HP 14 Inch Windows Laptop Budget Deal: $171 Price Drop and Windows 11 in S Mode

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Kotaku this week flagged a steep, time-limited markdown on a 14‑inch HP laptop running Windows 11 Home — a bargain-priced machine that the outlet says dropped to $171 from $229 and is listed among Amazon’s top sellers — and for readers hunting a budget Windows laptop this model is worth a close look.

Background​

The laptop market has splintered into dozens of niches: premium ultraportables, gaming workhorses, business-class machines, and the huge, price-sensitive gateway segment where performance is modest but Windows compatibility and a full desktop experience still matter. In that last category, manufacturers often ship devices with low‑power Intel Celeron or Pentium chips, 4 GB of RAM, and 32–64 GB of eMMC storage — enough for web browsing, streaming, basic office apps, and light multitasking.
HP’s 14‑inch model that’s the subject of the deal exists squarely in that segment: a thin-and-light chassis, an HD 1366×768 micro‑edge display, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC storage, and an entry‑level Intel Celeron processor. Those are the specs that make it compelling for budget shoppers and, just as importantly, the specs that also set clear limits on what the machine will handle well. HP’s current product listing for a 14‑inch unit shows these same broad characteristics — and confirms this model ships with Windows 11 Home in S mode.

What Kotaku reported — the deal and the pitch​

Kotaku’s shopping post highlights the laptop as a top‑five Amazon bestseller and reports a promotional price of $171 (down from $229) at the time of publishing. The write‑up emphasizes the thin micro‑edge bezel, a 79% screen‑to‑body ratio, and the inclusion of Windows 11 Home — messaging aimed squarely at buyers who want a full Windows experience without the Chromebook compromises.
A few important realities to lock in immediately:
  • Deal prices on mass retail sites move quickly and are often limited by inventory or by specific sellers. The $171 figure is a snapshot tied to the article’s publication and may not be available after the fact. Kotaku’s report correctly flags the promotional moment, but buyers should verify live pricing before assuming the same discount persists.
  • The same 14‑inch HP product appears in multiple SKU variants across retailers; internal components — particularly the exact Celeron part (N4020 vs N4120) — and bundled software or accessories can differ between listings. HP’s official spec sheet for the 14‑inch model shows an N4120 variant — not the N4020 referenced in some retailer ads — which matters for performance expectations.

Overview of the hardware and specifications​

Processor: Intel Celeron (N4020 / N4120) — what to expect​

HP product pages for a 14‑inch configuration list an Intel Celeron as the CPU, but there are two closely related parts you may see advertised.
  • Intel Celeron N4020 is a dual‑core, 2‑thread part with 1.10 GHz base and up to 2.80 GHz burst; it includes Intel UHD Graphics 600 and is a very low‑power 14 nm design aimed at thin, inexpensive laptops and Chromebooks.
  • Intel Celeron N4120 is a quad‑core part (4 cores / 4 threads) also based on the Gemini Lake family with slightly different burst clocks and better multi‑thread behavior. HP’s official SKU pages for some 14‑inch units show the N4120 for that catalog number.
The practical difference: single‑thread responsiveness (web page rendering, app launch) is similar between these chips, but the N4120’s additional cores materially improve multi‑tab browsing and lightweight multitasking. Notebook and benchmark sites show a meaningful multi‑core gap between the two parts — not huge, but noticeable when you switch browser tabs, run background updates, or use a few apps at once.

Display and build​

  • 14‑inch HD (1366×768) micro‑edge display with a thin bezel and roughly a 79% screen‑to‑body ratio is typical for this price tier. The panel is intended for streaming, video calls, and casual web use rather than color‑critical creative work.
  • The chassis is light and thin — marketed for portability — and physical dimensions typically land around 3.2 lb and ~0.7 inches thick for this class. HP lists a BrightView panel at ~220 nits on the catalog variant.

