Just bought two HP 14-DF0023CL 14" i3-8130U, 1080p, 4GB, 128MB SSD

• Microsoft® Windows 10 Home in S Mode
• 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C
• 1x HDMI 1.4b
• Intel UHD Graphics 620
• HP Fast Charge Technology
• Backlit keyboard
• 4GB (2 slots, 1 slot used, 16GB max)
• M2 and 2.5 SSD capable

Just purchased to for $299 and seems like it's still a great deal. I am looking for this for a high schoolers homework computer and something they could bring with them.

I ordered the 2.5" drive cable.

What is the cheapest 2400/2666 8GB stick for this? I plan to seach ebay but new deals would be great.

Looking to upgrade to a data 2.5" SSD or HDD to preserve the 128GB OS drive. Later I may upgrade them to NVMe drives of higher capacity.

I plan to go to Win 10 Home at least instead of S mode. I may buy a couple cheap 10 pro licenses from the FS/T here though.

I want to do the BIOS updates definitely to get the full CPU power...from what I have heard none of these ship with the BIOS that doesn't throttle the 8130U to slow speeds.

Thanks for the help in my previous threads. Looking at much more inferior laptops used for $150-200 plus shipping made this an easy choice for about $315 each to my door. Now for the pains of wiping these clean and installing everything fresh . Anyone have a recommendation for an easy way to do one and then clone it to the second easy?

I've seen similar laptops for a bit cheaper but even then its only a few bucks, you are getting to the opposite end of diminishing returns. The i3 is certainly worth the premium over the N5000.

Jinto said:

I've seen similar laptops for a bit cheaper but even then its only a few bucks, you are getting to the opposite end of diminishing returns. The i3 is certainly worth the premium over the N5000.

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This seems like a good bang for buck and brand new so I don't have to deal with potentional forum/ebay issues.

bump for changes, bought two of them and looking for advice now.

picked up a couple WD5000LPCX (500GB WD Blue $25.45), 4GB SODIMMS (Teamgroup TED44G2400C16-S01 $14.99) and the sata ribbon cables for $12.00. Also not sure if needed, but the manual calls for bracket L24490-001 which I ordered on eBay for $12.66. (all pricing is for each so about $130 to add 4GB SODIMM, 500GB HDD and the bracket/cables for two)

Kids should be happy and I saved myself the headache of a slow, poor screen laptop or a used model.

alkemyst said:

I plan to go to Win 10 Home at least instead of S mode. I may buy a couple cheap 10 pro licenses from the FS/T here though.

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just kick it out of s mode.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/4456067/windows-10-switch-out-of-s-mode

alkemyst said:

Anyone have a recommendation for an easy way to do one and then clone it to the second easy?

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aeomi backerupper on a 64gb usb. save the image to the usb and restore it on the other system. you need an adapter for reg usb to type c.

alkemyst said:

picked up a couple WD5000LPCX (500GB WD Blue $25.45),

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I would have gone with ssd, smaller if needed to save cash. if they are for teens and school they will be walking around and moving and bumping them all the time. not very good for spinners. just my two cents being that im a tech for two schools.

Thanks on the HDD point, I know....but they have a lot of music/pics and the WD Blue seems a proven lap top drive

I picked up a couple of AC9260 Intel cards for wifi. The non-vpro models. I hear the Realtek (and have experienced this with their WiFi cards) is a PITA on this model.

picked up 2 256gb SX8200 Pros as 128GB for an OS drive (ensuring only 70% is used) was a concern.

Not directed at you since you bought the parts already but one recommendation for those looking at low end laptops is to plan out all the upgrades. Often time there are better deals if that money is used to buy a higher end laptop.

Even with the extras this is still a great bang for buck. An i5 cpu would make it even better if eighth gen or higher.