HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c review: It’s only $800, but can it handle your workflow?

With the $800 HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c, you need to temper your expectations.

If you expect performance so fast you get a rush, audio so crisp you can practically bite into the sound waves, and a screen that can best be described as “visual candy”, this laptop is not for YOU.

However, if you’re looking for a simplistic Chromebook for light workloads, including juggling Google’s various apps (e.g. Gmail, YouTube, Meet, Calendar, Docs, etc.), the HP Chromebook x360 14c may be a good fit. just enough for your workflow needs.

However, before you get this Chromebook, there are a few things you need to know.

HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c price

You can grab this laptop via the official HP website. It has a starting price of $789 and comes with the following specifications:

The configuration I tested has 256GB of SSD storage, which adds $30 to the price (or $819).

What I like about the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c

“HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c” is a mouthful to say, but does the weight on the tongue match the value it brings at the $800 price point? In a way, yes. Let’s start with the positives.

Solid, high-end construction

At a glance, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c looks a lot like the HP Specter x360 14, a laptop priced around $2,000.

From the two speakers that surround the keyboard to the sturdy aluminum gray chassis, this laptop looks like it costs upwards of $800. I wiggled the lid to test its durability and luckily there were little to no issues.

However, it’s worth noting that the chassis is susceptible to scratches and is a real fingerprint magnet.

As the name suggests, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c features dual 360-degree hinges, allowing the laptop to transform into several different modes, including tablet mode and tent mode.

Tablet mode was ideal for playing “Among Us”.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Tablet mode was my favorite, especially for playing some of my favorite Google Play games including Among Us Sniper 3DAnd Temple Run 2.

Fantastic keyboard

Take it from me as a keyboard snob: the keys on the Chromebook Plus x360 14c are incredibly clicky. I’m surprised, because keyboards in this price range are generally unimpressive and feel very low quality. However, the Chromebook Plus x360 14c’s white backlit keyboard is clicky, bouncy, and offers excellent tactile feedback.

It comes with a pleasantly clicky keyboard.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I shouldn’t be Also surprised, as HP is known for leading the charge in the laptop keyboard game. (I literally burst out of the HP Specter x360 14 keyboard.)

The touchpad adds the icing on the cake to the keyboard experience. It’s wide and spacious. Plus, it feels smooth enough on your fingertips for smooth navigation, but provides enough friction for quick clicks.

Wide variety of ports

The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c is not stingy when it comes to ports. On the right side, I spotted a USB-A port, a headphone jack, and a USB-C port.

There is no shortage of ports.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

In a nod to creators, there’s also a microSD card slot, allowing you to quickly transfer files from your camera. You can also use it to expand your storage.

On the left side, you’ll find another USB-C port, a power button, a volume rocker, and a webcam kill switch (which lets you quickly disable the webcam).

What’s About the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c

There are some aspects of the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c that I don’t like, but given its affordable price, I’m willing to let them pass.

Not for display snobs

If you care about crisp, vivid, and crisp displays, I hope you don’t put the Chromebook Plus x360 14c on your shopping list.

The display is very good.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel screen does the job well, but it won’t win any awards.

Not fast, but that’s expected

As you’ll discover in the Geekbench section, which tests processor performance, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c is not a performance powerhouse, far from it. After all, it sports a processor that’s two generations out of date (it has a 12th generation Intel processor; we’re in the 14th generation era).

It’s not a performance powerhouse.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, as I mentioned at the start, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c is not designed for power users, but it is sufficient for the average school-focused consumer or a worker bee with workloads light to medium.

Not “thin and light”

Don’t expect the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c to be as light as a feather.

It weighs 3.34 pounds.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It weighs 3.34 pounds, which is pretty standard for a laptop. However, if you’re expecting something slim, light, and stylish that won’t add much weight to your travel bag, the Chromebook Plus x360 14c isn’t for you.

What I don’t like about the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c

When I tested the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c at the Mashable offices, I noticed a few things that might irritate some consumers.

Weak display

If your desk is located next to a bright window or if you plan to use the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c outdoors, you may find that the screen is difficult to see. For what? It’s too dark.

The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c could be brighter.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Sitting next to a window with sunlight shining through it, I found myself squinting to see certain details on display. However, in good lighting the display is acceptable.

Poor energy efficiency

I like to see has less nine hours of battery life on a Chromebook.

You won’t get quite 9 hours of battery life.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

In my experience testing Chromebooks, the average duration is between 9 and 10 hours. However, in the battery life section, you’ll see that it just missed the 9 hour mark.

Webcam is “meh”

I’m not a fan of the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c’s webcam. I’ve always criticized the laptop industry for rolling out blurry 720p and 1080p webcams. However, at first I held my tongue with this Chromebook because it sports a 5MP shooter.

The webcam is just OK.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t have guessed that the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c’s webcam was higher than 1080p. It’s quite noisy and low resolution, but on the plus side it renders colors quite well. For example, it faithfully captured my brown skin tone.

HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c battery life

We ran the CrXPRT 2 battery test on the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c with the screen at maximum brightness. It lasted 8 hours and 54 minutes. It’s not too bad, but it just missed my favorite 9 hour mark.

The 360 ​​degree double hinges allow different modes, like tablet mode and tent mode.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Fortunately, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c should survive a typical eight-hour school or work day on a single charge.

HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c Geekbench score

We ran Geekbench 6, which tests the processor’s prowess, on the Chromebook Plus x360 14c. It delivered a multi-core score of 4,318, which isn’t that impressive.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a top score of 6,043 and is in the same price range as the Chromebook Plus x360 14c (if you don’t mind using Windows instead of ChromeOS).

Final Thoughts

It’s also worth noting that the Chromebook Plus x360 14c supports pen input. HP doesn’t include a pen in the box; however, you can use any Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) pen on the market, like this one from HP.

To sum it up, you might not like the Chromebook Plus x360 14c’s dark screen and potato webcam. But its sturdy aluminum chassis, flexible postures (e.g. tablet and tent modes), wide range of ports and fantastic The keyboard can make you addicted.