HP TECH TAKES /...

Exploring today's technology for tomorrow's possibilities
A woman is sitting on the floor at her home researching HP Laptop computers

HP Chromebook vs Pavilion Plus Laptops: Which is Best for You?

Kirstyn Amanda
|
Reading time: 7 minutes
Choosing your next laptop is a big decision. Affordability must be considered, but more power for your money could supercharge your struggle. AI capabilities are in demand, and when looking at the HP Chromebook vs Pavilion Plus, even the more affordable option caters to an AI application.
Our HP Pavilion Plus models are versatile laptops that balance power and price well. They suit tasks like casual gaming and video editing.
Meanwhile, our Chromebook laptops are great if you spend a lot of time browsing the web, checking emails, and using web apps. They are also lighter on the wallet and perfect for those on a budget.
In this article, we'll compare the HP Chromebook vs Pavilion Plus laptops. We'll cover factors like performance, design, and the software they run on to help you decide which fits your needs better.
We’ll focus on the following models.
  • HP Chromebook Plus Laptop 15at-nb000
  • HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c-cd0097nr
  • HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 14-ew1010nr
  • HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 16-ab0010nr

Understanding HP Chromebooks

Chromebook laptops are famous for their speedy boot-up times (in less than 10 seconds), long battery life (great for when you are on the go), built-in virus protection, and affordability. You can find more information in our helpful guides about HP Chromebooks, including how they differ from other laptops and debunking some myths about these versatile and undemanding machines.
Our HP Chromebook Plus family of laptops is a new sub-series of the HP Chromebook laptops. This series has a minimum set of hardware configurations across all their models. This means you’re guaranteed specific components, even if it’s a budget option. Mid-range and premium options may have more powerful hardware.
We've packed our HP Chromebook Plus laptops with Intel® Core™ i3 processors and 8GB RAM to give you more power and speed to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
We’ve designed them with full high-definition IPS screens for an enhanced viewing experience. Now, video editors and graphic designers can run video editing software like Adobe Suite and LumaFusion smoothly. Furthermore, gamers can enjoy a more immersive cloud gaming experience through NVIDIA GeForce Now.
Chromebook Plus owners will also benefit from the revamped ChromeOS, which comes with AI capabilities. For example, if you're a content creator, you can use Google Photos Magic Eraser to quickly tweak your photos like a pro, removing unwanted elements, muting colors, or adjusting brightness and contrast.

Exploring Pavilion Plus laptops

Our HP Pavilion Plus laptops are an amped version of our popular HP Pavilion series. These laptops are suitable for users who need more power for gaming, video editing, and online collaboration without spending too much money.
We've supercharged our HP Pavilion Plus laptops with the latest Core i7 and Core Ultra processors to give you enough juice even to run demanding applications without a drop in performance. These processors work hand in hand with Intel-integrated graphics to provide gamers with a smooth and lag-free gaming experience.
A standout feature of these laptops is their high-quality screens. You'll enjoy streaming movies with crystal clear images and vibrant colors thanks to the Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array (WQXGA) resolution. The screen can also reach up to 400 nits of brightness, making it easy to use outdoors. Plus, we've added Low Blue Light technology to reduce eye strain during long gaming or movie sessions.
For students and professors, we've included an impressive 5MP webcam. This webcam captures clear video and audio to ensure you're seen and heard during online classes. Moreover, you can further enhance your video calls by leveraging HP Presence to blur backgrounds, strengthen your tone, and auto frame.
As a bonus, our HP Pavilion Plus laptops come with complimentary trials of Adobe productivity apps and antivirus software to keep your important files safe.

Head-to-head comparison

Let’s dig into how these laptops compare in design, performance, connectivity, and software.

Design and build quality

Both laptop series boast sleek and minimalistic designs with visible logos. What's impressive is that even our more budget-friendly options have a durable, robust metal chassis and strong hinges, giving them a premium feel.
These laptops are about the same weight as standard laptops, making them easy to carry in your backpack. The lightest model, the HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 14-ew1010nr, weighs 3.19 lbs, while the heaviest, the HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 16-ab0010nr, weighs 4.19 lbs.
If you're looking for an out-of-the-box design, you’ll love our HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c-cd0097nr, which features a 360-degree hinge that allows you to use it in various modes. For instance, you can use it in its traditional laptop mode for your everyday computing activities, in tablet mode when you’re on the move, in yoga mode when brainstorming ideas with your colleagues, or in tent mode for binge-watching your favorite shows.

