HP launches Linux-loaded Eee PC rival
VIA powered
Updated HP has launched its attempt to grab a little or a lot of the Asus Eee PC's success, two months after the sub-notebook slipped out onto the web. Pitched primarily at schools, the 2133 Mini-Note PC sports a 'choice' of 7in or 9in display, and is available with SuSE Linux pre-installed.
HP's 2133 Mini-Note: 7in or 9in screen?
We say the 2133 has a choice of screens, but in reality HP is claiming two different sizes depending where on its website you look. The product page's spec sheet says 6.9in; the press release says 8.9in.
Update HP has made up its mind - the 2133 has a 8.9in display.
Both sources are agreed on the fact that the 2133 is powered by VIA's C7-M processor, clocked at up to 1.6GHz - a CPU we found a tad noisy when tried in another sub-notebook. The unit also has a VIA chipset - the graphics come courtesy of the Taiwanese chip maker's integrated Chrome 9 GPU.
There's up to 2GB of 667MHz DDR 2 memory on board, and storage options include 120GB or 160GB, 5400rpm or 7200rpm hard drives, or 5GB of solid-state storage.
Wi-Fi of the 802.11b/g variety comes as standard, but Bluetooth 2.0 is optional. Users also get a Gigabit Ethernet port, an SD memory card slot, ExpressCard 54 bay, two USB ports, analogue audio connectors and a VGA output.
HP claimed the 2133 has a "92 per cent full-size" keyboard, which defines the sub-notebook's dimensions: 256 x 165 x 33mm. That's the front thickness - HP didn't say how much bigger the 2133 gets at the back. The unit weighs 1.27kg, rather more than the Eee but fractionally less than the MacBook Air.
Brought to book
The standard battery is just a three-cell job, so it'll be interesting to see how much runtime the 2133 delivers. There's an optional six-cell power pack too.
HP will want $500 (£250/€318) for the 2133 when it goes on sale in the US later this month. It's price from £299 over here. While it's being touted as an education machine, the 2133 will also be pre-configurable with Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Home and Windows XP Pro, suggesting HP plans to offer it to consumers and business buyers too.
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COMMENTS
bloody marketing depts
"That's the front thickness - HP didn't say how much bigger the 2133 gets at the back"
WTF would one want to know the thickness of the thinnest edge? I want to know the thickness of the thickest edge TYVM. Bloody tw@ts.
boyz & toyz
What are you guys like, so it doesn't matter how 'good' a product is, as long as there is a blonde 'babe' using it, you'll buy it? suckers!
It is good to see another manufacture taking Linux seriously and putting it on their devices, I'll give them a point for that.
@Eddie Johnson
Legally speaking, "inch" is now a slang term. The old definition of 25.4mm. is no longer binding. As long as the specifications clearly state the correct size in official measuring units (i.e., centimetres or millimetres) they can call it however the hell many inches they like.
It's actually fun to check out different manufacturers' "exchange rates" .....
Don't play the manufacturers Lying Game
The CRT makers got their asses sued off for playing this 14.9"=15" game and I thought the lesson had been learned with all the new LCD monitors. Please don't start back down this road, if their monitor is 7.9" call it 7" and shame them into providing the full amount.
Its bad enough the HD guys are still getting away with defining their own custom units. I'm just waiting for the day when I go to the grocery for a dozen eggs and there's fine print on the carton: "For the purposes of this sale, 1 dozen has been defined as 10"
