HP 15-fd1368TU Review: Budget Pricing, Budget Compromises

Harvey Norman has this one on sale at the moment for $798, which puts it squarely in the entry-level mid-range laptop category. At that price, compromises are expected. The question is whether the compromises on the HP 15-fd1368TU are ones you can actually live with, or whether they’ll frustrate you every single day.

If you’ve read my HP 15-fd1367TU review, this laptop will look very familiar. It’s essentially the same machine with half the RAM and a $200 lower price tag. That context matters when deciding whether the saving is worth the trade-off.

Key Specifications

• Display: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, 16:9, 250 nits, 62.5% sRGB, anti-glare, flicker-free
• Processor: Intel Core 5 120U (10 cores, 12 threads, up to 5.0GHz, 12MB L3 cache)
• Memory: 8GB DDR4-3200 (1x8GB – single channel)
• Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
• Graphics: Intel Graphics (integrated)
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Wireless: Realtek Wi-Fi 6 (2×2), Bluetooth 5.4
• Battery: 41Wh, 3-cell Li-ion, fast charge 50% in 45 minutes
• Weight: 1.65kg (estimated, same chassis as fd1367TU)
• Ports: 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x USB-C 10Gbps (USB PD, DisplayPort 1.4b, HP Sleep and Charge), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x headphone/mic combo, AC smart pin
• Webcam: 720p HD
• Keyboard: Full-size with numeric keypad, no backlight
• Security: Mic mute key, camera privacy shutter, TPM
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labour, no on-site repair
• Part Number: C9JM1PA
• Price: $798 at Harvey Norman (save $200)
• Windows Pro option: $1,048 at Vtec Industries and $1023 at MegaBuy

How Does This Model Compare to the fd1367TU?

If you’re weighing up this laptop against the HP 15-fd1367TU I’ve reviewed recently, here’s the short version:

• This model: 8GB RAM, $798
• The fd1367TU: 16GB RAM, $998

For $200 more you double the RAM, which is a meaningful performance difference in 2026. The display, battery, ports, processor, and build quality are identical between the two.

There is one genuine advantage this model has over the fd1367TU: it ships with standard Windows 11 Home, not the S mode version that caused headaches on its sibling. That means you can install any software you like straight out of the box without needing to switch modes first. It’s a small but real win.

Whether the $200 saving is worth halving the RAM depends on how you plan to use it. We’ll cover that in the performance section.

The RAM Problem

This needs to be addressed plainly because it’s the most important spec on this laptop.

The HP 15-fd1368TU ships with 8GB of DDR4 RAM in a single stick, running in single-channel mode. In 2026, 8GB is the absolute floor for running Windows 11. With the operating system consuming a significant chunk of that headroom, you have very little left for the applications and browser tabs you actually want to use.

A few scenarios where 8GB will let you down:

• Multiple browser tabs open alongside a video call
• Streaming music while working in Office
• Running any moderately demanding application alongside everyday tasks

As I’ve covered in my Dual-Channel RAM article, single-channel also reduces memory bandwidth compared to a dual-channel setup, which impacts integrated graphics performance.

Can you upgrade the RAM? Technically yes, but with RAM prices having risen significantly, adding another stick is no longer cheap. My How AI is Pushing Up the Cost of Computers and Parts article covers why RAM costs have jumped so sharply.

If you can stretch to the fd1367TU at $998, the 16GB configuration is meaningfully better for everyday use. If $798 is your hard limit, go in with realistic expectations about what 8GB can handle.

Design and Build Quality

The 15-fd1368TU shares the same chassis as the fd1367TU. Natural silver finish, matte plastic throughout, clean and unassuming design. At an estimated 1.65kg it’s manageable for carrying between rooms or to a library, though not particularly light.

The plastic build is par for the course at this price point and won’t inspire confidence in long-term durability. For a laptop that mostly lives on a desk at home or in a student study environment, it’s adequate. For daily commuting in and out of bags, it’ll show wear sooner than you’d like.

No fingerprint reader and no backlit keyboard are expected omissions at $798, but worth knowing if either of those features matters to you.

Display

The 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS panel is functional but unremarkable. The anti-glare coating manages reflections adequately in typical indoor conditions, and the flicker-free certification is a genuine positive for long study or work sessions.

But two numbers tell the real story:

• 250 nits brightness – very dim. Near a window or in a reasonably bright room, you’ll be adjusting your position to avoid straining to see the screen
• 62.5% sRGB colour gamut – colours look flat and washed out. Don’t expect anything vibrant or accurate here

The 16:9 aspect ratio also gives you less vertical screen space compared to the 16:10 panels now standard on better-specced laptops. For web browsing and documents, you’ll be scrolling more than you would on a taller display.

