The HP 14-DQ0731DS is a budget-friendly 14-inch laptop aimed at students or those who need a portable machine for basic tasks. Boasting a touchscreen, a Pentium Silver N5030 processor, and a 128GB SSD, it promises a blend of affordability and convenience. But does it deliver?

After spending several weeks putting this laptop through its paces, I’m ready to share my comprehensive review. I’ve tested its performance in various scenarios, from web browsing and document editing to light video streaming. Read on to discover if the HP 14-DQ0731DS is the right choice for you.

The HP 14-DQ0731DS is surprisingly well-equipped for its price point. The 14-inch touchscreen is responsive and provides a comfortable viewing experience, albeit with a resolution of 1366×768. The backlit keyboard is a welcome addition, enhancing usability in low-light conditions. The slim design and lightweight build make it extremely portable, perfect for students or frequent travelers. The inclusion of useful ports like USB Type-C, USB Type-A, and HDMI adds to its versatility.

The integrated Intel UHD 605 graphics isn’t designed for gaming, but it handles everyday tasks without significant lag. Connectivity is reliable thanks to the Realtek RTL8822CE Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5. The HP True Vision camera and dual array microphones are adequate for video calls. Overall, the feature set is quite competitive for a laptop at this price point.

With the Pentium Silver N5030 processor and 4GB of RAM, the HP 14-DQ0731DS is not a powerhouse. However, it handles everyday tasks such as web browsing, document creation, and light video editing reasonably well. Multitasking can be a bit sluggish, but for single-task workflows, it’s perfectly acceptable. The 128GB SSD provides quick boot times and snappy application loading. I experienced no significant lag during general use. However, I did notice some slowdown when running more demanding applications concurrently.

The battery life, advertised as 7 hours, proved to be fairly accurate under moderate use. Heavy usage, such as video editing or gaming (which this laptop isn’t really designed for), will drain the battery quicker.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Lightweight and portable design
• Responsive touchscreen
• Backlit keyboard
• Good selection of ports
• Decent battery life for basic use
• Fast boot times thanks to the SSD

Cons

• Limited RAM (4GB) can cause multitasking issues
• Not suitable for demanding tasks or gaming
• Relatively low display resolution
• Storage might be limited for some users (128GB SSD)

The HP 14-DQ0731DS offers good value for its price. It’s a perfectly acceptable laptop for students, casual users, or anyone who needs a basic, portable machine for everyday tasks. The touchscreen is a welcome addition, and the slim design makes it easy to carry around. However, the limited RAM and storage might be a bottleneck for power users. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for light use, and don’t need high performance, the HP 14-DQ0731DS is a solid option. I’d recommend upgrading to a model with more RAM if possible.