The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus delivers high performance suitable for intensive tasks like engineering, 3D work, and gaming, thanks to its powerful processor and better graphics. It's also built with a higher-quality display and offers more storage. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go usage. In contrast, the HP Stream 14" costs significantly less, providing basic performance that's adequate for general use and lightweight, with a longer battery life, but it has a lower-quality display and less storage, limiting its capability for more demanding applications. Choose the Dell for demanding tasks or the HP for simple tasks and better portability. 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 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the HP Stream 14"
The HP Stream 14" has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus.
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
6.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
326.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is rated better for general use due to its higher-end CPU, more storage, and superior screen quality with an IPS panel and higher resolution compared to the HP Stream 14" which has a lower-end CPU, less storage, and a TN panel with lower resolution. Additionally, the Dell has good battery life and portability scores, although the HP Stream slightly outperforms in portability with a very good score and has a longer battery life, which can be more suitable for users who prioritize these features over performance.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
5.7/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is equipped with a more powerful GPU and an IPS display which offers better color and viewing angles, making it good for gaming and 3D tasks, whereas the HP Stream 14" has a weaker GPU and TN display which does not render visuals as well, resulting in poor gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
5.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is equipped with a high-performance CPU, a better GPU, and a high-quality IPS screen with a greater resolution, making it suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks. In contrast, the HP Stream 14" has a lower-tier CPU, less capable GPU, and a lower quality TN screen with lower resolution, which does not meet the requirements for such intensive applications.
Content Creation
7.9/10
6.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
7.7/10
6.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
7.0/10
5.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the HP Stream 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good screen quality for general use due to its higher resolution and brightness, providing sharp, vivid visuals that make text clear and multimedia content engaging. For engineering and design, it offers broader color gamuts which ensure more accurate color representation critical for detailed and color-sensitive work. However, its lower refresh rate hampers the gaming and 3D experience where smooth motion and fast screen responses are key, making it less suitable for those specific needs.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 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
7.4/10
5.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good 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
$808
$280
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the HP Stream 14" costs $280.
"The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is for power users on a budget. If you're looking to maximize CPU and GPU performance on your next 14-inch laptop, then consider the pricier Razer Blade 14 or Asus Zephyrus G14. If you're looking for a thin-and-light 14-inch Ultrabook, then the Asus Zenbook 14 or LG Gram 14 may be better options. For the best of both worlds, however, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 rides a fine line between extreme performance and portability while keeping prices at reasonable levels. Frequent travelers who rely on performance beyond what the Core U-series and integrated graphics series can offer will find the Dell to be a solid solution."
"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 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the HP Stream 14"
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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