For the price, this display is expected. But it’s not something you’ll stop noticing.

Performance

The Intel Core 5 120U is a 14th gen core series processor introduced in 2024, with 10 cores and a boost clock of 5.0GHz. For basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, email, and video streaming, it handles things comfortably.

The performance story is directly tied to the RAM situation though. With only 8GB in single-channel configuration, the chip’s potential is being held back, particularly for integrated graphics tasks. Don’t expect smooth performance when pushing the laptop with multiple apps running simultaneously.

The 512GB NVMe SSD keeps boot times quick and file loading snappy. That’s a genuine practical positive at this price point.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The full-size keyboard with numeric keypad is adequate for everyday typing. Key spacing is reasonable and the layout is sensible. There is no backlight, so working in dim environments means fumbling for keys.

The trackpad is where real-world use falls short. There is noticeable lag when navigating, making precise cursor control frustrating. It’s one of those things you don’t appreciate until you’ve used it for a day and found yourself fighting with it repeatedly. For a student or home user doing light work, it’s manageable. For anyone who relies on precise trackpad control for their workflow, it’s genuinely annoying.

Battery Life

HP claims up to 6 hours and 45 minutes of general use and up to 10 hours for video playback. Real-world performance is going to fall well short of both figures.

With a 41Wh battery and a processor that isn’t the most efficient chip on the market, expect somewhere around 4 to 5 hours of typical use. For a student who has power access during the day, that’s workable. For anyone expecting to go unplugged for a full day, it won’t cut it.

Fast charging brings the battery to 50% in around 45 minutes, which helps offset the limited capacity somewhat.

Connectivity

The USB-C port on this model is a genuine step up from older budget HP models. It supports charging via USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4b output, and HP Sleep and Charge. That flexibility means you’re not locked into the barrel charger and can connect an external monitor without a separate adapter.

The two USB-A 5Gbps ports cover basic peripherals. The HDMI 1.4b port handles display output but tops out at 4K/30Hz, which is a step below the HDMI 2.1 found on better-specced laptops.

Realtek Wi-Fi 6 is adequate for home use but less reliable than Intel Wi-Fi alternatives in congested network environments.

There is no SD card reader, no fingerprint reader, and no ethernet port.

Should You Consider the Windows Pro Version?

If your situation requires Windows 11 Pro features such as BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, or domain join, Vtec Industries and MegaBuy stock a Windows Pro version of a similar model for $1,048. That’s $250 more than this model.

For most home users and students, Windows 11 Home is perfectly fine and the $798 pricing makes sense. For small business users who need Pro features, the $1,048 option is worth considering.

Pros

• Reasonable pricing at $798 for a basic everyday laptop
• Standard Windows 11 Home with no S mode restrictions
• USB-C port with charging and DisplayPort support
• Intel Core 5 120U handles light everyday tasks
• Numeric keypad is handy for spreadsheet work
• Flicker-free display reduces eye strain
• Fast NVMe SSD keeps boot times quick

Cons

• 8GB single-channel RAM is the bare minimum for Windows 11 in 2026
• Poor display with 62.5% sRGB and 250 nits
• Noticeable trackpad lag
• Real-world battery life of around 4 to 5 hours is limited
• No backlit keyboard
• 720p webcam
• Realtek Wi-Fi 6 is less reliable than Intel alternatives
• HDMI 1.4b rather than 2.1
• No fingerprint reader

Final Verdict

The HP 15-fd1368TU (C9JM1PA) is a basic everyday laptop at a basic everyday price. For a home user who needs something simple for web browsing, streaming, and light document work, and who has realistic expectations about what $798 buys in 2026, it gets the job done.

But 8GB of single-channel RAM in 2026 is a real limitation that will affect your daily experience more than the price tag might suggest. The dim, washed-out display and laggy trackpad are frustrations that don’t disappear over time.

If your budget can stretch to $998, the HP 15-fd1367TU with 16GB RAM is a meaningfully better laptop for the extra $200. If $798 is your absolute ceiling, this is a functional option but go in with eyes open about its limitations.

With laptop prices elevated across the board right now and unlikely to come down anytime soon, as I have covered in my Warning: Laptop Prices Are About to Jump 10-20% post, $798 for a budget everyday laptop is where the market sits. If you’re shopping for a student or looking for something for light home use, my Student Laptop Buying Guide is worth reading before committing.