HP trialling Google Android for future netbooks
March 31, 2009 at 10:09 pm
HP is trialling the use of the Google Android operating system on some of its netbooks according to a WSJ report. It suggests that HP has been running tests using Google Android for evaluation purposes, but is undecided as to whether it will bring an Android netbook to the market. This confirmation apparently comes from Satjiv Chahil, a vice president of HP’s PC division.
Details are scarce, but the obvious reasons to switch to Android would be lower price and higher performance. Switching to Android could eliminate most or all of the OS license cost for each netbook. Android, based around a Linux kernel, is written in Java and was originally designed for smartphones. So far, only HTC has released an Android-based smart phone, but Motorola has models on the way, and Dell is said to be considering one.
We have already heard rumours that Asus is considering Android for upcoming netbooks, possibly with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip? A move by HP to adopt Android may also see it adopt an ARM-based processor. Earlier this month, we heard how Google was pushing Android netbooks by setting up a team in Taiwan, home to some of the biggest netbook vendors like Acer and Asus.
High-resolution HP Mini 2140 to now launch on April Fools?
March 31, 2009 at 7:23 pm
The high resolution (1366 x 768) version of the 10.1-inch HP Mini 2140 will now launch tomorrow (April 1) according to Crunchgear. They obtained this information from a HP representative. Forgive me if I’m a bit cynical but just last week we heard a similar HP rep suggesting that the HD Mini 2140 will launch on April 6.
The upgrade is believed to cost $25 which is cheaper than that being charged by Dell ($35) for a similar upgrade on the Dell Mini 10. Maybe, HP has decided to bring the launch forward following Dells announcement? Dell will not be shipping its 1366 x 768 resolution Mini 10 for another fortnight, so maybe HP are trying to be first to the market. Either way, we should find out for sure tomorrow.
Netbook Review Roundup 30/03/2009
March 30, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Netbook Choice’s roundup of netbook reviews from around the web on Monday 30th March 2009.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE video review @ JKK Mobile
Rating: N/A
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ liliputing
Rating: N/A
HP Mini 2140 netbook @ The Register
Rating: 80-percent
Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Review (Update) @ Notebook Review
Rating: N/A
Video: HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition netbook unboxed
March 30, 2009 at 10:34 pm
HP has to be commended for trying to go against the grain of conventional netbook design to appeal to female consumers. Its answer is the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition netbook and it’s certainly one of the funkiest netbooks we’ve come across. The netbook was actually designed by Vivienne Tam herself. Gear Live managed to get hands on with the unit and posted an unboxing vid of all the action. Check out what happens when the technology and fashion worlds converge after the break. Read more
Verizon to sell subsidised HP Mini 1000 netbook?
March 29, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Verizon recently confirmed that it will start to sell subsidised netbooks, the main question that is now on everyone’s lips is which netbook(s) will it stock? We yesterday hypothesised that it could be the HP Mini 1000 and that rumour is now gaining ground.
BoyGeniusReport received an approved device list from one of its sources that seems to confirm that the netbook it has chosen does indeed seem to be the HP Mini 1000. More specifically, it will stock the 1151NR variant of the Mini 1000. This model has a 10.1-inch (1024 x 576) display and is powered by a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB RAM and 80GB hard drive. It comes with a 3-cell battery and weighs 1.1kg (2.45lbs). The 1151NR is found in HP’s business line, so the likelihood is that it may be offering the deal to business customers as well.
The netbook was approved by Verizon Wireless on March 24th. No release date or pricing has been confirmed thus far, although a $99 upfront cost with a two-year contract has been muted. A larger picture of the supposed evidence has been attached after the break. Read more
“Mr. Compromise” looks at netbooks
March 29, 2009 at 4:23 pm
David Pogue’s “Mr. Compromise” of the New York Times has finally taken a look at netbooks with a ‘review ‘ of four different models. He asked Joanna Stern of Laptop Mag which ones to look at and came up with four 10-inch models. The Asus Eee PC 1000HE, HP Mini 1001, MSI Wind U120 and Samsung NC10.
Surprise, surprise he found that owning a netbook requires making compromises. Some of the issues with each netbook include mouse buttons on either side of the touchpad for the HP Mini 1001, the Samsung NC10 costs too much, the Asus is too heavy and the Wind doesn’t have upgradeable memory. The video doesn’t cover any new ground but is meant to be a bit of light relief, check it out after the break. Read more
High-Resolution HP Mini 2140 dated
March 28, 2009 at 10:31 am
The ‘HD’ resolution HP Mini 2140 will release on April 6 in the US according to Digiffiti. This new version will come with a high-resolution (1366 x 768) 10.1-inch LED backlit screen which is a big improvement over the current 1024 x 576 resolution display found on the current Mini 2140.
It will apparently cost only an extra $25 from the current Mini 2140. This price seems too good to be true, after all, when choosing between the two versions, who would opt for the original 2140 given how small the price difference is? However this price has been verified from several sources so it’s great news for consumers if true!
