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» » ᐅ HP 14a-ca0023nr Review: A Killer Convertible Chromebook

ᐅ HP 14a-ca0023nr Review: A Killer Convertible Chromebook

 

Pros
  • Powerful Celeron Processor
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Convertible Design
  • Low price point
Cons
  • Not a Full HD Display
  • The keyboard is not backlit
Chromebooks have become fairly popular over the past few years. What started out as a very niche product has gone on to become mainstream computers that are very common for students or casual users who perform mainly web-based tasks and therefore don't really have a need for a Windows or Mac OS laptop.

Case and point, when you take a look at the listings of best-selling laptops at any given moment you're bound to see more than a couple of Chromebooks in the mix. Such is where you'll find the HP 14a-ca0023nr, the Chromebook we're going to be covering today.

This Chromebook is part of HP's x360 series, meaning it's also a convertible thanks to its touchscreen and flip design. But, is this the right Chromebook for you? That's what we've set out to explore! Let's get on with it!

Who's it for?

=> Students: The HP 14a-ca0023nr is great for students who need a powerful laptop to get them through school. It comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, making it perfect for storing a good number of documents, photos, and videos.

=> Casual users: If you're not looking to break the bank and just need a device that can handle all your basic computing needs such as browsing the web, checking emails, streaming music and videos, then the HP 14a-ca0023nr is perfect for you. With its long battery life, you'll be able to go all day without having to worry about charging your Chromebook.

=> Business users: While this Chromebook might not have the horsepower to handle more intensive tasks, it's perfect for basic tasks such as browsing the web, checking emails, managing calendars and collaboration tools with Google apps. While there are better Chromebooks out there for business users, the HP 14a-ca0023nr definitely gets the job done.

Design, Display & Keyboard

Surely one of the reasons you're reading this review is because you've become enticed by the HP 14a-ca0023nr's minimalistic design.

This Chromebook is one of the most attractive models in its category, sporting a very fresh and clean look that only features a dash of color on the top-left of the back panel where you can find the Chromebook logo. It's a real beauty.

Also, while it's true that this isn't a high-end device built with high-end materials, it should be pointed out that the quality build is quite good, as many users can attest to.

As for the display, we're not going to lie to you, we would've liked to see a Full HD display over here. In the case of entry-level Chromebooks like the HP 14a-na0023nr it can be understandable that HP would opt for an HD panel but on a mid-range Chromebook such as this one we really expected a Full HD display to be pretty much a given.

Finally, when it comes to the keyboard, we're happy to say that it's one of the best features of this Chromebook. The keys feel good and have a nice amount of travel, making them a joy to type on for extended periods of time.

Performance

The HP 14a-ca0023nr is powered by an Intel Pentium Silver N5030 CPU which, while not being the most powerful processor on the market, is still pretty capable and will handle most everyday web-based computing tasks with ease.

As for RAM, you get 4GB which should be plenty for multitasking and storing a good number of Chrome tabs open at the same time.

Having said that, this is still a laptop that's aimed primarily at students and marketed towards users that don't require AAA hardware to work on dozens of tabs and programs open at a time.

For storage, you get 64GB of eMMC on board which is also great for a Chromebook in this price range since many Chromebooks will ship with 32 GB.

Overall, everyday performance on this Chromebook is good on things such as social media, checking emails, navigating the web, streaming videos and music, as well as editing documents on Google Docs, or working on spreadsheets with Google Sheets.

Again, this laptop is aimed at users that don't need a powerful processor or ample RAM. It's perfect in that regard for casual users or students looking for a powerful laptop to get them through school.

Battery Life & Connectivity Options

As you probably know by now Chromebooks are known for having a pretty decent battery life and the HP 14a-ca0023nr is not the exception. To the point, HP claims battery life to be along the lines of 12 hours. This is achieved through a combination of battery power, low screen resolution, and energy-efficient components.

However, even with that, we always advise users to estimate battery life at roughly 75% of the manufacturer's claims, leaving us in that case with a solid 9-hour battery life in any case, that many users can vouch for.

In terms of connectivity, this notebook features a single USB Type-A port, a couple of Type-C ports, and an audio jack. Unfortunately, there's no HDMI port nor microSD slot, which we must admit we miss a little bit.

Finally, you've got your standard WiFi 5 as well as Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and an HD webcam. Sure enough, it's far from the best webcam a laptop has to offer but it's well in line with what we're used to seeing amongst mid-range laptops such as this one.

Bottom Line: Should I Buy the HP 14a-ca0023nr?

All in all, the HP 14a-ca0023nr is a great Chromebook for users that don't need a lot of power and are looking for a device that will last them all day long on a single charge. It sports an attractive design, a good keyboard, as well as solid everyday performance.

We would've liked to see a Full HD display and maybe even a backlit keyboard but those are just minor nitpicks.

If you're in the market for a mid-range Chromebook, the HP 14a-ca0023nr is definitely worth getting.

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