Notebookcheck Logo

HP Pavilion 14-al103ng Notebook Review

Kaby Lake upgrade. HP's 14-inch laptop features a strong processor, low system noise, low temperature development, and an IPS screen. Sounds good. However, the Pavilion has some shortcomings.

For the original German review, see here.

For this review, we are looking at the 14-inch Pavilion 14-al103ng from HP's Pavilion lineup. Its looks have not changed much compared with the Skylake model that we tested. Modifications are found inside: Intel's Kaby Lake processor series is now installed. Find out whether the new CPU generation is an advantage or not in our report. Devices such as Lenovo's IdeaPad 510S-14ISK, Acer's TravelMate X349-M, and Dell's Latitude 14 3470, belong to its competitors.

Since both Pavilion models feature an identical build, we will not go in-depth about casing, connectivity, input devices, screen or speakers. Corresponding information can be found in the review of the HP Pavilion 14-al003ng.

HP Pavilion 14-al103ng (Pavilion 14-bf Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2 x 2.5 - 3.1 GHz, Kaby Lake
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 620, Core: 1000 MHz, Single-Channel, 21.20.16.4542
Memory
8 GB 
, DDR4-2400, single-channel, two memory banks (one bank filled)
Display
14.00 inch 16:10, 1920 x 1080 pixel 157 PPI, AU Optronics, IPS, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Kaby Lake-U Premium PCH
Storage
Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPCX-24C6HT0, 500 GB 
, 5400 rpm, 420 GB free
Soundcard
Realtek ALC295 @ Intel Sunrise Point-LP PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: combo audio, Card Reader: SD, TPM 2.0
Networking
RealTek Semiconductor RTL8101/2/3 Family Fast Ethernet NIC (10/100MBit/s), Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC (b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 19.5 x 338.6 x 224.3 ( = 0.77 x 13.33 x 8.83 in)
Battery
41 Wh Lithium-Ion, Battery runtime (according to manufacturer): 9 h
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: HD
Additional features
Speakers: stereo, Keyboard: chiclet, Keyboard Light: no, Cyberlink Power Media Player 14, Cyberlink PowerDirector 14, McAfee LiveSafe (trial), MS Office 365 (trial), 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.58 kg ( = 55.73 oz / 3.48 pounds), Power Supply: 283 g ( = 9.98 oz / 0.62 pounds)
Price
599 Euro
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
 
73.7 MB/s +35%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
 
54.5 MB/s
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
 
49.5 MB/s -9%
Medion Akoya S4219
 
36.3 MB/s -33%
Dell Latitude 14 3470
 
23.5 MB/s -57%
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
 
19.1 MB/s -65%
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
Medion Akoya S4219
 
87.9 MB/s 0%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
 
87.6 MB/s
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
 
83.4 MB/s -5%
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
 
80.8 MB/s -8%
Dell Latitude 14 3470
 
27.6 MB/s -68%
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
 
26.1 MB/s -70%
Networking
iperf Server (receive) TCP 1 m
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 (jseb)
563 MBit/s
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
268 MBit/s
Dell Latitude 14 3470
Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter
165 MBit/s
iperf Client (transmit) TCP 1 m
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 (jseb)
547 MBit/s
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
291 MBit/s
Dell Latitude 14 3470
Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter
143 MBit/s
iperf3 transmit AX12
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC
51 MBit/s
iperf3 receive AX12
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC
46 MBit/s

Display

Pixel grid
Pixel grid

The Pavilion is furnished with the same IPS panel as the Skylake model that we tested. It offers stable viewing angles, a very good contrast, and a much too low brightness. Positive: PWM-flickering is not an issue. The rates of both screens differ slightly, which is normal as two identically built panels are never absolutely similar.

