The ASUS Vivobook Go 12, being less expensive, offers basic performance with an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and simple Intel graphics, suited for tasks like browsing and document editing; its smaller screen and low weight make it highly portable, while its battery life is impressive. The HP Stream 14, with more storage, RAM, and a slightly larger screen, is better for multitasking and has a build that allows for expanding memory, though it's heavier with a shorter battery life. For rigorous tasks like 3D or engineering, neither is ideal, but the HP's extra RAM offers a slight edge. Both have similar low-resolution displays and cater to budget-conscious users looking for everyday functionality rather than high performance or gaming capabilities. 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 ASUS Vivobook Go 12
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the HP Stream 14"
The HP Stream 14" has no clear advantages over the ASUS Vivobook Go 12.
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
6.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The HP Stream 14" is only fair for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Content Creation
5.7/10
6.7/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The HP Stream 14" is only fair for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.7/10
6.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The HP Stream 14" is only fair for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.1/10
5.2/10
11.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The HP Stream 14" has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for content creation, and software development.
In general use, a laptop screen's sharpness and clarity are critical, which is compromised with low resolution and dim displays found on both the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 and the HP Stream 14", leading to a less satisfying viewing experience. For engineering and design tasks, accurate color representation is key, and the lack of wide color gamuts, such as DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, on these laptops means colors may not appear as precise or vivid as needed for professional work. When it comes to 3D and gaming, the slow refresh rates of these screens might lead to motion blur and less smooth visuals, while the moderate importance of resolution and panel type may further impact the overall experience in these activities.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 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
Excellent
Very Good
11.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability, while the HP Stream 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$267
$299
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a price of $267 and the HP Stream 14" costs $299.
The HP Stream 14" and ASUS Vivobook Go 12 are both poor for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 and HP Stream 14" both have entry-level Intel Celeron processors and basic Intel UHD Graphics, which lack the power for gaming and 3D applications. Additionally, they both feature screens with a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz, which isn't ideal for the smooth visuals required for high-quality gaming and 3D rendering.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
5.7/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Stream 14" and ASUS Vivobook Go 12 are both poor for engineering and design.
The ASUS VivoBook Go 12 and HP Stream 14" are not suitable for engineering and design largely due to their limited CPU, RAM, and GPU, which are not robust enough to handle the demands of intensive applications typically used in these fields. Additionally, both laptops have lower quality TN screens with limited resolution and color accuracy, which are less than ideal for the precise visual work required in engineering and design tasks.
Build Quality
5.1/10
5.5/10
The HP Stream 14" and ASUS Vivobook Go 12 both have poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 and the HP Stream 14" compare to other laptops
"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 ASUS Vivobook Go 12 or the HP Stream 14"
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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 Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
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
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Laptops Expert
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