In the ever-evolving world of technology, it’s fascinating to look back and appreciate the milestones that shaped the industry. While the PC market might sometimes be described as predictable, 2014 proved to be an exceptional year for laptops, showcasing a diverse range of innovations and designs. From versatile 2-in-1s to incredibly thin and light ultrabooks, and powerful desktop replacements, the Laptop 2014 lineup offered something for every type of user. As we reflect on the laptops that defined 2014, it’s clear that this year was far from a “snooze-fest,” but rather a vibrant period of advancement and exciting choices for consumers. Let’s delve into some of the most remarkable laptops that made waves in 2014, spanning across different categories from essential business machines to budget-friendly options and high-performance powerhouses.
Lenovo ThinkPad X240: The Quintessential Business Laptop of 2014
Category: Business/Productivity
For professionals on the go, a reliable and robust business laptop is indispensable. In 2014, the Lenovo ThinkPad X240 emerged as a top contender in this category. This 12.5-inch laptop, featuring a 1366×768 resolution display, is built for productivity. It’s equipped with essential ports including 2 USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a VGA port, ensuring seamless connectivity in various work environments.
A standout feature of the ThinkPad X240 is its innovative dual-battery configuration. This system allows for battery swapping without powering down the laptop, thanks to a battery bridge, maximizing uptime and productivity for busy professionals. The Lenovo ThinkPad X240 truly embodied the needs of the business user in the laptop 2014 market.
Price: $1,560
HP ZBook 15 Mobile Workstation: Uncompromising Power in a 2014 Desktop Replacement Laptop
Category: Desktop Replacement
The HP ZBook 15 Mobile Workstation was designed for users who demanded desktop-level performance in a portable form factor. While not exactly lightweight at 6.2 lbs, this laptop 2014 is packed with power and built for demanding tasks. Inside, it boasts an Intel Core i7-4800MQ processor, 16 GB of RAM, and professional-grade Nvidia Quadro K610M graphics with 1 GB of dedicated RAM. Thunderbolt connectivity further enhances its capabilities, making it a true workstation in a laptop body.
Encased in a sleek black chassis, the ZBook 15 also prioritizes user comfort and functionality with a full-sized, spill-resistant keyboard and a generously sized touchpad equipped with various controls including an on/off button, two-way scroll, gesture support, and three pick buttons. For professionals needing serious processing power on the move in 2014, the HP ZBook 15 was a top choice.
Price: $3,158
HP Stream 11: The Ultra-Affordable 2014 Laptop Disruptor
Category: Value
In 2014, Microsoft aimed to challenge the rise of budget-friendly Chromebooks with ultra-affordable Windows laptops. The HP Stream 11 was a prime example of this strategy, offering a fully functional notebook experience at an incredibly accessible price point. For a mere $200, this laptop 2014 delivered surprising value.
The HP Stream 11 features an 11.6-inch display with 1366×768 resolution (non-touch), an Intel Celeron 2.16GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of solid-state storage. Adding to its appeal, it included a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 and 1 TB of OneDrive online storage. This made the HP Stream 11 a compelling option for students and budget-conscious users seeking essential computing capabilities in 2014.
Price: $200
15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (2014): The Creative Professional’s Laptop of Choice
Category: Creative Professional
For creative professionals, the Apple MacBook Pro has long been a staple, and the 2014 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display continued this legacy. Renowned for its performance with demanding applications like Adobe Creative Suite and video rendering, this laptop 2014 was engineered for efficiency and visual fidelity.
It’s powered by an Intel 2.8GHz quad-core Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, coupled with a stunning 2880×1800 Retina display. At just 0.71 inches thin and weighing 4.46 pounds, it offered portability without sacrificing power. Features like Thunderbolt ports, 256 GB of flash storage, and a discrete graphics card solidified its position as a top-tier laptop for creative workflows in 2014. Apple claimed up to 8 hours of battery life, adding to its appeal for professionals working on the go.
Price: $1,900
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (2014 Edition): Elegance Redefined in a Thin and Light Laptop
Category: Thin-And-Light
The Samsung Ativ Book 9 (2014 Edition) was the epitome of style and portability in the laptop 2014 thin-and-light category. With a mere 0.63-inch thickness, a 15.6-inch 1080p display, and an attractive aluminum chassis weighing only 3.9 pounds, it was designed to turn heads. Beyond its aesthetics, it delivered solid performance with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 128 GB SSD.
The inclusion of a high-end Wolfson audio system was a pleasant surprise, offering impressive sound quality for a thin laptop. The Samsung Ativ Book 9 balanced beauty and functionality, making it a desirable choice for users who valued both style and portability in their laptop 2014 selection.
