Earlier this year, HP launched the Chromebook 14, which was received with much criticism because of its less-than-perfect screen. Now, the machine is coming out with a revamped version that features a touchscreen display, increased storage, higher RAM, and more expensive price tag.
Officially known as the HP Chromebook 14-x050nr Touch, the new version has an FHD WLED-backlit touch screen display, quad-core Nvidia Tegra K1 CPU of 2.3 GHz, RAM of 4GB, and built-in eMMC flash storage of 32GB.
Apart from the touchscreen, the display also boasts a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Initially, HP announced that the laptop would have a 16GB storage and will carry the price tag of $429.99. However, the company decided to increase the storage to 32GB, which added $10 more to the original price.
With storage that's twice as big and RAM that's also double the original version's 2GB, the slightly added price increase shouldn't really be that bad.
Other interesting specs include a single USB 3.0, a duo of USB 2.0, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and front-facing HD Webcam that is coupled with a digital microphone. The laptop's battery has been designed to last up to eight hours and 15 minutes. Moreover, the new Chromebook 14 is touted as eco-efficient, having achieved the EPEAT Silver and Energy Star rating.
With the launch of the touchscreen version of Chromebook 14, it doesn't mean that HP is discontinuing the early non-touchscreen model. At a price of $299.99, the early Chromebook 14 version has 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage. It also runs on the same processor as its younger sibling. For those who are not that keen on a laptop's screen display and feel like the older Chromebook 14's lower-resolution non-touch screen is more than enough, then it is of course a better and cheaper option.
The Chromebook 14 is certainly not for the light traveler as the laptop is one of the heavier models of Chromebook ever made. Perhaps the laptop's available ports may have added a few more pounds to its overall weight.
The latest touchscreen version, which has the retail price of $439, comes in a silver or black option, compared with the earlier model's variety of shades, such as neon green, ocean turquoise, sorbet orange and smoke silver.
The new Chromebook 14 is now available in the U.S.
