HP has announced today something long-rumored and hoped for but not actually available in stores: a Chromebook powered by an AMD processor. We saw it for ourselves, the Chrome OS-backed HP Chromebook 14 runs on a dual-core AMD A4-9120 CPU with integrated AMD Radeon R4 graphics. It starts at $269 and arrives later this month.
HP Chromebook 14 Specs
| CPU & Base Frequency / Boost | AMD A4-9210 @ 2.2 GHz / 2.5 GHz |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon R4 (integrated) |
| RAM | 4GB (DDR4-1866 SDRAM) |
| Storage | 32GB (eMMC) |
| Display | 14 inches, HD resolution SVA panel with anti-glare & WLED backlight |
| Ports | 2x USB Type-C2x USB 2.01x MicroSD1x headphone out/mic in combo |
| Battery | 47.4 Wh |
| Connectivity | Qualcomm Atheros QCA6174A-5 802.11a/b/g/ac 2x2 Wi-FiBluetooth 4.2 combo (MU-MIMO support) |
| Audio | 2x B&O speakers |
| Webcam | HP TrueVision HD |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 13.3 x 8.9 in x 0.7 inches (33.8 x 22.6 x 1.8 cm) |
| Weight | 3.4 pounds (1.5 kg) |
| Price | Non-touchscreen: $269Touchscreen: $299 |
Intel has been holding a firm grasp on the Chromebook CPU space, with most Chromebooks today sporting their Celeron, Pentium or older-generation Core i3 or i5 processors. But HP (as well as Acer) has broken the mold with its latest Chromebook. As a low-cost Chromebook, it’s meant for basic productivity and only runs Android Apps, so you can't expect HP to pack much performance power into the 3.4-pound lightweight. The Chromebook 14’s CPU has a 2.2-GHz clock speed and can reach 2.5 GHz at turbo boost. It has a solid, for a Chromebook, 4GB of memory and integrated AMD graphics.
In-person the laptop was surprisingly light with the thick, rounded edges and the relatively tough exterior of a kid-friendly device but the sleek color and finish of a grown-up PC. HP calls it chalkboard gray with a textured finish. It impressively has not one, but two USB-C ports, for charging and data, and a 180-degree hinge for laying the machine flat.
HP claims the laptop gets up to 9 hours and 15 minutes of battery life. In addition to its 802.11a/b/g/ac connectivity, the Chromebook also supports MU-MIMO for better internet connectivity.
With AMD under the hood, HP may have just given some Team Red enthusiasts reason to consider a Chromebook as a secondary or kids' device.
