If you're on a tight budget and primarily use a laptop for simple tasks like browsing the internet, working with documents, or streaming videos, the HP Stream 14" could serve your needs well and save you money. However, if you require a laptop for more demanding applications, such as photo editing, light gaming, or multitasking with several applications at once, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while more expensive, offers superior performance and a more premium build. Keep in mind, the ThinkBook is also typically lighter and more compact, making it a better option for frequent travelers. 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 ThinkBook 13x.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.5/10
7.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for general use, while the HP Stream 14" is only fair.
The HP Stream 14" offers basic CPU and RAM capabilities suitable for everyday tasks, but the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x provides better performance and a higher quality screen, making it more suitable for more demanding general use. While both are portable, the ThinkBook 13x typically boasts longer battery life, and its additional storage, comfortable keyboard, and efficient heat management also contribute to a higher level of user experience for the ThinkBook.
Gaming and AI
5.7/10
6.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The HP Stream 14" lacks a powerful GPU and has a basic screen refresh rate that hinders its ability to handle gaming and 3D applications effectively, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a more capable GPU and better screen refresh rate, allowing it to manage these tasks with improved performance. Additionally, the ThinkBook's superior CPU and screen quality contribute to a fair gaming and 3D experience compared to the limited capabilities of the HP Stream.
Engineering and Design
5.7/10
7.9/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good for engineering and design, while the HP Stream 14" is poor.
The HP Stream 14", with its basic CPU, limited RAM, and modest screen quality, lacks the necessary power and visual clarity for demanding engineering and design tasks, whereas the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, equipped with a more robust CPU, ample RAM, and superior GPU, provides the performance and screen fidelity required for such professional work. While both are fairly portable, the ThinkBook also has a more tactile keyboard, better speakers, and operates quieter, enhancing the overall user experience for prolonged engineering and design sessions.
Content Creation
6.7/10
8.0/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
6.5/10
7.9/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
8.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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 a lower resolution and less brightness, impairing its ability to provide crisp, vivid images for any use, which is especially noticeable in detailed tasks like engineering and unsuitable for the immersive visuals needed in gaming. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, with its very good screen quality, has higher resolution and brightness, enhancing its suitability for general tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design through better color accuracy and wider color gamuts. However, without a high refresh rate, the ThinkBook 13x falls short for gaming and 3D applications, where fluid motion and quick screen updates are crucial for an optimal experience.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
7.6/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The HP Stream 14" has a price of $299 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
"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 HP Stream 14" or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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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