 "A tale of two tablets: Windows in different flavours")
The Stream 8, a Windows tablet by HP, aims to replace the netbook in its entirety. It features an eight-inch, 1,280x800 capacitive IPS touchscreen display. However, the display is reflective and not of much use on a sunny afternoon.
The Stream 8 has a removable back cover, revealing a SIM card and a microSD card slot along with a non-removable 4,000mAh battery, good enough for a tablet.
It runs on Windows 8.1 and can run all apps and programs designed for desktops. It also comes with some pre-installed apps like Skype and Amazon Kindle, along with other HP apps. Unlike on Micromax devices, these apps can be uninstalled. As with all Windows tablets, you get a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365.
The tablet has a five-megapixel (MP) primary and a 2MP secondary camera. The primary camera lacks an LED flash and hence, is not optimal for low-light shots.
The Stream 8 has a 1.8GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. It has internal storage of 32GB, expandable up to 64GB.
The Stream 8 can be paired with a nifty Bluetooth magnetic keyboard (which we got to review as well), priced at Rs 3,299. The keyboard has a rechargeable battery and can be charged via a microUSB cable.
If a portable netbook is all you seek, look no further: The Stream 8 is perfect for your needs.
Priced at Rs 18,499, the Stream 8 is available on e-commerce portals.
HP STREAM 8
Display: 8 inches IPS, 1280x800 resolution at188ppi
Battery: 4,000mAh
Storage: 32GB, expandable
Camera (rear/front): 5MP/2MP
Processor : 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom
RAM: 1GB
OS: Windows 8.1
Kakoli Chakraborty
The iBall Slide i701 is arguably the cheapest Windows tablet in the market now. Running Windows 8.1, the tab comes with a seven-inch IPS screen and boasts a 3,200mAh Li-polymer battery. It is powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM. The tablet has an internal memory of 16GB, expandable up to 64GB. The Slide i701 has a two-megapixel rear and a front VGA camera. The camera is the weakest feature of the device. Pictures are grainy and, in fact, one could say almost unrecognisable in low light. Sound quality is not sharp either.
The device comes with a free HDMI cable and three colourful protective covers. The tablet supports Wi-Fi and 3G via a dongle. Its battery life is impressive. You can use it for two days straight without having to charge it. But the device offers nothing new. If you are looking for a tablet with the same operating system as your desktop's, the iBall i701 is a good buy. You will get a year's subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Personal for free. Also, at Rs 5,299, it offers you a desktop experience at a nominal cost. But these reasons aren't exactly on top of buyers' lists.
Adrija Chatterjee