197
cd/m²
182
cd/m²
192
cd/m²
202
cd/m²
200
cd/m²
192
cd/m²
192
cd/m²
183
cd/m²
181
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
AU Optronics tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 202 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 191.2 cd/m² Minimum: 14 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 90 %
Center on Battery: 200 cd/m²
Contrast: 1429:1 (Black: 0.14 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.06 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 3.94 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
55% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
35% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
37.79% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
54.9% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
36.58% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.41
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
LED IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Dell Latitude 14 3470
TN LED, 1366x768, 14.00
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
a-Si TFT-LCD, IPS, LED, 1920x1080, 14.00
Medion Akoya S4219
IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00
Display
1%
10%
17%
62%
Display P3 Coverage
36.58
36.97
1%
40.21
10%
42.88
17%
61.7
69%
sRGB Coverage
54.9
55.6
1%
60.5
10%
64.1
17%
84.8
54%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
37.79
38.2
1%
41.55
10%
44.3
17%
62
64%
Response Times
19%
9%
8%
10%
38%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
53 ?(18, 35)
36.4 ?(18, 18.4)
31%
42 ?(15, 27)
21%
47 ?(25, 22)
11%
45 ?(17, 28)
15%
33 ?(11, 22)
38%
Response Time Black / White *
27 ?(8, 19)
25.2 ?(14, 11.2)
7%
28 ?(8, 20)
-4%
26 ?(18, 8)
4%
26 ?(7, 19)
4%
17 ?(7, 10)
37%
PWM Frequency
50 ?(60)
50 ?(40)
Screen
-9%
-2%
-68%
-1%
14%
Brightness middle
200
220
10%
230
15%
206
3%
257
29%
216
8%
Brightness
191
209
9%
226
18%
193
1%
263
38%
211
10%
Brightness Distribution
90
88
-2%
86
-4%
87
-3%
90
0%
65
-28%
Black Level *
0.14
0.28
-100%
0.2
-43%
0.48
-243%
0.24
-71%
0.2
-43%
Contrast
1429
786
-45%
1150
-20%
429
-70%
1071
-25%
1080
-24%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
5.06
4.58
9%
5.07
-0%
11
-117%
5.44
-8%
3.7
27%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
10.91
11.47
-5%
10.07
8%
19.57
-79%
10.93
-0%
5.88
46%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
3.94
2.34
41%
3.64
8%
11.51
-192%
3.95
-0%
2.67
32%
Gamma
2.41 91%
2.26 97%
2.46 89%
2.23 99%
2.29 96%
2.65 83%
CCT
6159 106%
6661 98%
6521 100%
13671 48%
6896 94%
6418 101%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
35
34.6
-1%
35
0%
38.46
10%
40
14%
55
57%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
55
54.2
-1%
55
0%
60.61
10%
64
16%
85
55%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
5% / -4%
3% / 0%
-17% / -42%
9% / 4%
38% / 27%

* ... smaller is better

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

CalMAN - ColorChecker
CalMAN - ColorChecker
CalMAN - Grayscale
CalMAN - Grayscale
CalMAN - Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN - Saturation Sweeps

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
27 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 8 ms rise
↘ 19 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 63 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
53 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 18 ms rise
↘ 35 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 88 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Performance

HP's Pavilion is a 14-inch office laptop with enough computing power for all common application fields. The price for our review sample starts at approximately 580 Euros (~$613). Thus, it is presently the cheapest member of the lineup. Other configurations are available. Some models are furnished with a dedicated GeForce 940MX graphics unit.

Processor

The Pavilion 14-al003ng that we tested is furnished with a Core i5-6200U (Skylake). Its direct Kaby Lake successor, the Core i5-7200U, is installed in our present review sample. Both CPUs are ULV dual-core processors (TDP: 15 watts) from the mid-range. A look at our comparison chart shows that the 7200U scores better than its predecessor. This is owed to higher processing speeds. Technically, the Skylake and Kaby Lake are virtually identical. The Kaby Lake CPU clocks at a base speed of 2.5 GHz that can be boosted up to 3.1 GHz (both cores) via Turbo. Turbo is utilized in both AC and battery modes. However, it is not fully employed in multi-thread applications in battery mode. The CPU then clocks at 2.8 to 2.9 GHz.

Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
5010
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
11407
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
7778
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
129 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
330 Points
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
38.23 fps
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
97.7 %
Help
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
130 Points +1%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
129 Points
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Core i5-6267U
123 Points -5%
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
Intel Core i5-6200U
115 Points -11%
Dell Latitude 14 3470
Intel Core i3-6100U
97 Points -25%
Medion Akoya S4219
Intel Pentium N3700
37 Points -71%
CPU Multi 64Bit
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
330 Points
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
324 Points -2%
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Core i5-6267U
314 Points -5%
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
Intel Core i5-6200U
270 Points -18%
Dell Latitude 14 3470
Intel Core i3-6100U
250 Points -24%
Medion Akoya S4219
Intel Pentium N3700
141 Points -57%
Cinebench R10
Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
11407 Points
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
11042 Points -3%
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Core i5-6267U
10595 Points -7%
Medion Akoya S4219
Intel Pentium N3700
4375 Points -62%
Rendering Single 32Bit
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
5010 Points
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
4911 Points -2%
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Core i5-6267U
4903 Points -2%
Medion Akoya S4219
Intel Pentium N3700
1200 Points -76%
Geekbench 3
32 Bit Single-Core Score
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
3191 Points +10%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
2890 Points
32 Bit Multi-Core Score
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
6723 Points +4%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
6436 Points
Geekbench 4.0
64 Bit Single-Core Score
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
3906 Points +7%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
3637 Points
64 Bit Multi-Core Score
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
7303 Points +7%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
6830 Points
JetStream 1.1 - Total Score
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel Core i5-7200U
219 Points
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel Core i7-6500U
213.8 Points -2%
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
Intel Core i5-6200U
194.5 Points -11%
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Core i5-6267U
130.9 Points -40%
Medion Akoya S4219
Intel Pentium N3700
59.3 Points -73%

System Performance

The good outcome in the PCMark benchmark confirms the laptop's high performance. There is no reason for complaint subjectively, either. The system runs smoothly. The system performance can be increased even further. Installing a second working memory module (i.e. enabling dual-channel mode) would boost the graphics performance. However, it is not easy to upgrade. The casing would first have to be opened and then the motherboard would have to be removed. It is easier to replace the HDD with an SSD, which would result in a faster responding system and shorter loading times.

PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3040 points
Help
PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Iris Graphics 550, 6267U, Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
3710 Points +22%
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
HD Graphics 520, 6500U, Liteonit CV3-8D512
3545 Points +17%
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
GeForce 940MX, 6200U, SanDisk Z400s 256 GB M.2 2280
3238 Points +7%
Dell Latitude 14 3470
HD Graphics 520, 6100U, Toshiba MQ01ACF050
3074 Points +1%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
HD Graphics 620, i5-7200U, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPCX-24C6HT0
3040 Points
Medion Akoya S4219
HD Graphics (Braswell), N3700, 128 GB eMMC Flash
1645 Points -46%

Storage Device

HP has not treated its 14-inch laptop to a solid state drive. A conventional 2.5-inch hard drive by Western Digital is installed. It spins at 5400 revolutions per minute and has a capacity of 500 GB. The HDD's transfer rates are not surprising and are within a normal range for a 5400 RPM model.

Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPCX-24C6HT0
Transfer Rate Minimum: 47 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 115.6 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 85.7 MB/s
Access Time: 18.4 ms
Burst Rate: 202 MB/s
CPU Usage: 9.8 %
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPCX-24C6HT0
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Liteonit CV3-8D512
Dell Latitude 14 3470
Toshiba MQ01ACF050
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Samsung MZYTY256HDHP
Medion Akoya S4219
128 GB eMMC Flash
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
SanDisk Z400s 256 GB M.2 2280
CrystalDiskMark 3.0
12166%
-3%
12735%
1396%
8742%
Read Seq
113.3
484.1
327%
108.9
-4%
510
350%
151.2
33%
469.3
314%
Write Seq
110.2
449.8
308%
103.2
-6%
458.8
316%
55.7
-49%
309.1
180%
Read 512
30.83
399.1
1195%
399.7
1196%
156.6
408%
Write 512
47.13
355.1
653%
299.3
535%
46.9
0%
Read 4k
0.34
33.44
9735%
0.362
6%
35.27
10274%
16.29
4691%
14
4018%
Write 4k
0.981
67.5
6781%
0.946
-4%
90.2
9095%
16.5
1582%
73.9
7433%
Read 4k QD32
0.72
368.5
51081%
0.721
0%
397.7
55136%
20.62
2764%
149.5
20664%
Write 4k QD32
1.026
280.6
27249%
0.901
-12%
257.3
24978%
18.86
1738%
204.6
19842%

