mini-note 2133
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HP considering netbook / wireless broadband bundles in USA
It was really only a matter of time before this here tactic spread from Europe and Asia (and Canada) to the United States, and now it seems the dream is bordering on reality. A Wall Street Journal report has it that HP -- you know, that company that makes the Mini-Note 2133 and Mini 1000 -- is considering bundling its netbooks with wireless cellular data plans in order to boost sales. Theoretically, the machines would be offered up at a steep discount in order to lock consumers into a 2-year mobile broadband plan, though "steep" has yet to be defined. Also, the company hasn't definitively said which carrier(s) will be called upon to be its partner(s), but the article does note that both Verizon Wireless and AT&T are in the cards.
Has your HP Mini-Note 2133 gone dark?
Generally speaking, HP's Mini-Note 2133 is pretty well loved the world over. Sure, there are a few things that could use tweaking, but what good gadget couldn't use even a small dose of overhaul? Nevertheless, a few reports have been trickling in suggesting that HP's netbook is suddenly going dark and refusing to start back up. Folks are apparently being told that it's a motherboard power failure, though it doesn't seem to have become widespread just yet... or has it? Let us know in comments below.[Via Chris Rue]
New VIA drivers provide boost in HP Mini-Note 2133 performance
Not particularly thrilled with the performance of your HP Mini-Note 2133? If you're vigorously shaking your head up and down as that render chugs along in the background, take a listen at this. The folks over at HP 2133 Guide took the time to benchmark their Vista / XP systems and then apply VIA's recently released drivers for the CN896 chipset and Chrome9 integrated graphics. Not surprisingly, they found the update totally worthwhile. Based on pure numerical changes, there's not a lot to phone home about, but critics did note that "video playback was improved quite a bit on each OS," and that YouTube / Hulu vids were actually watchable post-update. Not a lot of downside to upgrading, so head on over and see what the new drivers have in store for you.[Via jkOnTheRun]
HP 2133 XP configurations get priced
HP's Mini-Note 2133 is due to get all-new Windows XP configurations this month, and it looks like early pricing details are starting to leak out. If the numbers are accurate, a base 1.2GHz rig with 1GB of RAM and a 120GB disk will run you $729, and bumping things up to 1.6GHz, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB disk will set you back $819. That's pretty steep -- but remember, early pricing info on the currently-available models was a tiny bit off, so these numbers could change when these hit sometime next week.
Switched On: The Linux ultraportable opportunity
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment. The US smartphone market may continue to be dominated by mobile platforms from Apple, Microsoft, and RIM, but Linux has been creeping into ever more mobile devices in the last few years. Some Motorola RAZR 2 models have donned a Tux, Palm is looking to Linux to drive its next-generation consumer smartphones, and Android's backers hope to spread it to an even wider array of handsets. Linux is also driving many avant garde connected consumer electronics devices such as the Chumby, Nokia N810, Amazon Kindle, Dash Express, and whatever the fertile minds tinkering with Bug Labs' modules are envisioning,. Even the remote control that houses the user interface of Logitech's Squeezebox Duet is a Linux computer.However, none of these products is intended for as flexible a range of uses as a notebook PC, where Linux is being tested as a tool to achieve lower price points on a new generation of low-cost but style-conscious ultraportables. ASUS set the pace with Xandros on the Eee PC, and HP has tapped Novell SuSE Linux for the 2133 Mini-Note, but whereas the Eee's positioning has been somewhat of a loose hybrid between an adult OLPC and the Nintendo Wii's culture of global inclusion, the HP Mini-Note has been strongly focused on reckless, immature students while acknowledging potential for senior executives that have been known to share their temperament.
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC misses ship date for pre-orderers
Say it ain't so! Just a week after HP's totally adorable 2133 Mini-Note PC popped online for purchase, we've received word that pre-orderers aren't going to be seeing their new machine quite as soon as originally expected. Reportedly, HP has sent out notifications to customers who pre-ordered to let them know that their lappies won't be shipping today as promised, but there's no word on how long the delay will last. Hang in there, subnote lovers -- a tracking number is bound to come soon (er, we hope).[Thanks, Brian]Update: Some commenters are claiming that their unit did in fact ship today -- just keep those fingers crossed that you get lucky.
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC on sale now
Just in case you've been burying your face in those glowing reviews of HP's latest UMPC, here's a quick heads-up to inform you that the 2133 Mini-Note PC is actually available to order. As of this very moment, prospective buyers can select a unit of their own at HP's website, and with five models ranging from $499 to $849, we're sure there's a Mini-Note for you in there somewhere.[Thanks, Tharp]
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 releaseRead - HP specsUpdate: 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 outRead - Notebook Review, um, reviewRead - Notebooks.com blows it outRead - PC Mag review (4/5)
