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What is it?

The HP Stream Mini is part of a mini computer line that HP released in January of 2015 to compete with inexpensive Chromebox desktop computers.  At launch, 2 models were available:

• HP Stream Mini ($179 Celeron)
• HP Pavilion Mini ($319 Penium or $449 i3)

The Stream Mini is considered the "best buy" model: you get an entire computer (with an operating system, keyboard, and mouse) for under $200.  The Pavilion adds some more features (faster processor, more memory, larger hard drive, etc.) but for a much higher price.  So for $179, all you need to add is a computer monitor (or television), making it a very good value, especially since it supports dual monitors, can be upgraded to some extent, and can play 1080p video.  It is highly recommended to upgrade to 6GB RAM total using a 4GB stick for $30 for vastly improved performance.  The only real downside is that it is only available in a non-businesslike blue color.  It's a bit bigger than the Intel NUC lineup, roughly equivalent to the old square-style Mac Mini computers in terms of size.  Note that the box it comes in is surprisingly large for such a small computer (due to the full-sized keyboard).  Some reviews:

• Ars Technica
• Gizmodo
• Thurrott (big pictures) 

Discussion threads:

• Anandtech
• Plex
• Kodi 

At the time of writing, the special offers include a $25 gift card to the Windows Store, as well as a 2-year free pass for 200 gigs of OneDrive storage.

Specifications

• HP part number: 200-010 
• 64-bit Windows 8.1 with Bing (same as 8.1 Standard/Core, just with Bing as the default search engine)
• 1.4ghz dual-core 2957U Celeron processor (no hyperthreading) with 2MB cache (22nm Haswell) 
• 2GB RAM (1x2GB)
• 32gb M.2 (not mSATA) SSD (ADATA 2242 Premier Pro SP900 or Sandisk U110 typically) * About 20 gigs free out of the box
• HDMI + DisplayPort (dual monitor capable) 
• Gigabit LAN
• 802.11n (1x1)
• Bluetooth 4.0
• SD memory card reader (right side)
• (4) USB 3.0 ports (2 front, 2 rear)
• Combo headphone/mic jack (rear) 
• Kensington lock 
• 45w laptop-style (brick in the middle) power cord (p/n 777669-001)
• Dimensions: 5.71" x 5.71" x 2.13" tall
• Minimum bloatware (primarily a McAfee antivirus trial)

Upgrades

• Access:
• via user: 3 screws on the bottom (under the rubber pad); 4 screws holding an aluminum plate over the M2 SSD & RAM.
• Memory: 
• Up to 16GB RAM (2x8GB 1.35v DDR3L SO-DIMM)
• Gizmodo added a 4GB stick (for a total of 6GB), noting a big performance boost: "Multitasking became a fluid snap. Photoshop no longer slowed down the web browser or lagged when it had more than a couple files open. The Stream went from being merely capable of handling my workload to comfortably handling my workload. It's a subtle, but major change" 
• Hard Drives:
• M.2 SSD:
• Note on variations: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/understanding-m-2-the-interface-that-will-speed-up-your-next-ssd/
• http://rog.asus.com/313352014/labels/guides/buying-an-m-2-ssd-how-to-tell-which-is-which/
• B-keyed M.2; max length of the M.2 drive slot is 42mm 
• Upgrading to a larger M.2 SSD, method #1: https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/137699-hp-stream-mini/?p=859356 
• Currently available in 32, 64, 128, and 256gb sizes ($30 to $125).  The Transcend MTS400 has been confirmed as working (and fitting).  Fit note:
• "I upgraded the SanDisk 32 Gig M2 2242 SSD to a Transcend M2 2242 128 Gig SSD Model # MTS400 - $60 on Amazon. I tried a MyDigitalSSD, but the SSD wouldn't go into the B portion of the SSD slot. I think the B alignment groove was too thin for the disk drive slot. I didn't want to force it. The Transcend went in w/o any issues." 
• More fit issues: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=213874&pid=1945476#pid1945476 
• Flexible NGFF M.2 Extender: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=213874&pid=1957506#pid1957506
• Proprietary cable 
• HDD 
• Operating systems:
• Tricks:
• F10 to get into the BIOS & change the boot sequence
• Macrium Reflect (free version) is the tool of choice for cloning & migrating drives
• WinDD: http://sourceforge.net/projects/windd/ 
• Windows 8.1 comes with a "Create a recovery drive" feature that will copy that partition to an external USB drive; once you've done that, you should be able to delete the local partition and regain the space.
• Alternatively, at least on the Pavilion, you can use a Windows 8.1 upgrade installer and the product key included in the box to download a stock Windows 8.1 ISO, create a USB installer drive, and perform a clean installation yourself. HowToGeek has fairly thorough step-by-step instructions on how to do it. 
• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
• http://superuser.com/questions/462203/what-are-the-n-versions-of-windows-8
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8_editions#Regional_restrictions_and_variations 
• I puchased a 256GB Transcend SSD. I created 'Recovery Media' through 'HP Recovery Manager' to a 64 GB USB drive. I copied the system image to a 1 TB external drive. I replaced the SSD and rebooted the system. At first all I had in was my external drive and I got a message about recovery media not found so I put my thumb drive in. I went to 'Advanced Options' and restored from system image. All went well until I looked at the size of my SSD - it shows 32 GB.
• http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37234413&postcount=38
• EaseUS Partition Master 
• OS support: 
• Windows 8.1 Pro: Upgrade using the $99 Pro Pack (instant key delivery via Amazon) * Adds Windows Media Center to 8.1
• Windows 7 Pro 64-bit: TBA
• Linux: TBA
• ESXi: TBA 
• Displays:
• Displayport to VGA: TBA (for older monitors)
• 4K support: TBA 

Tasks:

• Clone stock M.2 via USB adapter
• Do initial setup
• Install Office 2013 
• Upgrade to Pro Pak (8.1 Pro)
• Test ESXi
• Test Linux
• Test Windows 7
• Compare to HP Pavilion Mini (connectors)
• Swap HP Pavilion connector with Stream Mini (test connector) 

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