UPDATE: HP got back to us about the difference in pricing between the US model (which is listed at US$499) and Australian model, which is listed at $899. Here's what Jerel Chong, Market Development Manager, Notebook PCs, HP Australia had to say:
"Australian customers have higher requirements for processor speed, hard drive capacity, etc, which means that our specifications are different, resulting in the $899 RRP. In future, Australian customers will be able to re-configure their HP 2133 Mini-Note with lower specifications if they wish, which could result in a lower RRP".
Interestingly, there's no XP option with the Mini-Note, unlike the EeePC. Let's call it a hunch, but we can see a few people ordering the cheaper non-Windows model, and adding their own copy of XP.The new HP 2133 Mini-Note PC arrives in May, and judging by the specs it could render many cheap $500-$1000 laptops obsolete.
The pint-sized machine is a mere 1.19Kg and will be priced at $899, putting it in the same class as other tiny laptops like the
EeePC and
Pioneer's DreamBook IL1.
The drawcard is the hard drive capacity - the local spec sheet doesn't mention capacity, but the US website lists a whopping 160GB, vs 4GB flash for the current EeePC, and 40GB for the DreamBook. That even beats some larger laptops, like the Compaq C731 onsale for $548 after cashback in Harvey Norman's online catalogue, which has an 80GB drive. The Mini-Note doesn't have built-in DVD, but then neither neither does the EeePC or the DreamBook Light IL1.
The Mini-Note solves some other issues we had with small portables, including the screen size on resolution. The HP has an 8.9inch screen, which beats the current EeePC, and is on par with the 2nd gen EeePC (not currently on sale in Australia).
Screen resolution is 1280x768 pixels, which is on par with the 2nd gen EeePC and upcoming gdium (1024x600), and higher than the DreamBook Light IL1 (800x480).
While we're a tad worried about HP going with Vista Business, Vista Home Basic and Linux will be an option in the future (FreeDOS and SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop). We're told the HP supports up to 2GB RAM, though it's not yet clear what you get for $899.
Unlike Asus, HP has bypassed Intel and gone with Via's C7 -M ULV (up to 1.6GHz) - which will be interesting to see how it copes with Vista. You also get WiFi, Bluetooth, 3 or 6 cell battery, and a webcam. The unit measures 27mm x 255mm x 165 mm, which is slightly wider than the EeePC but not as high.
Interestingly, the US website says the Mini Note has a "92% full-sized keyboard", which will be great news if it's any easier to type on than the EeePC.
