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Head-to-head · Best Chromebooks Under $500

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 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

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about Students and hybrid workers who prioritize all-day battery life and fast multitasking in a no-fuss clamshell. — read the strengths below before deciding.

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Chromebooks Under $500
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
$409as of Jun 7

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the endurance and performance champion under $500. PCWorld clocked over 13 hours of battery and praised its fast multi-core Intel CPU, generous ports, and comfortable keyboard, awarding it an Editors' Choice. PCMag rates it 80% and calls it an excellent pick around $400. Its 16:9 1080p display is solid rather than special and the chassis is plainer than the Lenovo, but for stamina and speed per dollar it is hard to beat.

Strengths
  • — Exceptional battery life, over 13 hours in PCWorld's test at low brightness
  • — Strong performance from Intel Core i5/i3 options with up to 10 cores
  • — Generous port selection including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI
Watch-outs
  • — 16:9 1080p display is competent but no longer stands out
  • — PCMag noted it lost some ground on battery versus the prior generation in heavier use
  • — 128GB storage is modest for buyers who keep files locally
$409 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
HP Chromebook Plus 14a
Ranked #4 in Best Chromebooks Under $500
HP Chromebook Plus 14a
$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 AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

The CX34's standout is battery life, beating the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (~9 hours) by a wide margin. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and HP Chromebook Plus 14a it is a 14-inch clamshell, but it offers stronger CPU options than the Acer's i3-N305 and the HP. Its widescreen 1080p panel is less spacious than the Flex 5i's taller, more square display.

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

SpecASUS Chromebook Plus CX34HP Chromebook Plus 14a
CPUIntel Core i5-1335U (i3 option available)Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)
RAM8GB8GB
Storage128GB SSD128GB UFS
Display14" 1920x1080 touchscreen, 16:914" 1920x1080, 16:9
Weight3.17 lb3.2 lb
BatteryUp to 13+ hours~8 hours 50 minutes
PortsUSB-C, USB-A, HDMI—
OSChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)
Webcam—1080p
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