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HP 14-em Review: Solid everyday 14-inch — 16GB of RAM at a price that's hard to argue with.

Takumi
By Takumi Editor-in-Chief of ZippyLaptop, software developer with 20+ years of experience, and a self-proclaimed laptop obsessive. I've personally tested and reviewed over 100 machines — and I'm always looking for what makes a laptop genuinely great to use, not just great on paper.
HP
HP 14-em
Released May 2023
Solid everyday 14-inch — 16GB of RAM at a price that's hard to argue with.
ZippyScore 3.5/5
Buy this if...
  • ·You carry your laptop to campus or the office every day
  • ·You want something snappy for docs, email, and browsing
  • ·You need to connect to a projector or display without hunting for adapters
Avoid this if...
  • ·You work away from an outlet for long stretches — the battery won't last all day under heavy use
  • ·Gaming or video editing is your main use case — look elsewhere for that

Hey, I'm Takumi from ZippyLaptop. Today I'm taking a close look at the HP 14-em. Based on the specs and user feedback, I'll break down exactly who this laptop is — and isn't — for.

Note: This review is based on the Japan-market model. Specs, keyboard layout, colors, and availability may vary in your region.

ZippyScore

ZippyScore is a proprietary rating based on 6 criteria: performance, portability, display, battery, value, and connectivity.

See rating criteria
  • Performance: CPU / GPU performance
  • Portability: Screen size & weight
  • Display: Panel type, aspect ratio & refresh rate
  • Battery: Rated battery life
  • Value: Specs-to-price balance
  • Connectivity: Port types & count
ZippyScore
3.5 / 5
Performance 2.5
Portability 4.0
Display 3.5
Battery 3.2
Value 4.3
Connectivity 3.5

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Weighs 1.39 kg (~3.1 lbs) — portable enough for everyday carry without feeling like a burden
  • 16GB of RAM keeps multitasking smooth, even with a pile of tabs and Office apps open at once
  • HDMI and USB-A built in — plug in a projector or USB drive without hunting for an adapter
  • Wi-Fi 6E support for fast, stable connections during video calls and remote work
  • Fingerprint reader for quick, passwordless login

Cons

  • The 41Wh battery is on the smaller side — plan for a charger if you're out for a full day
  • No dedicated GPU, so skip it if gaming or serious video editing is on your list

Specs Summary

OSWindows 11 Home
CPUAMD Athlon Gold 7220U (PassMark: 4,903)
AMD Athlon Silver 7120U (PassMark: 3,020)
AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (PassMark: 15,116)
RAM4GB / 8GB
Storage128GB / 256GB
Display14" (Glossy)
1366x768 (16:9)
14" IPS (Anti-glare)
1920x1080 (16:9)
Weight1.39 kg (3.06 lbs)
PortsUSB-A × 2 (5Gbps), USB-C × 1 (5Gbps), HDMI × 1, Headphone jack × 1
GPUAMD Radeon Graphics (G3D Mark: 2,357)
BiometricsFingerprint
BatteryUp to 11 h (Capacity: 41 Wh)
DimensionsApprox. 323 × 215 × 17.9 mm (W × D × H)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3
ColorJet black

Configurations vary by retailer, region, and availability.

Feature Review

Design

The 14-em comes in Natural Silver — a calm, understated colorway that works at a coffee shop or a conference room without looking out of place. The body measures 323×215×17.9mm, which is standard 14-inch territory. It's not razor-thin, but it slides into a bag without any drama. The design hits that everyday sweet spot — not trying to look premium, not cheap either.

Clean natural silver design — easy to grab and goClean natural silver design — easy to grab and go Clean, minimal back panelClean, minimal back panel

Portability

The 14-em weighs 1.39 kg (~3.1 lbs). Not the lightest 14-inch you'll find, but solidly on the portable side of the spectrum. Staying under 1.4 kg is one of those things you quietly appreciate after a week of hauling it around — your shoulder notices. USB-C charging is also supported, so one compact charger in your bag covers everything.

1.39 kg (~3.1 lbs) — light enough for everyday carry1.39 kg (~3.1 lbs) — light enough for everyday carry

Display Quality

14.0-inch FHD (1920×1080) IPS matte display. IPS means good viewing angles — tilt it or shift your posture and the colors hold up. The matte finish keeps glare down under office lighting or near windows, so long sessions don't end with you squinting at reflections. Honestly, it's easy on the eyes. The aspect ratio is 16:9 rather than the now-common 16:10, so you get a bit less vertical screen real estate compared to newer ultrabooks — not a dealbreaker for everyday tasks, just worth knowing going in.

Keyboard

The keyboard includes a Copilot key, and the 14-inch form factor gives the keys reasonable spacing. Typing through long reports or emails feels comfortable — no cramped, awkward layout fighting against you.

Full-size keyboard that handles everyday typing without complaintsFull-size keyboard that handles everyday typing without complaints

Performance

CPU is an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U (4-core / 8-thread). PassMark multi-thread score comes in around 8,989.

PassMark CPU Mark Multi-thread Guide
Score Rating What it feels like in real use
Up to 5,500 Tight on headroom Hiccups during multitasking; comfort takes a hit. Daily use feels constrained.
5,500–8,000 Daily use Web, Office, remote work — handles them without issue.
8,000–12,500 Comfortable (standard) This PC Daily PC tasks with real headroom. Light video editing and casual games work.
12,500–20,000 High performance (mainstream) Multitasking feels good. Heavier work and 3D games are workable.
20,000–40,000 Very high performance Comfortable even for demanding work and gaming.
40,000+ Exceptional Plenty of headroom for creative work and heavy loads. Long-lasting performance.

