In a market where laptop prices are climbing, the HP Pavilion Plus 14 emerges as an appealing ultrabook priced under €1000. It boasts a lightweight metal design, a vibrant 14-inch OLED display, and robust connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4. While its keyboard has mixed quality, the performance from its Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and 16 GB of RAM is commendable for everyday tasks. With effective cooling and decent battery life, this model offers a solid balance of quality and affordability for budget-conscious consumers.
In an era where laptop prices are on the rise and consumer purchasing power is waning, the classification of laptops based on pricing has become increasingly complex. What truly qualifies as entry-level, mid-range, or high-end? Moreover, is there now an emerging premium category that caters to the more affluent consumer?
One undeniable trend is the growing appeal of ultrabooks priced below the €1000 threshold. Recognizing this opportunity, HP aims to capture consumer interest with its Pavilion Plus 14 model, striking a balance between quality and affordability. But how does this laptop perform in practice?
Design and Build Quality
Envision a lightweight and stylish laptop, and you’re likely picturing the HP Pavilion Plus 14. The design may not be groundbreaking, yet it comes in an attractive gray-green hue that certainly stands out. This is not a complaint; rather, it’s commendable that HP manages to deliver a premium aesthetic at a competitive price.
The laptop features a sturdy metal chassis, weighing in at a mere 1.44 kilograms and measuring 1.89 centimeters in thickness, making it ideal for portability. While the metal may not be the highest quality available, it still provides a pleasant tactile experience.
Keyboard, Touchpad, and Connectivity
However, the keyboard layout presents a mixed bag. The alphanumeric keys offer a decent typing experience, though some keys like Shift, Enter, and the function keys feel lower in quality, lacking feedback and producing noticeable plastic sounds. This inconsistency can be frustrating, especially when a significant portion of the keyboard performs well.
The touchpad is a highlight, constructed from smooth plastic, featuring a well-defined click mechanism and ample surface area for ease of navigation.
As for connectivity, the Pavilion Plus 14 is well-equipped. On the left side, you’ll find a combo audio jack and a USB-A 5 Gbit/s port. The right side boasts a second USB-A 10 Gbit/s port, an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port, both of which support charging. This robust selection of ports is commendable, particularly the inclusion of Thunderbolt 4, which is often sacrificed in budget models.
Display and Performance
The Pavilion Plus 14 features an impressive 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Testing with DisplayCal reveals that this panel covers 172% of the sRGB space and 122% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. However, the maximum brightness of 395 cd/m² may fall short in bright outdoor settings. Despite some color deviation, the overall display quality is commendable for this price range.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor, this laptop integrates 14 cores and is supported by 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM. In benchmark tests like Cinebench 2024, it demonstrates competitive performance, particularly for daily office tasks. However, the graphics capability may not suffice for heavy gaming or high-demand creative tasks.
Cooling, Noise, and Battery Life
When it comes to cooling, the Pavilion Plus 14 surprises with its quiet operation, even under heavy loads. It reaches a maximum temperature of 48°C, indicating effective thermal management.
Equipped with a 68 Wh battery and a 100W power supply, the Pavilion Plus 14 is designed to keep you powered throughout the day, striking a balance between performance and efficiency.
In summary, the HP Pavilion Plus 14 proves to be a strong contender in the ultrabook market, offering a well-rounded package of features, design, and performance that appeals to budget-conscious consumers without compromising too much on quality.