Who are still using HP Stream 7 in 2020 – Windows 10 tablet with 1GB RAM?
In case you don’t know, HP Stream 7 is capable of running Windows 10 smoothly with just 1GB of RAM.
Here we are in 2020, the year where tablets and computers alike are getting not only smarter but faster, fancier and (some of them) thinner with 4-8GB RAM are now becoming more or less the standard, but who’s still using the Hewlett Packard (HP) step child – the HP Stream 7 – in 2020?
I do. I’m still occasionally using the tablet that HP released back in 2014. With its archaic design – thick bezels, no fingerprint scanner at all, VGA front camera, 1GB RAM, the tablet is still rocks in 2020 – perhaps thanks to its capability of running Windows 10 though it has only 1GB of RAM. Do you even know that you can turn this tablet into a full-fledged computer – with keyboard, mouse and monitor? At least there’s some guys out there who did it.
This is one of them.
HP Stream 7 – The Step Child
Why I’m saying HP Stream 7 as a step child is because this HP Stream 7 is the very few model (one from two I guess – the other one is HP Stream 8) that has a tablet form factor and since then HP never release any other tablet under the Stream sub-brand, likely due to low demand and impractical use – a tablet without keyboard and mouse running Windows 10, where Android is likely more suitable in this case.
HP Stream 7 Specs
Just to flash back, HP Stream 7 has the following specs:
Spec | Detail |
---|---|
Year Introduced | 2014 |
CPU | Intel Atom Quad Core 1.33 GHz Bay Trail |
RAM | 1GB |
Internal Storage | 32GB |
Expandable Storage | Yes, via MicroSD |
I/O Ports | 1x Micro USB port 1x 3.5 inch headphone jack 1x MicroSD Card slot |
More details specs here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Stream_7
It was decent spec back then, I bought this tablet because it was one of the smallest form factor and value in money to run a full-fledged Windows 10 (it was originally came with Windows 8).
Here are things I do with my HP Stream 7 in 2020
So after 6 years after first introduction, while the tablet won’t run software like Photoshop or games like Fortnite, but I’m pretty happy with what it can do for me. Here are things I normally do with the tablet:
- It becomes my de-facto PC companion during leisure travelling given its comparatively smaller size (if compared to laptops) and given it can run full-fledged Windows 10.
- Backup PC when I don’t bring home my laptop, then pair it with Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to edit documents, presentation, even writing articles and post them to my blog at jilaxzone.com.
- Play any games that can run on the tablet, such as emulators, Asphalt racing game that can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
- Make it as entertainment on bed: watch YouTube videos (or for your case, could be Netflix), play Spotify musics from the comfort of my bed – easier to use on bed.
Common issues found on HP Stream 7 and how to fix them
Just in case you own the tablet or plan to buy it now in 2020 – it’s still a decent tablet by the way – especially if Windows 10 is installed, you may find these common issues on the HP Stream 7 tablet:
- Plugged, not charging. In case you are experiencing this, use quality charger and cable – the shorter the better. Read here for recommendation on HP forum.
- Slow in performance/lag. The tablet has only 1GB RAM, so don’t expect to much, however to overcome the slow/lag and run the program smoothly, you can do these tricks: Turning off background processes, enabling maximum performance.
Tweak | Detail |
---|---|
Turning off background processes | Go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps. Turn off “Let apps run in the background”. |
Enabling maximum performance | Go to Settings > System > Battery. Ensure either the “Turn battery saver on automatically if my battery falls below:” to OFF or make it at 20% or lower – however if you are doing this, you are making the tablet run faster as well as draining the battery much faster. |
Bring it all together
So that’s HP Stream 7 and yes, I’m still using it – though not quite often.
In case any of you guys are still owning and using HP Stream 7 in 2020, do share here, what are you using the HP Stream 7 for? What tweaks/apps/games are you guys using/installing/playing?
Do give your comments and thoughts down below on the comment section. Cheers!
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this tablet works with windows 10 2004?
Hi Mig,
I haven’t given it a try, but will try soon and let you know.
On my HP Stream7 the newest Preview is working (20170 / 21H1).
Thanks H3llNuN for giving confirmation!
Yes, but its slow.
Hi Tim,
Glad find someone who are still using it on 2020. So what normally do you use it for?
I use mine, but only for occasional use installing freeware tools I don’t want on my main PCs. Like creating a bootable USB device or downloading torrents. I have a USB hub I plug into it. It still has Windows 8.1 on it, but I installed Office 2016 and Kindle for Windows. I found this blog looking for ways to put an android OS or Win 10 on it.
I just bought one of these for $15 😂 figured it’ll be a good backup tablet/PC to have lying around.
Hi Garrett,
For $15 it’s totally worthy, though you may not want to expect so much from a 1-GB tablet in 2021.
So long you don’t open multiple apps, the tablet can still do most of the basic computing jobs for you (send email, playing old PC games, emulator, reading books, browsing).
Hi, I just bought a second hand hp stream 7 and this is what I have done:
Install windows 10 ltsb x86 which is based on version 1607 because it does not consume resources as it has few features. Also download the windows store for that version and I can already install apps from the store. I installed office 2013, Plants Vs Zombies and Zuma Deluxe. So far the tablet is very fluid for me and I am going to use it to read books, comics, manga, Netflix, college books, etc. Sorry for misuse of English, I use google translator.
Hi Luis,
Thanks. Glad there’s still people who are using this tablet. Would you mind share where you can get Windows 10 ltsb x86? Thanks.
I’m still use HP Stream 7 tablet in 2023! When I first run the tablet slowly but being faster a few minutes after. I bought from my country’s popular online second-hand store. But I can’t find this tablet’s drivers on HP website now, and I back up drivers.
Hi Seher Yiğit,
Glad you are still using it. I also still have mine! Been tweaking it by disabling/removing most of unused apps/components so that it can run light. What drivers are you looking at, perhaps I can help?