HP 14 14-dq6013dx 14" Willow Green Review

Looking for a cheap laptop for basic stuff? The HP 14-dq6013dx is a $160 Windows machine that's built for one thing: getting online and handling simple tasks. It's got a 14-inch screen, an Intel N150 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. If you're a student who just needs a device for taking notes and browsing the web, or someone who wants a second computer for the kitchen, this is the kind of laptop you're looking at. It's not built for speed or multitasking, but for its price, it gets you a functional Windows PC. People often search for 'cheapest Windows laptop' or 'good laptop for under $200,' and this HP fits that bill exactly.

Let's be real about performance. The Intel N150 CPU sits in the 9th percentile, which means it's one of the slowest processors you can get in a new laptop. It's fine for opening a few browser tabs, writing in a word processor, and streaming video. But try to do more than one of those at once, and you'll feel it start to chug. The 4GB of RAM is a major bottleneck—it's in the 2nd percentile—so having more than a couple of programs open will likely lead to slowdowns. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are fine for watching YouTube, but don't even think about gaming. The storage is also very basic at 128GB, so you'll be managing space carefully.

At $160, the value proposition is simple: this is one of the least expensive new Windows laptops you can buy. You're paying for the bare minimum hardware to run Windows 11. The main alternative in this price range is often a used or refurbished business laptop from a few years ago, which might get you a faster CPU and more RAM. But if you absolutely want something brand new with a warranty and no hassle, this HP is an option. Just know exactly what you're getting.

Compared to the other laptops listed as competitors, this HP is in a completely different universe. The Apple MacBook Pro M4 or MSI Vector gaming laptop are powerhouses that cost ten times as much. A more relevant comparison might be to other budget Chromebooks or entry-level Windows laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad 1. Those often have similar specs but sometimes offer slightly better screens or more RAM for a bit more money. The HP's main advantage here is its rock-bottom price and the fact it runs full Windows, not ChromeOS.

Should you buy the HP 14-dq6013dx? Only if your budget is extremely tight and your needs are incredibly basic. It's a good fit for a young student's first laptop, a dedicated machine for a single simple task, or a beater computer you don't mind getting scratched up. For anyone who needs to run more than two programs at once, wants to store more than a handful of files, or cares about screen quality, this laptop will be a frustrating experience. It's a tool for a very specific, limited job.