The HP Stream 14" is a budget-friendly option that's suitable for basic tasks like browsing the internet, using office applications, and streaming video, but it may struggle with more demanding applications due to limited processing power and storage. Conversely, the LG Ultra 13 tends to be more expensive due to its higher performance capabilities, offering a faster processor, more memory, and usually an SSD for quicker data access, which makes it better for multitasking, photo and video editing, and running more complex programs. The LG Ultra 13 is also likely to be more portable due to its smaller size and may have a longer battery life compared to the HP Stream, making it a better choice for users who need to work on the go. Consider your needs and whether the performance enhancements and portability of the LG Ultra 13 justify the higher cost over the basic functionality of the HP Stream 14". 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 LG Ultra 13.
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.5/10
7.2/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The LG Ultra 13 is good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The HP Stream 14" has a basic CPU and screen quality which makes it just fair for general use, while the LG Ultra 13 boosts performance with a better CPU and higher screen quality, offering good general use capability. Additionally, the LG Ultra 13 excels in portability thanks to its lighter weight and better battery life in comparison to the HP Stream 14".
Engineering and Design
5.7/10
6.6/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The LG Ultra 13 is only fair for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The HP Stream 14" has a weaker CPU, less capable GPU, and lower quality screen, making it poorly suited for engineering and design tasks that require high processing power and good visual representation. In contrast, the LG Ultra 13 offers a stronger CPU, integrated graphics that are more adept for such tasks, and a higher quality display, making it more appropriate, although not ideal, for engineering and design applications.
Content Creation
6.7/10
7.2/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The LG Ultra 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
6.5/10
7.2/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Ultra 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
5.2/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The LG Ultra 13 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" has a display that lacks in resolution and brightness, which affects the crispness and visibility needed for both general use and detailed engineering tasks, while it doesn't offer the color accuracy critical for design work. The LG Ultra 13, with its higher resolution and brightness, provides a clearer and more vibrant display suitable for general productivity and professional design, but its lower refresh rate limits the smoothness required for optimal gaming and 3D rendering experiences. For gaming and 3D applications where fast-moving visuals are common, a screen with a high refresh rate is essential to avoid motion blur and ensure fluid motion.
Battery
7.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The HP Stream 14" has 7.5 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 13 has 10 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
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 13 has excellent portability, while the HP Stream 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.5/10
7.4/10
The LG Ultra 13 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
$529
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The HP Stream 14" has a price of $299 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG Ultra 13 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HP Stream 14" and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the HP Stream 14" or the LG Ultra 13
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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
100,695
Recommendations made
21,818
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.