The Gateway 14.1" is often significantly less expensive than the HP Stream 14", which may be a critical factor if you're budget-conscious. However, with the HP Stream, you gain more storage space and twice the memory, which can result in smoother multitasking and better performance for everyday tasks. The HP also comes with Windows 11 Home while the Gateway runs Windows 10S, so consider which operating system you prefer. On the downside, the HP Stream has a lower resolution display, which means less sharp images compared to the Gateway's Full HD screen. If you prioritize display quality for watching videos or editing photos, the Gateway may be more appealing despite its lower performance specs. In summary, if cost is your main concern, go with the Gateway, but if you're able to spend more for improved performance and a newer operating system, the HP Stream may be worth the extra investment. 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 Gateway 14.1"
The Gateway 14.1" has no clear advantages over the HP Stream 14".
Advantages of the HP Stream 14"
The HP Stream 14" has no clear advantages over the Gateway 14.1".
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
6.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
208.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The HP Stream 14" is only fair for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Gateway 14.1" is considered poor for general use partly because it has less RAM and a lower-quality CPU than the HP Stream 14", which impacts multitasking and overall performance. Additionally, the HP Stream 14" has better storage capacity and manages heat more effectively, which contributes to a more reliable user experience compared to the Gateway 14.1".
Content Creation
5.8/10
6.7/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The HP Stream 14" is only fair for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" 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
5.8/10
6.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
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 Gateway 14.1" 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
6.0/10
5.2/10
14.1in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
208.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Gateway 14.1" has a better screen than the HP Stream 14" for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, screen brightness, resolution, and a high-quality panel help reduce eye strain and provide a clearer image, which is why the Gateway with its fair quality display may be better suited than the HP Stream. In engineering and design, color accuracy and a wide range of colors are critical for precise work; hence, both laptops may fall short for professionals in these fields since they don't excel in color gamuts. For gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate and good resolution contribute to smoother visuals and better overall experience, areas where both laptops underperform, but the Gateway's slightly better-quality display offers only a marginal advantage.
Cost
$99
$299
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Gateway 14.1" has a price of $99 and the HP Stream 14" costs $299.
The HP Stream 14" and Gateway 14.1" are both poor for gaming and AI.
The Gateway 14.1" and HP Stream 14" laptops are poor choices for gaming and 3D due to their Intel UHD Graphics 600, which lack the power needed for such intensive tasks, and their maximum 60Hz screen refresh rate which is below the ideal for smooth gaming and 3D visuals. Additionally, the CPUs, being Intel Celeron models, and the screen quality, with the Gateway having a better resolution versus the HP's lower quality TN panel, still do not compensate enough for demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
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 Gateway 14.1" are both poor for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Gateway 14.1" has 8 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
Very Good
Very Good
14.1in
SIZE
14.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Stream 14" and Gateway 14.1" both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
5.5/10
The HP Stream 14" and Gateway 14.1" 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 Gateway 14.1" and the HP Stream 14" compare to other laptops
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
"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 Gateway 14.1" or the HP Stream 14"
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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
125,595
Recommendations made
27,213
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.