HP 14-fq1021nr Review: Affordable, Lightweight Laptop with Long Battery Life
Best value for money laptop
Key Features:
- Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Storage Type and Capacity: 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
- Screen Size and Resolution: 14 inches, Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours and 45 minutes
- Weight and Portability: 1.46 kg (3.77 lbs)
- Build Quality: Micro-edge and anti-glare screen
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Connectivity Ports: 1 USB Type-C, 2 USB Type-A, HDMI, SD Card Reader, Headphone/Microphone Combo
- Price: $379 (as of 06/27/2024)
- Warranty and Support: 1-year limited hardware warranty
Pros
- Affordable price for the specs
- Lightweight and portable design
- Good battery life with fast charging
- Full HD display for clear visuals
- Solid performance with Ryzen 5 and SSD
Cons
- Build quality is average
- Trackpad could be better
- Display brightness might be too low for some users
In 2024, selecting a budget-friendly laptop means carefully balancing cost, performance, reliability, and features. If you’re searching for a Windows laptop under $400 that meets your daily needs, the HP 14-fq1021nr might be the perfect fit. This laptop provides a solid combination of performance and portability without straining your budget. With an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and integrated Radeon graphics, the HP 14-fq1021nr is designed to easily handle everyday tasks. In this review, we’ll take a close look at the various features of this device, compare it to other budget laptops, and provide an in-depth analysis to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The HP 14-fq1021nr is designed to be sleek and lightweight, weighing only 1.46 kg (3.77 lbs) due to its plastic construction. Its natural silver finish gives it a professional look, and the micro-edge bezel adds a touch of elegance. However, the plastic chassis feels less solid compared to metal-built models, reflecting its subpar build quality. While this is a common compromise in this price range, the overall design remains functional and visually appealing.
If you want a laptop with a more premium finish, consider the Acer Swift 3. It has an aluminum and magnesium chassis, making it more durable and high-end than the HP 14-fq1021nr. The Acer Swift 3 is also lightweight at just 2.65 pounds and thin at 0.63 inches.
Display
The HP 14-fq1021nr features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display. The anti-glare screen reduces reflections and makes it easier to use in bright environments. However, with a brightness of only 250 nits and 45% NTSC color coverage, the display may look dark and less colorful to certain users, especially in outdoor environments.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i, which is similar in price, offers a 15.6-inch Full HD touch display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles but with a similar brightness of 250 nits. In contrast, The Acer Swift 3 is a bit costly alternative with a 14″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Widescreen with a slightly brighter display of 300 nits and better color accuracy, making it more suitable for users who prioritize screen quality.
Performance of HP 14-fq1021nr
The HP 14-fq1021nr, powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU, promises smooth performance. This laptop is ideal for everyday tasks like browsing the internet, editing documents, and watching movies. The inbuilt AMD Radeon Graphics can handle light gaming and simple visual applications.
The Ryzen 5 5500U gets a PassMark score of over 12,000 and a Cinebench R20 Multi-Core score equal to 2,500, while the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics card scores roughly 2,800 in 3DMark Fire Strike. You can multitask smoothly and quickly with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD.
But if you prefer a more powerful processor, check out the Acer Swift 3, powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U, which is perfect for power users who excel in multitasking and handling more intensive workloads. The Ryzen 7 4700U boasts a PassMark score of approximately 14,000 and a Cinebench R20 Multi-Core score of around 3,000.
For a balanced blend of performance and value, choose the HP 14-fq1021nr. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a more budget-friendly option, while the Acer Swift 3 offers top-tier performance.
Battery Life of HP 14-fq1021nr
The HP 14-fq1021nr offers a long battery of 9 hours and 45 minutes on a single charge. This makes it ideal for a whole day of work or study without having to plug it in frequently. This laptop features Fast Charge technology, allowing you to recharge the battery to 50% in 45 minutes and return to work swiftly. The laptop’s advanced power management allows you to focus on your work without concerns about battery depletion. Whether attending Zoom meetings, taking online classes, or watching movies, the HP 14-fq1021nr laptop is designed to keep you powered throughout your busy day.
Connectivity
The HP 14-fq1021nr laptop includes a range of connectors for connecting your devices. It features:
- 1x USB Type-C port.
- 2x USB Type-A ports.
- 1x HDMI port
- 1x SD card reader
- 3.5mm headphone/microphone connection
This laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, allowing quick and robust wireless connections.
However, it lacks an Ethernet connector for wired internet access and an optical drive for CDs or DVDs. So, if you need to access these functionalities, you may require extra adapters or other devices.
Audio and Webcam
The HP 14-fq1021nr features custom-tuned dual speakers that provide decent sound quality, though they lack the depth and volume found in more premium laptops. The HP True Vision 720p HD camera and dual-array microphones deliver satisfactory performance for video calls and online meetings.
Comparison of HP 14-fq1021nr with others
| Feature | HP 14-fq1021nr (This Item) | Lenovo IdeaPad 3i | Acer Swift 3 | HP 15-dy2021nr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | Intel Core i3-1115G4 | Intel Core i7-1165G7 | Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 | 8 GB DDR4 | 8 GB LPDDR4X | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD |
| Display Size | 14 inches | 15.6 inches | 14 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home | Windows 11 S | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 H, 45 M | Up to 7.5 hours | Up to 16 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 3.24 lbs | 3.64 lbs | 2.65 lbs | 3.75 lbs |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A, HDMI, SD card reader, 3.5mm combo | 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-C, HDMI, SD card reader, 3.5mm combo | 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A, HDMI, 3.5mm combo | 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A, HDMI, SD card reader, 3.5mm combo |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Webcam | 720p HD camera | 720p HD camera | 720p HD camera | 720p HD camera |
| Price | ~$379 | ~$399 | ~$486 | ~$432 |
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Offers a good combination of performance and display size for the price. |
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Conclusion
The HP 14-fq1021nr is a well-rounded budget laptop with good performance, one of the best laptops for college students, decent battery life, a solid mid-range processor to handle everyday tasks, and a Full HD display. While it may not match the premium build and performance of higher-end models like the Acer Swift 3, which is a bit expensive, it offers better value than other alternatives like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3. If you’re looking for a cost-effective laptop that doesn’t compromise on essential features, the HP 14-fq1021nr is a solid choice.
