{"id":1704,"date":"2017-01-26T16:58:20","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T22:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/picknotebook.com\/blog\/?p=1704"},"modified":"2023-04-12T08:01:32","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T14:01:32","slug":"best-14-inch-laptops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picknotebook.com\/blog\/best-14-inch-laptops\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best 14 Inch Laptops for Work and Play in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\"14\n

What comes to mind when you hear 14 inches<\/strong>? Perhaps a bit of panic, but mostly, the screen size of a laptop. While bigger may seem better, sometimes 14 inches is just right – a sweet spot<\/strong> between portability and productivity. You can carry it anywhere, fit it in any bag, and still have enough screen real estate to get the job done.<\/p>\n

Whether you're a student, professional, or someone who just wants a laptop that's not too big or too small, we've got you covered with this guide to the best 14-inch laptops<\/strong>. From budget-friendly options to high-end models, there's something here for everyone. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into what makes a great 14-inch laptop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The right processor<\/h2>\n\"processor\n

The laptop CPU market has seen some significant developments in recent years. Apple has released their ARM-based M1, M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max chips, which offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. AMD has captured 20% of the laptop CPU market, with plenty of options available for Ryzen CPUs. Intel's 13th-generation Core processors have already been released, but their 12th-generation Core CPUs can provide excellent value.<\/p>\n

When it comes to gaming laptops, it's essential to strike a balance between battery life and performance. A fast processor can help with demanding games, but it may also drain your battery quickly. Gaming laptops tend to have short battery life, even when idle, due to their high power consumption.<\/p>\n

If you're going for a high-end laptop, expect to pay at least $1,500. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly options under $800.<\/p>\n

When measuring processor performance, PassMark and Cinebench R23 are more relevant to gamers than 3DMark or other synthetic tests that don't account for the increased latency introduced by DDR RAM and chipset components.<\/p>\n

Here are my recommendations for various budget ranges and what to expect at each price level:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Processor<\/th>\nBudget Range<\/th>\nPerformance Expectations<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
i5-1235U<\/td>\nUnder $600<\/td>\nBasic performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ryzen 5 6600U<\/td>\nUnder $600<\/td>\nGood battery life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
i5-12500H<\/td>\n$600-$1,200<\/td>\nGood performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ryzen 5 6600H<\/td>\n$600-$1,200<\/td>\nGood battery life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apple M2<\/td>\n$600-$1,200<\/td>\nExceptional performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
i7-12700H<\/td>\nOver $1,500<\/td>\nExcellent performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ryzen 7 6800H<\/td>\nOver $1,500<\/td>\nExcellent performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apple M1 Pro<\/td>\nOver $1,500<\/td>\nExceptional performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In summary, if you need a laptop for gaming or working with video\/audio editing, a PC laptop with a fast processor is the better choice. When it comes to gaming laptops, it's essential to balance battery life with performance. And, there are plenty of options available for different budgets, with various performance expectations to consider.<\/p>\n

Picking a good graphics<\/h2>\n\"14\n

When it comes to choosing the right graphics card for a 14" laptop, it's essential to consider your needs and budget. While most people don't require a dedicated GPU, if you want to use your laptop for gaming or 3D modeling, then a discrete graphics card becomes necessary.<\/p>\n

Nvidia currently dominates the laptop GPU market, with the RTX 30 series comprising most of the current notebook GPU market. However, with the release of the RTX 40 series, you may find laptops featuring these cards hitting the shelves soon.<\/p>\n

With Nvidia discontinuing the Max-Q label, the exact GPU wattage is now determined by the laptop manufacturer (OEM), resulting in a wide variance in graphics performance even in laptops with the same GPU chipset.<\/p>\n

When comparing GPUs, we use 3DMark scores to compare different models of the same company's GPUs. Meanwhile, when comparing different companies' GPUs, we use 3DMark scores from the same test (e.g., Fire Strike).<\/p>\n

For those looking for a mid-range GPU, we recommend going for an Nvidia or AMD graphics chip since these offer enough power without breaking the bank. For those seeking to play games at high settings and above 60 FPS consistently, you'll need to look for laptops with top-notch cooling systems and high-end graphics cards (RX or GTX 1660\/1650).<\/p>\n

Here are our recommended GPUs for each price bracket:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Price Bracket<\/th>\nRecommended GPUs<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Minimum<\/td>\nHigh-end integrated (Iris Xe, AMD RDNA 2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended<\/td>\nRTX 3060<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High-end<\/td>\nRTX 3070 Ti; RX 6800M<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In conclusion, choosing the right GPU for a 14" laptop involves considering your needs and budget, as well as performance metrics such as benchmark scores. By following our recommendations, you can find a laptop that balances performance and affordability.<\/p>\n

