For the folks who still doubt the processing capabilities of this machine, or those who are just interested what it is capable of, I just shot and uploaded a very quick video using my cameraphone.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp2ZLlNkmig

It's a clean XP SP3 install on a HP 2133 with 1.6GHz processor and 2GB of RAM). The USB DVB-T stick is an uber-cheapy and it forces the PC to do almost all of the work. As you'll see in the video, the MiniNote barely breaks a sweat for SD playback and copes with true HD (1080) streams without a drama.

For the folks who still doubt the processing capabilities of this machine, or those who are just interested what it is capable of, I just shot and uploaded a very quick video using my cameraphone.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp2ZLlNkmig

It's a clean XP SP3 install on a HP 2133 with 1.6GHz processor and 2GB of RAM). The USB DVB-T stick is an uber-cheapy and it forces the PC to do almost all of the work. As you'll see in the video, the MiniNote barely breaks a sweat for SD playback and copes with true HD (1080) streams without a drama.

@John Doe - what make/model of netbook PC do you own (or have owned)?

I have to smirk when I read comments about the apparent processor "fail factor". I'm sure the "if it's not Atom it won't do" probably frustrates, HP, too. Most, if not all, comments of this ilk are from people who have NEVER USED the device. Let me share a few tasks which I do on my HP2133 (XP SP3, 2GB RAM). It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, that I'm NOT doing all of these things at once.

-- Watching 720 and 1080 DIVX and XVID video - NO PROBLEM.
-- Playback and recording of 1080i broadcasts from a cheap USB DVB-T tuner - NO PROBLEM (Blaze TV)
-- Basic editing of pix from my D80 DSLR - NO PROBLEM (Photoshop CS aka v8.0)
-- Playing MAME ROMs (incl some of the meatier ones) - NO PROBLEM
-- Playback of YouTube and other streaming media in full-screen - NO PROBLEM (I use a HSDPA USB modem)
-- Full Office 2003 functionality - I even edit small (~600MB) Access databases on - NO PROBLEM

Keep on whingeing about device specs and, as you do, there are people in the real world who are using them every day without any qualms.

I have been using a HP2133 (with 2GB of RAM) for a little over a month now. It's my third "not a notebook PC", having also owned (and sold) a Fujitsu U1010 UMPC and Asus Eee PC 901. It essentially stock-standard except that I ditched the factory Vista Basic install in favour of XP SP3. It is THE BEST "not a notebook PC" that I've owned to date. More than enough processing grunt for what I use it for including general email and web surfing needs; Office2003; watching DIVX (incl 720p); playing MAME ROMs; archiving and basic editing of pix from my DSLR when I'm on the road; and even running a HD USB DVB-T tumer (1080 broadcasts look sweet on the little screen!)

Unlike previous "not a notebook PC" devices, I've had no difficulties touch-typing on the HP2133. The keyboard is SUPERB and battles with the lush aluminium casing for the title of #1 user highlight. My HP2133 bounces around - without any protection - in my backpack, suitcase and floor of the car. It looks as good as the day I bought it.

It does have a few shortcomings which I'd like to see HP address in future models. No hardware buttons for volume control (FN + FN keys); should ship with two batteries (the included 3-cell is good for about 1hr 40mins of movie playback); the smudge-o-matic and reflect-o-matic screen has to go (can't use it AT ALL in direct sunlight).

STOP PRESS: Not all human activity takes place in the USA. Indeed, for those in the southern hemisphere, this device looks set for release three months ahead of their track season. Perfect.

Here's some further information on this product, which was profiled on the Aussie TV show The New Inventors:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s1881905.htm

Ladies and Gentlemen of the comments section, we have a troll in our midst and he/she goes by the nick "AJ". Please DO NOT feed it by responding to the crap it throws out. Thank you.

Well done, France. It's a shame that "sheep" Governments like USA and Australia don't follow suit and protect the interests of consumers instead of pandering to the needs of the companies which line their pockets.