Price: $1,500
Digital Storm Krypton: Unleashing Extreme Performance in a 2014 Gaming Laptop
Category: High-Performance
For gamers and power users seeking uncompromised performance, the Digital Storm Krypton was a standout high-performance laptop 2014. It was built to handle demanding tasks, including high-end gaming and intensive applications. Under the hood, it packed an overclocked Intel Core i7-4810MQ processor (up to 3.8GHz), 16 GB of RAM, and dual graphics cards: a discrete Nvidia GeForce GTX 880M and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600.
The 17.3-inch display with 1920×1080 resolution delivered a full HD gaming experience. While its 9.1-pound weight made it less portable, the Digital Storm Krypton prioritized raw power and performance above all else, offering a desktop-caliber experience in a laptop form. The spacious keyboard was also designed for comfortable gaming and productivity.
Price: Base model $2,300
Toshiba Portege Z10t: The Versatile 2-in-1 Laptop of 2014 for Uncompromising Users
Category: 2-In-1
The Toshiba Portege Z10t addressed the growing demand for versatile devices that could function both as a tablet and a laptop. This detachable 2-in-1 convertible laptop 2014 offered a no-compromise approach, packing high-end specifications suitable for both modes. It featured an 11.6-inch IPS 1080p display, an Intel Core i7-4610Y processor, 8 GB of DDR3/1600 RAM, and a 256 GB SSD.
As a tablet, it was noted to be on the heavier side compared to dedicated tablets like iPads, but it delivered full laptop performance when docked. The Portege Z10t was ideal for users who wanted the flexibility of a tablet without sacrificing the power and functionality of a traditional laptop in 2014.
Price: $1,800
Toshiba CB35-A3120 Chromebook: High-Value Chrome OS Laptop of 2014
Category: Chrome
The Toshiba CB35-A3120 Chromebook stood out in 2014 by offering premium features at a budget-friendly price. This 13.3-inch Chromebook ran on an Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz processor, with 2 GB DDR3 RAM, and a 16 GB SSD, delivering efficient performance for Chrome OS tasks. It also boasted an impressive 9 hours of battery life and weighed just 3.3 pounds, enhancing its portability.
The inclusion of a touchpad with multitouch control added to its user-friendly experience. The Toshiba CB35-A3120 was a testament to the growing appeal of Chromebooks as practical and affordable laptop 2014 options for everyday computing.
Price: $270
Microsoft Surface Pro 3: Redefining the 2-in-1 Notebook-Class Tablet in 2014
Category: Notebook-Class Tablet 2-In-1
In the realm of Windows 2-in-1s, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 was arguably the most impactful device of 2014. It blurred the lines between tablets and laptops, offering a powerful and versatile experience. The $1,000 configuration included a 128 GB SSD, a 4th-generation Intel Core i5 4300U processor (1.90GHz), and integrated Intel HD Graphics 4400. Its 12-inch screen featured a sharp 2160×1440 resolution.
Weighing only 1.76 pounds (without the keyboard), the Surface Pro 3 was remarkably portable. It came with the Surface Pen and ran the full version of Windows 8.1, allowing users to utilize desktop applications like MS Office. The Surface Pro 3 set a new standard for 2-in-1 devices in the laptop 2014 market, demonstrating the potential of notebook-class tablets.
Price: $799
Dell Latitude 12 (7204) Rugged Extreme Notebook: The Unbreakable Convertible Laptop of 2014
Category: Rugged
For users needing a laptop that could withstand harsh conditions, the Dell Latitude 12 (7204) Rugged Extreme Notebook was in a class of its own in 2014. Unique as a rugged convertible, it used a flip-and-fold hinge similar to the Dell XPS 12, transforming from a rugged laptop into a rugged tablet. Its most defining feature was its robust armor, providing exceptional protection against water, dust, and drops.
Inside, it housed a 4th-generation Intel i3 processor (configurable up to i7). The 11.6-inch display had a 1366×768 resolution. Despite its rugged build, Dell claimed a solid 9 hours of battery life for this 6-pound laptop 2014. The Latitude 12 Rugged Extreme was designed for professionals working in demanding environments where durability and reliability are paramount.
Price: $3,649
Conclusion
Looking back at the laptop 2014 landscape, it’s evident that this year delivered a remarkable array of innovative and diverse laptops. From the business-focused Lenovo ThinkPad X240 to the ultra-affordable HP Stream 11, the creatively powerful MacBook Pro, and the rugged Dell Latitude 12, each model represented the best in its class. Whether you needed extreme performance, ultimate portability, or rugged durability, the laptop 2014 market offered compelling options, proving that even in a mature PC market, innovation and exciting choices were still abundant.
