If you need a laptop with high performance for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or software development, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is better suited for you, but it comes at a higher cost. However, if your primary use is web browsing, document editing, or other less demanding tasks, and budget is a concern, the HP Stream 14" is a more economical choice, with the tradeoff being lower performance and possibly shorter battery life. The MacBook is also known for its build quality and display, whereas the HP is generally more modest in these aspects but offers greater portability due to its lighter design. Consider how each laptop's attributes align with your priorities in performance, budget, build quality, and how you plan to use it. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Stream 14"
The HP Stream 14" has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020).
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) features a high-resolution display and an efficient Apple M1 chip with a longer battery life, making it ideal for general use with strong performance and portability. In contrast, the HP Stream 14", although having more RAM and an adequate CPU, is hampered by its lower-quality screen and is more suited to basic activities, reflected in its lower suitability for general use, despite good heat management and portability.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
5.7/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its 8-core Apple M1 GPU provides fair performance for 3D tasks, benefiting from a high-quality IPS display and MacOS which, although limiting for game compatibility, is still adequate for some 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
5.7/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.8/10
6.7/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for content creation, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.8/10
6.5/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for software development, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
5.2/10
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the HP Stream 14" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Pro 13 (2020) excels in screen quality with its high-resolution Retina display and bright panel, offering crisp and vibrant visuals for general use and engineering, as well as excellent color accuracy for professional design work. However, its standard refresh rate is less ideal for 3D applications, where a higher refresh rate is key for smooth motion. On the other hand, the HP Stream 14" has a lower resolution and less bright screen, resulting in poorer display quality across the board, making it less suitable for both general and specialized tasks like engineering or gaming.
Battery
20.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The HP Stream 14" has 7.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and HP Stream 14" both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
5.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the HP Stream 14" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$299
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the HP Stream 14" costs $299.
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
"With half of the main system memory and a fraction of the storage that we recommend in any budget Windows laptop, the HP Stream 14 does not impress. Perhaps it doesn't need to, depending on your reference point. For the price, you're getting a functional laptop with Windows 10, which already places the HP Stream 14 above most Chromebooks on that merit alone. Still, in this price range, you can't do much worse, but you can do better. In fact, for just $100 more, you can grab the much superior budget option, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the HP Stream 14"
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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