Graphics Card

Configurations of the Pavilion with a GeForce 940MX graphics unit by Nvidia exist. Our present review sample only has Intel's HD Graphics 620 graphics solution. It supports DirectX 12 and clocks at up to 1000 MHz. The 3DMark benchmark scores are as expected from this GPU. It can be increased by installing a second working memory module into the laptop (= dual-channel mode enabled).

3DMark 11 Performance
1538 points
Help
3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, Intel Core i5-6200U
2508 Points +77%
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
Intel Iris Graphics 550, Intel Core i5-6267U
1782 Points +26%
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i7-6500U
1481 Points +5%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
Intel HD Graphics 620, Intel Core i5-7200U
1414 Points
Dell Latitude 14 3470
Intel HD Graphics 520, Intel Core i3-6100U
1063 Points -25%
Medion Akoya S4219
Intel HD Graphics (Braswell), Intel Pentium N3700
468 Points -67%

Gaming Performance

Users who play games regularly should opt for a Pavilion model furnished with a GeForce 940MX graphics unit. The GPU installed in our present review sample is suitable for an occasional game. It can, however, render quite a number of games smoothly - in a low resolution and low quality settings. This is true for games that do not have high hardware requirements. The frame rates would increase when a second working memory module is installed into the Pavilion (= dual-channel mode enabled). Up-to-date smash hits, such as Watch Dogs 2, would still be unplayable.

low med. high ultra
BioShock Infinite (2013) 43.5 25 20.6 7.1

Emissions and Energy Management

Fan loudness
Fan loudness

System Noise

Again we are dealing with a laptop by HP that is delivered with activated Fan always on (found in the BIOS). Consequently, the fan runs permanently. When disabled, the fan is often inactive in idle mode and only the hard drive's noise is audible. Replacing the HDD with an SSD would result in even less noise. The fan does not increase its speed much during load. We measured a noise level of just 34.3 dB in the stress test.

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2034.232.930.731.634.22532.832.131.130.732.83133.131.833.331.833.1403029.829.730.7305028.327.928.629.628.36327.728.528.527.527.78026.427.226.426.526.410026.326.425.725.926.312525.426.125.924.825.416024.523.824.623.724.520022.823.323.422.822.825021.922.822.522.321.931521.222.721.421.121.240020.421.12120.420.450020.92119.919.720.963019.920.619.21919.980022.523.621.118.822.5100023.525.421.618.423.512502225.418.917.522160020.42419.117.620.4200019.222.218.417.519.2250019.92318.617.719.9315019.121.718.217.919.1400018.720.4181818.750001919.118.518.319630018.518.818.518.218.5800018.518.618.618.318.51000018.518.618.518.318.51250018.618.818.318.218.61600018.918.518.218.218.9SPL32.434.431.430.532.4N1.721.61.41.7median 20.4median 22.2median 19.1median 18.3median 20.4Delta2.121.61.32.134.632.631.130.534.630.731.833.932.230.731.331.634.532.531.328.729.430.730.828.729.531.529.834.329.528.629.628.629.228.627.326.831.127.427.32626.130.925.92625.4252526.125.424.923.724.324.424.923.523.923.723.223.522.722.922.822.822.722.622.123.421.822.620.921.322.721.420.920.220.721.820.220.220.220.22119.620.219.319.12119.119.319.719.226.118.419.719.720.123.518.319.719.419.722.818.619.419.519.323.418.519.518.818.821.618.518.818.81921.518.418.818.919.520.918.818.91919.120.218.8191919.119.6191919.21919.319.119.219.219.119.219.119.219.120.119.218.919.119.322.119.61919.331.631.734.131.231.61.61.62.11.61.6median 19.5median 20.1median 21.8median 19.1median 19.5111.71.51hearing rangehide median Fan NoiseHP Pavilion 14-al103ngAcer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261

