Why only 32gb for cheap laptops??

[dave4shmups]

Why do cheap laptops, like the HP Stream, for example, only come with 32gb of internal storage?  I’ve heard that that’s no enough for Windows updates, and I can’t understand why these companies don’t just up it to 100gb.  Would it really be that much more expensive for them?

[NoRomanBatmansAllowed]

Over thousands of units? Yes, it would be.

 

 

[Hugs12343]

You have to remember that that 32 GB (or actually GiB) of storage is not NAND Flash like you would find on a normal ssd such as a Samsung 850 Evo. It is a much lower quality typically what they use in tablets (although now they don't). So In the end if they did put NAND Flash in their laptops, it would cost them a lot of money making them put their price up.

[WoodenMarker]

It's enough space for Windows. Every bit counts when it comes to cost cutting to ensure a profit while keeping the price low.

[JoostinOnline]

5 minutes ago, dave4shmups said:

Why do cheap laptops, like the HP Stream, for example, only come with 32gb of internal storage?  I’ve heard that that’s no enough for Windows updates, and I can’t understand why these companies don’t just up it to 100gb.  Would it really be that much more expensive for them?

They use a different version of Windows. I've worked on them before. On top of that, they usually take SD cards as expansions, similar to an Android phone. 

 

They're not the kind of computer I'd recommend, but for some people it's the best they can get. 

 

Edit: I've also noticed complete file compression is enabled on some of them. I'm not sure if they came like that, or if my customers decided to do that themselves. 

[Hugs12343]

4 minutes ago, dave4shmups said:

I’ve heard that that’s no enough for Windows updates, and I can’t understand why these companies don’t just up it to 100gb

Yes I do agree with you that this is stupid though. They could atleast upgrade it to 50GB of still the cheaper storage (previously mentioned)

[KarathKasun]

Those laptops are using what is essentially a SD card for the main storage.  Going larger is considerably more expensive from a bill of materials perspective.

[Purphoros]

They do this for cost.  If you need a cheap laptop and want to expand its storage you may be able to pop in an SD card.  Just make sure the laptop you go for has a deep enough slot so that it doesn't stick out.

[Purphoros]

Just now, JoostinOnline said:

They use a different version of Windows. I've worked on them before. On top of that, they usually take SD cards as expansions, similar to an Android phone. 

 

They're not the kind of computer I'd recommend, but for some people it's the best they can get. 

Windows 10S you mean?  Yeah it's a light operating system.  It can be upgraded to full Windows however which might be a worthwhile investment if you reuse the key later on.

[79wjd]

2 minutes ago, Hugs12343 said:

Yes I do agree with you that this is stupid though. They could atleast upgrade it to 50GB of still the cheaper storage (previously mentioned)

They could, but those kinds of devices are HIGHLY price sensitive. So even the slightest production cost increase would result in a higher sale price, which would negatively impact sales.

[JoostinOnline]

Just now, Purphoros said:

Windows 10S you mean?  Yeah it's a light operating system.  It can be upgraded to full Windows however which might be a worthwhile investment if you reuse the key later on.

Maybe now, but the last time I worked on one it was before Windows 10S was released. I can't remember what it was called though. Something I've never seen on a normal computer. 

[Hugs12343]

3 minutes ago, Purphoros said:

Just make sure the laptop you go for has a deep enough slot so that it doesn't stick out.

You can get sd cards that are smaller size so they sit flush even in a small slot

[Purphoros]

1 minute ago, JoostinOnline said:

Maybe now, but the last time I worked on one it was before Windows 10S was released. I can't remember what it was called though. Something I've never seen on a normal computer. 

I think Microsoft went through one iteration of the Windows 10S OS before settling on what it is today.  I believe it has been phased out by now.

[Purphoros]

1 minute ago, Hugs12343 said:

You can get sd cards that are smaller size so they sit flush even in a small slot

I didn't realize that!  There seems to be a solution to everything.

[KarathKasun]

Just now, Purphoros said:

I think Microsoft went through one iteration of the Windows 10S OS before settling on what it is today.  I believe it has been phased out by now.

I think they used Windows 10N before S was available.

[Purphoros]

12 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

I think they used Windows 10N before S was available.

Something like that.

[Hugs12343]

16 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

I think they used Windows 10N before S was available.

They also used windows 10KN which "This version removes Windows' media playing capabilities."

Additionally, Windows 10SLP was used which "This will have only language pre-installed."

 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/difference-between-windows-10-windows-10n-windows/9cfde2eb-011b-4227-91f5-00168a74525f

[AskTJ]

I remember buying a $8 sd card with 64GB of storage. Came shipped to my door from China in 2 weeks. Micro SD card, with an adapter and usb reader. Really cheap stuff but does the job. If manufacturers' were to use these, they can get those sd cards for a lot less, like $2-$4 and have higher storage amounts. I think that these laptops should include a 2.5" sata slot, or msata slot, just in case of future upgrades.

[Hugs12343]

1 minute ago, tj_420 said:

2.5" sata slot, or msata slot, just in case of future upgrades.

Yeah that would be a good idea

[KarathKasun]

2 minutes ago, tj_420 said:

I remember buying a $8 sd card with 64GB of storage. Came shipped to my door from China in 2 weeks. Micro SD card, with an adapter and usb reader. Really cheap stuff but does the job. If manufacturers' were to use these, they can get those sd cards for a lot less, like $2-$4 and have higher storage amounts. I think that these laptops should include a 2.5" sata slot, or msata slot, just in case of future upgrades.

And how fast was the SD card?  For main storage use they use ~40mb/s chips, much faster than standard SD cards (5mb/s).  eMMC also tends to be a bit more durable write cycle wise.

[79wjd]

8 minutes ago, tj_420 said:

I remember buying a $8 sd card with 64GB of storage. Came shipped to my door from China in 2 weeks. Micro SD card, with an adapter and usb reader. Really cheap stuff but does the job. If manufacturers' were to use these, they can get those sd cards for a lot less, like $2-$4 and have higher storage amounts. I think that these laptops should include a 2.5" sata slot, or msata slot, just in case of future upgrades.

eMMC is still quite a bit better than the garbage you find in SD cards (using SD cards would just cause far more trouble for everyone involved -- higher RMA rates and a worse customer experience meaning that that customer is less likely to ever buy anything from that manufacturer again. 

 

Plus, where would you suggest a 2.5" slot go? (And even ignoring the same issue, there's still the fact that it would increase costs to cater to a tiny percentage of users).

7 minutes ago, Hugs12343 said:

Yeah that would be a good idea