HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) vs Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H)
Both laptops are very similar and suit the same kind of buyer: both have equally quick processors, 4 GB of memory and 14-inch screens, and both run ChromeOS. The main difference: only the HP Chromebook 14a has HDMI, while only the Acer Chromebook 314 has an SD card reader.
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Key differences
- Ports Depends on you
Only the HP Chromebook 14a has HDMI, while only the Acer Chromebook 314 has an SD card reader.
- Wi-Fi HP Chromebook 14a wins
The HP Chromebook 14a has newer Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 against Wi-Fi 5.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HP Chromebook 14a if…
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors).
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 6 gets more out of a modern router.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Celeron N4500 is built for browsing, email and documents.
Choose the Acer Chromebook 314 if…
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You want a Chromebook that stays supported: Google updates it until June 2031.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Celeron N4500 is built for browsing, email and documents.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsOn the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Both laptops are very close on performance.
Their processors are in the same class: both are built for browsing, email and documents, and both have 4 GB of memory.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel Celeron N4500 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | eMMC |
| Storage interface | eMMC | eMMC |
| Storage slots | 0 | — |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | HD (1366 x 768) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | LCD | TN |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 250 nits | — |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 11.25 hours | Up to 10.5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47 Wh | 50 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | approximately 50% in 45 minutes | — |
| Weight | 1.52 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 326.5 x 226.9 x 18.3 mm | 326.5 x 228.6 x 18.8 mm |
| Materials | recycled aluminium cover; recycled plastic in bezel, keycaps and speaker enclosure | — |
| Colour | Modern grey | Star Black |
| Colours available | Modern grey | Star Black |
Ports and wireless
The HP Chromebook 14a is ahead on ports and wireless.
The HP Chromebook 14a has HDMI and has Wi-Fi 6, while the Acer Chromebook 314 has an SD card reader.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB-C 10Gbps (Power Delivery charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (charging, display), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x microSD |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | — |
| Card reader | None | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Wi-Fi card | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 2x2 | Realtek RTL8822CE-CG |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Backlit keyboard | No | No |
| Keyboard | full-size keyboard, 1.5 mm key travel | — |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad with four-finger multi-touch gestures | touchpad |
| Speakers | dual stereo speakers | 2 speakers |
| Microphones | integrated dual-array digital microphones | built-in microphone |
| Pen | No | — |
| Security | H1 Secure Microcontroller | TPM |
Software and model
Both run ChromeOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | — | June 2031 |
| Model number | BG9H3EA#ABU | NX.J37EK.002 |