HP Pavilion 14 (2021) review
HP Pavilion 14 (2021) — from 2021, 1.54 kg, performance 50.
Technical specifications
| Type | Laptop |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Screen | 14" · 1366x768 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 1115G4 , Intel Core i5 1135G7 , Intel Core i7 1165G7 |
| Graphics | GeForce MX350 2GB , GeForce MX450 2GB |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 1.54 kg |
| Battery | 43 Wh |
Performance scores
HP Pavilion 14 (2021): the budget photo machine
The HP Pavilion 14 (2021) pairs a Core i3 1115G4 with a GeForce MX350 2GB and 16GB of memory at $399. The graphics score of 44.73 sits 64 percent above the general-class median, top-tier value at 81.4 ties for the best reading of the floor club, and the measured data confirms: Far Cry 5 clears its recommended bar at 34 frames per second.
Where it holds up
Photo at 83 is high-band — remarkable at the price floor, where the trio's other members post 20 — with gaming at 44, modeling at 42, and CAD at 44 all mid-tier, office at 65.25 high-band, and portability at 67.1 high-band. The mobility index of 60 runs 20 percent above class median. Value at 81.4, tied best in the $399 club, is the sheet's endorsement of the whole formula.
Where it falls short
Memory is the named weakness: 16GB against a class median of 32 — half the ceiling its HP 14/15 platform-siblings carry. The MX350's 2GB framebuffer caps the gaming the score invites, and performance at 50.01 is mid-band, entry-i3 territory. The creative axes are mid-tier, honest for the money, never more.
Price and depreciation
At $399 with an empty dollar ledger, the 11.13 percent annual class-level rate and first-year buyer exposure apply — though at the floor the curve is largely spent. The value reading of 81.4 high-band, tied best in the club, grades the transaction as the budget buy the photo score makes it.
Alternatives to consider
The HP 15 (2021) at the same $399: the same GPU tier plus a 64GB ceiling and photo at 83 — the all-rounder twin. The HP Pavilion 14 (2023) at $553 upgrades to an i5 and MX550 but posts value at 47.6 — the money does not follow. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 (2022) at $470 is the RTX 3050 route for $71 more.
Bottom line
Fairly priced for the class. The Pavilion 14 (2021) delivers high-band photo and portability, a measured 34 fps clearance, and tied-best floor-club value at 81.4 — against a 16GB ceiling and entry-i3 performance. For light photo work on the tightest budget, it is the floor's creative answer.
🧭 Your context
Stage: Vague sense of need
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🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 54) ↔ price (median 247.9).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 50) ↔ overall performance (median 43.1).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 2.3).
Pavilion 14 (2021): verdict
➡️ Next step
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