Purchased 05/06/14. Purchased with: iPearl mCover Hard Shell Case (clear), AmazonBasics 14.1" Case, AmazonBasics 3-Button Wired Mouse.
I absolutely LOVE my new HP Chromebook 14 w/T-Mobile!!! I was somewhat worried about going to a 14" from a 15" screen, but I can actually read the HP better, (Settings > Very Large; 100%, which I think helps). As a first time HP consumer, I'm very impressed, they have a winner here! I'm quickly becoming a HP convert, as a long time (15 yr) Dell user, that's a pretty strong statement by me.
I really like the iPearl mCover Hard Shell Case because it will keep it nice and clean, maybe even protect it against some hard knocks. I wasn't sure if I'd like the mousepad, so I got the AmazonBasics wired mouse, (just in case). I use one of these with my Chromebox and it works great, no hiccups, burps and/or farts - at least from the mouse! After a couple days of use, the HP mousepad is just fine, (actually, it works great!), although I haven't figured out the left-click, (no switch option in the Mouse Settings that I could find), which is OK, don't really need it too much - and if I have to do a bunch of editing, (copying/pasting or dragging), while on the road, I'll just plug the mouse in, so no big deal.
I received it quickly, (thank you Amazon Prime!), and it was well packaged. Thank you HP for not putting any stickers on the screen, I really do appreciate that (a lot)!
I'm very familiar with the Chrome OS, I have had a Samsung Series 3 Chromebox since Nov 2012, (LOVE it!), and I'm definitely hooked into the Google ecosystem. I love the Docs and Spreadsheets, love the fast start time and ABSOLUTELY LOVE the NO maintenance!!!!! This also carries over to my new Chromebook. I completely agree with previous Amazon reviewers, "This is the future of computing!"
I have only had the HP a few days and my first impressions are...are...are...a big fat solid 10 stars! It really has exceeded my expectations! The HP was SO easy to set up! I was online and working including the unboxing (2), reading Quick Start Up Guide, (1), Activation (1 for Google, 5 for T-Mobile = 6), so about 10 minutes total. Sure beats starting up a Windows machine!!!!
The T-mobile signal is pretty weak where I live, so I was really surprised when I started the initial HP Chromebook setup, I apparently had access to it. So I thought, I'll go for it, let's see how it goes. It actually went great, Google OS updated quickly with no issues. The T-Mobile activation was VERY easy, I really took my time with it though - to get it right the first time. I've read a few reviews where some were having some problems activating the 4G service, they spent hours on the phone w/support. I don't get it, but maybe they had a unique problem or didn't follow the correct procedures, because, to me, it could not have been any easier. I'm really glad it has a 4G option, to me, it'll be much safer when I'm on the road at unsecured local, hotel or airport hot-spots. If I use the 4G time up, so what, I'll pay for a day pass, it's worth it to me for the security it provides.
A previous reviewer complained about Chrome OS not having Java that was causing some issues for certain websites for him, (um, refrain from those porn sites dude! <g>). I have no such issues with any websites and I also access many shopping, banking and investment account websites, (and I don't go to porn sites! <gg>). Now for one bank that I use, it does require Java for echeck deposits. I need to access my Dell to deposit/process these checks, (or go to my local bank at the nearby shopping center - ugh!). Not a big deal though, I only receive a (very) few checks a year - and eventually I'll be getting an Android device, (Nexus?), when the Dell dies (?), and I'll just use that banks Android app for echeck deposits, so again, no big deal.
I find it strange that some people who buy this device, (any Chromebook/box for that matter), and then complain, "Ew, it's not Windows?!" or "Ew, the OS is too confusing or complicated!". Sure, if you've never used it, it can be a tad overwhelming at first, (not really - maybe, just maybe *you* are the problem). But once you''e learned it, (within a day), it's so easy to master/navigate and it's not confusing at all. I like it because it's NOT Windows! I know I'll NEVER go back to a bloated, virus prone, update needy, too many repairs Windows machine again. The Chromebox and Chromebooks are top Amazon sellers and the momentum is growing. MS should be VERY worried.
