HP launches Linux-loaded Eee PC rival

[DigitalDude]

HP Mini-Note 2133 officially released


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/04/4-8-08-hp.jpg (http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080408xc.html)

It's a full 24 hours after we expected it (http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/26/hp-umpc-2133-specs-revealed-street-date-of-april-7th/), but with looks this hot we're not surprised the HP Mini-Note 2133 is fashionably late. Specs are exactly what we'd heard and what was up on Amazon earlier (http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/hp-2133-shows-up-on-amazon-as-the-mini-note-pc/): 2.6 pounds, Via C7-M processor, 1280x768 8.9-inch screen, full QWERTY keyboard that's just 8 percent smaller than normal, and a variety of configurations ranging from a $499 1.0GHz Linux-powered unit with 4GB of flash and 512MB of RAM to a maxed-out $749 config with a 1.2GHz processor, 120GB drive and Vista Business. Laptop managed to score some hands-on time, and from the video it looks like this thing might actually be as popular as HP is predicting (http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/26/hp-so-confident-in-the-umpc-2133-its-building-2m-units/) -- except for those crazy side-mounted vertical mouse buttons, which are totally messing with our heads. Still no word on availability, but it seems like HP's ready to go -- anyone taking the plunge right away?


Source: Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/hp-mini-note-2133-officially-official/)

Read (http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080408xc.html) - HP press release
Read (http://blog.laptopmag.com/the-leader-of-the-pack-hands-on-video-of-the-hp-2133-mini-note) - Laptop hands-on video (scroll down)



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[Voldy]

it looks r good, specs r good too ..
but price is a main factor when it will be released in indian markets due to taxes

[sujoyp]

I think its real good for a business user:)

But it could be bit smaller...it would be better

[Pat]

Looks like a good competitor to EEE PC 900..It costs nearly the same, looks much cooler than EEE PC and also is capable of running vista if I read it correctly..Only downside is a comparatively weaker processor!

[Cyrus_the_virus]

By Tony Smith (http://forms.theregister.co.uk/mail_author/?story_url=/2008/04/08/hp_launches_eee_rival/) [More by this author] (http://search.reghardware.co.uk/?author=Tony%20Smith)8th April 2008 09:33 GMT

Updated HP has launched its attempt to grab a little or a lot of the Asus Eee PC's success, two months after the sub-notebook slipped out (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/02/19/hp_compaq_2133_spied/) onto the web. Pitched primarily at schools, the 2133 Mini-Note PC sports a 'choice' of 7in or 9in display, and is available with SuSE Linux pre-installed.
http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/04/08/hp_2133_1.jpg
HP's 2133 Mini-Note: 7in or 9in screen?


We say the 2133 has a choice of screens, but in reality HP is claiming two different sizes depending where on its website you look. The product page's spec sheet says 6.9in; the press release says 8.9in.

Update HP has made up its mind - the 2133 has a 8.9in display.
Both sources are agreed on the fact that the 2133 is powered by VIA's C7-M processor, clocked at up to 1.6GHz - a CPU we found a tad noisy (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/29/review_maxdata_sbook/) when tried in another sub-notebook. The unit also has a VIA chipset - the graphics come courtesy of the Taiwanese chip maker's integrated Chrome 9 GPU.

There's up to 2GB of 667MHz DDR 2 memory on board, and storage options include 120GB or 160GB, 5400rpm or 7200rpm hard drives, or 5GB of solid-state storage.

http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/04/08/hp_2133_3.png


Wi-Fi of the 802.11b/g variety comes as standard, but Bluetooth 2.0 is optional. Users also get a Gigabit Ethernet port, an SD memory card slot, ExpressCard 54 bay, two USB ports, analogue audio connectors and a VGA output.

HP claimed the 2133 has a "92 per cent full-size" keyboard, which defines the sub-notebook's dimensions: 256 x 165 x 33mm. That's the front thickness - HP didn't say how much bigger the 2133 gets at the back. The unit weighs 1.27kg, rather more than the Eee but fractionally less than the MacBook Air.


http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/04/08/hp_2133_2.jpg
Brought to book



The standard battery is just a three-cell job, so it'll be interesting to see how much runtime the 2133 delivers. There's an optional six-cell power pack too.

HP will want $500 (£250/€318) for the 2133 when it goes on sale in the US later this month. It's price from £299 over here. While it's being touted as an education machine, the 2133 will also be pre-configurable with Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Home and Windows XP Pro, suggesting HP plans to offer it to consumers and business buyers too.

Source (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/04/08/hp_launches_eee_rival/)

[Pathik]

Looks good except for the price.
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4352
Also the proccy sux wen paired with normal hdds and vista.

[MetalheadGautham]

500$ = 20k.
for that, even basic model looks decent.

but its still behind the mainstream books.

[naveen_reloaded]

Thanks for info...

[techtronic]

Cool Info ;)

[DigitalDude]

http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84747



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[ray|raven]

Too costly IMO. And add to it the taxes.
Also, the processor sucks, wonder how *nix will run, given the VIA chipset.

Its better to buy a starter model from Compaq/Lenovo for ~23k.