Choosing a mid-range laptop often means deciding between portable design and display quality. HP’s new StarBook Plus 14, launched in China, aims to balance these by offering an OLED screen—a rare feature in this segment—alongside Intel’s Wildcat Lake Core i5 processor.
- 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage
- Intel Core i5 320 with 6 cores and integrated Xe3 GPU
- Lightweight design at 1.3kg and 13.7mm thickness
- Multiple ports including USB-A, USB-C with PD and DP Alt, and HDMI 2.1
OLED Display Offers Better Colors but Limited Brightness Info
The StarBook Plus 14’s OLED panel stands out compared to competitors like the MacBook Neo, which uses IPS displays. This means deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, thanks to the 100% DCI-P3 coverage. However, HP hasn’t shared peak brightness numbers, which can affect usability outdoors or in bright rooms. The screen refreshes at 60Hz, sufficient for everyday tasks but less ideal for gaming or fast-moving visuals.
Performance Fits Productivity, Not Heavy Gaming
Powered by an Intel Core i5 320 from the Wildcat Lake series, this laptop targets productivity users. The 6-core CPU and 2-core Xe3 integrated GPU are capable of handling office work, web browsing, and light multimedia editing. With 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 512GB SSD, the configuration supports smooth multitasking. Users wanting better graphics performance will need a dedicated GPU, which this model lacks.
Ports and Build Cater to Mobile Professionals
Despite its slim 13.7mm profile and lightweight 1.3kg frame, the StarBook Plus 14 includes a robust selection of ports: two USB-A, two high-speed USB-C ports supporting power delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a headphone jack. This connectivity suits professionals who need versatile external device options without relying on dongles.
Battery Life and Charging: Adequate but Not Exceptional
The laptop has a 59Wh battery and supports 65W fast charging, which should deliver a full charge relatively quickly. While this combination is reasonable, the battery capacity is somewhat modest for an OLED laptop, which tends to consume more power than IPS panels. Buyers prioritizing all-day use might find the battery life limiting in intensive scenarios.
Price and Availability: A Mid-Range Option with Regional Limits
Priced around $880 in China, the StarBook Plus 14 is positioned slightly above some competitors but offers premium display quality and a solid port selection. Its global release is expected alongside other Wildcat Lake models, but availability and pricing will likely vary. Buyers should monitor regional launches and compare with alternatives to assess value.
The trade-off is battery capacity. A smaller battery helps keep the laptop thin and light, but users needing extended unplugged use may want to consider this factor carefully.
Consider the HP StarBook Plus 14 if you value an OLED screen and a well-rounded port selection in a portable chassis. Skip it if you need longer battery life or dedicated graphics for demanding workloads.
(Via)
