HP launches Linux-loaded Eee PC rival

[DigitalDude]

HP Mini-Note 2133 officially released

It's a full 24 hours after we expected it, 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: 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 -- 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

Read - HP press release
Read - 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 [More by this author]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 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.

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 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.

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.

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

[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]

HP Mini-Note 2133 officially released



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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.