HP Mini 2140 reviewed – worth the premium

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.

Key points from the review:

• The HP Mini 2140 looks almost exactly like the 8.9-inch HP 2133 Mini-Note. Both have large keyboards with nearly full sized keys, and small touchpads with buttons on the left and right instead of underneath.
• The HP Mini 2140 is one of the most attractive netbooks around.
• It has just 2 slots as the ExpressCard slot takes up most of the space.
• The HP Mini 2140 does not have heating problem that the Mini 2133 had.
• It has the best looking keyboard of any 10-inch netbook. It stretches virtually from one end of the chassis to the other. The keyboard is “spill-resistant” against minor spills.
• The touchpad does not support multitouch gestures.
• It has a bright, glossy (1024 x 576) display. Whilst the glossy display is attractive it reflects glare when in direct sunlight. The screen area is also the only fingerprint magnet on the laptop.
• Expected battery life of over 3 hours in normal web surfing conditions.