HP Mini 210 HD edition review

Netbooks for all! We're convinced that's the motivational saying plastered to the wall in the HP lab where the company births Minis for everyone but your pet fish. But of all the company's Pine Trail offerings, we're most excited about the $425 Mini 210, which has a 10.1-inch HD screen and a Broadcom Crystal Accelerator chip that promises decent HD video playback, even with Flash. With an attractive new thin design, improved chiclet keyboard and that promise to handle high-def content, the Mini 210 has the potential to kick the others to the curb. Given the issues we had with the Broadcom-powered Dell Mini 10 and HP's newer touchpads, though, we had to put on the glasses and take a closer look. Join us past the break for the full review, will you?

HP Mini 210 review

Look and feel

Of all the netbooks we've reviewed in the last few months we may just be the most impressed with the HP Mini 210's look. We know that's a bold statement, but we like the understated design and how the top and bottom of the system are covered in the same smooth, yet not-too-glossy plastic. HP's also made it easy to swap the RAM and hard drive: two latches behind the back of the battery let you detach the entire back lid to get to the goods. The subtle imprinted X pattern on our unit's "silver crystal" lid wasn't exactly our thing, but we're big fans of the solid red, blue and black color options. Either way the fact that the lids don't collect fingerprints makes us want to throw a party with spiked punch.

The three-pound system not only feels solid, but its inch-thin body is quite slender. The three-cell battery option fits flush with the system, but the six-cell battery adds an extra half an inch in the back. Unlike previous HP Minis, the Mini 210 has all the necessary netbook ports, including three USBs, VGA, Ethernet, SD card and a headphone jack.

Keyboard, touchpad and display

Since the early days of the Mini 2133 HP has used a flush matte keyboard on its netbooks, but the Mini 210 changes things up with a chiclet keyboard. Our fingers didn't want to part with the soft touch of the black matte keys, and the make of the entire panel feels firmer than that on the ASUS Eee PCs or even the Toshiba Mini NB305.

Unfortunately we don't have the same positivity when it comes to the Mini 210's touchpad. We're happy that HP finally got rid of the vertical mouse buttons, we just wish they hadn't integrated them into the entire pad itself. The ClickPad, as HP calls it, is similar to the one we saw on the HP Envys, and though the software has been updated it's still hair-pulling frustrating at times. Because the pad has integrated buttons and supports multitouch gestures, the ClickPad has a hard time distinguishing between finger placement on the buttons and on the pad itself. The result is a lot of mistaken zooming when you just want to drag something across the screen. We get that HP has been trying to trying to emulate Apple's touchpads, but the software and two button combo just hasn't been working for them. This isn't to say it isn't usable – we ended up just tapping to make selections -- but that doesn't mean we think this is forgivable. And the fact that HP included a $24 matching mouse with our review unit tells us it's likely aware of the problem.

The Mini 210's 10.1-inch screen's flush bezel makes the 1366 x 768 resolution display look higher class than most other netbooks, but while colors look bright and the extra pixels make 720p content look crisp, the glossy coating is extremely reflective. Vertical viewing angles good enough when the screen was tilted back, but horizontal viewing angles were quite horrendous. Sharing this screen with a friend while laying in bed required a fair amount of moving on our part.

Performance, HD playback and battery life

The Mini 210 relies on the now typical 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 CPU and 1GB of RAM combo for its power, and it handled our typical netbook tasks – writing this review in Word 2007, surfing in Chrome and listening to Pandora – without a hitch. We did notice, however, that the left hand size of the system heated up during our regular usage of the netbook. It wasn't enough to make us put the netbook down, but our jeans definitely stayed toasty. Our unit came with a smaller 5,400rpm 160GB hard drive than most netbooks, though you can upgrade it to a faster 250GB 7,200rpm drive for 30 bucks on HP's site.

	PCMark05	3DMark06	Battery Life
HP Mini 210	1393	147	5:15
Dell Mini 10	1264	132	5:58
ASUS Eee PC 1005PE	1431	157	8:10
Toshiba Mini NB305	1272	156	6:30

The HP Mini 210, like the Dell Mini 10 (here's an idea: everyone name their netbooks the same thing!) can be configured with a $35 Broadcom's BCM70012 Crystal HD accelerator -- it's a slightly older model than the Dell's BCM70015. Released just yesterday, Flash 10.1 Beta 3 was optimized to support the Broadcom card, and the Mini 210 definitely reaps some of the benefits of it, but that's only after you download it from Adobe's site and then update the Broadcom drivers. When that was all said and done, the Mini 210 didn't have any issues playing back a 720p Avatar trailer on YouTube, but unlike the Dell Mini 10 it had issues going up to the 1080p setting. The video proof is below, but according to Broadcom the issues have to do with Flash 10.1 Beta 3's compatibility with the older version of the card. Though that's a bummer, we assume most will be content with the 720p playback considering the screen resolution and the Pineview chipset's lack of HDMI support. We should also note that Flash videos played much better in Google Chrome -- we got a few "Not Responding" errors in Firefox.

