Hewlett-Packard is expanding its line of inexpensive laptops with the debut of new ultralight notebooks aimed at the budget-focused PC user.
The 11.6-inch HP Stream retails at just $199.99 and the 13.3-inch version is priced at $229.99. Both models cost less than HP's 14-inch Chromebook. They're smaller, yes, but they benefit from installations of Windows 8 and the ability to run common Office programs.
The new Stream laptops are fitted with 2 GB of RAM and powered by Intel Celeron processors. While the Celeron processors won't win any weight-lifting competitions, their discrete and power-efficient builds enabled HP to construct the Stream laptops without implementing cooling fans.
HP includes a year's worth of Office 365 and 1 TB of cloud storage with either of the new Stream tablets. Consumers who purchase the 13.3-inch laptop will receive a lifetime supply of 4G service, rationed out at 200 MB per month.
Chromebooks have come a long way -- they even support Adobe products now -- but Chrome operating system's lack of support for popular software makes it undesirable to many consumers. The new Stream tablets serve as low-end entry points for consumers who want to run Windows software without having to sit at a desk.
"Today's consumers demand mobile products that fit their personal style and allow them to work and play wherever they are," said Mike Nash, HP vice president of product management for Consumer Personal Systems. "The HP Stream products announced hit the mark with sleek design, portability, access to free cloud storage, and the familiarity of Windows and Office 365."
The 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch Stream laptops join the 14-inch Stream, which is priced at $299. The 14-inch version includes 2 GB of RAM as well.
Along with the new lightweight laptops, HP also announce the HP Stream 7 and Stream 8 tablets. The 8-inch tablet has a price tag of $149 and the 7-inch tablet is priced at $99.
Both Stream tablets come with complimentary offerings of OneDrive storage, though the offer is only available for a limited time. They both include a one-year subscription to Office 365.
"In the past customers have had to choose between expensive, thin and light or less-expensive PCs that were typically thicker and heavier," stated HP in a press release. "HP Stream customers can enjoy the best of both worlds in a thin, light and affordable notebook PC with the power for most everyday computing tasks."
