HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) vs Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 and is lighter.
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
- Memory Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has 8 GB of memory against 4 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Storage Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has twice the storage: 128 GB against 64 GB.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the HP Chromebook 14a is more compact.
- Weight HP Chromebook 14a wins
The HP Chromebook 14a is 0.4 kg lighter: 1.52 kg against 1.9 kg.
- Touchscreen Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook wins
Only the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook has a touchscreen.
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'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.4 kg lighter.
- You mostly browse, stream and write: its Intel Celeron N4500 is built for browsing, email and documents.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 like to tap, scroll and sign things on screen: it has a touchscreen.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe HP Chromebook 14a leads on battery and weight, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook leads on performance and the screen. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 Flex 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
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is ahead on the screen.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 Flex 3 Chromebook has a bigger screen, has a touchscreen and has a brighter screen.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
Battery and size
The HP Chromebook 14a is ahead on battery and weight.
It is lighter, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | HP Chromebook 14a (older gen) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 | — |
| Weight | 1.52 kg | 1.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 326.5 x 226.9 x 18.3 mm | 362 x 248 x 18.94 mm |
| Materials | recycled aluminium cover; recycled plastic in bezel, keycaps and speaker enclosure | PC + ABS (top), PC + ABS (bottom) |
| Hinge | — | 360-degree convertible |
| Colour | Modern grey | Arctic Grey |
| Colours available | Modern grey | Abyss Blue, Arctic Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 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 Flex 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 (charging via 45W USB-C adapter with PD 3.0, data, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo |
| 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 Flex 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 Flex 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical privacy shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | No |
| Keyboard | full-size keyboard, 1.5 mm key travel | Chrome keyboard, 6-row, numeric keypad, non-backlit |
| Number pad | No | Yes |
| Touchpad | HP Imagepad with four-finger multi-touch gestures | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, 75 x 120 mm |
| Speakers | dual stereo speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Waves MaxxAudio |
| Microphones | integrated dual-array digital microphones | dual array, Wake-on-Voice, Google Assistant |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | H1 Secure Microcontroller | Google Security Chip H1, Kensington Nano Security Slot, 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) | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | ChromeOS | ChromeOS |
| Updates until | — | June 2031 |
| Model number | BG9H3EA#ABU | 82T3000LUK |
| Released | — | 2022 |