Reviewed by Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing ·
Researched from 100+ Amazon customer reviews
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Can you really get a decent laptop for £159? That's the question I found myself asking when I spotted this HP 14-inch machine. At first glance, the specs look painfully basic: Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, and just 64GB of storage. But then you notice that 12-hour battery claim and the included year of Microsoft 365, and suddenly it becomes more interesting. I've dug through the specifications and customer feedback to work out whether this ultra-budget HP represents genuine value or a false economy. The short answer? It depends entirely on what you need it for.
The HP 14s-dq3001sa sits firmly in the "basic computing" category. The Intel Celeron N4500 processor isn't going to set any performance records, but it's perfectly adequate for web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. The 4GB of RAM is tight by today's standards, though Windows 11 manages it better than previous versions. Where things get really constrained is that 64GB eMMC storage – after Windows takes its chunk, you're looking at perhaps 40GB of usable space.
The saving grace here is that Microsoft 365 subscription. A year of Office apps plus 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage adds real value to the package. That subscription alone costs £59.99 annually, so you're effectively paying £100 for the hardware. Viewed that way, the value proposition starts making more sense.
HP's claim of 12 hours battery life is the standout feature here, and it's not entirely marketing fluff. Modern Celeron processors are actually quite efficient when they're not being pushed hard. For light tasks like document work or web browsing with the screen brightness turned down, hitting 10-12 hours is realistic. Start streaming video or running multiple browser tabs with heavy websites, and you'll see that drop to 6-8 hours – still respectable for a £159 machine.
The HP Fast Charge technology is a nice touch, getting you back to 50% charge in about 45 minutes. For a budget laptop, that's genuinely useful.
Here's where this laptop shows its budget credentials most clearly. With just 64GB of eMMC storage, you'll be managing space constantly. A few large apps, some photos, and maybe an offline Netflix download, and you're already running tight. The included OneDrive storage helps, but only if you've got reliable internet. If you're planning to store much locally, factor in the cost of a microSD card or external drive.
The eMMC storage is also slower than a proper SSD, so whilst boot times aren't terrible, loading larger applications feels sluggish compared to more expensive machines.
The 6.5mm micro-edge bezels do give this laptop a more modern look than you'd expect at this price point. The HD display (1366x768) feels dated in 2024, but it's adequate for basic tasks. The anti-glare coating works well enough for outdoor use, though don't expect vibrant colours or sharp text.
Build quality is functional rather than inspiring. The plastic construction feels solid enough for gentle use, but I wouldn't want to test its durability with daily commuting. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures and works reliably, though it's not particularly large.
Let's be clear about what this machine can and can't do. Web browsing with multiple tabs? Fine, though you might notice some sluggishness with content-heavy sites. Microsoft Office applications? Perfectly usable for documents, though large spreadsheets or presentations with lots of media will test its patience. Video streaming? Netflix and YouTube work smoothly at HD resolution.
Gaming is largely off the table beyond simple browser games. The Intel UHD graphics can handle older titles at low settings, but don't expect to play anything recent. Photo editing beyond basic crops and filters will be frustrating, and video editing is essentially impossible.
This HP laptop succeeds by knowing exactly what it is: an ultra-budget machine for basic computing tasks. If you need something for web browsing, document work, and video streaming – and that Microsoft 365 subscription appeals – it's solid value. But if you need more storage, better performance, or a sharper display, save up for something better.
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