HP Stream -- aka Chromebook killer?

[tubemonkey]

HP has several low priced Windows-based laptops set to compete directly with the various Chromebooks out there. Slated for a Nov release date are the:

• Stream 11 -- $200
• Stream 13 -- $230

Key Features -- tentative, official specs not available

• OS -- Windows 8.1
• CPU -- 2.16 GHz dual-core Celeron N2840 (Bay Trail)
• GPU -- Intel HD Graphics
• Display -- 1366 x 768 HD -- S11 (11.6") / S13 (13.3")
• RAM -- 2GB
• Storage -- 32GB eMMC flash
• SD Slot -- SD (up to 32GB)
• USB -- x3 (2.0 x? / 3.0 x?)
• Ports -- HDMI, audio
• Fan -- fanless
• Battery -- S11 (8.25 hrs) / S13 (7.75 hrs)
• Office -- 1 year free Office 365 Personal
• Cloud -- 1 year free 1TB MS OneDrive
• Colors -- magenta, blue
• Release -- Nov 2014

Update: We are at a media event in NYC and managed to play with the new members of the Stream lineup, save for the 7-inch tablet, which HP wasn't showing off. What's more, HP let us in on a few extra details. The notebooks, for one, are also sporting 2GB of RAM (with the aforementioned Celeron N2840 CPU), Intel HD Graphics and can last up to 8.5 hours on a charge.

[Jessica Lares]

MicroSD and not the standard SD card? What were they thinking?!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

MicroSD and not the standard SD card? What were they thinking?!

It's what I read in one article; but looking at the pics now, it appears to be an SD slot. I'll revise with a question mark. Specs haven't been released yet, hence the gaps and uncertainty.

[booklover6]

I read about those recently. I really want one.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I read about those recently. I really want one.

Magenta Stream + Magenta Fire HD --> $300 ~ $350

[QuantumIguana]

The Chromebook is much easier to maintain than a Windows setup. The ability to be back on a clean machine within a minute is a big advantage for the Chromebook, especially for schools. One problem with killer devices is that the target usually advances enough to avoid being killed. I've had my Chromebook for two years now, and while I might like a faster one, it's still working as well as it did the day I bought it. There are a couple programs that don't work on my Chromebook, despite their being web apps because software has to be installed on the computer first, but overall, it does what I need. Of course, this might be of more use to some people.

[Jessica Lares]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

It's what I read in one article; but looking at the pics now, it appears to be an SD slot. I'll revise with a question mark. Specs haven't been released yet, hence the gaps and uncertainty.

Hahaha, I was about to say!

They sound good. I still have my DELL Latitude XT that I will probably check the 10 preview on tomorrow just to play with it.

[Graham]

The small flash drive suggests that they see these as cloud devices. Is Windows 8 ready for that? Is 32GB enough for a Windows laptop these days?

It's going to be interesting to see how well they perform as cloud devices compared to Chromebooks.

Graham

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Magenta Stream + Magenta Fire HD --> $300 ~ $350

That's a big NO on the magenta.

I did order the Cobalt Fire 6.

Doesn't the Stream come in black? LOL.

I just want it for Calibre and the Personal Office suite.

Well it sucks that Office is only free for a year.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

There are a couple programs that don't work on my Chromebook, despite their being web apps because software has to be installed on the computer first, but overall, it does what I need. Of course, this might be of more use to some people.

Lack of support for Audible, Calibre, and OverDrive prevents my Chromebook from being a backup to my Windows PC. With a Winbook, I'd have support.

I plan to follow these Winbooks and see how well they perform in the real world. I just might end up swapping Chrome for Windows. Time will tell.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Graham

The small flash drive suggests that they see these as cloud devices. Is Windows 8 ready for that? Is 32GB enough for a Windows laptop these days?

It's going to be interesting to see how well they perform as cloud devices compared to Chromebooks.

Good question. Is Windows ready for these low end spec'd devices?

[robko]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Good question. Is Windows ready for these low end spec'd devices?

Based on my experience with Windows tablets, I'd say yes to this. I have an Iconia W4 that's nearly as perky as my decent high-mid range laptop for most tasks (haven't tried any intense games, that could well choke it, but really these are more likely aimed at email and browsing rather than games).

I wouldn't say 32GB is enough. I'm not really a big cloud fan, and not always in range of a cloud. I have a 64 GB SD card for multimedia and other bigger files on my tablet (could only get 32 GB version tablet at the time in Canada). I'd be way out of space otherwise.

[Kumabjorn]

I think they are starting to view these along the line of Intel's NUC. You add on what you feel you need. I doubt you can open it an add RAM, but an external SSD or even USB memory stick will be just fine for storage provided the USB ports are 3.0. With the release of these Machines they've taken the steps into the realm of commodities.

[tubemonkey]

An update from Engadget pegs the CPU - Celeron N2840 (Bay Trail).

Update: We are at a media event in NYC and managed to play with the new members of the Stream lineup, save for the 7-inch tablet, which HP wasn't showing off. What's more, HP let us in on a few extra details. The notebooks, for one, are also sporting 2GB of RAM (with the aforementioned Celeron N2840 CPU), Intel HD Graphics and can last up to 8.5 hours on a charge.

[xendula]

I love the boldly pink one, but I am so used to super-slim body, touch and detachable keyboards that I would never buy one.