Laptops have become an essential gadget for many people. They provide portable computing power that can be used for work, school, entertainment and more. When shopping for a laptop, it’s important to understand the key specifications to look for based on your needs and budget. One popular low-cost laptop option is the HP Stream 13. Let’s take a closer look at the specs and features of this laptop model.
Overview
The HP Stream 13 is a lightweight and affordable Windows laptop. HP launched the Stream series in 2014 as a line of budget-friendly laptops designed for basic computing needs. The Stream 13 weighs just 2.55 pounds and measures 0.70 inches thick, making it quite portable. It has a 13.3-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 dual-core processor, Intel UHD 600 integrated graphics and 4GB of RAM. It comes with 32GB or 64GB of eMMC flash storage. The HP Stream 13 runs Windows 10 Home in S Mode out of the box.
Design
The HP Stream 13 has a plastic body finished in a bright, playful color scheme. You can choose from color options like cobalt blue, violet purple or magenta pink. The laptop feels quite solid despite its budget build materials. The keyboard deck has a smooth, matte finish that resists fingerprints. The touchpad is responsive and accurate. The chiclet-style keyboard provides a decent typing experience for an entry-level laptop. Key travel is a bit shallow but tactile feedback is good. The keys are also quiet when typing. The Stream 13 has a basic 720p webcam above the display. The laptop has two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, an HDMI output, a headphone/mic jack and a microSD card reader. That’s a decent selection of ports for connecting accessories and peripherals.
Display
The 13.3-inch display has a Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution with 166 pixels per inch. This is higher resolution than you typically get on laptops in this price range. The IPS panel technology provides good viewing angles from the side. Brightness maxes out at 220 nits which is average for an inexpensive laptop panel. The anti-glare coating helps reduce glare when using the laptop outdoors or in bright lighting. Overall, the display is sharp and colorful enough for everyday tasks, streaming video and lightweight photo editing.
Performance
Here is a rundown of the key specs that power the HP Stream 13’s performance:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- CPU Cores: Dual-core
- CPU Speed: Up to 2.6GHz
- Graphics: Intel UHD 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 32GB or 64GB eMMC
The Celeron N4000 is an entry-level dual-core chip designed for basic computing. It has a base clock speed of 1.1GHz and can boost up to 2.6GHz when needed. The processor handles web browsing, document editing, video streaming and music playback without issue. More demanding tasks like advanced photo editing will be pushing the limits however. The integrated Intel graphics allow for light gaming at low settings. Overall, performance is quite responsive for everyday productivity work given the price of the laptop.
Battery Life
HP states that the Stream 13 can achieve up to 10.45 hours of battery life per charge. However, real-world results will vary depending on your usage. For general web browsing and office work, you can expect 6 to 8 hours of usage time. Streaming video and playing games will drain the battery faster. Overall battery life is quite respectable given the affordable price tag.
Storage
The base Stream 13 model comes with just 32GB of eMMC flash storage. This is very limited, but HP offers upgrade options:
| Storage Amount | Type |
|---|---|
| 32GB | eMMC |
| 64GB | eMMC |
| 128GB | SSD |
The eMMC storage is not as fast as a solid state drive, but it’s cheaper. The 32GB and 64GB options are likely to fill up quickly with Windows, apps and files. Upgrading to a 128GB SSD would provide much more usable storage space. You can also expand storage via the microSD card slot.
Software
The Stream 13 comes preloaded with Windows 10 Home in S Mode. This is a limited version that only allows you to install apps from the Microsoft Store. You can switch out of S Mode for free to gain full Windows functionality. The laptop comes with some HP branded apps but is otherwise free of bloatware. You get a standard suite of Windows apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, Office apps and more. HP provides 1TB of cloud storage via Dropbox.
Connectivity
For wireless connectivity, the Stream 13 includes:
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth 4.2
The Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 specs allow for reasonably fast wireless connections. However, there is no support for the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard. The laptop has an HD webcam and dual array microphones for video conferencing. Ports include two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, USB 2.0, HDMI, a headphone/mic combo jack and a microSD card reader. There is no USB-C port.
Accessories
The Stream 13 has a limited selection of accessories available from HP. These include:
- HP 14inch Neoprene Sleeve – $19.99
- HP 13.3 Executive Leather Sleeve – $49.49
- HP 65W USB-C Power Adapter – $49.99
- HP USB-C to USB-A Hub – $39.99
The optional sleeves provide protection when transporting your laptop. The 65W USB-C adapter allows for faster recharging. The USB hub expands connectivity options. There are also some third party accessory options like external mice, portable chargers and laptop bags.
Configuration Options
HP offers a small number of configurable specs when ordering the Stream 13. You can choose from these options:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000 or Intel Celeron N4020
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB
- Storage: 32GB eMMC, 64GB eMMC or 128GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home in S Mode or standard Windows 10 Home
Going from 4GB to 8GB of RAM provides better performance when multitasking. Upgrading to a 128GB solid state drive is recommended for more storage space. You’ll also want to switch out of S Mode unless you only want to run Microsoft Store apps.
Who is the HP Stream 13 for?
The Stream 13 is suited for these types of users and use cases:
- Students – For basic schoolwork and web browsing.
- Kids – An affordable first laptop for children.
- Light office work – Email, documents and web apps.
- Travel – Small and lightweight to take on the go.
- Tight budgets – Good value for those needing an inexpensive Windows laptop.
The Stream 13 is not ideal for intensive computing tasks like gaming, video editing, programming and graphics work. But for essential productivity and internet usage, it provides decent capability at an accessible price point.
Price
The base model HP Stream 13 with 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC storage and Windows 10 Home in S Mode has an MSRP of $219.99. Upgrading components increases the price. Sales and promotions are commonly available direct from HP and retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, which can drop the price by $50 or more at times. Overall, the Stream 13 provides good bang for your buck if you need a basic Windows laptop on a tight budget.
Conclusion
The HP Stream 13 delivers portable Windows 10 computing in an inexpensive package. The dual-core Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM provide enough performance for basic tasks. Battery life is also quite good. While the lower-end 32GB eMMC storage is very limiting, the laptop can be configured with more capable SSD options. The display resolution is better than most budget laptops. The bright, colorful design is stylish for a cheap Windows machine. If you need an affordable, entry-level laptop the Stream 13 from HP is worth considering.