New HP Chromebook x360 14c gets beefed up with 11th-gen Core i3 and i5 processors

Look out mid-range Chromebooks, there’s a new-ish kid on the block. On Friday, a new HP Chromebook x360 14c configuration was announced with up to an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 processor. This refreshed model will start with a Core i3 and a 128 GB SSD for storage, priced at $649.99, up slightly from last year’s version.

That configuration will be made available later this month at both HP’s online store as well as at Best Buy. I would expect the top-tier configuration with Core i5 to be found on HP’s own site.

Here’s a rundown of the specs for the $649.99 version:

HP introduced the existing Chromebook x360 14c models back in June of 2020 with 10th-generation Intel processors for $629.99. There was a Core i3 model with 8 GB of slower memory and 64 GB of (also slower) eMMC storage. So aside from any performance improvements from the next-generation CPU, this update brings benefits to those areas for $20 more.

Most everything else about the new 3.67 pound Chromebook is the same, which isn’t a bad thing.

The 14-inch 1080p display is solid as is the backlit keyboard and battery life. HP is being more conservative on that aspect with their run time quote being “mixed usage”; something I find to be more accurate for everyday use. And you still get the security and simple sign-in through the integrated fingerprint scanner.

I’m still partial to the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 when it comes to the bang for the buck. At $629 (or less on sale), you get a similar package but with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5.

But there’s no fingerprint sensor and the slightly higher resolution display is in a 3:2 aspect ratio. Some don’t like that, in which case, this new HP Chromebook x360 14c might hit the sweet spot.