As of a few months ago, I'm now finally 100% cloud-centric. Switched from Quicken to Clearcheckbook.com, ($42 yr - Premium, but they do have a free basic version that you can use). We use it to manage our household cash for all of our accounts and I use (very) detailed Google Spreadsheets for the registers (for backup), CB, projected income, YQWD NAV bal/inc stats, (thanks Google!). It's so nice and easy to share and manage our household financials now. Quicken was great while we had it, but is now done and we couldn't be happier! Intuit is missing the cloud boat, Mint isn't going to cut it. Oops, I'm kinda of getting off track here, (sorry), but my point is, Google and Chromebook are the new reality for (cloud) computing and with a little time and effort to make a thin client PC work for you, I think it's definitely worth it.
BTW, I added some extensions, (all free), from the Chrome Web Store that I think some people might be interested in: AdBlock Plus, (ABP, it's GREAT!), Chrome New Tab Redirect (use any URL you want for a new tab- via Options), Win7 Scroll Bars, and Webpage Screenshot. I also `Pinned to Shelf': Files, G-Mail, G-Drive, G-Calendar, Calculator, G+ Pictures, G Hangouts, Chrome Web Store and Chrome Remote Desktop. Of course, everyone's needs are different, but all of those I mentioned above helps me out a lot...fast and easy, making your Chromebook even better...
The only (minor) cons I have are: I was going to say that it would have been nice for it have a backlit keyboard, but I think that's pretty unlikely considering the wonderful price point this HP currently has. At night, the white keys really do help to see the keys better. Backlit keys would be really a nice feature, but to me, not mandatory. But what would really be nice is that if it had a number pad. Oh well, what can you expect for a $329.99 computing device. I just won't crunch numbers when on the road, which is just fine by me...(yay!)
It's a GREAT device and I highly recommend it!!!! 5/5
Updated 07/15/14: I'm extremely happy with my HP CB 14 4G, but while on a recent trip, a problem developed with the `e' key occasionally sticking which occurred with normal tying. I could unstick it by very gently prying the top edge of the key up by using my fingernail or by tapping the key very gently several times to release it from the keyboard body frame. But it definitely needed to be repaired.
OK, this is going to be a real test of the product, (repair services). Am I going to rip HP a new one??? We'll see. Called HP support, and yes, of course it was outsourced to India. But nice surprise, I could actually understand them quite well, very good english pronunciation skills, (hell, I can't even sometimes understand a Southern or NE USA accent!). She understood my issue and explained exactly what the procedure was. Received the Fedex shipping box on a Tues, sent to HPSC on Wed, HPSC received it on Thu, it was repaired on Fri and sent to Fedex that evening and I received it back on Mon. Pretty amazing to me that it was that quick of a repair turnaround process. 5 stars!
Sure it was a bummer that a product 2 months old already had a HW issue and needed to be sent in for repairs, (I have to admit it, I was VERY anxious!), but hey, a new Bentley has new car glitches! Stuff happens, no one is immune. I'm just glad that it was fixed with no charge and that it was a very quick process. Thank you HP! Even though it was gone for less than a week, I missed the little guy...
BTW, while on this trip mentioned above, I didn't need to use the mouse that I bought at all, the mousepad performed like a champ. I also solved my "no backlit keyboard" issue for using it at night, I bought a Asus Google Nexus 7 (2013) LTE!!! LOL (absolutely love it!!!). It's a GREAT travel companion with the HP 14 4G, they complement each other so well!!! I'm definitely (still) a happy camper.
-A
| Standing screen display size | 14 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1366x768 |
| Processor | 1.4 GHz celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR3L SDRAM |
| Hard Drive | 16 GB SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel HD Graphics |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Wireless Type | 802.11bgn |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
