eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
1What Makes HP Stream Notebooks Ideal for Budget PC Buyers
2There Are Three Stream Models With Two Screen Sizes
3HP Touts the High-Definition Displays
In a blog post, HP focused on the display built into the Stream. Although it depends on the version customers choose, some models ship with HD, touch-enabled screens with antiglare technology. Other options come with decidedly less-impressive screens. Still, they get the job done for those who want to save some cash.
4Stream x360 Works as a Notebook or Tablet
5Stream Notebooks Ship With Windows 10 Home
6HP Banishes Fan From Stream Design
Interestingly, HP has been able to design the Stream so it doesn’t include an internal fan. That’s important. A fan can increase power consumption and mass to what are supposed to be lightweight notebooks. They also can be annoyingly noisy. However, HP has engineered the Stream to run cool without an internal fan.
7There’s Support for Office 365 Personal
Depending on the options buyers select, they might get a one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, which includes full versions of Microsoft’s top apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. That’s not a bad value, considering Office 365 Personal typically costs customers $70 per year or $7 per month.
8HP Adds Improved WiFi Connectivity
HP was quick to note that its biggest improvement to the Stream was the addition of 802.11ac 2×2 WiFi. While many more-expensive computers come with this feature, many budget notebooks have lower-end wireless chips. By adding a better wireless chip, users should expect improved video streaming and faster download speeds compared with previous Stream models.
9Get Free Cloud Storage for a Year With Some Models
10There’s Support for HP Connected Apps
HP’s computers come with support for HP Connected Apps, a suite of products that allow users to do more within the HP ecosystem. First up is HP Connected Drive, which stores music, files and photos in one place. The service also comes with Connected Music for accessing all music files and music streams, as well as HP Connected Photo, to see all of the pictures a person has loaded onto the machines.
11It’s Hard to Beat the Price
HP has yet to announce pricing on all the variants of the HP Stream notebooks. But the company did provide some baselines. For instance, the Stream 11 will be available for $199 when it launches as scheduled Aug. 24. The Stream 11 x360, meanwhile, will cost $249 when it launches, slated for September. Likewise, the Stream 14 is scheduled to launch in September, but will cost customers $219.