Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display vs HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display

9.0/10 Excellent

4.7★ (19,600 owners)

7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.

Full Review

HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (3,200 owners)

ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display	HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (19,600)	4.4★ (3,200)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display edges ahead with a 9.0/10 vs 8.8/10. 7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes. That said, the HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) is worth considering if ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display

7-inch display turns voice answers into visual ones — recipes, weather, calendars
Controls and visualises smart-home devices from one dashboard
Sleep Sensing tracks rest without a wearable (no camera, for privacy)
Excellent for Google Photos slideshows and YouTube
Strong value with 19,000+ reviews

Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household
No camera means no video calls
Speaker is good, not audiophile-grade

HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)

ChromeOS is genuinely more secure than Windows — zero native malware in 15 years of ChromeOS existence
Google AI integration: Google Docs, Sheets and Drive with Gemini AI built natively
Under £400 for Core i3 8GB 15-inch — more computing power than equivalently priced Windows laptops at this tier
10-hour battery for a budget 15-inch is practical for full working days
Automatic ChromeOS updates for 10 years — security patching without user attention

ChromeOS — no native Windows or macOS software compatibility
Limited offline functionality — best with internet connection
Less suitable for professional applications (design, video editing, coding IDEs) vs Windows/Mac

FAQ

Which is better, Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) or HP Chromebook Plus 15a?

Is the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) worth the extra cost?

Yes — Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display scores higher at 9.0/10 vs 8.8/10.

Who is the HP Chromebook Plus 15a best suited to?

7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.

Who is the HP Chromebook Plus 15a best suited to?

ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook.

What are the main downsides of each?

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display: Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household; No camera means no video calls. HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3): ChromeOS — no native Windows or macOS software compatibility; Limited offline functionality — best with internet connection.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display sits at 4.7★ from 19,600 verified Amazon owners, and HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) at 4.4★ from 3,200.

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