The HP Stream 14" is a budget-friendly option, less expensive with basic performance suitable for everyday tasks like browsing the web and using office applications due to its Intel Celeron processor and HD graphics. However, it has limited storage and a lower-resolution TN display, which may not be as color accurate or bright as other screens. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is more expensive but comes with a powerful Intel i7 processor and Iris Xe graphics, making it better for more demanding tasks like photo editing, moderate gaming, or multitasking. It also boasts more storage, a higher-resolution IPS display for better viewing angles and color, a more solid build, and possible additional features like a backlit keyboard. The Lenovo is also slightly lighter, making it more portable. Choose the HP for cost savings and basic tasks, or the Lenovo for better performance and features at a higher price point. 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 HP Stream 14"
The HP Stream 14" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.5/10
7.7/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.5 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The HP Stream 14" has a less powerful CPU and lower screen quality compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, which affects its performance and visual experience for general use; however, it provides a longer battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i offers better overall performance due to a higher-end CPU, better screen resolution and color accuracy, which makes it suitable for a wider range of tasks, but it is lighter and thus more portable, though at the cost of some battery duration.
Gaming and AI
5.7/10
6.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The HP Stream 14" is hindered in gaming and 3D by its basic Intel UHD Graphics 600, suitable only for modest tasks, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i improves performance with the more capable Intel Iris Xe graphics found in its i7 processor. Additionally, the Slim 7i boasts a better quality IPS panel with higher resolution, contributing to a crisper and more vibrant gaming and 3D experience compared to the Stream's lower-resolution TN panel.
Engineering and Design
5.7/10
7.1/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The HP Stream 14" has a less powerful Intel Celeron processor and basic Intel UHD graphics, coupled with a lower resolution TN screen, which limits performance and visual fidelity for engineering and design tasks, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is equipped with a higher-performance Intel i7 processor and superior Intel Iris Xe graphics, along with a higher resolution IPS display, offering better processing power and image quality essential for such demanding work.
Content Creation
6.7/10
7.7/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
6.5/10
7.5/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
5.2/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a better screen than the HP Stream 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The HP Stream 14" likely has lower resolution and brightness, which can make the screen seem dull and less crisp for any use, and its color accuracy probably does not meet the standards required for professional engineering and design tasks. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, with a better screen, offers improved resolution and brightness, which enhances general use and provides the color depth needed for engineering and design work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both may fall short, with the Lenovo perhaps offering an inadequate refresh rate, which is vital for smooth and responsive visuals in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
7.5 Hours
11.5 Hours
The HP Stream 14" has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and HP Stream 14" both have very good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.5/10
7.8/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
$299
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The HP Stream 14" has a price of $299 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
"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."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the HP Stream 14" or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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