As we learned with the Dell Mini 10, playing local HD content is highly dependent on software. A downloaded 1080p Iron Man 2 trailer played back without pauses in the preloaded ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre software, but playback of that same video was choppier in Windows Media Player 11 and VLC Player. There's no doubt in our minds that the HD playback experience on the Mini 210 is miles ahead of that of a Pine Trail netbook without Broadcom inside and that counts for something. However, we have to say that it isn't as seamless as it need to be for the end user and the solution continues to have more restrictions than NVIDIA Ion-based netbooks.

The good news is that if you do manage to get some HD videos to play, the HP Mini 210's six-cell battery will let you watch about two movies without having to dig around for an outlet. When looping the same HD video the Mini 210 lasted for four hours and 45 minutes, and a longer five hours and 15 minutes when tested with a standard-def video. That's not as long as other netbooks we've tested, but when we used the netbook to write this masterful review and listen to some tunes we got close to seven hours of runtime. Given that the three-cell battery got a disappointing 2 and 15 minutes of juice on our video loop test, going with the six-cell seems like a no brainer.

Despite our hesitations about instant-on OSes, HP has done a nice job with its HP QuickWeb -- we like the three panels one of which can pull in e-mail. HP's also preloaded the netbook with its MediaStream software that streams media from one PC to the netbook, and its CloudDrive that provides 2GB of storage to allow for easily transferring files to the mini-laptop. On the other hand, the HP Support Assistant software couldn't be any more annoying with constant pop-ups. No, we do not need your help!

Wrap-up

As a regular netbook (sans all the HD stuff) the Mini 210 goes for about $349 with a six-cell battery. Though its ClickPad is frustrating, as a basic netbook it's a decent option given its attractive design, comfortable keyboard and seven hours of battery life. But what about the $425 HD model? As we concluded with the Dell Mini 10, spending the extra money for the Broadcom is pretty hit or miss at the moment. Yes, Flash 10.1 Beta 3 allows for better Flash and Flash HD playback, but right now it's flaky at best. Whether that's worth the extra cash is up to you, but if you're looking for a netbook that can undoubtedly stream HD Flash content out of the box you're best looking at an NVIDIA Ion-powered system like the HP Mini 311, or better yet waiting for an Ion 2 system that uses NVIDIA's new Optimus technology and promises better battery life than the first generation.

[Ducman69 Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:29PM]

I have been disappointed w/ the rest of the recent netbooks that have been popping up here, but this is nice!

My only complaint is that I'd prefer a flush fit 4-cell like the ol' m9, and lets ditch VGA for HDMI (its a smaller port to boot).

[emopoops Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:40PM]

@Ducman69 yeah and my only complaint is that id prefer a rounded screen. i mean if your going to get all hyphy with the mini and make rounded edges anyways why not elaborate the rounded experience with a rounded edes screen. now that would be edgy! unfortanately noone big on the market has grasped this concept well enough quite yet.

[Oldarney Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:54PM]

@Ducman69
What do you mean "even with flash" flash is hardware accelerated... 10.1 at least. Somebody has been drinking too much steve juice.

[Callanish Posted Feb 25th 2010 7:02PM]

@Ducman69

You're not going to get an HDMI out port with the broadcom chip. It doesn't support it and the standard atoms without the ION have the fire power to run it.

[Callanish Posted Feb 25th 2010 7:03PM]

@(Unverified)

Sorry, mean't don't have the fire power to run it.

[Chefgon Posted Feb 26th 2010 12:18AM]

@Ducman69

Getting rid of the VGA port would immediately eliminate nearly 100% of their business customers, since damn near every meeting room in corporate america has a projector in it that hooks up through VGA.

