HP Chromebook 15.6 2023 Review: Worth It At Rs 28,999?

The HP Chromebook 15.6 has a lot of features to offer. The notebook has a 15.6-inch LCD display, a ChromeOS operative system (basically a notebook version of the Android OS) and a lightweight build that resembles the more affordable range of HP laptops like the HP 15s. More importantly, HP has set a target audience for this product as well. This product is made especially for students. The primary concern here, however, is that despite the features and the set target audience, is the HP Chromebook 15.6 the best option out there for a price of INR 28,999? Let’s find out.

First Impressions: Design and Build Quality

The thing with < INR 30,000 notebooks is that they are hard to pick based on just features, simply because there are so few of them. When it comes to Chromebooks, notebooks running on ChromeOS (or any other notebook running on extensions of mobile operating systems), this statement proves to be even truer.

The HP Chromebook 15.6, however, have off a different vibe when I first looked at it. The Chromebook looks exactly like a normal full-fledged PC, except for the fact that it’s not. It runs on ChromeOS and is powered by Intel’s Celeron N4500 processor.

The notebook we received had a teal-coloured top (Forest Teal). While some people might like multi-coloured notebooks, some might not. The device weighed around 1.6 kg but felt a little heavier because of its large dimensions. The most impressive thing, by far, was the keyboard. The keys were well-spaced and the keyboard felt good to use.

I saw two USB Type-C ports, a USB Type-A port, a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack. The laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 connectivity as well.

The display is a major talking point. The Chromebook 15.6 does not have the greatest of displays. Although it is not a dealbreaker, expectations from a brand like HP are always high. The resolution of 1366 x 768 is not at par with the industry standard of 1920 x 1080. The 250 nits of brightness is also something that leaves you wanting more. Low brightness also means that outdoor usage will be limited.

The speakers are great and do not disappoint at all. Given the price point, the HP Chromebook’s dual speakers provide sound that is loud enough to comprehend lectures, speeches and various online content.

The HD camera on the notebook provided for video calls is average, but then so are all built-in laptop cameras.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the HP Chromebook 15.6 is actually good. The Intel Celeron processor hits all the right marks and offers the operating prowess that students require. Google apps were easy to use with no lag whatsoever. It’s the same interface as all ChromeOS systems.

Connectivity with Android phones is seamless. There is also the option of using HP QuickDrop which allows for easy file transfer between the Chromebook 15.6 and the Android smartphone.

Heavy-duty tasks and software usage like opening too many tabs, or using creative applications like Photoshop or InDesign is not this laptop’s cup of tea. However, casual web browsing, research work, Whatsapp, emails and working on Google Docs is easily handled by the Chromebook 15.6.

Battery life, a huge concern for many is also handled well by this device. It is good enough to last for a maximum of 6 hours. This number will, of course, vary depending on usage.

Verdict: Is It Worth It?

The HP Chromebook 15.6 is a great device that offers a host of features that are more than enough for students, regardless of whether they are in schools, colleges or are pursuing a doctorate. Starting from working on assignments to drafting research papers to web browsing to streaming content, this device can handle it all.

The question that most customers will ask is why not get an Intel Core i3 laptop worth a little bit more? It’ll be a full-fledged PC with a proper 8-core processor which gets all things done, right? The battle is between ‘quite good’ and ‘a little better’. The difference is prominent. While Intel Celeron-powered Chromebooks are handy and get the work done without a doubt, Core i3-powered laptops like the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3 and the Acer Extensa 15 (available for a little over INR 30,000 on e-commerce sites) are faster, snappier and more powerful.

It’s not a night and day difference, though. It is more like dealing in shades of grey. So, if a Chromebook is what does the job for you, saving a few thousand bucks is definitely what you should do. This will be a big deciding factor while making the purchase for this device and for Chromebooks in general that cost close to INR 30,000. With Chromebooks edging closer to the 30k mark and with older generation Intel Core i3-based laptops getting cheaper, the grey area in between will leave a lot of customers in confusion.

The HP Chromebook 15.6, however, is built for a specific target audience, i.e., students. HP has done a great job, to be honest. they have been very clear Every feature that a student might require, is present in the device. Be it a host of I/O ports, a decent processor, an intuitive and user-friendly interface or good speakers, everything is there to facilitate this target audience. Students are a group that mostly has a tighter than usual budget. Simply put, every penny matters. This is where notebooks such as the HP Chromebook 15.6 enters the stage and steals the show.