jkOnTheRun review- hands on with the HP Mini-Note UMPC
The Asus EEE PC woke people up to the benefits that a sub-notebookdevice brings to consumers, especially if it’s priced attractively. HPis releasing their hotly awaited sub-notebook and the Mini is a solidfirst effort in this small notebook category. I know, we have heard this device called the 2133 or the Mini-Note but HP told me they are going to release it as simply the Mini. I have been using the HPMini for a week now thanks to the good folks at HP and this hands-onreview of the device should answer all of your questions about it.There is an interesting story behind the Mini as I discovered byspending an hour with the folks at HP behind the device. The Mini isthe brain child of the group at HP that produces products for theeducation sector and not the main consumer group. HP found that indiscussions with educators that they needed a notebook computer thatwas small enough for students to easily handle and yet sturdy enough tosurvive the knocks that they dish out to the gear they use. HP went towork and the Mini emerged to fit those needs and they’ve done it sowell that I’m pretty sure it will appeal far beyond the educationsector, especially given the attractive pricing.
Overview
The Mini is a small notebook computer designed to be highly mobile and yet fully functional. The first thing that strikes those who see the Mini for the first time is how sturdily built the device is. The casing is brushed metal in an attractive gray finish reminiscent of the MacBook Pro from Apple. All of the corners are rounded and the attention to detail is evident from the get-go. The Mini is designed to be a highly mobile notebook computer that can be easily carried and opened at a moment’s notice to get stuff done. There are several basic configurations that can be ordered from HP and having spent time with the device I am impressed with the attractive pricing that HP is offering. All of the models run the Via C7 processor running at 1.6 GHz, a definite compromise to keep the price low. The basic model will start at $499, a price higher than the EEE PC but the Mini comes with far better hardware components than the EEE and it’s hard to make a strict comparison for that reason. This $499 model will sport 512 MB of memory and run SuSE Linux installed on a 120 GB hard drive. I played with this model for an hour at the HP offices and it is extremely snappy and well worth the low price in my opinion. The Mini is also available with Windows, Vista Home or Business initially and XP eventually given Microsoft’s easing of the restrictions on OEMs to provide XP going forward. The impressive model is the one I am reviewing here, the top of the line Mini with 2 GB of memory, a 120GB fast hard drive (7,200 rpm), Bluetooth, WiFi, 8.9" screen (1280×768), web cam, trackpad, SDHC slot, ExpressCard slot, 2 USB ports (1 is powered for running peripherals that require power), Ethernet and a 6-cell battery. The price is equally impressive with $749 getting you the whole enchilada which is a great deal in my opinion.
Hardware
The unit I am reviewing has the following configuration: Via C7-M 1.6 GHz processor, Via Chrome9 UMA graphics, 2 GB of memory, 1.3 MP web cam, an 8.9-inch screen running at 1280×768, wide trackpad with two large mouse buttons on either side, 92% scaled keyboard with the HP DuraKey finish for durability, 120 GB 7,200 rpm HDD, a VGA-out port, two USB ports (1 powered), audio in/out jacks, stereo speakers, dual integrated microphones, radio off slider, ExpressCard slot, SD slot, and an Ethernet jack. The two USB ports are split on the left and right side of the unit for ease of use and this is indicative of the thought that HP has put into the entire design of the Mini to make it easy for mobile usage. The system feels very solid in the hands and is one of the best constructed mobile PCs I have used.
Right side L-R: ExpressCard slot, SD slot, USB port, Ethernet, Power jack, lock slot
Left side L-R: VGA out, vent, USB (powered), mic in, headphone
Front: power slider, Radio slider
Bottom: battery on top, 3 vents, 4 rubber feet
Extended battery attached
Screen: web cam in top center, two integrated mics on either side, me reflected.
Left screen bezel- large speaker grill
Right speaker grill
Right side view- notice the screen sitting behind the unit
Left side view
Unique screen hinge detail
Another side view
A bird in the hand…
Extended battery- LED meter
Side view- extended battery attached
Back view- extended battery attached
Software
The unit I am evaluating is a pre-production prototype so it might not reflect what software might be installed on shipping units but I am happy to report this one was totally free of junkware. Vista Business is installed along with a Microsoft Office 2007 trial but that’s about it. The system is relatively free for the user to begin building his dream mobile PC from the outset.