Noise Level

Idle
31.2 / 31.3 / 31.3 dB(A)
Load
32.4 / 34.3 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 30.5 dB(A)

Temperature

The Pavilion in the stress test
The Pavilion in the stress test

The Pavilion performed our stress test in the same manner in both AC and battery modes. The CPU clocked at 2.4 GHz in the first few minutes of the test. The graphics core fluctuated between 500 and 900 MHz. The processor then throttled to 1.6 GHz while the GPU's speed increased to 900 to 1000 MHz. The laptop's temperature development remained within tight limits. The temperatures on all measuring points remained clearly below 40 °C during the stress test. The temperatures are lower in routine use.

Max. Load
 24.3 °C
76 F
33 °C
91 F
35.2 °C
95 F
 
 23.6 °C
74 F
31.7 °C
89 F
37.6 °C
100 F
 
 23 °C
73 F
24.9 °C
77 F
32.1 °C
90 F
 
Maximum: 37.6 °C = 100 F
Average: 29.5 °C = 85 F
31.5 °C
89 F
31.7 °C
89 F
25.4 °C
78 F
36.8 °C
98 F
31.3 °C
88 F
24.6 °C
76 F
32.1 °C
90 F
26.4 °C
80 F
25.3 °C
78 F
Maximum: 36.8 °C = 98 F
Average: 29.5 °C = 85 F
Power Supply (max.)  40.5 °C = 105 F | Room Temperature 21.6 °C = 71 F | FIRT 550-Pocket
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 29.5 °C / 85 F, compared to the average of 29.5 °C / 85 F for the devices in the class Office.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 37.6 °C / 100 F, compared to the average of 34.2 °C / 94 F, ranging from 21.2 to 62.5 °C for the class Office.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 36.8 °C / 98 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 23.1 °C / 74 F, compared to the device average of 29.5 °C / 85 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (32.1 °C / 89.8 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 27.7 °C / 81.9 F (-4.4 °C / -7.9 F).
Temperature development upper side (load)
Temperature development upper side (load)
Temperature development underside (load)
Temperature development underside (load)
Temperature development upper side (idle)
Temperature development upper side (idle)
Temperature development underside (idle)
Temperature development underside (idle)
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2034.631.634.62533.530.733.53134.331.834.34029.930.729.95030.429.630.46328.427.528.48027.726.527.710027.625.927.612528.824.828.816032.723.732.720037.522.837.525042.522.342.53155021.15040063.720.463.750063.619.763.663065.71965.780065.818.865.8100069.718.469.7125069.917.569.9160069.717.669.7200066.617.566.6250072.817.772.8315072.917.972.9400068.61868.6500069.118.369.163007318.27380007118.3711000061.918.361.91250052.418.252.41600048.618.248.6SPL81.930.581.9N51.91.451.9median 65.7median 18.3median 65.7Delta10.71.310.735.335.132.931.831.83236.535.132.428.93328.936.328.848.32761.52752.924.860.92462.822.763.32269.521.267.82174.82075.919.472.718.97117.770.117.86917.671.817.668.117.671.417.673.717.670.417.571.617.671.617.669.617.459.717.583.630.662.51.5median 69.6median 17.84.72.4hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseHP Pavilion 14-al103ngApple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (72 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 29.2% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (7.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.1% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (6.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 5.3% higher than median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (7.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (24.5% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 68% of all tested devices in this class were better, 9% similar, 23% worse
» The best had a delta of 7%, average was 22%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 70% of all tested devices were better, 6% similar, 24% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (83.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 11.3% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (14.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.4% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (5.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 2% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (10.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 5% of all tested devices in this class were better, 2% similar, 93% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 19%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 3% of all tested devices were better, 1% similar, 96% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Frequency diagram in comparison (checkboxes above can be turned on/off)

