HP 2133 MiniNote. Vista Frustrations, XP Installations and a word from HP.

While Europe waits patiently for the HP 2133 Mininote launch, users in other parts of the world are spending a lot of time optimizing and testing.  Joanna Stern of Laptop Mag is testing out the HP 2133 as her only PC but wasn’t too happy with the Vista experience saying "a Vista Experience score of 1.2 (out of a possible 5) tells you right off the bat how poorly the system handles the bulky OS. I rushed to disable the Allow/Cancel prompts (or what Microsoft calls User Account Control) from the Control Panel."

On a 1.2Ghz VIA processor Vista works but is hardly the most efficient solution. I wouldn’t even dream of putting Vista on my similarly specified and priced WiBrain B1H and it’s probably the reason why people are pursuing XP on the MiniNote now. There’s a new step-by-step in the MiniNote user forums and Liliputing have also published a How-To USB-stick method. Others are following and I’m sure they’re going to find it a better experience than Vista was. There won’t be an official XP version in the UK but RM, the UK distributor, seem to have worked out a way to offer XP on the 2133. Maybe its a Vista downgrade option. Either way I think this is a very good move.

We were in contact with Natalie Pilgrim, Product Manager for Business Notebooks, HP UK & Ireland last week to ask some questions about the MiniNote and although we couldn’t get any info about whether XP would continue to be available, they gave us an overview of where they see the HP Mininote going. Bringing PC’s to schoolchildren in the UK is a hot topic right now and although HP are going to be happy to sell to anyone, they are obviously gunning for the big district education contracts. For that market, the 2133 is probably the best solution available right now. [Interview after the break.]

Firstly, could you outline the target market for the HP mini note in UK. Is it just the education market or are you looking to market the device through high street and Internet channels and to capitalise on the growing awareness for mobile and low-cost PCs?

As part of HP’s commitment to the education sector in Great Britain, HP has launched the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC which will be available for education institutions through a partnership with RM, leading provider of ICT software, infrastructure and services to UK education. But with this new product, HP also addresses home users and mobile professionals who value the same mobility, usability and cost concerns of the education market. Home users and mobile professionals outside the education market will also be able to buy the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC. Please visit www.hp.com/uk/hp2133 or contact an HP representative for more details.

Focusing on the education market for a second, what do you see as the key features that will appeal in this segment?

With this new device, HP is delivering on its promise of personalised learning with an affordable mobile computing solution. This product is flexible enough for use in the classroom, at home or on-the-go and effectively extends the learning environments for pupils and teachers.

Weighing in at just 1.27 kg, with a large 8.9-inch 1280 x 768 WXGA display, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC features a durable design with a robust suite of wireless, multimedia and security capabilities to allow pupils to make the most of lessons.

“Small and ultra-portable, the Mini-Note PC was designed specifically to help schools deliver on the promise of affordable 1-to-1 computing. Lighter than many text books, the HP Mini-Note PC is easily transportable and includes a robust suite of wireless, multimedia and security capabilities. We are delighted to confirm our commitment to the education sector with this new mobile device,” said David Wright, vice president and general manager, Personal Systems Group, HP UK & Ireland.

We have been following the MiniNote since the early reports and were tipped-off [ref] that the device would be VIA and not Intel-based. It suprised a lot of people! What was the reason to use a VIA platform?

HP utilises processors that are the most suitable for the targeted form factor. In this case, it was important to keep focused on delivering adequate performance and still meet the overall cost and time-to-market targets. Via’s C7®-M ULV processor fit this specific from a timing, cost and functionality standpoint.

VIA have announced Isaiah, a more powerful, but compatible CPU. Is this in the roadmap for the HP mini note?

HP doesn’t comment on unannounced products.

Will the HP Mini Note qualify for extended XP availability as an ‘Ultra Low Cost PC’ (ref recdent Microsoft announcement)

HP are not able to comment at this stage.

Rollout. When can consumers expect to be able to have devices in their hands in the UK.

The device will be available in May 2008

Thanks to HP UK & Ireland for their time.

More information on the HP 2133 MiniNote is available in the product pages along with links to reviews, articles and videos and an HPMiniNote-specific forum. If you’re interested in this, or any of the Ultra Mobile products available, its a good place to do your research.