Finding a quality laptop under $1,000 used to be a challenge, but options like the Zenbook 14 OLED and MacBook Air M1 have changed the game. The 2023 HP Pavilion Plus 14 joins this growing category, offering an attractive blend of performance and features. This review examines the AMD-powered version, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages compared to the Intel model and other competitors. Is it worth your money? Let’s dive in.
Design and Build: Familiar Yet Functional
The 2023 Pavilion Plus 14 retains the familiar design of its predecessor with a few minor tweaks. It’s slightly thicker and heavier, though not noticeably so. While the all-aluminum construction provides a solid feel, the lid exhibits more flex than expected in a mid-range laptop. Competitors like the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED boast a more rigid build. The Pavilion Plus 14 comes in Natural Silver, Tranquil Pink, and Moonlight Blue, offering stylish choices for different preferences. While the side bezels are thin, the top and bottom bezels are thicker and made of plastic, which detracts from the overall premium feel.
The keyboard features large, well-spaced keycaps with a comfortable typing experience. While the keys offer a firm click and decent travel, they lack the snappy responsiveness found in higher-end keyboards. The touchpad is spacious and responsive, providing smooth and accurate navigation. However, a touchscreen option isn’t available for those who prefer that input method.
Connectivity is a strong point, with a good selection of ports for both modern and legacy devices. However, the absence of Thunderbolt 4 support due to the AMD chipset is a notable drawback. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensures fast and reliable wireless connections. Finally, the 5MP webcam with infrared for Windows Hello facial recognition provides excellent video quality and secure login.
Performance: A Productivity Powerhouse
The Ryzen 7 7840U in our review unit delivers impressive performance for productivity tasks. Benchmark results show it competing favorably with the Intel Core i7-13700H, a popular choice in this segment. While integrated graphics limit gaming capabilities, the Radeon 780M offers a slight edge over Intel’s Iris Xe. The Pavilion Plus 14 handles demanding workflows with ease, making it suitable for productivity users and light creators.
Battery Life: A Significant Improvement
The combination of the efficient Ryzen 7 7840U and the 68 watt-hour battery delivers respectable battery life, a significant upgrade from the previous generation. While it falls short of the exceptional battery life offered by the MacBook Air M2, it outperforms several competitors and promises a full workday of use with lighter workloads.
Display and Audio: Stunning Visuals, Disappointing Sound
The OLED display is undoubtedly the highlight of the Pavilion Plus 14. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast make everything from productivity tasks to media consumption a visual treat. The 120Hz refresh rate adds smoothness to the overall experience. While the audio performance is less impressive, with noticeable distortion at higher volumes, the stunning display more than compensates for this shortcoming.
Verdict: A Compelling Value Proposition
The 2023 HP Pavilion Plus 14, especially at the discounted Costco price, offers an excellent balance of performance, features, and affordability. The stunning OLED display, strong performance, and improved battery life make it a compelling option for those seeking a premium laptop experience without breaking the bank. While competitors like the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED and Zenbook 14 OLED offer compelling alternatives, the Pavilion Plus 14 deserves serious consideration.