Power Consumption

The 14-incher does not present irregularities in energy requirement. We measured a maximum idle power consumption of 8.9 watts. The requirement climbed to 29.4 watts during the stress test. The Pavilion's compact 45-watt power supply is not pushed to its limits.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.36 / 0.46 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 5.5 / 8.2 / 8.9 Watt
Load midlight 29.1 / 29.4 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Battery Runtime

Our practical Wi-Fi test simulates the load needed for opening websites. The "Balanced" profile is enabled, the laptop's energy-saving features are disabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². The Pavilion achieves a runtime of 5:30 hours - thus, it is on par with its Skylake sister model (5:29 h).

Battery Runtime
WiFi Websurfing (Edge 38)
5h 30min
Battery Runtime - WiFi Websurfing
Acer TravelMate X3 X349-M-7261
6500U, HD Graphics 520, 48.9 Wh
392 min +19%
Lenovo IdeaPad 510S-14ISK
6267U, Iris Graphics 550, 30 Wh
384 min +16%
HP Pavilion 14-al103ng
i5-7200U, HD Graphics 620, 41 Wh
330 min
HP Pavilion 14-al003ng
6200U, GeForce 940MX, 41 Wh
329 min 0%
Medion Akoya S4219
N3700, HD Graphics (Braswell), 35 Wh
318 min -4%
Dell Latitude 14 3470
6100U, HD Graphics 520, 41 Wh
278 min -16%

Pros

+ IPS panel
+ Full HD resolution
+ can run quietly
+ low temperatures

Cons

- glossy screen surface
- mediocre battery life
- Fast Ethernet only
- no ac Wi-Fi
- one-year warranty only

Verdict

In review: HP Pavilion 14-al103ng. Test model courtesy of Cyberport.de
In review: HP Pavilion 14-al103ng. Test model courtesy of Cyberport.de

The Pavilion only differs from the Skylake model in terms of processor and hard drive. HP's 14-incher comes with a Core i5 processor from the Kaby Lake generation that should satisfy the needs of most users. The laptop can run quietly to silently when the BIOS option Fan always on is disabled. Furthermore, it hardly heats up. A 500 GB hard drive is inside the laptop. It would be necessary to open the casing for replacing it with an SSD. HP's Pavilion is not particularly user-friendly in this regard.

Users looking for a quiet 14-incher alongside a strong CPU for home use might be happy with the Pavilion.

We cannot state another purchase reason for the small laptop. HP has made too many cutbacks in all components. Although the installed screen is a viewing-angle stable IPS model, it only has a very low brightness as well as a glossy surface. A 14-inch laptop is made for mobile use. However, the Pavilion's battery life excludes this. Beyond that, HP only installs a Fast Ethernet port. Gigabit Ethernet is the current standard. Also, a slow Wi-Fi module is inside the laptop. Buyers can expect an SSD instead of an HDD at a purchase price of almost 600 Euros (~$635). Finally, HP only includes a one-year warranty.

HP Pavilion 14-al103ng - 12/30/2016 v6(old)
Sascha Mölck

Chassis
70 / 98 → 71%
Keyboard
70%
Pointing Device
67%
Connectivity
36 / 80 → 45%
Weight
68 / 20-67 → 100%
Battery
85%
Display
79%
Games Performance
55 / 68 → 80%
Application Performance
75 / 92 → 82%
Temperature
94%
Noise
92%
Audio
50%
Camera
49 / 85 → 58%
Average
68%
77%
Office - Weighted Average

Pricecompare

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
Sascha Mölck, 2017-01- 9 (Update: 2018-05-15)