Gadget Review: HP Stream 11, a compact laptop for frequent travellers

Price: Rs 19,990

Specs: 11.6-inch display (1366 x 768 pixels), dual core Intel Celeron processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, Intel HD graphics, microSD card slot, SD card reader, HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HD webcam, SIM slot, dual speakers, Windows 8.1, 1.27kg.

Pros: Great build quality and finish, 3G SIM slot, superb battery life, good audio output.

Cons: Tacky blue finish around the keyboard, trackpad click button is hard to press.

HP has always been a dominating laptop vendor in the India market. While they are strong in the mid-range and high-end devices, they had limited options in the entry-level segment. Now with the Stream 11, HP has launched their contender to take on the hybrid tablet/laptop devices.

When you take the Stream 11 out of the box, it looks gorgeous in a royal blue matte finish on the top lid and bottom. The matte finish and colour also extends to the bezel around the display, but the palm rest and area around the keyboard have a different finish. Around the keyboard is a gradient finish, which looks tacky - ruining the entire look of the laptop. On the right side is a full size HDMI port and two USB ports - one of them is USB 3.0. The left side has the microSD card slot, SD card and the SIM slot.

Weighing at 1.27kg, the Stream 11 impresses in terms of build quality as well as design. The tapered edges make it appear slim while the lightweight makes it easy to carry around. We loved the full size keyboard - it is a joy to type thanks to well-spaced large keys. The trackpad has great touch response but the left click button is slightly hard to press in comparison to other laptops.

Stream 11 comes with an 11.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The screen is sharp with good brightness levels and shows natural colours. However, we felt that the viewing angles could have been better. Also, the hybrid devices in the same price range come with a touchscreen.

In terms of performance, the Stream 11 proved to be great for most day-to-day usage. If you mainly want to work on office documents, surf the Internet or use it for multimedia, the laptop will not disappoint. We were even able to run the older Adobe Photoshop CS on it for basic editing of photos without any issue. What impressed us further was the battery life. It delivered over 6 hours of backup regularly on a full charge - great for a compact laptop.

One of the main features that make the Stream 11 stand out from its competition is the 3G SIM slot. The full size SIM slot on the left side enables Internet access on the move. This makes the laptop ideal for users who have to travel a lot and don't have access to WiFi everywhere.

Overall, we feel that the HP Stream 11 is one of the better compact laptops in sub Rs 20,000 price range. For a lower price, you can consider the Asus Eeebook X205 (Rs 14,999) that has similar features and performance. However, the X205 lacks a SIM slot and does not have a USB 3.0 port.