Laptop HP 14S any good?

[shoemaker666]

Need a new laptop my current one is on its last legs about 10 years old now its spec is 14inch 4gb ram 256gb harddrive and just got an old pentium in it. so was thinking of the HP 14S should be way faster 8Gb ram 256SSD ryzen 4500U. my old one still does what i need it to internet browsing some video content and old games so this new one should be more than adequate

just a few questions

• Whats windows 10 S ?
• no Ethernet port is there some kind of usb adaptor i could buy to plug in if needed ?
• internal battery can these be replaced when they get knackered ?

HP 14S Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 14" Full HD, Silver at John Lewis & Partners

 

[Atomic77]

I am not sure what S means either. I'm not 100 percent sure but I think laptop batteries are replaceable. they are rechargeable but probably won't last forever.

 

[outoftheknow]

Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode FAQ - Microsoft Support

Get answers to common questions about Windows 11 and Windows 10 in S mode.

www.microsoft.com

Sort of a “secure” version it seems. You can only download and install apps from the Windows store.

Can be taken one way to full version Win 10

Switching out of S mode in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to switch out of S mode to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store or to upgrade to Windows 11.

support.microsoft.com

 

[Kapkirk]

Think I would look at a different laptop if I were you, the "S" seems to denote that it will only run apps downloaded from the microsoft store, no removable bat and no ethernet port -no thanks!

 

[shoemaker666]

ah cool so can just do a free upgrade to windows 10 home

 

[shoemaker666]

Think I would look at a different laptop if I were you, the "S" seems to denote that it will only run apps downloaded from the microsoft store, no removable bat and no ethernet port -no thanks!

most laptops dont come with a removable battery now unfortunately. and Ethernet port seemed to be on some latops last year but this years models seem to have done away with them

 

[outoftheknow]

ah cool so can just do a free upgrade to windows 10 home

That’s how it looks removable batteries I don’t see as a big deal nowadays and no ethernet port is probably the way of the future. I would say you can still get those on business models but for personal use laptops I don’t think they matter. How many times do you take a laptop out of the house with an Ethernet cable in your pocket and look for sockets in cafes and other people houses?

Also if it has USB C you will also most certainly be able to buy the modern version of a docking station/power supply. Those still have an ethernet socket and decent sockets for screens so use that at home if you want it to be your main PC at home. Unplug one USB C and off you go.

 

[shoemaker666]

That’s how it looks removable batteries I don’t see as a big deal nowadays and no ethernet port is probably the way of the future. I would say you can still get those on business models but for personal use laptops I don’t think they matter. How many times do you take a laptop out of the house with an Ethernet cable in your pocket and look for sockets in cafes and other people houses?

Also if it has USB C you will also most certainly be able to buy the modern version of a docking station/power supply. Those still have an ethernet socket and decent sockets for screens so use that at home if you want it to be your main PC at home. Unplug one USB C and off you go.

so I could buy an adaptery i could plug in usb c that would provide an ethernet port?

 

[outoftheknow]

Indeed. Dell do a USB 3.0 version that doesn’t charge the laptop

Dell Docking Station – USB 3.0 (D3100) | Dell UK

The Dell Docking Station - USB 3.0 connects your laptop to up to three additional monitors, various external devices and the Internet with a single cable.

www.dell.com

And a USB C version that also charges the laptop

Dell Universal Dock - D6000 | Dell UK

Conveniently dock any laptop equipped with USB-C or USB3.0 ports with the Dell Universal Dock - D6000. You’ll be able to connect up to three 4K displays simultaneously.

www.dell.com

We use the latter (older version) at work now instead of the old fashioned docking stations. They work perfectly and mean one cable to keep a workstation at home (in your case) using the laptop as the PC.

 

[Atomic77]

My Laptop the HP 17 ca1065cl has a port on it. I just bought it in July of this year.