For high-performance tasks like 3D design, machine learning, or gaming, paying extra for the Framework Laptop 16 would make sense, as it likely offers better processing power, graphics, and expandability. The HP Stream 14 is more budget-friendly and sufficient for general activities like web browsing or document editing, but may struggle with intensive applications. The Framework also provides easy repairability, but if portability is a priority, the lighter HP Stream might be more convenient to carry around. The tradeoff is balancing the need for high performance and future-proofing against cost and ease of transport. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the HP Stream 14"
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
490.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 16 boasts a more powerful CPU, higher RAM capacity, and superior screen quality, making it well-suited for various demanding applications and multitasking, although it comes at a higher price and with a larger form factor. Meanwhile, the HP Stream 14" offers greater portability and typically longer battery life due to its simpler hardware, making it a budget-friendly option for basic tasks, but it may struggle with more intensive uses and has a lower quality display.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
5.7/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its dedicated GPU and higher screen refresh rate, provides a better experience for gaming and 3D applications, offering smoother visuals and more graphical power compared to the HP Stream 14", which has limited graphics capabilities due to its integrated graphics and standard refresh rate. While both screens offer decent quality and the CPUs handle everyday tasks easily, the superior GPU and refresh rate of the Framework make it more suited for users focused on gaming and 3D work.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
5.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, which are crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks, along with a high-quality screen for clear visuals; however, it may be less portable due to its size and power. In contrast, the HP Stream 14" provides lower performance and might struggle with intensive tasks due to modest CPU, limited RAM, and an integrated GPU, but its smaller form factor makes it more portable and less noisy, with a trade-off in keyboard and speaker quality.
Content Creation
8.1/10
6.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
8.0/10
6.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
8.4/10
5.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the HP Stream 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, a vibrant and sharp display with good brightness levels makes the Framework Laptop 16's screen a solid choice, while the HP Stream 14" might seem dull and less clear due to inferior resolution and brightness. The Framework’s wider color gamuts greatly enhance the precision and variety of colors available for engineering and design tasks, unlike the HP Stream 14", which has a limited color range, reducing the fidelity for detailed work. When it comes to 3D and gaming, the Framework's screen falls short due to a lower refresh rate, affecting the smoothness of motion, while the HP Stream 14" isn’t designed for such tasks either, still lacking in refresh rate, resolution, and panel quality.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Stream 14" has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
5.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,699
$299
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the HP Stream 14" costs $299.
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the HP Stream 14"
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
98,295
Recommendations made
21,298
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.