Real world usage usage
Here’s the topic that most are probably interested in, how does the HP Mini perform in the real world? Very well, I’m happy to report. The high resolution display coupled with an absolutely awesome keyboard make the Mini a real trooper for field work. This review has been written on the Mini if that helps clarify it a bit. The Mini is about the same size as the Fujitsu P1620 although a tad heavier. I found through usage that since the Mini is not used in the hands like the Fujitsu that the extra weight did not matter to me at all. I find that I am able to open the screen of the mini, hit the power slider and be up and running in a couple of seconds from sleep mode. The screen is very nice and clear and the trackpad is one of the best I have used. That’s important as I don’t like trackpads as a rule but I am using this one exclusively while mobile. The screen hinges are unique and by design when the screen is opened it actually sits behind the Mini body and not on top like those on most all notebooks. This is because the teachers that HP interviewed found that regular notebook PCs used in the classroom resulted in them becoming barriers between the teacher and the students. The Mini screen thus sits flush with the table or desk and much lower than traditional screens.
Working with the keyboard is reminiscent of working with the 2710p. This is a good thing as I find that keyboard to be a great one and the Mini is more of the same. Going with a 92% scaled keyboard was a good design choice by HP as it allows the Mini to be as small as possible yet without compromising the keyboard for touch typing. I am able to touch type at full speed as fast as on any keyboard I’ve used and it doesn’t feel like it’s been scaled down at all. The keyboard stretches all the way to both sides of the device with no wasted space at all. The keys are full-sized and relatively flat on the top with good feedback and the HP DuraKey surface means they will not wear like normal notebook keys. The trackpad is about 1.5 inches wide and feels very natural and "slidy" to use as it’s the same surface as the case surrounding the keyboard. The mouse buttons are on either side of the trackpad rather than above or below it and that took a bit to get used to. It didn’t take long before I was clicking with abandon though and of course you can perform a left mouse click by tapping the trackpad anyway. This attention to detail with the screen and keyboard make the Mini a writer’s dream machine. It’s as small as possible with no compromises in the usage department and anyone who works with documents a lot like professionals will find this a very powerful portable notebook.
Delightful keyboard & trackpad, mouse buttons on sides of trackpad
Keyboard detail, good travel depth
Surfin’ da intranets
The decision of HP to go with the VIa C7-M processor was one I faced with trepidation when I started using the Mini. I am not a big fan of the Via processor especially running Vista but since the unit I have has 2 GB of RAM this has not been an issue. Vista is running nicely and I have experienced no issues with performance due to the processor. I doubt I’d feel the same way with just 1 GB of RAM though so I wouldn’t recommend a Vista configuration of the Mini with only the basic 1 GB of memory. The only area the Mini has failed due to the Via is in the area of video Skype calls. Audio calls work fine but once I fire up video using the integrated web cam the system gets very sluggish and both the audio and video get very choppy. It’s not usable this way so I’ve just been sticking to audio Skype calls as a result. It’s too bad because the integrated web cam works nicely otherwise, but I’ve seen Skype video give other systems fits too so this didn’t surprise me.
Vista Windows Index
Take a look at the Windows Index listing above and you’ll see a few surprises. The weakest category unsurprisingly is the Via processor which only clocks in with a value of 2.0. The rest of the categories all have surprisingly high values, especially the graphics. While the prototype I am evaluating had Aero Glass turned off in Vista I turned it on and it runs fine as the above figures would indicate it should. I see no performance hit having Aero enabled.
The Mini can get pretty warm when it’s running plugged into the adapter but not dangerously so. The extended battery helps deal with that by functioning as a tilted stand when it’s installed which raises the Mini up a bit. This actually lets air flow better under the device so it runs cooler with the 6-cell battery than the 3-cell as the Mini sits almost flush on the table when the smaller battery is installed.
The stereo speakers on each side of the screen make playing music and podcasts a real joy. The volume level produced by the Mini is easily the loudest I’ve heard on any notebook and the audio quality is quite good. Listening to podcasts is a real joy on the Mini but I find I have to make sure the volume level is turned way down or it blasts everybody.