How to choose the right memory for 14 inch?<\/h2>\n\"RAM\n

The laptop RAM market is constantly evolving, so it can be hard to know what kind of memory is the right choice for you. Let's see what distinguishes RAM for 14-inch laptops.<\/p>\n

For starters, most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM<\/strong>, while high-end models provide 32 GB or more. But, let's not forget that the latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5. Of course, DDR5 is still quite expensive and requires time to mature, so you don't really need it yet.<\/p>\n

Another important aspect to consider is upgradability. Unfortunately, it's quite difficult to find a laptop under 15 inches with expandable RAM, so expect your 14-inch notebook to have soldered memory<\/strong>. This means you'll have to make sure you get enough RAM right away, since you won't be able to upgrade it later.<\/p>\n

Keeping all this in mind, here's a table of RAM configurations recommended by price range:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Price Range<\/th>\nMinimum RAM<\/th>\nRecommended RAM<\/th>\nHigh-end RAM<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Budget<\/td>\n8 GB<\/td>\n16 GB<\/td>\n32 GB+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mid-range<\/td>\n8 GB<\/td>\n16 GB<\/td>\n32 GB+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High-end<\/td>\n8 GB<\/td>\n16 GB<\/td>\n32 GB+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How to choose the right storage for 14 inch?<\/h2>\n\"SSD\n

As technology advances, SSDs have become the standard for laptops. PCIe M.2 SSDs, usually NVMe, are the new norm and are much faster than their SATA counterparts. However, when choosing the right SSD for a 14 inch laptop, it's important to consider your budget and storage needs.<\/p>\n

Budget laptops, which cost less than $900, usually come with a 500 GB SSD. Mid-range laptops, priced between $900-$2000, will have a 1 TB SSD, and high-end laptops, which cost over $2000, usually offer a 2 TB SSD. If you're tight on budget, an eMMC or traditional HDD will still perform well but at slower speeds.<\/p>\n

When deciding how much storage you need, consider your usage. If you don't store a lot of files and rely on cloud storage services like Google Drive or OneDrive, a lower capacity SSD will suffice. However, if you require more storage for media or files, consider getting an external drive to back up your data.<\/p>\n

When choosing an SSD, look for ones that offer NVMe and PCIe 3.0 compatibility for faster speeds. It's worth noting that Apple laptops typically offer up to 1 TB of storage, so keep this in mind if you're a heavy user.<\/p>\n

Here are our top recommendations for SSDs based on your budget and expected performance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Budget<\/th>\nMid-Range<\/th>\nHigh-End<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Samsung 970 EVO<\/td>\nWD Black SN750<\/td>\nSamsung 970 PRO<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crucial P1<\/td>\nAdata XPG SX8200 Pro<\/td>\nSabrent Rocket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kingston A2000<\/td>\nIntel 760p<\/td>\nCorsair MP600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Remember, while SSDs can be costly, the speed and reliability make them a worthwhile investment. Consider your storage needs and budget, and choose the SSD that fits your requirements.<\/p>\n

My display recommendations for 14 inch<\/h2>\n\"laptop\n

When it comes to choosing the right display for your 14-inch laptop, there are several factors to consider. The size of the display, the panel type, resolution, refresh rate, and color accuracy all play a significant role in your overall computing experience.<\/p>\n

Size options and trade-off<\/h5>\n

While 14-inch laptops strike a balance between portability and screen real estate, the size of the display ultimately depends on your personal preference and intended use. Larger displays are ideal for multimedia and productivity tasks, while smaller displays are more portable and suitable for frequent travelers.<\/p>\n

Panel type<\/h5>\n

The current standard for 14-inch laptop displays is an IPS or IPS-level screen, while TN panels are only found in the cheapest laptops. If you're looking for a premium experience, OLED and Mini LED backlit displays are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially on professional-grade laptops.<\/p>\n

Resolution and color accuracy<\/h5>\n

Full HD (1920 x 1080) is still the most common display resolution, while QHD and 4K are more prevalent in premium gaming and business laptops and professional notebooks for creators. Color accuracy is also crucial, especially if you work in a field where color accuracy matters. A 90% or higher sRGB rating is ideal.<\/p>\n

Refresh rate<\/h5>\n

High refresh rate screens are commonly found in gaming laptops, but they are not necessary for everyday use. A refresh rate of 60Hz is sufficient for most users, while gamers may prefer a 120Hz or higher refresh rate.<\/p>\n

How to know if a display is good<\/h5>\n

When evaluating a laptop display, it's best to check for color coverage, contrast ratio, brightness level, and viewing angles. A good display should have a minimum brightness of 280 nits, 90% sRGB coverage or higher, and a contrast ratio of at least 1000:1.<\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/h5>\n

Here are our recommendations for laptop displays grouped by price range and panel type:<\/p>\n