-:: Malaysia Mobile Tech News ::-

I just posted news about the announcement of this thing yesterday, and already today we have not one but two reviews.  Not surprising really, since this netbook has been embargoed by HP until recently.  Embargoed means HP provided advance notice, and perhaps advance loaner netbooks to certain sites in return for these sites not to break the news before an HP specified deadline.  These sites can then immediately publish their reviews once the embargo has been lifted, thereby making it look as if they have the exclusive scoop on the new device.  Damn, how I wish I could be embargoed, haha…

Back to the topic at hand, both laptopmag and computershopper websites have gotten their reviewers to give the 2140 a once over, and both liked what they saw.  I guess if HP was so nice to you, you’re obligated to be nice to them in return, otherwise, no more loaners or exclusives in the future!  Me, I buy my own stuff and if I don’t like them, I diss them thoroughly and actively discourage people from buying them.  Cr@p is cr@p, no matter how sexily you dress it up.

Specifications:

• Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
• Memory: 1GB RAM
• Storage: 160GB hard drive 
• Optical Drive: None
• Screen: 10.1 inches
• Graphics: Intel GMA 945 
• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Dimensions (HWD): 1.1×10.3×6.5 inches
• Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition

computershopper’s opinion:

In the burgeoning ranks of netbook portables, each seemingly more impressive than the last, the HP Mini 2140 manages to stand out. It has a winning design and feature set, yet it doesn’t command a price premium.

laptopmag’s opinion:

The $529 HP Mini 2140 (starting at $499) rises above the majority of the netbook competition by incorporating a well-designed keyboard, a durable design, and more than seven hours of battery life. Some may prefer the $499 Samsung NC10 (also a LAPTOP Editors’ Choice winner). It’s $30 less than the similarly configured HP Mini 2140, and its six-cell battery doesn’t bulge from the bottom of the chassis like the Mini 2140. But the extra cash buys a more durable case and more endurance.

Now if only HP Malaysia can price this thing at RM 1,699 or less for the model with 6 cell batteries, I’m sold.  Mamak, 2140 satu!

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I thought the 2100 series netbooks from HP was dead and buried with the introduction of the HP Mini 1000 range, but apparently not.  The HP MiniNote 2133 has risen from the grave, and is reincarnated as the “2140 notebook PC”.  Eh?  Waddat?  ”Notebook PC”, I hear you say?  Yep – since the owners of the trademark “netbook” – Psion – started sending out threatening legal letters to websites telling them to “cease and desist” from using the “netbook” term, manufacturers have had to find ways to avoid using the term netbook.  That just sucks.

Damn, netbooks have got more lives than a cat.  It’s a sign of the challenging times that we live in today that HP has to resort to recycling a previously-thought-dead product as perhaps a “stop-gap” measure while they fiddle with the design of a newer netbook model.

Specifications:

• Intel Atom 1.6Ghz processor
• 10″ screen at 1366 x 768 resolution (not good!)
• ExpressCard/54 slot
• keyboard with 92% of a “normal” keyboard’s size
• 160Gb hard disk with option for solid state disk
• choice of Windows XP (Home or Professional), SuSE Linux, FreeDOS or Windows Vista (Home Basic and Premium)

Click here for HP US’s website for the Mini 2140.  Prices start at US$499, approximately RM 1,750.  Not cheap.  Not interesting.  Availability in the US from “sometime in January”.

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