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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell XPS 13 generally offers higher performance suitable for intensive tasks and a premium build quality that might justify a higher price, but if you prioritize savings and need a laptop for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing, the HP Stream 14 can be a cost-effective choice. The Dell will likely have better screen quality, longer battery life, and a more compact design, making it better for travel and long work sessions. On the other hand, the HP Stream, while less powerful, is built for affordability and basic computer needs, with a larger screen that could be easier to work on for extended periods. 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 XPS 13
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the HP Stream 14"
- The HP Stream 14" has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13.
Key differences
General Use
7.7
6.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Dell XPS 13 is good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
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.
Engineering and Design
7.2
5.7
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 13 is good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Dell XPS 13 outshines the HP Stream 14" for engineering and design due to its superior main processor and GPU, essential for demanding software and tasks, while the HP's lower-end processor and integrated graphics fall short. Furthermore, the Dell's higher-resolution and higher-quality display panel significantly benefit visual-intensive work, unlike the HP's basic screen.
Content Creation
7.7
6.7
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Dell XPS 13 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
7.5
6.5
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Dell XPS 13 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
7.2
5.2
13.4in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 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 XPS 13 boasts a higher resolution and brightness, along with a superior panel type, enhancing clarity and color for general usage and detailed engineering tasks, but its standard refresh rate isn't ideal for the fast-paced visuals required in 3D applications. The HP Stream 14", with lower resolution and brightness, provides a less vivid and sharp experience for both everyday tasks and professional design work, falling short in color accuracy vital for engineering and design. Additionally, its refresh rate and resolution limitations mean it won't deliver the smooth visuals needed for optimal 3D or gaming experiences.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 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
13.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the HP Stream 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
5.5
The Dell XPS 13 has very 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
$1,399
$299
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $1,399 and the HP Stream 14" costs $299.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.2
5.7
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 13 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Dell XPS 13 fares better in gaming and 3D applications since it has a more capable integrated GPU in the Intel Iris Xe and a higher screen pixel density, contributing to better image clarity. In contrast, the HP Stream 14" uses a weaker Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and has a lower-quality TN panel with lesser screen resolution and pixel density, which impacts visual fidelity and performance.
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How the Dell XPS 13 and the HP Stream 14" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | HP Stream 14" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,399 | $299 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 12.8'' x 8.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 12.76" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 8.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | Intel Celeron N4120 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 320 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | TN | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 442 nits | 220 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
HP Stream 14"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Zachary Cuevas | November 2021
"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 XPS 13 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.
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