HP 2133 Mini-Note getting XP install option in mid-May

While there's of course nothing to stop you from doing a fresh install of Windows XP on your brand new HP 2133 Mini-Note yourself (assuming you're actually able to get your hands on one), those looking for a simpler solution will apparently be able to get their fix in mid-May, which is when the company will reportedly start to offer XP pre-installed on the ultraportable. What's more, according to Laptop Magazine, there could also be a fully configurable version available "in the coming weeks or months," although exact details on that possibility apparently haven't quite firmed up yet.

[Flashpoint @ Apr 16th 2008 2:32PM]

Looking better and better.

Im planning to buy a Core 2 Duo Laptop from HP - probably DV6xxx series but, I'd definately be interested in a $500 one of these to complement it for my business trips to China/Japan/Korea.

[Mark @ Apr 16th 2008 2:59PM]

UP AND ATOM!

[milton thuroughgood III @ Apr 17th 2008 1:49PM]

Business trip to far east = sex trade

[Chebwa @ Apr 16th 2008 2:34PM]

Nice. Fully configurable + Atom + Windows = WAIT FOR DELL, ANYWAY.

: )

Not to sound like a Dell whore, but seriously, you know whatever they throw into the ring this summer is going to change the whole scene. Anybody buying an UMPC right now needs a little patience.

[Matt @ Apr 16th 2008 4:52PM]

I'm not sure I agree with your first statement about the impact that Dell is going to have (seriously when was the last time Dell released anything that could remotely be considered revolutionary?). But the second part I totally agree with. There's a lot of activity going on in this space right now, and in about 6 months or so early adopters are really going to start feeling burned. In particular, I'm holding out on any of these systems until the Atom processors hit.

[Chebwa @ Apr 16th 2008 5:13PM]

Dell doesn't necessarily EXPLODE onto the scene with their products, but when they come to the market with something new, it (in many cases) is very customizable and takes on a great price/performance ratio. I think waiting for them to sort of "set the bar" as far as these UMPCs go is a good idea, and like you said, waiting is the name of the game for these.

[Fall-Apart @ Apr 16th 2008 5:16PM]

In six months, everyone who bought one will have six months of use on it, instead of waiting for the next one "right around the corner".

[Chebwa @ Apr 16th 2008 5:19PM]

@Fall-Apart

This isn't some hard drive capacity bump or something trivial. It's an entirely new line of processors - Intel's best effort at taking a stranglehold on the UMPC market - as well as a whole SLEW of new competitors all in the same time frame.

Tech isn't always worth waiting for. This time, it absolutely is.

[Ypocaramel @ Apr 16th 2008 5:46PM]

I think it's too soon to assume that Dell's model will be great. HP's model made great strides in usability - keyboard, build quality. In the end, I think that's what counts.

In other words, I would rather a have the HP's keyboard and construction with the VIA than say, the EEE 701/901 keyboard with Atom. It's matter of being able to type well.

[Gaz @ Apr 17th 2008 12:54PM]

Yes yes Chebwa! What if one wants to play Internet radio for 3 hours on a small laptop in the garden like right NOW!!!!!

[Ninjakamster @ Apr 16th 2008 2:35PM]

And please offer Intel processors HP. You'll get a lot more customers that way, myself included! Via just doesn't cut it for me.

[NHAnimator @ Apr 16th 2008 2:37PM]

Wait! Haven't they watched the video yet?

[Jeff @ Apr 16th 2008 2:46PM]

True you could install WinXP now, however getting the drivers might be difficult...

[Graglmesh @ Apr 16th 2008 2:53PM]

Hello.

[darkstar @ Apr 16th 2008 2:54PM]

is it possible to make a laptop sub 1 pound???
for 2.7 lbs, i'ld rather get the lenovo x61 with all the horsepower for around 900 bux man.

[Matt Keller @ Apr 16th 2008 2:57PM]

This is good to hear, because XP runs well on the 850mhz Pentium IIIs left in my school.

[bethel03 @ Apr 16th 2008 2:57PM]

Ill take XP on a 4GB SSD version please.

Anyone know for certain if the 4GB SuSE edition is flash rom like the EEE or an actual SSD that can be upgraded?

[Joe @ Apr 25th 2008 11:49PM]

According to HP (called them this week) the SSD is removable.

[Valgas @ Apr 16th 2008 3:05PM]

Via chipset?

[lentiman @ Apr 16th 2008 3:07PM]

'Scuse me, but where are the XP drivers? Anyone?

[Robert Lock @ Apr 16th 2008 3:08PM]

keep us posted. looking forward to it, thanks

[aaron.cade @ Apr 16th 2008 4:05PM]

I got mine. it runs a little bit warm, but SUSE is responsive enough. pretty much guaranteed doggy performance with Vista on there if I can shoe-horn it into 4 GB of Flash.

