Head-to-head · Best Chromebooks Under $500

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 vs HP Chromebook Plus 14a

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about Buyers who store a lot of files locally or want the most storage and speed per dollar in a lightweight clamshell. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Chromebooks Under $500

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

4.4

$395as of Jun 7

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is the storage-and-value pick: a light 14-inch clamshell with a standout 512GB SSD, snappy Intel Core i3-N305 performance, Wi-Fi 6E, and all-day battery. PCWorld called it a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage and felt as quick as pricier peers, while TechRadar praised its speed, display, and sleek design. The screen is a touch dim, but for local storage per dollar nothing here comes close.

Strengths

— Huge 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, far more local storage than rivals
— Feels as quick as pricier peers in everyday ChromeOS tasks
— Light at just 3.15 pounds and easy to carry all day

Watch-outs

— Display tops out around 315 nits and can look dim in bright rooms
— 16:9 1080p panel is less spacious than the Lenovo's 16:10 screen
— Plain design lacks the premium feel of the Lenovo Flex 5i

$395 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Chromebooks Under $500

HP Chromebook Plus 14a

4.1

$359.95as of Jun 7

The HP Chromebook Plus 14a is a sturdy, comfortable everyday Chromebook with a standout keyboard and cool-running design, all in the Chromebook Plus tier. Laptop Mag praised its build and typing experience but flagged a below-average display and middling i3-N305 performance. It is a dependable, no-drama clamshell for basic productivity and browsing, but it is outclassed on screen, storage, and speed by the higher picks here, landing it fourth.

Strengths

— Surprisingly comfortable, satisfying keyboard for the price
— Sturdy chassis that feels ready for daily commuting and school bags
— Runs cool under load, with the underside staying comfortable

Watch-outs

— Intel Core i3-N305 performance trails the best at the price
— 14-inch 1080p display is dimmer and duller than average
— Only 128GB of UFS storage

$359.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

The Acer 514's defining edge is its 512GB SSD, dwarfing the 128GB storage on the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, and HP Chromebook Plus 14a. It shares the i3-N305 platform with the HP 14a but pairs it with far more storage and a lighter chassis. Its widescreen panel is less spacious than the Flex 5i's taller screen and dimmer than ideal.

HP Chromebook Plus 14a

The HP 14a shares the Intel Core i3-N305 platform with the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 but pairs it with only 128GB of storage versus the Acer's 512GB SSD. Its display is dimmer than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus and ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 panels, and its 16:9 shape shows less than the Flex 5i's 16:10 screen, though it is faster and better-built than the budget ASUS Chromebook CX15.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Acer Chromebook Plus 514	HP Chromebook Plus 14a
CPU	Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)	Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)
RAM	8GB LPDDR5	8GB
Storage	512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD	128GB UFS
Display	14" 1920x1080 IPS, 60Hz touch	14" 1920x1080, 16:9
Weight	3.15 lb	3.2 lb
Battery	50Wh, all-day	~8 hours 50 minutes
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E	—
OS	ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)	ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)
Webcam	—	1080p

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