Memory, storage and I/O​

  • 4 GB DDR4 RAM is standard here; expect limited headroom for heavy multitasking. Upgrading to 8 GB is often impossible on these entries because RAM may be soldered or the motherboard only has one SO‑DIMM slot.
  • 64 GB eMMC is economical but restrictive: eMMC is slower than a modern NVMe SSD and fills up quickly. HP’s spec sheet notes the 64 GB eMMC configuration and highlights an SD/microSD slot — a useful way to expand storage for media files.
  • Ports often include USB‑C, two USB‑A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack — adequate for basic peripherals and an external monitor.

Battery and charging​

HP lists around 8–10 hours of mixed‑use battery life for these configurations and also advertises fast charge to roughly 50% in ~45 minutes on a supported charger. Real‑world endurance will vary with brightness, workload, and whether S Mode is active.

Windows 11 Home in S mode — benefits and caveats​

This HP is commonly sold with Windows 11 Home in S mode, a locked‑down configuration that runs apps only from the Microsoft Store by default. Microsoft designed S mode to improve security and keep systems snappier on constrained hardware, but it’s a trade:
  • Benefits: better managed performance profile out of the box, fewer background installers, and a simpler experience for less technical users. S mode is a defensible choice on low‑end hardware.
  • Downside: not all apps are available in the Microsoft Store. If you rely on traditional win32 installers or niche apps, you’ll need to switch out of S mode — a one‑way, free change you can make through the Microsoft Store. Switching gives you full Windows but removes the S mode protections. Confirm this step before purchase if you need apps that aren’t store‑approved.

Real‑world performance: what this laptop will (and won’t) do​

For everyday tasks — web browsing with a handful of tabs, email, document editing, Zoom video calls, and media streaming — a 4 GB/64 GB Celeron laptop will be serviceable. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 can decode 4K video streams, so streaming Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video is feasible.
However, the machine struggles when you:
  • Open dozens of browser tabs or run multiple RAM‑hungry apps at the same time.
  • Edit large photos, compile code, or do video editing.
  • Rely on large local file libraries (64 GB fills fast) without a plan for external or cloud storage.
If your workflow includes light office tasks and you prioritize price and portability, this laptop is a good value. If you need long multi‑task sessions, consider a configuration with 8 GB RAM and an SSD — even a modest NVMe drive plus 8 GB RAM changes the feel of a budget machine dramatically.

Deal credibility and price verification​

Kotaku’s write‑up called the machine a top‑seller on Amazon and quoted the sale price of $171. Retailers and resellers list many HP 14‑inch variants; typical non-sale prices often sit higher and can include bundled accessories or slightly different SKUs. For example, Amazon listings for HP 14‑inch Celeron machines often show prices in the $200–$270 range depending on color, seller, and whether a one‑year Microsoft 365 or accessories bundle is included. That means the $171 figure is plausible as a limited promotion but is not necessarily the ongoing market price. Buyers should verify the SKU, the seller, and the exact model number before completing a purchase.
Important buying checklist for deal hunting:
  • Confirm the exact SKU (HP part number) and the listed CPU (N4020 vs N4120).
  • Check whether Windows is in S mode or full Home/Pro.
  • Verify the seller on marketplaces — third‑party sellers can list discounted units but may not offer full warranty support.
  • Inspect the return policy and warranty terms before purchase.

Strengths: why this model appeals​

  • Price‑to‑feature ratio: For simple tasks it gives full Windows 11 at a fraction of mainstream laptop price.
  • Windows compatibility: Unlike Chromebooks, this laptop runs full Windows (after switching out of S mode if needed), which matters for certain apps and enterprise setups.
  • Portability and battery: Thin design, light weight, and advertised long battery life make it a sensible secondary travel or student machine.
  • Expandable storage options: The SD/microSD slot gives an easy way to keep media externally while preserving internal space for apps.