[Eric Chen @ Apr 16th 2008 3:30PM]

Got my Mini 1.2GHz model this morning. Upgraded the memory to 2GB and hard disk to 160GB 7200 RPM drive. Can't wait for XP Driver to show. Formatting to Vista right now.

[Jason Kopolow @ Apr 16th 2008 10:32PM]

@Eric Chen

Did you order the more expensive version or did you upgrade the ram and hard drive yourself? How did you do it as there seems to be no screw holes on the bottom?

[cwasko36 @ Apr 16th 2008 4:58PM]

I can't wait for a configurable version of this system, hopefully with a new chipset pretty soon.

Anyone who has received their unit please post impressions at the Mini-Note Users message board:

http://www.mininoteuser.com

[J4M3S0N79 @ Apr 16th 2008 9:28PM]

I totally disagree with all of the ATOM fanboys so far.

1) Performance is unproven and it's not clear what actual effect it will have on battery life when combined with a chipset.
2) The VIA processor @1.6 is perfectly adaquate at handling tasks that this laptop is designed for. What you are saying is something akin to 'i will wait for lotus to put a v12 in the elise'....it does not make much sense.
3) It has not even been announced that the transition to atom will happen and no word on what the pricing will be.

Instead, what we have is a compltely compelling product that is ready to roll and for $500-$750, by the time that more processing power is needed....you could likely just pick up a new mini-note.

Honesty...what is everyone here planning on using a mini-note for anyway? A little 3dsmax? maybe some maya, autocad, video authoring, h264 compression...what????

[Charlie @ Apr 17th 2008 8:04AM]

I would hold your breath for the Atom processor...the 2133 would have to have its motherboard redesigned...much more likely is the availability of the Isaiah processor from via...has same pin configuration

[John Benoit @ Apr 17th 2008 10:35AM]

I started looking into this computer a couple of weeks ago. As a junior in high school, the size of the notebook is really appealing compared to the 16" (or somewhere around there) screen I have now. I'm just nor sure whether to wait for atom or not...

[ma5t3rw1tt @ Apr 16th 2008 10:35PM]

I am digging this computer & the EEPC. I like the idea of these small laptops, but the pricetags are not showing it. You figure smaller the laptop would be cheaper, but it seems to be the other way around.

[Raymond @ May 12th 2008 2:46AM]

These lot of machines' price tags are showing value already.

Sub 1-kg laptops are not news at all.

They are popular in markets like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other major cities that public transportation are the primary means of moving around.

Machines like Panasonic R series with ~ 940 grams and has Core 2 Duo ULV Processor, 8 hours battery, 2.5" Hard Drives are one of the best machine in that class. It's even business-rugged.

But they cost USD 2000+

Sony has a VAIO UX series,
just 1.2lb and 4.5" screen, with Core 2 Solo ULV processor,
but it cost USD 2500+

Smaller machines aren't going to be cheaper, because it is more difficult to fit in the same Computing Power into a more limited space.

[Mark @ Apr 17th 2008 1:02AM]

Dell used to offer great performance for the price, but not anymore.

[Parish @ Apr 17th 2008 7:10AM]

this mini was designed for kids, teachers, and schools;
NOT gaming, video editing, and ripping DVD's.

[Mike @ Apr 17th 2008 8:59AM]

This so much reminds me of the camera forums I have been on. "You're stupid for not waiting for the next......." "You're stupid for not buying now so you can use it and enjoy it." It's just a bloody mini-laptop. It won't save the world or cause it's destruction.

I ordered an HP 2133 last night. I wanted a tough, small platform to take on trips which would allow me to surf the web, email, do some simple writing and upload my photos. It should do all of those.

Would some other laptop do as well? Can't say. But I valued the HP name and the specs are adequate for my needs. Ain't rocket science, as they say.

[Ant @ Apr 17th 2008 2:04PM]

Hey, do you guy's think that the VIA 1.2GHz processor will run fine for watching movies and surfing the web with the Linux operating system, as linux doesn't require as much power?

[iakudi @ Jun 11th 2008 3:57PM]

Can someone tell me, how easy is it to downgrade from Vista to XP Prof and from Linux to XP Prof (I'm looking at buying the VIA 1.2 Ghz). My main concern is the performance, will this be a lot better/quicker than Vista? I have quite a few DivX movies on my usb drive & tend to watch them frequently. Will the XP 2133 play the movies smoothly and on full screen? I have used the Eee 701 with XP Prof and the movies play flawlessly on full screen. Thanks

[flyingsquare @ Sep 10th 2008 2:57PM]

so what the general consensus then, should you wait for the atom or not? Do we think it will be released before the end of the year?

[utorelight @ Apr 17th 2009 3:16AM]

Hello, I NEED URGENT HELP.
i want to downgrade my PANASONIC CF-Y7 From vista to xp, please adivse me step by step from scratch
Thanks
Light

[utorelight @ Apr 17th 2009 7:55PM]

Please advise me how i can change/downgrade a PANASONIC CF-Y7 from Vista to SP
I will really appreciate for any clue.
kindly
light