New HP Tablets

Hewlett-Packard is fueling Microsoft’s battle with Google’s Android in low-cost devices with the first Windows-based Stream tablets, starting at US$99.99.

The tablets include the US$99.99 Stream 7 tablet, which has a 7-inch screen, and the $149.99 Stream 8, which has an 8-inch screen. HP is also announcing new Stream laptops—which have been referred to as “Chromebook killers”—including an 11.6-inch model starting at $199.99 and a 13.3-inch model starting at $229.99.

With the inexpensive Stream devices, HP is helping Microsoft compete with Google for market share in inexpensive tablets and laptops. HP also sells Chromebooks, but wants to offer a range of products to meet different needs. The first Stream product was the $299.99 Stream 14, a 14-inch, Windows 8.1 laptop, which was announced earlier this month but has not started to ship yet.

The Stream products came into focus when a $199 laptop was shown on stage at Microsoft’s Windows Partner Conference in July. Microsoft wants to put Windows 8.1 in more inexpensive laptops as it tries to take back market share from Chromebooks, which are gaining in popularity.

But with a Windows tablet under $100, HP’s Stream is also helping Microsoft take on low-cost Android tablets. Earlier this month, Toshiba introduced a low-cost Windows 8.1 tablet with the 7-inch Encore Mini, initially priced at $120 but which could drop to $99 when it goes on sale.

The Stream products announced Monday will become available in November. They are expected to be shown for the first time at Pepcom’s Holiday Spectacular event on Monday evening in New York City.