HP Mini-Note 2133 officially official, reviewed

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 1.6GHz 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?

Read - HP press release
Read - HP specs

Update: Plenty of early reviews are in. Things are looking good so far, check 'em out:
Read - Laptop hands-on video (scroll down)
Read - jkOnTheRun checks it out
Read - Notebook Review, um, review
Read - Notebooks.com blows it out
Read - PC Mag review (4/5)

[Ypoknons @ Apr 8th 2008 12:43AM]

A 600-ish subnotebook is still hardly a bad deal, but competition in this area is only going to get more intense. It is a sexy little thing though, and it beat the 9" EEE PC to market.

[HoWai Ng @ Apr 8th 2008 1:39AM]

I think I am going to buy it for my girlfriend!

[computer.dude.28 @ Apr 8th 2008 8:34AM]

I still would rather have the OQO Model 02.

[ridestp @ Apr 8th 2008 12:44AM]

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4352

Notebookreview.com has a review up. They were disapointed with the processor performance, high temperatures, super reflective screen, and you don't get enough for what you pay.

Looking forward to the Atom based Eee 900

[Dan Z @ Apr 8th 2008 1:33AM]

Atom is definetely going to help make everything in this category better. I do like the look and feel of the HP notebook (and the option of Windows Vista); but its still too pricey and has those other cons you pointed out

[ingus @ Apr 8th 2008 5:53AM]

what's with HP's hardware component selections? i wanted to get the tx2000z, but it uses an AMD cpu and gets really too hot to hold comfortably in tablet mode(ended up with a dell xps1330). now this 2133 looks really nice and yet again it's stuck with a slow and hot cpu?! grrrr!

[darkstar @ Apr 8th 2008 8:05AM]

did anyone notice how the battery sticks out like a sore thumb???
i m guessing every time u tuck it away in a bag, u would have to yank the battery out? that can be annoying...
im kinda disappointed that this weights 2.7 lbs. i was hoping sub 2lbs...

[rob paek @ Apr 8th 2008 10:28AM]

According to Engadget sources, the 9" Eee might not have Atom:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/9-inch-eee-pc-to-launch-early-without-intels-atom/

[mmaaxx @ Apr 8th 2008 10:58AM]

It seems like Atom will be slower then current A100/A110 (however, much more efficient)

[simbiot @ Apr 8th 2008 11:36AM]

VIA hot? I think not. Underpowered, yes. But it is mainly known for it's low power requirements.

[futurepastnow @ Apr 8th 2008 11:53AM]

I notice that the version they tested had a 1.6GHz processor and a 7200RPM drive.

I bet the 1GHz/flash model will run a lot cooler, and you can use an Expresscard flash drive to add storage to it.

[John Selvaraj @ Jun 13th 2008 8:22PM]

Super reflective screen ? That whaqt I don't like about my HP regular note book (used as desk top). I'm glad I bought the EEE 900 - the screen is fabulous (non reflective)!

[Syliss @ Apr 8th 2008 12:46AM]

I have to wait till the summer to even think about getting this, since there are so many others coming out. But this is topping my list as of yet.

[RyanTV @ Apr 8th 2008 1:32AM]

agreed - this guy is look pretty darn good... I think my wife would like it :)

[kev @ Apr 8th 2008 12:51AM]

I'm probably still going to sit on my cash and save for a Fujitsu LOOX.

[kev @ Apr 8th 2008 12:54AM]

Not only that, I also have a Softbank X01HT running Windows Mobile 5.0. If I want something to view webpages via wifi and run slowly, I can just use that :p

[Ypoknons @ Apr 8th 2008 1:27AM]

I mean, I have a Tilt (or TyTN II or XDA Stellar), and while this would overlap somewhat with that it's far more comfortable to read annual reports, spreadsheets and send complicated e-mails with that. Also 120GB of storage space is far more ideal.

[Robert @ Apr 8th 2008 12:53AM]

I've been waiting for the eee 900 this laptop could swap me though

[Robert @ Apr 8th 2008 12:55AM]

swap=sway I'm the iddiot that doesnt use spellcheck

[holycow @ Apr 8th 2008 2:13AM]

Swap is a word too.. spell check wont underline it -_-

[Ayle @ Apr 8th 2008 8:07AM]

Yet spellcheck failed to detect the double "d" in your "idiot".

[Cal @ Apr 8th 2008 11:03AM]

Probably because he isn't using it...

[Nick @ Jun 4th 2008 1:03PM]

Yes another dvorak user...

[Striker @ Apr 8th 2008 1:01AM]

Well the 749 version is what I'm getting for a high school laptop. I was kind of iffy about the EeePC and the GPU on this thing but after I read how it performed, I was sold.

[amb9800 @ Apr 8th 2008 1:05AM]

Just a correction: the $749 model has a **1.6** GHz C7-M, not 1.2.

[Bsouid @ Apr 8th 2008 1:06AM]

sounds cool, when the 8.9 inch eeepcs come out i will have to do some long and hard examination of all the subnotebooks and choose one.

i wonder how big a deal the 8% smaller keyboard is. anyone know how much smaller the eeepc one is?

[David @ Apr 8th 2008 1:07AM]

This computer is HUGE, width-wise in comparison to the Eee.

Therefore, once again, the point and advantage of the form-factor are missed on the HP.

This HP has more in common with its common, larger HP siblings than with the Eee.