I have been able to use a 16 GB SD card in the Mini with ReadyBoost enabled and it works fine. I haven’t had the Mini long enough to tell if the ReadyBoost is making a big difference in the performance though I’m sure it’s working as well in this device as in any other. I have also used the Verizon v740 ExpressCard EVDO modem in the Mini and when I first used it I had trouble maintaining a connection for longer than a few minutes. It looked like the Mini was shutting the modem down so I went into the Device Manager and shut off the ability for the modem to be powered down by the Vista power management and that rectified that problem. It’s pretty cool that the Mini has the ExpressCard slot and users of 3G like me will find this important for mobile usage. This is another area that the Mini is improved over other mini-notebooks on the market and it’s cool that HP was able to fit the slot in the small form.
Battery life
Aside from performance and mobility battery life is probably the next important criteria for mobile workers. HP provided me with both a 3-cell battery and the extended 6-cell battery so I’ve been able to use both in my evaluation. Battery life has been pretty much what I expected with the 3-cell battery giving me about 2.5 hours under power saving settings and the 6-cell about 4.5 – 5 hours. This is comparable to most portable computers and I found no surprise there. HP put an LED battery strength indicator on the extended battery which is helpful as you can check the charge before swapping the battery which is nice. I found the battery life to be as expected as I said and I have no problems with it on the Mini.
Conclusion
I think HP has a real winner on their hands with the Mini. I find it to be a capable notebook computer that is highly portable and the build quality is outstanding. I also find it impressive that the total price swing from entry level (with Linux) to fully loaded is only $250 and there is no question in my mind that the Mini is the best built UMPC at this price level. I wish HP had put an Intel processor instead of the Via but that is probably my long-time prejudice against the Via rather than any actual observed issue. I find it delightful that HP will allow consumers to configure a Mini exactly as desired on their online store which is unusual for such a low-cost device. I would have no problem recommending the Mini to anyone looking for a highly mobile notebook with few compromises.
Hp Mini vs. Fujitsu P1620
Hp vs. Fuji again (Mini has extended battery attached)
HP vs. Fuji last time
Size comparison- Fuji top, HP bottom
Fujitsu P1620 top (extended battery), HP Mini bottom
Size comparison- Celio Redfly top, HP Mini bottom
Hp Mini left, Celio Redfly right
Video review
Thanks for being so thorough, James. I was worried about the VIA processor running Vista, so I’m glad to hear that it seems to be OK running 2G RAM.
Yes, it was worth staying up for…
Any info on a release date?
Outstanding article James. I can’t wait to see and read more about it. Too bad the video is not working, but I’m sure that will be fixed soon enough.
Have you heard anything about an SSD version and pricing (other than the $500 and $750 prices)? It is supposedly available with SUSE Linux…
Also, did you feel that the 7200 RPM HDD generates a lot of heat? I have a 7200 RPM HDD in my X60 and you could fry an egg on the right -front portion of the keyboard. Yow!
Again, great review!
Release date is today. It does get a little warm but not dangerously so. I don’t know if there will be an SSD version or not but there is a SuSE Linux version for $499. I talk about that in the video which hopefully YouTube will get back up in a few minutes. Who woulda thought YouTube would be down?
This looks very very nice and capable, but the screen looks very reflective. Is that a big problem with you?
Interesting… compared to the specs I posted on my WIP UMPC (heh), looks like I have some work to do… however, it looks like I have the jump on the 2133 with a touchscreen.
http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/04/which-device-sp.html#comment-109875008
Of course, the HP benefits from being real. But you haven’t seen the last of me, HP!
Will availability be via hp.com only, or will it also be available at other places?
Thanks!
technically the Via is a worse performer than the A1xx series, benchmarks & dual ownerships have proved this many times over. i do realize that 2GB RAM will help with performance to some degree, but it seems odd to hear praise for the Via from a website that has trounced the A1xx.
you said theres no hit with Aero running? i find the almost impossible to believe, even MS themselves states there is. just watch the task manager for the dwm.exe (controls Aero), it will go nuts with multiple windows being manipulated. last i heard Via doesnt even support Aero, are you sure you even know what Aero is James?
I believe it will be available at major online retailers like CDW too.
I don’t mind the reflective screen and had no problems with it.
