Microsoft to launch $200 notebook to compete with Chromebook

Microsoft is gearing up to launch $200 notebooks in order to challenge Google Chromebooks that almost cost the same thing. According to different sources, the company is gearing up to challenge the Chrome OS based notebooks by forming a partnership with various notebook manufacturers.

Topping the list of partners is HP which has recently announced a $200 laptop called HP Stream 14. This laptop seem perfectly placed to be a competitor to the Chromebook. The 14 inch laptop has a 1366 x 768 resolution, a mid range AMD processor backed by 2GB of RAM and a 32GB flash memory which is optional. The laptop also comes with a 2 year Microsoft OneDrive subscription.

By looking at the above mentioned specs, the HP Stream 14 seems to be a very affordable laptop and that from a manufacturer that has a history of making some of the finest and most powerful laptops ever. Another interesting thing is that the laptop comes pre installed with Windows 8.1 so users don’t have to worry about getting a legitimate copy of Windows.

It’s a great initiative from both Microsoft and HP to put up a laptop that is as affordable as Chromebook and yet it also provides all the goodies for a person who is fond of using Windows. HP Stream 14 also comes with three USB ports including one 2.0 and two 3.0 ports, a HDMI port, webcam with 720p video support and Beats Audio technology.

According to the reports, the HP Stream 14 will be available in three different colors – silver, green and purple. The laptop will be available on stores and online soon and will be ready to ship worldwide.

It’s a bold move from Microsoft to step into the low end laptop market so late when Google is already starting to make its presence felt and its Chromebooks have already played a massive role in making sure that Google keeps the majority of the low end laptop market share.