Verdict
All guidesResearchMethodologyAboutContact
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.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
The short answer

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and HP Chromebook Plus 14a score essentially the same (3.8 vs 3.8). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Ranked #4 in Best Chromebooks Under $500
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
3 sources1 derived$395as of Aug 1

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 AmazonFull review →
HP Chromebook Plus 14a
Ranked #5 in Best Chromebooks Under $500
HP Chromebook Plus 14a
3 sources1 derived$354as of Aug 1

The HP Chromebook Plus 14a is a sturdy everyday Chromebook built around its keyboard and its cool-running chassis rather than its spec sheet. Laptop Mag rated it 3.5 out of 5, praising the typing experience while flagging a dim display and middling performance from the Intel Core i3-N305. It is a dependable clamshell for browsing and schoolwork that the higher picks here beat on screen, storage and speed.

Strengths
  • — Keyboard is comfortable enough to be the reason to buy the laptop
  • — Chassis is thick and heavy enough to survive a school bag
  • — Underside measured 77.5 degrees Fahrenheit after streaming video
Watch-outs
  • — Intel Core i3-N305 performance trails the best at this price
  • — The 14-inch 1920x1080 panel is dimmer and duller than average
  • — Only 128GB of UFS storage, a quarter of the Acer 514's 512GB
$354 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

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

It shares the Intel Core i3-N305 with the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 but pairs it with 128GB of UFS storage rather than the Acer's 512GB SSD. Its 14-inch panel is dimmer than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i and ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 screens, and the 16:9 shape shows less than the Flex 5i's 16:10 display, though it is faster and better built than the budget ASUS Chromebook CX15.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAcer Chromebook Plus 514HP Chromebook Plus 14a
CPUIntel Core i3-N305 (8-core)Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)
RAM8GB LPDDR58GB
Storage512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD128GB UFS
Display14" 1920x1080 IPS, 60Hz touch14" 1920x1080, 16:9
Weight3.15 lb3.2 lb
WirelessWi-Fi 6E—
OSChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)
Battery—~8 hours 50 minutes
Webcam—1080p
← See the full ranking of best chromebooks under $500