TheCr, I was surprised how well the Via handles Vista on the HP and attribute that to the 2 GB of ram, plus the integrated Via graphics which as I reported scores pretty high on the Windows Index. I noted no appreciable performance hit with Aero Glass, I reported what I saw.
Since these computers are aimed at education, could you perhaps give some experiences you have with Microsoft Office? Perhaps even with portable media players?
The Mini runs Office fine, I used Office 2007 with it extensively no problems. I have not tried portable media players with it.
Dont you mean $520 for the 4gb ssd base model? That is what it said on the website.
I was told by HP that the base Linux model will be $499.
The press release states that “the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC starts at $499(1) and is expected be available later this month”. Guess I still have some time…
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080408xc.html
too bad about the C7-M, that is considerably old technology. the C7-M is a slow performer, power hungry (considering its goal), & emits quite a bit of heat.
they really should have gone with the A1xx series or better yet the Atom. true they will provide only a marginal speed increase, but the heat emit & battery life would have been increased. HP should not have been as concerned about profit margins & gone with a more modern CPU.
because of that, i will definitely be holding out for the Isiah/XP based units coming out this summer.
i think the press release news is a bit old. It is out on the 9th for about $520.
http://www.google.com/products?q=hp+mini-note&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd
why do Via based devices always get such poor battery life?!?!?!
look at the battery specs, there is no reason for it. i have seen 4 reviews all stating it only gets 4-5hours as well. this reminds me much of the OQO 02, such dense batteries but extremely poor runtime.
how easy is it to add memory and change the linux or vista to xp??
James, could you measure it & if possible weigh it?
i am reading alot of conflicting reports (as usual).
Thanks for the interesting report, James. Couple of questions (sorry if they are addressed in the video or I missed it in the story):
- low large or small is the power brick?
- doesn’t the larger battery preclude the use of a slip case?
- does it come with any (slip) case?
- How would you compare it to the EEE PC? (feel free to ignore the screen resolution diff; the current EEE PC is a non-starter for me because of that)
1 min and 13 seconds to boot up
2 hours of battery life.
Hot after serious use.
I thought this thing was supposed to have great battery life?
Vista on a C7 = lame. Hot and slow, with crummy power management. What a terrible choice of OS and processor on such a gorgeous machine. Microsoft is seriously killing this market.
I’ll wait for the entry-level Linux model to come with an Atom processor, and then I’ll install Nlited XP.
I want a Foleo.
Very detailed report, thanks James!
I have a question that did you mean this subnote can support Aero effect but disabled by HP as default setting?
hey James, i wish you’d offer an option to D/L the full size pics. i especially like to save “comparison” pics like the 1’s listed here HP vs Fujitsu.
maybe you should start a photobucket album?
James, will you be doing a meet-n-greet in Houston anytime soon to showoff the HP? i’d really love to see it in person & bring my toys for comparison.
if not, do you know of any Houston area stores that will be stocking it?
Great review James…except it makes me wish I had waited for the HP mini, instead of getting the Asus EEE on the day that it came out! Oh well, I guess I should start saving
PS: I was wary of the performance upon hearing that its using a VIA processor, but its reassuring to hear that the performance is ok.
ANYONE PLEASE
WQhen is this coming to europe I NEED TO HAVE IT
ok guys, it WILL come with XP! HP execs confirmed it themselves (on video, not just a PR).
http://www.notebooks.com/2008/04/07/hp-2133-mini-note-videos-specs-photo-gallery/
Hi gike,
I don’t get it. How can I downgrade Vista to XP with no chage? Grab a XP disc and install XP on it with the Vista certificate?
Sorry I’m not familiar with these OS thing, but if HP could make a XP model for us, that’s a good news!
Thanks for the info anyway!
Hi James! Great review, lovely machine!
From the photos and your description, the hinge is functionally the same as that found on Apple’s laptops, starting with the iBook in 2001: http://tinyurl.com/5be2n9
I remember Steve raving about it during his demonstration – citing height/barrier issues with laptop screens whose hinges were top-mounted.
The big question, as I see things, is why its taken so long for others to catch on to such a simple but effective design. Given their work on the 2710p, I’m not surprised that its HP who is making such effective use of the hinge idea.
Several of the many reasons I read your blog: timely introduction to new hardware/software that I would probably trip over only many months after it was released; in-depth, practical coverage/reviews of same. This HP review is an another example of how hard you and Kevin rock!
