for basic browsing and schoolwork, but the screen is dated and performance is sluggish. Most people should consider a refurbished laptop or Chromebook instead.

The Intel Celeron N4120 is a 4-core chip with a 1.1GHz base clock, and it's one of the weakest CPUs we've tracked. In our database it sits at the 11th percentile, which means almost every other laptop CPU out there runs circles around it. Everyday tasks like web browsing with a few tabs open, writing docs, and streaming video are doable, but you'll feel the lag when things get busy. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 600 is also near the bottom, so gaming is basically off the table. Our gaming score for this thing is 9.3 out of 100, which is a polite way of saying don't even try.

The 16GB of RAM is the one bright spot. It's more than most budget laptops offer, and it helps with multitasking within the limits of that slow CPU. But the 64GB eMMC storage is a real problem. Windows 11 takes up a big chunk of that, and eMMC is much slower than a proper SSD. You'll be juggling files and leaning on cloud storage or the included 32GB USB card just to keep breathing room. The screen resolution of 1366x768 is also a weak spot, landing in the bottom 4 percent of laptops we've tested.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro M5 or Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition, the HP Stream 14 isn't even in the same conversation. Those machines cost several times more and deliver dramatically better performance, screens, and build quality. The Lenovo Legion 5i and ASUS Zenbook UX3405CA are also far ahead, with proper SSDs and CPUs that can handle real work. The Stream's only advantage is price, and even that is shaky when you look at the used market.

If you're comparing budget options, a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad or Dell Latitude from a few years back will beat this HP in almost every way. You'd get a faster CPU, a real SSD, and a better screen for similar money. The Stream 14 makes sense only if you insist on buying new and need the absolute lowest price with a Windows license included.

At CAD 599, the HP Stream 14 is cheap, but cheap doesn't always mean good value. You can find refurbished business laptops with proper SSDs and much faster CPUs for around the same money. The 16GB of RAM and Office 365 bundle add some appeal, but the slow processor and tiny storage make this feel like a machine you'll outgrow in a year. If you only need a basic laptop for email, web browsing, and light schoolwork, it's passable. But most people will be happier spending a bit more on something with an SSD and a better screen.

The HP Stream 14 is a budget laptop that sits at the very bottom of the pricing ladder, usually around CAD 599 in Canada. It's aimed at students, casual browsers, and anyone who needs a cheap Windows machine for light work. The headline specs are an Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. That RAM number looks generous for this class, but the rest of the package tells a different story.

People searching for a cheap HP laptop for school or basic tasks will find this one easy to carry and simple to use. It runs Windows 11 S, which locks you to the Microsoft Store for apps unless you switch out of S mode. The 14 inch HD display is fine for reading and video calls, but it's not a screen you'll brag about. And the 720p webcam gets the job done for online classes.

We've seen a lot of budget laptops in our database, and this one lands in a weird spot. The 16GB of RAM is unusual for a Stream, but the Celeron CPU and tiny eMMC drive hold it back hard. It's a machine for very specific, very light use cases.

Skip the HP Stream 14 if you plan to do anything beyond basic web browsing and document editing. Gamers, video editors, programmers, and anyone who multitasks heavily will find it painfully slow. If you need to install apps outside the Microsoft Store, you'll have to leave S mode, which adds friction. Instead, look at a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell Latitude, or a Chromebook in the same price range. You'll get a faster CPU, a real SSD, and a better screen for your money.

Should you buy the HP Stream 14? Only if your needs are extremely light and your budget is extremely tight. It handles basic web browsing, email, and document editing, but everything feels slower than it should. The 16GB of RAM is nice, but it's wasted on a CPU that can't keep up and storage that's nearly full out of the box.

For most people, we'd say skip it. A refurbished business laptop or a Chromebook will give you a better experience for similar money. The Stream 14 is a niche product for very specific buyers, and even then, you'll need patience.