[nickalorieds Posted Feb 26th 2010 5:11AM]

@(Unverified) The new netbooks also include 1GB of RAM, a 160 or 250GB hard drive with Windows 7 Starter Edition pre-installed, a 3-cell or 6-cell battery. With a tag of 320USD, Is it worth it? http://bit.ly/hp-mini-210-first-seen

[kojo87 Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:29PM]

i like the look but i think i still prefer the ASUS seashell design

[Almo Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:47PM]

@kojo87

I quite like the "black crystal" design. Gonna buy my mum one for Mother's Day, been a while since she's had anything new & nice. :D

http://www.technotalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/hp-mini-210.jpg

[GN1 Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:13PM]

@Almo

she might need a new pair of glasses to go with that..

[phuz Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:35PM]

The HD model at 400+ you may as well go with the CULV models then stick with atom.

[JaredTheGeek Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:40PM]

@(Unverified) The video power of the CULV units stink. I still love my HP Mini 311. The ION is great. I mostly use office and watch some videos and play music since its my travel unit and it works flawlessly with Windows 7 and Office Beta 2010.

I have used the HDMI on it and I do appreciate having the vga port for connection to a projector.

Though I do have 3 gigs of DDR3 ram in there which probably helps. And its full ION and not LE.

[Widgetech Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:45PM]

@(Unverified)

Really?

Isn't the power of the GPU bottlenecked by the CPU? And that means that pairing an Atom and a 9400M produces good but not great results?

I think something like this would be more powerful (all-around, graphics 'n' all) when pitted against an Ion machine:

http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/T100/T115D-S1125

[Widgetech Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:48PM]

@(Unverified)

And for heaven's sake people, PLEASE verify yourselves. It takes literally 2 seconds.

It makes it confusing when I reply to somebody (Unverified) with another (Unverified) right above it.

[ninetynine99 Posted Feb 25th 2010 7:00PM]

@(Unverified)

My SU2300+4500MHD plays 1080P MPEG4/MKV perfect and can even play 1080P Youtube in a watchable statate (15-24 FPS). So unless you play games, Ion is really unnecessary.

[zsmorr Posted Feb 25th 2010 7:18PM]

@(Unverified)
I disagree, I had about 500 to spend on an ultra portable computer (or rather that's about as much as I wanted to spend). I decided to get the Eee PC 1201n, yea sure for a little more I could of got a CULV notebook, but not with a decent graphics card. My 1201n can do 1080p video without any hiccups, as well as playing some light to medium range gaming, stuff that a regular CULV notebook would struggle with.

[phuz Posted Feb 25th 2010 7:31PM]

Acer has CULV laptops for $399 though they don't fair well with 1080p flash, but 720p flash and hulu 480p are fine.

[BAGAGT1 Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:37PM]

I've been waiting for this review for quite some time. It was a toss up between this HP and the Toshiba. I think I am leaning HP, but I will re-read the Toshiba review again, and try to come to a decision. Joanna, if you had to chose between this HP and the Toshiba NB 305, which would you choose?

[Joanna Stern Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:43PM]

@BAGAGT1 Do you need that HD playback edge? If you are deciding between bare bones netbooks -- I'd go with the Toshiba.

[hmmwv Posted Feb 26th 2010 10:33AM]

@BAGAGT1
I think in regular netbook configuration, the HP is cheaper at $280. I was wondering where the HD's $425 price tag come from, with the Broadcom chip and 6-cell battery it stands at $395, was shipping included?

[GGG Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:39PM]

Since when is 1366x768 a HD screen? Isn't 1920x1080 HD?

Not that i was expecting such a resolution on 10", it wouldn't be particularly useful, but i'm just saying that would be what i'd call HD.

[Widgetech Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:47PM]

@(Unverified)

1366x768 is at least 720p, no?

[enjoytheride823 Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:47PM]

@(Unverified)

"HD" is 720p or higher... "Full HD" is 1080p

[SDreamer Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:47PM]

@(Unverified) A vert res of 480 is SD while 720 and above is HD. I don't believe all games out now are even 1080 on the consoles. I believe 1080 is considered "full HD" while 720 is just HD because it's above SD.

[Murkurie Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:48PM]

@(Unverified)
HD starts at 1280X720 which 720P

[thethirdmoose Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:39PM]

Are there any notebooks with a normal touchpad??? Seriously, I don't care about the rest of the computer, here are the things I *need*:
-A usable touchpad
-A usable keyboard
-A usable screen (read: 700+ pixel height)

I don't even care if it's 10, 11, 12 inches.

[GN1 Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:16PM]

@thethirdmoose

720+ pixel height would be a bit nicer dont you think?