Thanks very much!
P.S. Besides Apple & HP I can’t think of another laptop that uses the hinge idea you mentioned; I’ve been wrong before – perhaps readers will post about other models.
All the best!
Peter
Looks like the VN896 is boosting graphics performance nicely.
I’d estimate a CrystalMark figure to challenge Kevins Q1 U Premium here. Especially if you have the 7200rpm drive.
I’ve seen one test on a similar VX800 setup that reached 28000 crystal mark result.
Any chance you can rattle off a CrytalMark 2008 test for us James?
Steve
The pricing is disappointing. Yeah, I know some jaws just dropped. But the $400 EeePC price point has already spoiled people. And yeah, the 2133 is way better than an EeePC, but still.
I need to fondle one in person.
Wow, very thorough review. I was interested in this device before, now I’m downright excited.
I think I’ll wait for the Isiah/Touchscreen version before jumping…
One of the other sites – http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4352 have performance lists, and the CPU (especially for the 1GHz entry machine) looks a little light for driving the screen resolution being used.
Hey James,
Could you put this in a backpack that also is holding another full sized laptop? Looking for a secondary device when I go on trips so I can leave the heavy machine in the hotel room safe.
Yeah, that’s the other disappointing thing: the lowest-cost one shaves off .6GHz from the CPU speed!
Really, the only one *worth* getting is the highest-price model. And at that price, it’s nearly *two* EeePCs!
I keep wondering if they are going to be aggressive in this space. I’m wondering if June won’t see a refresh with the Atom CPU inside?
Would the Atom make that big a difference in horsepower and battery life? And then what about price? Bueller? Bueller?
My thought (and it’s just a guess): we’re more likely to see the VIA Isaiah CPU inside a refresh HP Mini in the second half of the year. From a manufacturing perspective, it would be cost-effective for HP since the Isaiah can fit in the sam socket as a C7-M. Again, just my guess.
There seems to be some confusion about the specs of this machine. Hopefully this will clear some things up.
On the low end, it has a 1.0GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB SSD.
On the high end, it has a 1.6GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 120GB 7200 RPM SATA.
There’s a lot more variation from the high to low end than HP led on. The low end looks like a bit of a dog. Here’s the link to the spec sheets, straight from HP:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-321957-64295-321838-306995-3687084.html
Thanks for the review…love the keyboard!!! Like the screen though I have some concern about glare given that very high gloss coating to prevent scratching.
Any word from HP on how fast they will give us an ATOM version? I want it with an ATOM for longer battery life….and Windows XP for faster speed.
I wouldn’t expect an Atom version anytime soon. It’s a completely different architecture.
If anything, they’ll drop the Issiah chips in there.
@James: Yeah, going again with a VIA chip makes sense.
@Nate: thanks for that link! Geez, *five* models listed? ALL have cameras. But why oh why do only TWO have Bluetooth? BT is so freakin cheap, why be stingy and leave it out? FAIL!
Excellent overview, James. Some random thoughts:
- HP deserves credit for doing a number of things reasonably well. The Mini-Note may not meet everyone’s needs, but it seems to provide good value.
- According to the HP web site the dimensions are 10.0″ x 6.5″ x 1.05″ (255 x 165 x 27 mm). It weighs 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) with the standard battery. I believe it’s 3.2 lb with the extended battery.
- The glossy screen seems a bit distracting, especially if used near a light source.
- HP designed the display hinges to reduce overall height but then incorporated the high-capacity battery as a stand to elevate the computer??? Why not use a traditional hinge design and have the battery come out the back?
I’ve posted links to the various reviews and product info:
http://www.leog.net/fujp_forum/topic.asp?whichpage=1&TOPIC_ID=12357
Great review! informative and to the point and with some good observations and helpful photos and even decent inside info
And then some video for added value. great stuff.
James,
Did you get your hands on a Linux version? I’d love to cover that (or link to your coverage) on ultramobilegeek.com.
Thoughtfix, I played with the base level Linux version for an hour in HP’s offices. It was really snappy and SuSE Linux was very Windows-like. It was a capable version.
James, interesting that you provided comparison photos with the Redfly. Care to provide any comparisons re: usage scenarios? To me, it makes the Redfly price that much harder to justify.
