HP Chromebook Plus 15a

The HP Chromebook Plus 15a pairs a 15.6-inch Full HD screen with a full numeric keypad, a combination aimed at people who want desk comfort more than a light bag. The Intel Core i3-N305 runs 8 cores alongside 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, which covers tab-heavy browsing, document work, and streaming. Chromebook Plus certification brings Google’s AI video call enhancements to the 1080p webcam, and the all-plastic shell holds together better than the material suggests. Auto update support runs through June 2033 and battery life came close to 11 hours in testing, which fits home users, students, and office workers shopping below premium prices.

Pros and Cons

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HP Chromebook Plus 15a Comparison Chart

	HP Chromebook Plus 15a	HP Chromebook Plus 15a
Price	List Price: $549 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... Best Buy: Loading price...	List Price: $659 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	15a-nb0033dx	15a-nb0097nr
Performance Rating	5.9	5.9
Chromebook Plus	Yes	Yes
Processor	Octa-core 1.80 Ghz (max 3.80 Ghz) Intel Core i3-N305	Octa-core 1.80 Ghz (max 3.80 Ghz) Intel Core i3-N305
RAM	8 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	128 GB UFS	128 GB UFS
Screen Size	15.6"	15.6"
Screen Resolution	1920x1080	1920x1080
Screen Type	IPS	IPS
Touch Screen	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	14.28 x 9.51 x 0.78 inches (362.71 x 241.55 x 19.81 mm)	14.28 x 9.51 x 0.78 inches (362.71 x 241.55 x 19.81 mm)
Weight	3.81 lbs (1.73 kg)	3.81 lbs (1.73 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No
Webcam	1080p	1080p
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
Ethernet	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 3, 2 USB-C 2x USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-A with Sleep and Charge	1 USB 3, 2 USB-C 2x USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-A with Sleep and Charge
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	3 cell, 54Wh, Li-polymer	3 cell, 54Wh, Li-polymer
Battery Life	10 hours	10 hours
Fanless	No	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2033	June, 2033

A Numpad, Two USB-C Ports, and No HDMI

At 14.28 x 9.51 x 0.78 inches and 3.81 pounds, it stays manageable for a 15.6-inch laptop. The all-plastic chassis uses recycled aluminum and ocean-bound plastics, though TechRadar notes that the construction “comes close to rivalling some of the best MacBook Pro devices in terms of its finely machined construction.” Grey and black keeps the look plain enough for an office or a classroom, and the hinge holds the display steady with minimal wobble, though it does not open as wide as some competitors.

The Intel Core i3-N305 carries 8 efficiency cores that boost to 3.8 GHz, which keeps ChromeOS quick under a heavy tab load. TechRadar’s testing showed surprisingly good gaming performance, noting they “managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings at 60fps with hardly a hiccup.” The 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM handles multiple Chrome tabs and Android apps without stuttering, with headroom left for creative work such as music production on Chromebook through cloud-based DAWs. The 128GB UFS storage reads faster than eMMC.

WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 cover networking and peripherals. The ports are two USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 support, one USB-A with Sleep and Charge, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. Without an HDMI port, an external display needs a USB-C adapter or hub, and with no Ethernet port a wired connection needs a USB Ethernet adapter. Either USB-C port charges the machine, so the cable can run to whichever side the outlet is on.

Reviewer Insights

Chrome Unboxed

The keyboard and trackpad carried the review at Chrome Unboxed, which tested the 15.6-inch model with a focus on the larger form factor experience. The reviewer highlighted that “HP’s take on the larger form factor comes with some slight advantages” over competitors, and noted “the excellent keyboard and trackpad combo that comes with a full numeric keypad makes for a really productive experience.” The screen drew the complaint, with the reviewer saying “that screen comes with its aggravations however as HP stuck with the anti-glare non-touch screen that can only hit 250 nits of brightness.”

The Core i3-N305 is less powerful than the i3-1215U found in competing models such as the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, a gap Chrome Unboxed noted while still finding the machine capable for its intended purpose. The review points to frequent discounts in the $300-$400 range as what makes it worth the money, with the MSRP feeling “a little bit off” for an all-plastic construction.

TechRadar

TechRadar awarded the HP Chromebook Plus 15a 4 out of 5 stars across all categories. The review praises the build quality, noting “the whole body feels solid, yet it’s also quite light and thin for a device this size.” Battery testing showed endurance of 10 hours and 41 minutes during continuous video playback, though short of HP’s claimed 13 hours. “The display remains clearly visible across a wide range of view angles and lighting conditions” was highlighted as a key strength, despite the limited 250-nit maximum brightness.

The numeric keypad costs the character keys room. The keys themselves feel premium with minimal play, but “the layout of the character keys is somewhat squeezed” took time to adapt to and was never entirely comfortable for the reviewer. TechRadar concludes this Chromebook “doesn’t do a lot wrong” and is worth the money, especially at discounted prices.

ITPro

ITPro’s review by Stuart Andrews takes a more critical perspective, calling the HP Chromebook Plus 15a “about as basic as a Chromebook Plus can get.” The business-focused review notes the device meets minimum Chromebook Plus requirements without exceeding them. “It’s a functional productivity device you can pick up for peanuts,” Andrews writes, acknowledging its low price while questioning the display and performance for professional use.

The review criticizes the screen for struggling with “low brightness and color reproduction” and notes the webcam image appears “fuzzy even in daylight.” ITPro lists USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds and the lack of HDMI as drawbacks for business users. However, ITPro acknowledges the solid build quality and practical keyboard layout as positives for those prioritizing reliability over premium features.

Customer Reviews

So far the HP Chromebook Plus 15a has a single rating on Amazon, and it sits at 3 stars. With only one review on record, there is not enough feedback to call out a trend; treat this as one owner’s early take rather than a consensus. That reviewer, a verified buyer posting as Travel Guy in February 2026, gave it 3 stars under the title “Fast processor” and wrote: “Fast processor and adequate memory and storage. Does not support an external hdmi monitor. No longer under HP warranty.”

Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Best Suited to Desk Work on a Budget

Screen size and keyboard comfort are what this machine sells, and both hold up for home office work, student assignments, and everyday web browsing. The 250-nit panel caps how well it reads in a bright room, and the keyboard has no backlight for typing after dark.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 offers similar specifications with a slightly brighter display, while the HP Chromebook x360 14 provides touchscreen and tent mode flexibility in a more portable package.

Our Chromebook Comparison Chart lines it up against the other 15-inch models.

Frequently Asked Questions