The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is a higher-end device that offers significantly better performance for tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and other intensive applications; it has a better processor, improved graphics capabilities, and a higher-quality display. Its build quality and operating system are tailored for professionals and it has a longer battery life. Conversely, the HP Stream 14" is far more affordable and may be sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and casual media consumption, but it has a lower quality display, and its performance is limited, making it less suitable for demanding software or multitasking. The MacBook Pro is also less portable due to its weight, but the tradeoff is a laptop that is much more capable and built to handle more complex tasks. If your priority is performance and quality and you're willing to invest more, go for the MacBook Pro; if portability and price are your main concerns and your usage is relatively light, the HP Stream may suffice. 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 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent 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 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
6.5/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is highly regarded for general use thanks to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, high-quality Mini LED screen, long battery life, and exceptional build, including an excellent keyboard and speakers. In comparison, the HP Stream 14" is rated as fair due to its less powerful Intel Celeron processor, lower-resolution TN screen, and shorter battery life, but it maintains a good level of portability, similar to the MacBook Pro.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
5.7/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is equipped with a powerful integrated GPU and a high-refresh-rate Mini LED screen, making it suitable for 3D applications, whereas the HP Stream 14" uses a basic GPU and a standard refresh-rate screen that provide insufficient performance and visual fluidity for gaming and 3D tasks. However, despite the MacBook's superior hardware, its MacOS might not support many popular games, limiting its gaming potential compared to Windows-based laptops.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
5.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design due to its powerful M1 Pro processor, ample RAM, advanced GPU, and high-quality Mini LED screen which are essential for demanding applications and detailed visual work. In contrast, the HP Stream 14" struggles in these areas because it has a basic Celeron processor, weaker integrated graphics, and a lower resolution TN display which hinder performance and visual fidelity.
Content Creation
8.4/10
6.7/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very 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
8.3/10
6.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very 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
9.2/10
5.2/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the HP Stream 14" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" offers an exceptional display with high resolution and brightness levels suitable for general use, along with wide color gamuts that deliver precise colors for engineering and design tasks, but it falls short for 3D applications due to a standard refresh rate. In contrast, the HP Stream 14" has lower resolution and brightness, resulting in less crisp and dimmer visuals less suited for general tasks and inadequate for color-sensitive engineering and design work, and also lacks the high refresh rate needed for smooth 3D experiences. Consequently, the MacBook Pro 14" excels in display quality for general activities and professional design, while neither laptop is optimized for 3D activities where refresh rate is key.
Battery
13.5 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
5.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) 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
$1,905
$299
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the HP Stream 14" costs $299.
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"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 14 (2021) 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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