HP Chromebook 14" Fortis G1i Review

Looking for a Chromebook with a lot of RAM? The HP Fortis G1i is a bit of an odd duck. It packs 16GB of DDR5 memory, which is a ton for a Chrome OS machine, but it's paired with a very basic Intel N150 processor and a low-res 14-inch screen. At around $667, it's not exactly a budget pick, so you're paying for that RAM and a ruggedized build. If you're a student or business user who needs dozens of browser tabs open at once but doesn't care about performance or screen quality, this might be on your radar.

Let's be real about the Intel N150 CPU. Its performance lands in the 8th percentile, which means it's slower than almost everything else out there. For basic web browsing and Google Docs, it's fine, but open a few YouTube videos or try to run Android apps and you'll feel it chug. The 16GB of RAM is the star here, sitting in the 51st percentile. That's enough to keep a massive number of browser tabs from slowing things down, but the weak CPU is the bottleneck. Gaming is a non-starter, scoring a 6.2 out of 100, so don't even think about it.

At $667, the value proposition is tough. You're paying a premium for the 16GB of RAM and a rugged design, but you're getting a bottom-tier processor and one of the worst screens on the market. For the same money, you could find Windows laptops or even used MacBooks with far better overall performance and display quality. This Chromebook only makes sense if your workflow is 100% browser-based, you absolutely need that 16GB of RAM for tab hoarding, and you don't care about media consumption or speed.

Compared to other devices, the trade-offs are stark. The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 is a proper business laptop with Windows, much faster processors, and better screens, though it costs more. The ASUS Zenbook Duo offers innovative dual-screen functionality for creative work. Even compared to other Chromebooks, like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, you'd get a much faster Core i3/i5 CPU, a gorgeous 2K touchscreen, and similar RAM for a similar price. The HP Fortis G1i sacrifices core computing experience (speed and screen) for RAM and toughness, which is a niche ask.

Should you buy this? Probably not. The HP Fortis G1i Chromebook is built for a very specific, narrow scenario: someone who needs a durable machine for web apps and needs massive amounts of RAM, but doesn't care about processing speed, screen quality, or storage. For almost everyone else, especially students or business users, that terrible screen and sluggish CPU are deal-breakers at this price. You can get a much better all-around experience from other Chromebooks or budget Windows laptops. Only consider this if your IT department is handing it out and your job is literally just a browser.