NetbookTech

HP and Vivienne Tam introduced the latest Vivienne Tam-branded netbook last week, the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition, at New York Fashion Week.

The new netbook combine’s Tam’s “Butterfly Lovers” design with HP’s Mini 210 netbook technology resulting in a system that’s less than 1 inch thin and weighs around 2.7 pounds. According to HP, “the netbook design is inspired by the classic Chinese love story, “Butterfly Lovers,” a beautiful tale of freedom, romance and inspiration. “

HP also partnered with Beats by Dr. Dre to deliver high-end audio software through headphones or external speakers.

Features include:

• Butterfly Lovers desktop theme including animated butterfly start menu, custom Vivienne Tam icons and three wallpapers
• HP QuickWeb instant-on browsing with quick access to social networks, Skype, email, and other online-content
• Matching microfiber suede sleeve
• Optional Butterfly Lovers wireless mouse and Monster-branded in-ear headphones

Specs include:

• 10.1 inch BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display
• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 2GB of memory with 1 SO-DIMM slot
• 93% full-size keyboard
• Up to 320GB hard drive
• Built-in webcam
• Gold 3-cell (3.0 Ahr) battery provides up to 5.5 hours of battery life or black 6 cell (sold separately) for up to 11 hours of battery life

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition should be available starting on March 19th with a starting price of $599. The matching Butterfly Lovers themed HP Wireless Mouse will be priced at $39.99.

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HP announces several new enterprise/small-business class notebooks today including the new HP EliteBook 2540p. The system is the lightest EliteBook notebook yet with a weight of 3.3 pounds. Specs include:

• Choose between standard-voltage Intel Core processors or low-voltage processors
• 12.1  inch LED display
• Optional 2 megapixel webcam with business card reader software and HP fingerprint sensor
• Supports up to 8GB of RAM
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Full-size, spill-resistant keyboard with drains which protect the system from minor spills
• Magnesium alloy casing
• Integrated HP Mobile Broadband powered by Gobi
• Several battery options including 3 cell battery for up to 4 hours of power, 6 cell battery for up to 8 hours of power, and a 9 cell battery for up to 10.5 hours of power
• Meets MIL-STD 810G military-standard tests for vibration, dust, humidity, altitude, and high/low temps
• Comes with HP SkyRoom HD video conferencing software

Pricing for the new EliteBook 2540p starts at $1099 with units expected next month. Read about the other business-class notebook additions at Krunker.com.

Yes, we’ve got our hands on a new netbook, and it’s none other than the HP Mini 210 (specifically the Mini 210-1095NR) in Sonoma Red. This netbook features:

• 10.1 inch WSVGA anti-glare widescreen display
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• 6 cell Lithium-Ion battery
• Intel Graphcis Media Accelerator 3150
• 5 in 1 media card reader
• Intel Atom N450 processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• Windows 7 Starter 32 bit edition
• Built-in webcam

Stay tuned for our review but do not it’ll take some time because we do like to use the netbook for a bit to get a good feel for the system. In the meantime, check out the unboxing pictures in all its glorious detail.

HP formally announced their new Pine Trail netbooks today known as the HP Mini 5102, HP Mini 210, and HP Mini 2102. The new HP Mini 5102 is available in two versions – a standard version and a touch-screen enabled version (we previously reported the touch-screen version to be with the Mini 210 which is incorrect).

HP Mini 5102:

Features of the 5102 include:

• Lightweight anodized aluminum display enclosure with a choice of black, red, or blue brushed finishes
• Optional handle
• 95 percent full-sized QWERTY keyboard
• HP Face Recognition for Protect tools facilitates quick logging into Windows and other websites
• 2 megapixel webcam
• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Optional mobile broadband support
• 10.1 inch LED display in either WSVGA or HD resolutions
• Optional Broadcom HD video decoder which can handle 720 and 1080 pixel HD video content
• 4 or 6 cell battery options with the 6 cell delivering 10 hours of power

The touch-screen version allows users to use their fingers to perform multi-touch gestures, finger taps, and swipes across the screen.

The HP Mini 5102 is expected this month with a starting price of $399.

HP Mini 210/HP Mini 2102:

Features include:

• 10.1 inch standard or optional Brightview Infinity HD LED widescreen display
• 92 percent island-style keyboard
• Mini 210 is available in Black Crystal, Silver Crystal, Pacific Blue or Sonoma Red HP Imprint finishes
• Mini 2102 available in black
• Measures less than 1 inch thin
• Weight of 2.69 pounds
• New software including HP CloudDrive, HP MediaStream, HP QuickSync, and HP QuickWeb
• Optional Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator for viewing HD content
• Optional GPS software
• Up to 1GB of RAM
• Up to 320GB of HDD storage
• Intel Atom N450 processor

The HP Mini 210 will be available starting on Thursday with a starting price of $299. The HP Mini 2102 will also be available tomorrow with a starting price of $329.

