HP Essential Laptop, 14" HD Display, Intel Celeron N4120, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi, RJ-45, 1 Year Office 365, Windows 11 Home, Silver
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AI Verdict
This 14-inch laptop with an Intel Celeron N4120, 8GB RAM, and 128GB eMMC is for basic web browsing and document editing, but its 7-pound weight is a major drawback.
Regret Score™
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Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
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Pros
- Includes 8GB DDR4 SDRAM for basic multitasking
- Comes with a 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription, adding software value
- Features a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, HDMI, and an SD Card Reader for connectivity
- Offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connections
- Battery life can reach 5-7 hours for light use
Cons
- The Intel Celeron N4120 processor is slow, struggling with anything beyond extremely light tasks
- The 128GB eMMC storage is significantly slower than an SSD and offers limited usable space
- The 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display has low resolution, 220 nits brightness, and 45% NTSC color coverage
- Weighs 7 pounds, making it exceptionally heavy for a 14-inch laptop
- Webcam is a basic 720p, suitable only for simple video calls
Dimension Scores
The Intel Celeron N4120 processor and 128GB eMMC storage deliver extremely slow performance, struggling with basic web browsing and causing frequent freezes.
The 14-inch HD (1366x768) display with 220 nits brightness and 45% NTSC color is below average, offering low resolution and poor color reproduction.
Users report an average battery life of 5-7 hours with light use, which is typical for this category.
Weighing 7 pounds, this 14-inch laptop is exceptionally heavy, making it impractical for portability despite its compact screen size.
Best For
- Basic web browsing and email checking
- Light document creation and editing with included Microsoft 365
- Students needing a very inexpensive device for minimal school tasks
- Users with extremely low performance expectations for a secondary device
Not Recommended For
- Multitasking with more than a few browser tabs or applications
- Any form of gaming, even light titles
- Photo or video editing due to processor and display limitations
- Frequent portability given its 7-pound weight
Watch Out For
- The Intel Celeron N4120 processor causes significant slowdowns, with users reporting web pages taking 20-30 minutes to load
- The 128GB eMMC storage is five times slower than a typical SSD, leading to slow boot-up and data transfer times
- The 1366x768 display is low resolution and has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC), making it unsuitable for visual tasks
- Windows 11 Home in S Mode (if enabled) restricts app installations to the Microsoft Store unless manually switched out
- The 7-pound weight makes this 14-inch laptop unusually heavy and cumbersome to carry around
Full Specifications
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| ASIN | B0GKMJVR2V |
| Brand | HP |
| Color | Silver |
| Series | TPN-Q221 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| CPU Model | Celeron N |
| Processor | 2.6 GHz celeron_n |
| Hard Drive | 128 GB SSD |
| Model Name | TPN-Q221 |
| Item Weight | 7 pounds |
| Screen Size | 14 Inches |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Hard Disk Size | 128 GB |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Special Feature | Anti Glare Coating, Fingerprint Reader, HD Audio, Spill Resistant |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Flash Memory Size | 32 GB |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Item model number | TPN-Q221 |
| Optical Drive Type | No Optical Drive |
| Product Dimensions | 20 x 10.8 x 0.96 inches |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel |
| Hard Drive Interface | PCIE x 8 |
| Number of Processors | 4 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1366x768 Pixels |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 8 GB |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 20 x 10.8 x 0.96 inches |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 3 |
| Graphics Card Description | Integrated |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
| Standing screen display size | 14 Inches |
What Buyers Say
The most surprising finding from user feedback is the consistent and severe complaints about the laptop's slowness, with some users reporting web pages taking 20-30 minutes to load. Many buyers express regret, stating they wouldn't recommend it if better options are available, but acknowledge it 'gets the job done' for extremely low expectations. The limited and slow 128GB eMMC storage is another frequent point of frustration, often cited as insufficient for Windows 11 and essential applications. The low-resolution display is also a common complaint, with its poor color and brightness noted by several users.
“Honestly, I bought this thing because it was cheap, but it's so slow it makes me want to throw it across the room. Like, opening a browser takes forever, and the storage is basically full after Windows updates. Don't buy this unless you literally just need to type a few words and nothing else.”
Common Praise
- The 8GB RAM allows for running multiple windows and tabs for basic tasks
- Includes a 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription, adding software value
- The 14-inch form factor is a convenient size for basic use
- Decent battery life of 5-7 hours for light workloads
- User-friendly and easy to set up for basic computing
Common Complaints
- Laptop runs extremely slowly and frequently freezes, especially when browsing or multitasking
- The 128GB eMMC storage is insufficient and very slow, hindering performance
- The 1366x768 display has poor resolution, brightness, and color accuracy
- Microsoft Edge and other applications malfunction or load very slowly
- The Celeron N4120 processor is underpowered for modern operating systems and applications
- The laptop feels 'plasticky' in terms of build quality
Ownership Tips
- You'll likely need to switch out of Windows 11 S Mode immediately to install common applications not found in the Microsoft Store
- Expect to use cloud storage extensively, as the 128GB eMMC fills up quickly with Windows and a few apps
- The fan can be audible when the laptop is under even light load, though it's quiet during idle web browsing
- The keyboard has shallow key travel, which might be uncomfortable for extended typing sessions
- The 7-pound weight makes it a pain to carry around, so it's best suited as a stationary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?
The product specs highlight 8GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage. While some older Celeron models might have upgradable RAM, eMMC storage is typically soldered and not user-upgradable. You'd need to check the specific model's internal design.
Is the 128GB eMMC enough for Windows 11?
Windows 11 will take up a significant portion of the 128GB eMMC, leaving little space for applications and files. Users frequently complain about limited usable storage space.
Can I play games on this laptop?
No, the Intel Celeron N4120 processor with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 is not designed for gaming. Users report it cannot run even PSX/PSP emulators, though very old console emulators like SNES might work.
Does it come with Microsoft Office?
Yes, it includes a 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365, which provides access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
What is Windows 11 Home in S Mode?
Windows 11 Home in S Mode is a more secure version of Windows that only allows apps from the Microsoft Store. You can switch out of S Mode to install other applications, but you cannot revert once you do.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at budget laptops like this, you need to understand that 'cheap' often means significant compromises. Don't expect a smooth experience if you're used to faster machines. This laptop is designed for the absolute bare minimum, like checking email or typing a simple document. Its 7-pound weight also means it's not really a 'laptop' in the portable sense, more like a desktop replacement that you can occasionally move.
Intel Celeron N4120 Processor
This is a very entry-level processor, like a small engine in a big car. It's fine for cruising slowly on a flat road (basic tasks), but it will struggle and feel sluggish when you try to go uphill or accelerate (multitasking, opening many tabs, running demanding apps).
128GB eMMC Storage
Think of eMMC as a slower, smaller version of the storage in your phone, not a full-fledged SSD. It's much slower than the SSDs found in most modern laptops, making everything from booting up to opening files feel delayed. 128GB also fills up incredibly fast once Windows and a few programs are installed.
14" HD (1366x768) Display
HD (1366x768) is a low resolution for a 14-inch screen, meaning text and images won't be as sharp as on a Full HD (1920x1080) display. The 220 nits brightness and 45% NTSC color also mean the screen will look dim and colors will appear washed out compared to most other laptops.
Alternatives
If this laptop doesn't meet your needs, look for models with at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 256GB NVMe SSD storage, and a Full HD (1920x1080) IPS display for a significantly better experience.
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