HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) vs HP Chromebook 14 (N100)
The HP Chromebook 14 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster and has more storage. Pick the HP Chromebook 14a only if it matters to you that it has HDMI.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Performance
HP Chromebook 14 wins
The HP Chromebook 14's Intel N100 is quicker: it copes well with everyday tasks, while the HP Chromebook 14a's Intel Celeron N4500 is built for browsing and documents.
-
Gaming
Evenly matched
Neither is made for modern games.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 14" HD 250 nits against 14" HD 250 nits.
-
Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 11.25 hours against up to 12 hours.
-
Connectivity
Evenly matched
Much the same, except that only the HP Chromebook 14a has HDMI.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.52 kg and 1.45 kg.
Other differences
- Storage HP Chromebook 14 wins
The HP Chromebook 14 has twice the storage: 128 GB against 64 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HP Chromebook 14a if…
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors).
- You want something compact: it has a 14-inch screen.
Choose the HP Chromebook 14 if…
- You want a snappier laptop for everyday work: its Intel N100 is the faster processor.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 128 GB of storage.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 6E gets more out of a modern router.
Full spec comparison
The HP Chromebook 14 leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The HP Chromebook 14 is ahead on performance.
It is faster, has more storage and has faster memory, and the HP Chromebook 14a doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | HP Chromebook 14 (N100) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel N100 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | UFS |
| Storage interface | eMMC | UFS |
| 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) | HP Chromebook 14 (N100) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | HD (1366 x 768) | HD (1366 x 768) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | LCD | LCD |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 62.5% sRGB |
| 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) | HP Chromebook 14 (N100) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 11.25 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47 Wh | 47 Wh |
| Charger | 45 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | approximately 50% in 45 minutes | approximately 50% in 45 minutes |
| Weight | 1.52 kg | 1.45 kg |
| Dimensions | 326.5 x 226.9 x 18.3 mm | 325.7 x 215.5 x 18.2 mm |
| Materials | recycled aluminium cover; recycled plastic in bezel, keycaps and speaker enclosure | — |
| Colour | Modern grey | Glacier silver |
| Colours available | Modern grey | — |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The HP Chromebook 14a has HDMI, while the HP Chromebook 14 has Wi-Fi 6E.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | HP Chromebook 14 (N100) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 5Gbps (USB Power Delivery charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 2x2 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2x2) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| 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) | HP Chromebook 14 (N100) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | — |
| Keyboard | full-size keyboard, 1.5 mm key travel | Full-size, soft gray keyboard |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad with four-finger multi-touch gestures | HP Imagepad |
| Speakers | dual stereo speakers | Dual speakers |
| Microphones | integrated dual-array digital microphones | integrated dual array digital microphones |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | H1 Secure Microcontroller | H1 Secure Microcontroller, Camera privacy shutter |
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) | HP Chromebook 14 (N100) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Model number | BG9H3EA#ABU | 9Z6X9EA |
| Released | — | 2024 |