Performance specifications

Processors

When buying a laptop, it’s essential to consider what you’ll be using it for. If your activities mainly revolve around online collaboration with Google Workspace apps or Microsoft Office or checking your social media feed for the latest updates, then our HP Chromebook Plus laptops with Intel Core i3 processors are a great fit.
However, for heavier workloads that require more power, like gaming, video editing, or data analysis, go for our HP Pavilion Plus models. For example, our HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 14-ew1010nr has the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor optimized to enhance performance for AI-related tasks like blurring backgrounds during video calls.

Memory

Pavilion Plus laptops have higher RAM capacity than the Chromebook Plus models. Nevertheless, the 8GB RAM that you’ll find in our HP Chromebook Plus Laptop 15at-nb000 is sufficient to ensure that applications load faster and enhance the overall responsiveness of the laptop.

Storage options

Chromebooks traditionally had a smaller storage capacity, and they were dependent on the cloud. However, you can now store more files and photos on your drive as they now come with 128GB of storage. More space means you can do more work offline and sync later when a decent connection is available.
That said, if you have huge files and applications, you can opt for our HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 16-ab0010nr, which has a 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ SSD for blazingly fast storage.

Software ecosystems

Chromebooks run on the Chrome operating system, while Pavilion Plus laptops operate on Windows OS.
ChromeOS has a user-friendly interface, is more secure (as it’s regularly updated), and has fewer reported security vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Windows offers a more familiar interface and a wide range of software compatibility.
Getting an HP Chromebook Plus laptop has several perks, including a 3-month free trial of YouTube Premium to enjoy videos and 100GB of Google One cloud storage free for 12 months.
On the other hand, you’ll get a 1-month free Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft 365 trial for new customers with an HP Pavilion Plus laptop.

Connectivity options

Both laptop series offer ample ports for charging and connecting peripherals such as wired headphones, mouse, or external keyboards.
For data transfer, the USB-Type C ports have a signaling rate of up to 10Gbps, but if you have larger files, you can opt for our HP Pavilion Plus laptops, which have Thunderbolt™ 4 with USB Type-C ports with a remarkable 40Gbps signaling rate.

Factors to consider

When picking out a laptop, you must consider a few things to ensure you get the right one. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Get value for your money

Think about how much you want to spend. Then, look for a laptop that gives you the most for your money. Ensure it has all the necessary hardware components without going overboard on things you won't use.

Determine your use case

Different people need different things from their laptops. For example:
  • College students might want something light and versatile, like the HP Chromebook Plus 15at-nb000. They'll use it to take notes, research, and relax with music or movies.
  • Freelancers and remote workers might need a laptop that works well with Google Workspace, like the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c-cd0097nr, to collaborate on projects easily with their colleagues.
  • Content creators need the power to edit photos and videos. They'll want something like the HP Pavilion Plus 14-ew1010nr, which has an excellent screen for color accuracy.
  • Gamers need a laptop with a strong processor and graphics card, like the HP Pavilion Plus 16-ab0010nr, for smooth gaming without lag.

Think long-term usefulness

You don't want a laptop that falls apart after a few months. Check whether it feels solid and well-made, with sturdy hinges and keys that don't wobble. If it has poor craftsmanship, it probably won't last long.
Also, see if it comes with a warranty or if you can buy extra coverage for accidents or theft. That way, you're protected if anything goes wrong.

Summary

In this laptop comparison, we've explored the HP Chromebook vs Pavilion Plus laptops. Both series offer excellent options tailored to different types of users. Chromebooks are ideal for those seeking an affordable laptop primarily for browsing the internet and editing documents.
On the other hand, Pavilion Plus laptops strike a balance between power and affordability. They're suitable for users who need a bit more oomph for tasks like photo editing or gaming. Before choosing, having a clear budget and understanding what you'll mainly use the laptop for is crucial. This way, you can ensure you're getting the best fit for your needs and wallet.

About the Author

Kirstyn Amanda is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. She has a background in tech and a keen interest in emerging trends in the tech industry.

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.