Thanks for the great review!
Excellent review, can’t wait to get my very own (same as your review model)
:>
Bet they’ll sell a ton of these – wonder if they are going to advertise…
James was really gushing about this and it is a nice machine. I hate to point out that the emperor has no clothes but there was no mention that this “full featured” laptop has no CD/DVD drive. Not what I would call full featured.
Lots of people would want that at that $750 price point for the full featured model.
It looks to be a bit on the chubby side too at about one inch thickness.
Is the memory upgrade-able?
I’m interested in the $599 model, but would want to install an additional 1GB of RAM to bring it to 2GB.
I just don’t feel that the additional $150 for the faster processor, Vista Home Basic -> Business upgrade, Bluetooth and 1GB of memory are necessary for me.
The 3x difference in price between the Mini-Note and P1620 illustrates how decisions made during the design process need to be re-evaluated over time. Fujitsu uses physically smaller memory and hard drive components to reduce footprint. As a result, upgrading just two components — 2GB RAM and 100GB HDD — adds $750 to the price of a P1620 (the same price as a high-end Mini-Note). I suspect many users would accept a slightly larger footprint for a significantly lower price.
Dang you James
This $750 model really has me interested and now I am thinking of selling my Fujitsu U810 on ebay to buy this device. I like the aluminum shell, 92% keyboard, high capacity hard drive and larger display, but I am a bit worried about the VIA processor. I would probably try Vista, but then drop it down to XP.
What is your opinion for me (since you do know my commute and travel usage patterns), Fuji U810 or HP?
I have really been enjoying Amazon Unbox rentals on the Fujitsu while on the plane so it would be great if you could try playing a video on the HP.
i was looking at the Via page, they dont even list a C7-M ULV running at 1.6ghz. they only list it up to 1.5ghz. even at that the power rating is a whopping 7.5w. i did see the standard C7-M at 1.6ghz rated at 15w (hopefully thats NOT it).
this Via decision is a disaster, although Intels A110 is only marginally faster, isnt it rated at 3w? this would have saved considerable amount of power, extended battery life, lowered heat emit, & is still a rather cheap CPU (in comparison to Intels mainstream CPU’s). i would like to see any A110 device with 2GB RAM & especially 2.5″ 7200RPM HDD quite frankly, i hate those damn 1.8″ HDD’s. that sucks that both of these CPU’s seem to have issues with Skype video. they may be the plain looking cousins at the wedding but at least 1 uses half the power.
Nomo, dont forget that dual core CPU cost about 8x’s as much as the Via.
Fujitsu could have easily designed the P1620 to fit a standard 2.5″ HDD & 200-pin SO-DIMM. but they along with a few other highend makers have been beating that 1.8″ HDD & 172-pin micro-DIMM to death hoping it would take off but it never did. now the 1.8″ HDD market is slowly being killed off (several manufactures are stopping production) in light of SSD becoming popular & 172-pin micro-DIMM’s are almost completely extinct as everyone is going back to 200-pin SO-DIMM instead.
****my new realization****
what i dont think most people see is, besides the lowend CPU in this device most other aspects of it are VERY mainstream (200pinn SO-DIMM, 2.5″ HDD, etc)… take the new Fujitsu P8000 for example, i know it’s 12″ but its nearly the same size as the 10.6″ predecessors (which use a mildy larger frame than the HP does). so why in the world does the Fujitsu start around $1700? i know the Core2Duo CPU is alot better, but is it really worth $1000 more to most people? and dont even get me started on Sony & their prices.
so either $750 is an UNBELIEVABLE bargain or Fujitsu & Sony have been riping us off for years.
**i wouldnt compare the HP to the Fujitsu 1620 since it is a convertible, which would add considerable more R&D time/money & add to construction costs**
no wonder after the EEE was such a huge hit & several other manufactures stated they will make their own versions, Sony then released a press statement saying these laptops are a danger to the market place. because Sony is scared to death that their HEAVILY padded profit margins are about to disappear. why would someone buy a Sony or Fujitsu at 2x/3x the price of the HP which can already meet 95% of most consumers demands? once these machines start getting decent CPU’s Sony & Fujitsu are either going to have to drop prices or get crushed in the market place.