[AutoTom @ Apr 8th 2008 1:11AM]

cool, i was tempted to get an eee but this definatley looks like a higher quality build.

[Demo @ May 2nd 2008 9:37PM]

I've seen "definitely" misspelled in many different ways, but this one's new to me.
http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/

[xuyaoyork @ Apr 8th 2008 1:19AM]

The mouse buttons are ugly and will be hard to use.

[Wm. Gates @ Apr 8th 2008 1:21AM]

I really like these mini notebooks. This hp looks very promising. I am a college student, and I need something cheap and portable, and with great battery life. I don't have a lot of money to spend because I will be using most of it to buy a desktop for my room.

So, you guys think I should get one of these (all in this category, not just hp), or a used/refurbished thinkpad? At first I was gonna jump on the the bandwagon w/ the subs, but now I think the thinkpad would be a better idea for the same price.

What do you guys think?

[Bsouid @ Apr 8th 2008 1:25AM]

i dont think you will be able to find a refurbished or used thinkpad for the price of a subnotebook. those tend to still be pretty expensive.

thinkpads are great quality and last a long time, subnotebooks are small and portible. really matters if you need speed or portibility.

[zargon @ Apr 8th 2008 7:50AM]

Microcenter has refurbed Thinkpads for a pretty resonable price, I can only assume that they are a little cheaper on-line.

I really want the X300, but that price tag is just too much. Our Lenovo rep said that they will be releasing a standard hard drive version, but now are purchasing specialist is claiming that they aren't and are riding on the fact that SDD drivers will drastically drop in price. Wonder if I can get a deal from Lenovo since that is all we order at work.

[Jeez @ Apr 8th 2008 1:26AM]

The super-reflective screen = big resounding NO from me.

[matthew @ Apr 8th 2008 1:35AM]

dammit... the screen resolution is what i wanted from the 9" eee.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Apr 8th 2008 1:36AM]

Okay, so what is this obsession with thick bezels, huh? Grrrrrrrr!!

[matthew @ Apr 8th 2008 1:49AM]

well now that they filled in the bezel with a screen that matches, they had to go and increase the size of the keyboard. so now they will have to put in a larger screen to fill in the bezel, but will probably add a full size keyboard resulting in yet another bezel. so basically next year we will be back to buying full size laptops

[LarryLarryLarry @ Apr 8th 2008 6:09AM]

The screen bezel is maddening, they apparently have no clue that SIZE MATTERS on a laptop screen. It's not a "nice feature" it's MANDATORY. They could easily put a 10" screen in that lid.

Sometimes you have to wonder how these things get out the door.

[wonkydonky.net @ Apr 9th 2008 2:09PM]

I agree!
-Especially because the top border is thicker than the bottom, which is the Opposite of most proportions dictated in art/design.
-Irritating!

[Deputy Doffoos @ Apr 8th 2008 12:29PM]

Can I be your girlfriend?
I know how to cook

[Nestor @ Apr 8th 2008 1:50AM]

Dear Apple,
This is what I wanted. Well, mostly.

[hyperdoggy @ Apr 8th 2008 2:12AM]

I still wonder still HP choose a via cpu/chipset instead of an intel cpu/chipset, if it weren't for that factor this system would be a winner.

[hyperdoggy @ Apr 8th 2008 2:13AM]

is 2AM and i fail at engrish.

[Zoroaster @ Apr 8th 2008 2:48AM]

Why do they have to ruin all these sub-notebooks with these fat, nasty looking bezels?! I would never buy it for the bezel alone. No matter how high-tech it is if I have to look at a fatty bezel all day I feel like I'm working on a 10 pound laptop from 1992.

[ug @ Apr 8th 2008 3:05AM]

No Atom, no sale.

[Ninjakamster @ Apr 8th 2008 3:07AM]

Via? Oh god, why?

[paul-engadget @ Apr 8th 2008 3:15AM]

the size of this thing is basically dictated by the keyboard, so that dictated the height of the screen, with a standard 16:9 or 16:10 wide display it would have left room for speakers.

I will probably buy one of these for my daughter who's 11, she doesn't abuse things (her Palm pilot has survived two years but is visibly worn) so something more fragile wouldn't survive. Would consider one for wife as she is not particularly careful with her stuff (think biro pen mark in the middle of her Palm TX screen because too lazy to use the stylus and she jabs screen hard!). I wouldn't want to waste $1000 or more on either of them!

It will be interesting to see how prices settle down when the initial demand has faded.

[Valgas @ Apr 8th 2008 3:36AM]

Seriously.... What were the super geniuses thinking when they designed this thing around a VIA cpu? Hopefully they will revise this with the Atom and make it available for around the same price.

[silentio @ Apr 8th 2008 3:38AM]

It's also reviewed on CNET

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050488,43186329p,00.htm

Seems they don't think it's light enough and the battery life is kinda sucky.

[bugster @ Apr 8th 2008 4:04AM]

From the Notebook review link, the VIA @ 1.6 ghz gets smoked by the 630MHz Intel Celeron M ULV in the eeePC and the VIA chrome 9 graphics rate a whopping 93 on 3dmark06. I realize it's not meant for 3d gaming, but at that speed I'm not sure it could even scroll text without lagging.

Wasn't this originally hyped as being so low priced you wouldn't have to think about buying it? $499 is not that price, I'd buy it for $199 maybe even $299, but the good looks alone aren't worth 500 bucks