*PassMark CPU Mark measures multi-threaded CPU performance. Some variance is normal between runs even with the same CPU.

That score puts it squarely in "handles everything you throw at it daily" territory. Browsing, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, video streaming, Zoom — all run comfortably. The 16GB of RAM is what makes multitasking feel genuinely smooth: even with a pile of browser tabs open alongside an Office doc, it doesn't start dragging. On the GPU side, it runs AMD Radeon integrated graphics with a PassMark G3D Mark score around 2,357.

PassMark G3D Mark (Integrated GPU) Guide
Score Rating What it feels like in real use
Up to 1,500 Bare minimum Limited 3D performance. Not suited for gaming or heavy 3D work.
1,500–3,500 Light 3D This PC Lighter games and low-load tasks work with conservative settings.
3,500–5,500 Average Light to medium games and GPU-light work are fine. Solid integrated GPU for daily use.
5,500–7,500 High performance Strong for an integrated GPU. Lighter games and image work feel comfortable.
7,500+ Very high performance Upper-tier integrated GPU. Real graphics headroom even in thin laptops.

*PassMark G3D Mark measures 3D rendering. This guide is for integrated GPUs — discrete GPU models are not directly comparable.

Serious 3D gaming, RAW photo editing, 4K video rendering — that's not what this chip is built for. Go in knowing this is a dedicated everyday machine, not a powerhouse.

Battery Life

Battery rating: Average

The 14-em has a 41Wh battery, with HP rating it up to 11 hours of use. Real-world results depend on screen brightness and workload — you'll often land shorter than that. The Ryzen 5 7520U is power-efficient, but 41Wh is on the smaller side for a modern laptop. Light browsing and Office work? You can probably get through most of the day away from an outlet. Crank the brightness or stream video for hours and you'll drain it faster. If you're planning a full day out without charger access, it's worth scoping out outlets or throwing a battery pack in your bag.

Ports

You get USB-A (5Gbps) ×2, USB-C (5Gbps) ×1, HDMI ×1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Having HDMI and USB-A on board means projectors, monitors, and USB drives plug right in without any adapter — a genuinely useful feature in a world full of dongle-only laptops. The single USB-C port means you might want a hub if you need multiple Type-C devices at once, but the HDMI and USB-A cover most situations. USB-C charging support keeps your bag light.

Practical port selection — HDMI and USB-A includedPractical port selection — HDMI and USB-A included

Webcam

There's a webcam with a physical privacy shutter. When you're not on a call, the shutter mechanically covers the lens — no tape, no stickers needed. It's one of those features you don't think about much until you have it, and then it feels obvious that every laptop should have it.

Security

Fingerprint reader is on board. Fast and reliable, and once you're used to logging in with a touch instead of typing a password, going back feels genuinely tedious. It's woven into the login flow naturally — just touch and you're in.

Price

Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD — for this combination, the 14-em is one of the better value options in its class. You're not getting a premium display or elite performance, but you're getting everything you need for everyday use at a price that's hard to argue with. A solid pick for a first laptop or a no-fuss secondary machine.

Verdict

The 14-em isn't trying to be the flashiest option on the shelf. It's the "get things done without overspending" laptop — and it genuinely delivers on that. Browsing, Office work, video calls, and everyday multitasking are all comfortable here. At 1.39 kg (~3.1 lbs), it's easy to carry to class or the office every day. Honestly, the display won't wow you and the battery is just okay. But if your priority is solid everyday performance at a fair price, this one covers the bases. Just don't come expecting to run games or edit 4K footage.

Where to Buy

Amazon Check site for price

* Prices may vary. Please check each store for the latest price and availability.

About the author

Takumi
Takumi
Editor-in-Chief, ZippyLaptop / Laptop Review Specialist

Hey, I'm Takumi — Editor-in-Chief here at ZippyLaptop. I've spent more than two decades working as a software developer, which means laptops aren't just a hobby for me — they're the tool I rely on every single day.

And honestly? I'm just a huge laptop nerd 🥰.

Here's the thing: today's laptops are more exciting than ever, and I don't think that gets talked about enough. We're talking about OLED displays so vibrant they make regular screens look flat, chassis that feel rock-solid yet weigh barely over two pounds, keyboards that you can type on for hours without your fingers staging a revolt, and a hundred little details — build quality, port placement, everyday feel — that never show up in a spec sheet. There are so many laptops out there that are just a joy to use, and raw numbers alone will never tell you that.

But spend any time shopping for a laptop online, and you'll run into the same frustrations I do: sites that just regurgitate spec lists, pages that haven't been updated in years, and recommendations that make you think, 'Wait — this is seriously what they're suggesting for that use case?' It happens way too often.

That's exactly why I started ZippyLaptop. Every machine I review is either one I've bought with my own money or a unit I've borrowed directly from the manufacturer — and I actually use it. I dig into performance and specs, sure, but I also evaluate the display quality, keyboard feel, portability, battery life, port selection, and how well the whole package holds up against the price. Real-world usability matters just as much as benchmark scores.

The truth is, the 'best laptop' looks completely different depending on who's asking. A college freshman, a working professional, and a video editor all need something different.

My goal is to make ZippyLaptop the kind of site where you can find a clear answer: 'For someone like you, this is the one.'

I hope the experience and opinions I've built up over the years help point you toward a laptop you'll genuinely love 👍

HP HP 14-em HP
HP 14-em