HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) vs ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405)
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: the HP Chromebook 14a has the bigger battery: 47 Wh against 42 Wh.
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Key differences
- Battery life HP Chromebook 14a wins
The HP Chromebook 14a has the bigger battery: 47 Wh against 42 Wh.
- Weight ASUS Chromebook 14 wins
The ASUS Chromebook 14 is a little lighter: 1.39 kg against 1.52 kg.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HP Chromebook 14a if…
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (47 Wh).
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Celeron N4500 is built for browsing, email and documents.
- You want something compact: it has a 14-inch screen.
Choose the ASUS Chromebook 14 if…
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.39 kg.
- You want a Chromebook that stays supported: Google updates it until June 2035.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Celeron N50 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) | ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Celeron N50 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel 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) | ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The HP Chromebook 14a has a bigger battery, while the ASUS Chromebook 14 is a little lighter.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 11.25 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 47 Wh | 42 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | approximately 50% in 45 minutes | — |
| Weight | 1.52 kg | 1.39 kg |
| Dimensions | 326.5 x 226.9 x 18.3 mm | 324.5 x 214.4 x 17.0-19.9 mm |
| Materials | recycled aluminium cover; recycled plastic in bezel, keycaps and speaker enclosure | 30% post-consumer recycled plastic in cover or inner frame |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810H |
| Hinge | — | 180-degree lay-flat |
| Colour | Modern grey | Fabric Blue |
| Colours available | Modern grey | Quiet Blue, Pure Grey, Fabric Blue |
Ports and wireless
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5 mm combo audio |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 2x2 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| 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) | ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | No |
| Keyboard | full-size keyboard, 1.5 mm key travel | spill-resistant chiclet keyboard, 1.35 mm key travel |
| Number pad | No | — |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad with four-finger multi-touch gestures | touchpad |
| Speakers | dual stereo speakers | built-in speakers |
| Microphones | integrated dual-array digital microphones | built-in microphone |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | H1 Secure Microcontroller | Google Titan C, Kensington Nano Security Slot |
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) | ASUS Chromebook 14 (CX1405) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | — | June 2035 |
| Model number | BG9H3EA#ABU | CX1405CTA |
| Released | — | 2025 |