jkOnTheRun Geek Session: Skype video on the HP Mini with Windows XP
James and I are getting tons of questions on how well (or how bad) Skype video calls are on the HP Mini. This geek chat shows that while the quality isn’t as good as higher powered machines, it is quite usable, and without any tweaks. I’m using a MacBook Pro on my end to record the video while James is using the HP Mini with Skype 3.8 for Windows. It’s the 1.6 GHz VIA C7-M, 2 GB of RAM and running Windows XP.
Nice. Thanks for sharing. My Mini Note is charging right now for the first time and waiting for me to find time for its “downgrade” to XP.
Proof at at last! Well done chaps.
Just one comment..
Should one really ’shoot for the top’ with a Bud Lite sponsorship?
Jagermeister would be the one to aim for. It almost killed Motley Crew but I think you guys can DO IT. A Jager-sponsered 3-hour video geek-chat!!!
I’ll send a bottle over for you.
Chippy
The quality of picture and sound from Kevin was great, not so much so for the Mini though. Still sounds like it was a big improvement though!
I just got the HP2133 Mini from Newegg, in one day. I gave up on the backorder deal with HP mid May before they would ship. How did you downgrade to XP? Did you just install a plain old version XP Prof? Any hang ups? Ant tips to be carefully for?
I like the Windows slam *snicker*… but couldn’t you guys have plugged Ubunutu a little? Hmmm… wonder if I’d have any major conflicts with this new mini product and the latest version of Hardy Heron.
Now I have to go Google it!
Jack, look up on the Google my post about the XP downgrade. There is a link there with complete instructions to do it. I used XP Pro.
You both got haircuts.
James,
I haven’t seen/heard you comment (maybe I missed it) on the noise level the HP mini produces. Does it produce a higher fan noise, typical, or is it on the quiet side. I’m pretty interested in the machine, but would like to know your thoughts on fan noise & machine heat. Thanks for the great posts.
Angela, Joanna Stern over at blog.laptopmag.com has talked about installing Xubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) and had some issues with the Broadcom card (wireless) as well as installing Skype through a couple of different ways.
If you know your way around Linux, it shouldn’t be a problem (in theory), but it sounds like it would be daunting for someone whose first experience with Linux could very well be the Mini-Note.
I’ll be picking up one of these in a few weeks when the official XP version rolls out, so it’s nice to see that Skype can be used.
@Gabe
The noise is minimal. I’ve heard a lot worse. It doesn’t sound like a buzz-saw, like a Macbook when it gets going.
Mine arrived yesterday, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the Vista performance. I don’t see any need to downgrade to XP. However, mine is a Vista basic model, so Aero isn’t an issue.
@Nate
Thanks for the info. If you run Skype video I’d like to know if you have the same experience as James with it being choppy since you’ll be running Vista basic. I use it to talk/see my kids when I travel and would prefer to keep Vista over XP if not running Aero is all that is needed to have it run decently. I don’t game, just use it for college papers (Office 2007), streaming music and Skype when on the road.
Sorry Gabe. I don’t use Skype. So, I won’t be able to comment on that.