HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) vs Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, has more storage and has a bigger screen. Pick the HP Chromebook 14a only if it matters to you that it is more compact.
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Key differences
- Memory Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has 8 GB of memory against 4 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Storage Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has twice the storage: 128 GB against 64 GB.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the HP Chromebook 14a is more compact.
- Ports Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has an SD card reader.
- Extras Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has a number pad.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the HP Chromebook 14a if…
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14-inch screen.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Celeron N4500 is built for browsing, email and documents.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 8 GB of memory gives it more room than 4 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 128 GB of storage.
- You want more room to work: its 15.6-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You want a number pad, handy for spreadsheets and numbers.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the HP Chromebook 14a doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel Pentium Silver N6000 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X-2933 |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | eMMC | eMMC |
| Storage interface | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Storage slots | 0 | 0 |
Screen
On the screen, it comes down to what you need.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the HP Chromebook 14a is more compact. The HP Chromebook 14a is more compact, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has a bigger screen.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 15.6" |
| 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 | 220 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | — |
| HDR | None | 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) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 11.25 hours | Up to 10 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 | None |
| Weight | 1.52 kg | 1.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 326.5 x 226.9 x 18.3 mm | 362 x 243 x 18.95 mm |
| Materials | recycled aluminium cover; recycled plastic in bezel, keycaps and speaker enclosure | PC-ABS top and bottom |
| Colour | Modern grey | Arctic Grey |
| Colours available | Modern grey | Arctic Grey, Abyss Blue |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has an SD card reader, and the HP Chromebook 14a doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x microSD |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Card reader | None | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 2x2 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is ahead on extras.
It has a number pad, and the HP Chromebook 14a doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | No |
| Keyboard | full-size keyboard, 1.5 mm key travel | UK English, non-backlit, numeric keypad |
| Number pad | No | Yes |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad with four-finger multi-touch gestures | Mylar, 70 x 105 mm |
| Speakers | dual stereo speakers | 2x 2 W stereo |
| Microphones | integrated dual-array digital microphones | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | H1 Secure Microcontroller | Google Security Chip H1, 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) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | — | June 2029 |
| Model number | BG9H3EA#ABU | 82N40054UK |
| Released | — | 2021 |