“Sony then released a press statement saying these laptops are a danger to the market place.”
Typical Sony tactics. After having been involved in the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray format war since its inception in April 2006, and seen Sony’s hype/spin machine in action, this doesn’t surprise me. Anything originating from Sony needs to be taken with serious amounts of salt.
Either that or you need a BullS@*?Parser(tm). When I ran that statement, I got the following output:
BULLS@*?PARSER V2.87M (c) 2006
INPUT: THESE LAPTOPS ARE A DANGER TO THE MARKETPLACE
WORKING…
DONE.
OUTPUT: THESE LAPTOPS ARE A DANGER TO OUR PROFIT MARGINS
Matt Miller, I knew you’d start thinking about the Mini given your work habits. I wish HP had not gone with the Via for the obvious reasons but if I was buying one of these babies, and who knows I might, I’d probably get it with XP installed. My unit is running fine with Vista but the only compelling reason for me to run Vista over XP is the improved tablet bits which is not an issue with the Mini. So I’d go with XP just because it should run even better on the Mini. I’ll give playing movies a shot as I haven’t tried that yet.
The Mini would easily perform well on your commute though and with the great keyboard would be a very productive tool for that.
Matt, I just downloaded and viewed an Amazon Unbox video on the Mini. Viewing it in a near full-screen window was flawless and worked quite well. Viewing it in full-screen was good enough but there were a few jumpy parts compared to the windowed version. I only could tell because I watched it windowed first. Hope this helps. BTW, it was a 9 minute video recapping the first 4 seasons of Battlestar Galactica. It was free.
What is the output of the AC adapter?
VDC and Amps?
Thanks
>>>- According to the HP web site the dimensions are 10.0″ x 6.5″ x 1.05″ (255 x 165 x 27 mm). It weighs 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) with the standard battery. I believe it’s 3.2 lb with the extended battery.
It’s very close to the Palm Foleo. I’ve posted dimension comparisons:
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/updated-reference-subnotebook-dimensions/
James: Is that keyboard *really* like the 2710 (is that the 12″ tablet)? I hope it isn’t. I tried that kb yesterday in 3 different stores. That’s the kind of kb that gave me a very bad case of RSI a few years back. The key depth is not only shallow, but pressing the keys — I don’t know how to explain this — has “hard feedback,” which goes all the way up my nerve to my elbow.
I’ve already stated in the written review and the video review that the keyboard is great for me. I can’t add anything to that other than my opinions as stated. I’ll do a pic of the AC adapter at some point, it’s not large but it’s also not a priority for me as I’m really busy.
Mike, I don’t know how your RSI is aggravated so I can’t say if this keyboard will address it or not. But, don’t forget with the extended battery the Mini sits up at more of an angle than normal laptops and would be more ergonomic. Look at the video again to see what I mean.
Travis, I don’t have the technical specs of the adapter so I can’t answer your question. Check the details on the HP web site, they should post that somewhere.
Two questions for you James.
1) How big is the power supply?. I havent seen any review that mentions it yet.
2) How is it at playing Divx movie files?. If it can’t play those as far as I’m concerned it’s staying on the shelf.
I really can’t understand why every man and his dog in other reviews of this device mentions their concern about performance of the device and then go on to say it will be great if they can use the new intel Atom processors in it. If frankly amazed at this.
Talk about being caught out not doing their homework. The Atom processor was designed for mids with lower processing needs yes it has great battery life but it’s performance has been shown to be much poorer than than intels current A810 processor.
The specs are usually right on the adapter atleast they are on most every adapter I have ever used.
Thanks
James, I found your video on the HP Mini very informative. I have one question. Do you think the Skype problem is inherent in the Mini? My daughter is going to High School in Argentina for one year and I planned on getting her a laptop like the Mini, but if Skype is problematic I would pass on the machine.
Thanks in advance,
Allen
Here are the specs on the AC adapter:
Output power: 65W
DC output: 18.5V
The magic of math suggests it’s 3.5 amps, but I will leave the proof to another eager reader.
Mini-Note tech specs are available here:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13009_na/13009_na.html#Technical%20Specifications
There’s a visual of the power brick 6:50 minutes into this video review: http://www.gottabemobile.com/GBM%20Inkshow%20The%20HP%202133%20MiniNote.aspx
The power supply sports a lovely matt black finish that mates well with the Mini-Note’s stylish aluminum motif. It’s a very editorial look.