[emopoops Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:42PM]

@thethirdmoose yes but im not sure where.

[SDreamer Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:44PM]

I get what everyone says about the touchpad, but for myself it works pretty well on those. I've played with that type of touchpad at Costco for a good 20-30 minutes, didn't find a problem. Right now on my laptop, I don't even use the buttons really, everything is just tapping for me, so that isn't a problem. The only thing I want is an HDMI port instead of VGA, I'd be set with that.

[DTJ Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:47PM]

Sharing a bed with a friend SHOULD require a fair amount of moving in your part.

[GN1 Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:19PM]

@DTJ

lulz wut?

[Ducman69 Posted Feb 25th 2010 8:52PM]

@DTJ beware starfish! xD

[Old fogie late bloomer Posted Feb 26th 2010 12:41AM]

@DTJ

"That's what she said!"

No, wait...

"Bow chika bow-wow!"

No, that doesn't quite capture it...

Borat voice: "VERRRA NIIICE!"

There we go....

[S4Rs Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:49PM]

WTF is the SLATE HP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DETAILS at least! Stop pumping out netbooks!

[One Love Posted Feb 25th 2010 5:59PM]

Nice, but HP makes you pay for "extras" that come standard on other (mo-better) netbooks. Then price ends up closer to $500 or more.

[Startacus Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:00PM]

I got this netbook just this week and it's really sweet. It came with XP so I upgraded to WIn7 Pro and for the life of me I can't get the wireless to work. HP's support was no help and seeing this review of you guys watching YouTube videos on Windows 7 was like a slap to the face!

[Jaylittles531 Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:08PM]

Maybe HP should stop focusing so much on Netbooks and Focus on updating their Laptops and maybe a Envy 17....

[hartleyshc Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:11PM]

My $200 Acer Aspire One D250 + $30 Crystal HD card does the exact same thing.

Theres a few netbooks out there with 2 pci-e slots. And with the Pinetrail series being all the rage, you can pick up an "older" Diamondville netbook for next to nothing and add the broadcom card yourself.
You can see a list of other netbooks and how many ports they have here:
http://www.netbookreports.com/2010/01/netbooks-with-usable-mini-pci-e-slots/
Also note that you might have to do a little research, while looking like a mini pci-e card, the 3g cards in netbooks are actually usb. You need to look up if the port supports both pci-e and usb. (The D250 for example only supported USB until a later bios update.)

[typhoon43 Posted Feb 26th 2010 9:35AM]

@hartleyshc

How does your Acer and Crystal setup do 720p with a 1024x600 screen?
Apples to Apples man...

[hartleyshc Posted Feb 26th 2010 8:09PM]

@typhoon43
The last models made of the D250 came with a 1280x720 screen. While still a bit smaller than the 1366x768 screen on the mini, it still gives you native 720p resolution.

[hardluckstories Posted Mar 10th 2010 6:48PM]

Hey thanks for your comment man, I have an acer d250 and ordered broadcom.

Do I just install the drivers then chuck the card in the slot? Seems about right from what I've researched so far.

Also do you know if the d250 wireless card is a standard mini pcie or one of those stunted things? Hmm

[TJx Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:17PM]

When are mini's going to get 2GB ram? I heard around March? Does anyone have insight? I've googled, but I figured people here would have a more exact answer. Thanks.

[Amnak Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:28PM]

can't you get like a good computer for only 100$ more

[emopoops Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:44PM]

@Amnak well maybe. two years down the road if somethings on sale and its outdated [;

[edoles Posted Feb 25th 2010 6:38PM]

Why does it run Win7, but show XP home edition on the sticker under the bottom cover?
http://www.engadget.com/photos/hp-mini-210-review/#2735643

[intrglctcrevfnk Posted Feb 25th 2010 7:14PM]

I dont mind the sideways click buttons of the old touchpad. I got used to it really fast on my mini 110.

[NizmoStyle Posted Feb 25th 2010 8:08PM]

Netbooks won't last long due to their limited performance so don't waste your money, just spend $200 more for a decent notebook instead, which should last for years.

[Lucas Posted Feb 25th 2010 8:29PM]

"Sharing this screen with a friend while laying in bed required a fair amount of moving on our part."
I lol'd

[jonschu Posted Feb 25th 2010 8:55PM]

Picture gallery doesn't work in the iPhone app. Good review though!!

[wtgig Posted Feb 25th 2010 10:23PM]

FUCKING SMEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!