Summary
Best Buy’s Memorial Day sale brought the HP 14-inch Chromebook down from $350 to $140, and that pricing finally makes this machine make sense. At $350, it was competing with laptops that offered more bang for your buck. At $140, it becomes exactly what many people actually need: a reliable web browsing and basic computing device that doesn’t break the bank.
This isn’t trying to be a powerhousePC, and that’s perfectly fine. If you need something straightforward for email, web browsing, streaming, and light productivity work, the math works at this price point. Let’s take a quick walk through the finer details.
So, What Exactly Are You Getting For $140?
TheIntel Celeron N4120 processor handles everyday Chrome OS tasks well.Four cores running at 1.10 GHz base frequency, boosting up to 2.60 GHz when needed, with 4MB of cache. It’s designed for efficiency rather than raw power, which works well with Chrome OS’s lightweight nature. Basic web browsing, document editing, and media streaming all run smoothly.
4GB of LPDDR4 RAM keeps things moving for typical Chromebook usage patterns. While it’s not upgradable, it’s adequate for Chrome OS and light multitasking. The 64GB eMMC storage provides quick boot times and fast app launches, though you’ll want to use cloud storage for most files, which is how Chromebooks are designed to work anyway. Intel UHD Graphics 600 handles display output and basic graphics tasks without issues. Video streaming works well, and simple games run fine.
The14-inch screen at 1366 x 768 resolutioncovers basic computing needs effectively. While it’s not Full HD, text remains readable and web content displays clearly. The anti-glare coating reduces reflections, making it comfortable for extended use. The micro-edge design keeps bezels reasonable for a budget device. For typical Chromebook activities - browsing websites, reading documents, watching videos, the display performs its role well. It’s not going to wow you, but it’s perfectly functional for the intended use cases.
Operating System, Battery, And Connectivity
Chrome OS is where this Chromebook really shines. It boots quickly, stays responsive, and handles updates seamlessly in the background. The integration with Google services feels natural - Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, and other web-based tools work smoothly. Android app support through the Play Store adds functionality for specific tasks.
The 47Wh battery delivering up to 12 hours of use is genuinely impressive for this price range. Real-world usage for web browsing, document work, and media streaming can approach those numbers. It’s one of the standout features that makes this Chromebook practical for all-day use without constantly searching for power outlets. The HP TrueVision HD camera with dual array microphones handles video calls adequately. Audio quality from the dual speakers works fine for built-in speakers, although a pair of headphones could definitely up the experience for media consumption.
On the connectivity end, we havetwo USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports and a USB-C portto handle charging and external display connections through DisplayPort 1.2. HDMI 1.4 connects to TVs and projectors easily, and the microSD card reader gives you basic storage options. The Wifi and Bluetooth are also pretty stable for typical home and office environments.
I would recommend this to any students who don’t have the greatest budget and need something that can pull off basic computing for research, writing, and online learning. It also works as a secondary device for travel or casual use around the house. Again, it won’t run Windows software or handle intensive creative work, but that’s not what it’s built for.
At $140, you pretty much get what you pay for. The Memorial Day sale ends May 26, and this pricing puts it inthe range where Chromebooks make the most sense, affordable, functional, and purpose-built for web-centric computing. So if you feel like you could use an extra laptop for funsies, head on over to Best Buy and get yourself one of these puppies. Deal is going to last until end of day 5/26.