“This $499 model will sport 1 GB of memory and run SuSE Linux installed on a 120 GB hard drive.”
This is incorrect, so you may want to update your article. Here’s the official pricing as of today:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-321957-64295-321838-306995-3687084.html
Obviously with a 120 GB drive this isn’t as big of a concern, but as someone who likes to get vacation photos onto two spindles when possible, I’m disappointed in the one powered and one non-powered USB ports. Most of the USB powered external hard disks require two powered USB ports.
I’m very interested in this device, but ill probably wait for the 2nd revision with an Intel processor.
Hi,
I am very interested in this device for the obvious reasons, but as many other people, am slightly concerned about the performance of the Via chipsets.
The most demanding thing i would require of it would be the playback of video taken from my 720p Sanyo Xacti HD700 Camera.
If you can try playing some video on your review unit and letting us know the results, i would be most happy.
Otherwise i will wait for the Atoms
Awesome review, James! I have a feeling these are going to be HUGE!
I showed video playing in the video review I did. I’ve also tested playing an Amazon Unbox video which worked fine.
I was just looking at the specs again.
The 4GB SSD uses PATA.
All HD options are SATA. Does this mean you can’t buy the SSD version and swap in an HD?
If that’s so, then the $549 model (Linux with 120GB HD) makes the most sense on the low end.
Mike, I can’t state for sure but it definitely sounds like it’s a different format controller and if so you could not do what you are thinking with the SSD. Me personally I’d go with the HDD from the beginning to get the additional storage for no more than it costs.
James: Yep, they are different:
PATA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_Attachment
SATA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA
So someone who gets the SSD version is going to have to hope they can get larger SSDs down the road.
4GB Mini vs upcoming 12GB EeePC (yes, yes, I know the EeePC isn’t SSD; we did that argument before — but still, more storage).
Mike Cane: You may be able to buy the cable from HP parts.
… but as James points out, it will probably be more trouble than it’s worth.
Any word on what larger stores will carry the 2133?
The glossy screen alone fails it for real-world use. What’s the point of an ultra-portable laptop if I get eyestrain because the screen acts like a rearview mirror, or if I can’t even use it outdoors because the reflection is blinding? I know they look pretty and iPodesque on the showroom floor, but glossy screens are for suckers.
Hi James,
why you didnt spend some more words about the terribly glossy display!
the last pictures comparing it with the fujitsu are just so clear…
the other point is the problem with skype video and audio, I think i will check reviews with XP .
I have mentioned that the screen is reflective but not bothersome for me. Some folks dislike that so much it is a major problem but not for me.
Here’s my unboxing: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/unboxing-the-hp-2133-mini-note/
For nearly $800, I would feel like a chump to purchase this device. I know I would not get the small footprint, but I see in today’s sales paper a Compaq (owned by HP) with dual-core, 1GB RAM 80GB hard drive, reads and writes dual layer DVDs…etc. for $330. Yes, the screen is 15.4? but that is my point. Why can’t HP deliver their high-end mini for $330? The technology isn’t exactly state-of-the art.
Hi I am a student at a online university and wanted to know if this mini would be ok for taking my online classes? The school uses powerpoint a lot for projects. Would this mini handle powerpoint well? I’m looking for an affordable and light weight notebook or laptop that I can use for school only.
That weak, crappy processor is a deal-killer for me. What was HP thinking??
I have a friend who bought one of these, and Skype is totally unusable, which is a shame because this was supposed to be a travel computer.
@Some Guy: I have a Mini, and Skype is perfectly usable. And yes, it’s my travel computer (and all around the house computer… and coffee house computer…).
Why dosen’t HP sell the six cell battery for the mini-note here in Singapore? The battery life for the 3 cell is horrible- i am only getting 1.5 hours on it.
Thanks for the review!
I think you’ve convinced me to buy the HP. Would you recommend the cheaper one with the 1024 x 600 resolution?
Hi there. Well it’s been a while since the mini notebook come out!!
I’m hoping I get an answer right away!!
Has there been any problems with a hinge popping off and is the hinge actually supposed to be metal or plastic???
Please e-mail as soon as!! Many thanks