So it appears that in just under two weeks we should finally start to see the HD Mini 2140 appear in retail channels. There is some concern that could the higher resolution mean that the text may be too tiny to read comfortably on the 10-inch screen? Personally, I think it should be easier to read than on the 8.9-inch (1280 x 768) display of the HP Mini 2133. We can’t wait to see one for ourselves to find out.
Netbook Review Roundup 27/03/2009
March 27, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Netbook Choice’s roundup of netbook reviews from around the web on Friday 27th March 2009.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ Khabrein.Info
Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)
HP Mini 2140 @ Wi-Fi Planet
Rating: N/A
MSI Wind U120 @ PC World
Rating: 4.5 Stars (out of 5)
Samsung NC10 review @ Cnet UK
Rating: 8.9
Sony Vaio P (P588E) @ Mobile Tech Review
Rating: 4 stars (out of 4)
Netbook Roundup (Asus N10Jc, HP Mini 2140, Samsung NC10, Sony Vaio P) @ Computer World
Rating: N/A
Netbook Review Roundup 25/03/2009
March 25, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Netbook Choice’s roundup of netbook reviews from around the web on Wednesday 25th March 2009.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ IT Pro
Rating: 5 Stars (out of 6)
Dell Inspiron Mini 1210 @ Cnet Australia
Rating: 7.3
HP Mini 1000 Mi Edition @ Cnet Asia
Rating: 7.8
HP Mini 2140, the ‘Mobile Professional’ @ Datamation
Rating: N/A
Samsung NC20 @ iGizmo
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Netbook Review Roundup 24/03/2009
March 24, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Netbook Choice’s roundup of netbook reviews from around the web on Tuesday 24th March 2009.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ Tech Radar
Rating: 4 Stars
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ ubergizmo
Rating: N/A
HP Mini 1018TU Vivienne Tam Edition @ TechTree
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Samsung NC20 @ Notebook Review
Rating: N/A
Toshiba NB100 @ Stuff.co.nz
Rating: N/A
HP Mini 2140 reviewed – worth the premium
March 23, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Despite the fact that the HP Mini 2140 is targeted towards business users and comes at a premium price point, it is still one of the most well regarded netbooks in the market today. Following a video overview of the netbook last week, Lilputing has now posted a thorough review of the Mini 2140.
Overall impressions were positive, with the premium price point going towards a solid aluminium and magnesium alloy case, an accelerometer, a spill resistant keyboard, an ExpressCard slot, and a decent 3-cell battery. There is also another version of the Mini 2140 due in April that offers a higher-resolution (1366 x 768) screen. The revised Mini 2140 is one that we can’t wait to see in person as it’ll be the first 10-inch model with a HD screen. We have also attached a jkOnTheRun video review of the HP Mini 2140 after the break if you’re interested in HP’s little marvel. Read more
HP Mini 2140 – Video overview
March 21, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Whilst the HP Mini 2140 is targeted at business customers, many consumers have been picking this up having received a number of favourable reviews over the last couple of months. Lilputing recently went hands-on with the Mini 2140 along with a video overview. Like the Mini 1000, the HP Mini 2140 has a fairly large keyboard (92 percent the size of a full-size qwerty keyboard) with wide, flat buttons. The mouse configuration remains the same, too: the right and left mouse buttons flank the mousing surface instead of sitting below it, which makes navigating and editing documents slightly difficult. But at least the mouse buttons on the HP Mini 2140 are rubberised and rise above the surface, improving the mouse’s manageability. Read more
Netbook Review Roundup 20/03/2009
March 20, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Netbook Choice’s roundup of netbook reviews from around the web on Friday 20th March 2009.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ Good Gear Guide
Rating: 4 Stars
Asus Eee PC 1000HE @ The Register
Rating: 90 percent
Asus Eee 1002HA @ Global Post
Rating: N/A
HP Mini 1000 Mi Edition @ Cnet
Rating: 3.5 Stars
HP’s next-gen netbooks to begin production in May/June
March 19, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Hewlett Packard is to begin volume production of its next-generation of 10-inch netbooks in May or June according to Digitimes. The new netbooks will be manufactured by Inventec. Other information is scant at this time, including zero details on technical specifications.
What improvements would you like on the HP Mini 1000? A better battery in the box would be the first point for me, a 3-cell battery just doesn’t cut it anymore, especially when you consider the likes of the Samsung NC10 comes with a 6-cell battery as standard. More news as we have it.
HP Mini 1000 6-cell battery – Video hands on
March 18, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Many HP users have been waiting for months for the HP Mini 1000 6-cell battery to come into stock. It was officially available to purchase from the HP site just last week. GottaBeMobile was there to order one and have now given it the video hands on treatment.
The video follows an unboxing of the 6-cell battery. Initial impressions were positive with the battery smaller than expected with a comparison shot against the iPhone. Whilst the battery does bulk out the bottom it is still quite useable providing a nice tilt which makes it easier to use according to GBM. Unfortunately the video doesn’t give an idea on how much the battery life increased in real world tests, hopefully we’ll have some further details shortly. Video after the jump. Read more
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