The price of HP's Stream 7 tablet is so low, it may make you wonder how HP can afford to sell a Microsoft-operating device for just $79. You may or may not know that Microsoft no longer charges device manufacturers for Windows licenses on phones and small tablets. Therefore, it is thought that HP, and other OEMs, are being given incentive by Microsoft to help branch its operating system (Technology Tell). But, who really cares? A good running, Windows 8.1 tablet for less than 80 bucks sounds great to me.

The Stream 7 is super popular new option. Actually, it's one of the most popular Windows 8.1 tablets in its lower-priced bracket, and is among the first of a new breed of 7-inchers that run Windows at a similar price level (marked down from $99 to $79). It's not going to run any super extensive games, it's just a tablet remember? Yet, it's a tablet that sports a 1280 x 800 resolution, an Intel Atom Z3735G processor (clocked at 1.33GHz) with Intel Graphics, 1GB RAM, 32 GB of internal storage with an SD card or USB for expansion, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (ZD Net).

What's wrong with spending 79 bucks, or even 99, on such a well suited device? Good Reader sure gives it a thumbs up, saying, “If you put the HP Stream 7, head to head with any of the cheapo stuff you would find at a big box retailer, it would slay it completely”. That's pretty much all you'd need to know. It's not brimming with super high specs, but it's got all the function anyone would need for basic computing, reading, video watching, and of course, casual game playing. Oh, forgot to add, that cheap $79 deal also includes a free $25 Windows Store gift card. Score.