Risks and tradeoffs: what buyers must accept​

  • Limited RAM and storage: 4 GB and 64 GB is the minimum for a modern Windows experience. Expect frequent storage management or a need for microSD/external drives.
  • Performance ceiling: Dual‑core Celeron systems can feel sluggish with multiple browser tabs or modern web apps. The presence of an N4120 quad‑core SKU in HP’s catalog points to variant confusion — always confirm the exact chip before buying.
  • eMMC vs SSD: eMMC storage is slower than NVMe or SATA SSDs; OS updates, app installs, and general file operations will be faster on an SSD-equipped machine.
  • Warranty and longevity: Extremely low‑cost machines often have limited upgrade paths and may be less serviceable over time. Factor expected lifespan into the cost per year.

How this compares to other cheap options (Chromebooks, refurbished, and older refurbished Windows PCs)​

  • Compared with a Chromebook, this HP offers native Windows compatibility and the ability to run traditional Win32 applications (after switching out of S mode). That’s the principal differentiator for users who need certain desktop apps.
  • Compared with refurbished Windows laptops, new low‑end HPs offer warranty and new hardware — but a refurbished mid‑range unit with 8 GB/SSD can outperform a brand‑new 4 GB/eMMC laptop for some workflows. If you can stretch the budget, an 8 GB/256 GB refurbished or open‑box machine often produces far better real‑world performance.
  • If you need multimedia editing, development work, or heavier multitasking, the modest savings on a new eMMC model rarely offsets the productivity benefits of more memory and an SSD.

Practical buying tips and recommended alternatives​

  • If this deal is available and your needs are modest (email, streaming, documents), treat it as a solid secondary machine or a student laptop.
  • If your budget allows, prioritize 8 GB RAM + SSD. Even inexpensive laptops with that combination are far more usable for longer periods.
  • Consider an external SSD or a high‑capacity microSD card alongside this machine to keep media and large files off the internal 64 GB eMMC.
  • Confirm whether the unit sold is the HP Stream line or the HP Laptop 14 series SKU; names and marketing blur between models and can hide important spec differences.

Final assessment​

The HP 14‑inch Windows laptop that Kotaku spotlighted represents exactly the kind of device that democratized computing — inexpensive, light, and good enough for mainstream browsing and productivity. The promotional price called out in the article makes the package compelling for buyers who need Windows — not Chrome OS — and who are comfortable managing storage and app choices.
However, it’s important to treat the purchase with pragmatic expectations. The hardware is intentionally modest: 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC, and an entry‑level Celeron CPU are optimized for cost and battery life, not raw performance. Confirm the exact CPU SKU (N4020 vs N4120), verify live pricing and seller reputation, and decide whether you’re buying a stopgap device or a primary machine.
For readers who want the best value over time, the guidance is simple:
  • If you must have the lowest possible upfront cost and need Windows compatibility immediately, a confirmed $171 deal on an HP 14‑inch Windows laptop is a useful find.
  • If you expect to multi‑task heavily or keep the laptop for several years, prioritize 8 GB RAM and an SSD, even if that means spending more initially or looking at refurbished higher‑end systems.
This HP model is a practical entry point into Windows 11 — and when the numbers line up (verified SKU, sale price, and acceptable tradeoffs), it’s a legitimately useful device rather than a throwaway. But the low price is inseparable from tangible limitations, so buyers should balance immediate savings with longer‑term usability before clicking “buy.”

Quick buying checklist (final)​

  • Verify SKU and CPU (N4020 vs N4120).
  • Confirm the seller, return policy, and warranty.
  • Check whether Windows is in S mode and plan to switch out if needed.
  • Plan storage strategy (microSD, external SSD, or cloud) before filling the internal 64 GB.
  • Test real‑world responsiveness on day one; many retailers allow returns if the device doesn’t meet basic speed expectations.
The deal is real as a promotional snapshot, and the machine is a genuine budget Windows option — but the usual caveats for low‑end laptops apply: verify, compare, and buy with a clear expectation of what the hardware will and won’t deliver.
Source: Kotaku 3x Cheaper Than Apple Headphones, This HP Laptop with Windows 11 Is Flying Off the Shelves - Kotaku
 
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