Although not formally announced as of yet, the new HP Mini 210 netbook featuring the new Intel Pine Trail platform is already up for sale at eCost.com. You’ll find several models at different price points at eCost.com as well as several color choices but more on that in a second.

The support page for the Mini 210 is also up over at HP’s website here. After perusing through the user manual for the Mini 210, I discovered that select models for the 210 will feature a multi-touch enabled display! Nice!

Other interesting tidbits include

• Chiclet style keyboard
• Mouse buttons are below the touchpad
• Speakers are located at the front of the netbook
• Right side of the netbook has (from left to right) a media card reader (supporting MS, MS PRO, MMC, SD/SDHC, xD-Picture Cards), power switch, 2 USB ports, Ethernet port, security slot
• Left side (from left to right) has power connector, battery light, VGA port, drive light, USB port, audio out/microphone jack
• Select models will support WWAN with SIM card located behind battery
• Supports 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity
• Media controls on top of the keyboard
• Touchpad is gesture enabled
• One memory slot
• Sadly, there doesn’t appear to be an HDMI port with the Mini 210

OK, back to the eCost listings.  Color choices for the Mini 210 appear to be Matte Black with a pattern, Sonoma Red, Pacific Blue, and Black.

The lowest priced Mini 210 is a $321.99 model known as the 210-1010NR (which also is out of stock) with features including:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch flush glass display
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Windows 7 Starter
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Media card reader
• 802.11 b/g
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• Solid black
• 3 cell battery

Next up is the black Mini 210-1030NR priced at $345.99. Specs are the same as above except the 3 cell battery is now a 6 cell battery.

Next is the Mini 210-1055NR priced at $366.99 (and out of stock) which appears to have the same specs as the previous model above (6 cell battery etc). I suppose the price adjustment is due to the color variations available. You can choose between Matte Silver with a pattern, Matte Black with a pattern, and Pacific Blue.

Finally, there’s the Mini 210-1080NR which comes with a larger hard drive (250GB 7200RPM HDD) as well as the six cell battery. Price for this system is $398.99.

Unfortunately it appears touch-screen versions of the Mini 210 are not available as of yet. Bummer.

Via News.com

HP is currently running on a sale on the HP Mini 311 netbook with the system available at a starting price of $399.99. At that price, the system features the following configuration:

• Black swirl color
• Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3
• Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• NVIDIA ION graphics
• 5 in 1 digital media slot
• 11.6 inch HD LED BrightView widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• HP Mini webcam
• Wireless-G card
• HP Matching Color Keyboard
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery
• Microsoft Works 9.0

If you’re interested in the Mini 311, especially for the ION platform, then you’d better hurry – this deal is available only until December 14th.

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This week’s netbook and thin-and-light deals at Staples are as follows:

HP Mini 110-1135NR for $399.98. Specs include:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 10.1 inch display
• 1GB RAM
• 250GB HDD
• 3D Imprint Sleeve included
• Windows 7 Starter

ASUS U80A-RSTML05 thin-and-light notebook for $599.98. Specs include:

• Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 320GB HDD
• 14 inch HD widescreen LED backlit display
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Chiclet style keyboard
• 6 cell battery for 8+ hours of power
• DVD burner
• Measures 13.81 x 9.56 x 0.86 ~ 1.28 inches and weighs 4.74 lbs

If you’re looking for netbook/mobile broadband deals, you’ll want to check out Verizon Wireless Black Friday deals which run until Monday. Here’s a list of the deals available through the carrier:

Gateway LT2016u netbook with 2 year mobile broadband agreement for $29.99. Specs include:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Mobile Broadband and GlobalAccess Service enabled (SIM card provided separately)
• 10.1 inch LED backlit 1024 x 600 resolution TFT LCD display
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Multi-in-1 media card reader
• HD audio
• Built-in stereo speakers
• 92 percent keyboard
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, headphone out, microphone in
• Ethernet
• Weighs 2.95 lbs
• 6 cell battery

The LT2016u is yours for $29.99 along with a new 2 year mobile broadband contract.

Verizon also has the HP Mini 110-1046NR netbook on sale for $149.99 after an instant $100 dollar discount and a new two year mobile broadband agreement. The specs are as follows:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Mobile Broadband and GlobalAccess Service capable (SIM card provided separately)
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 576 resolution display
• HP webcam with integrated microphone
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fo
• 5 in 1 media card reader
• HD audio
• 92 percent keyboard
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• Weighs 2.57 lbs

One last mobile broadband deal for you to consider. If you don’t need a new netbook but you do want a mobile broadband connection – why not consider the MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot? This small device connects to the mobile broadband connection and acts as a Wi-Fi router with support for up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices. Verizon currently has the Mi-Fi for a mere $49.99 after an online discount of $50 dollars and a new two year mobile broadband agreement.

[Check out the mobile broadband deals]

CompUSA is currently offering the HP Mini 2140 AS819US Netbook for a low price of $349.99. This netbook features the Atom N270 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 10.1 inch 1024 x 576 resolution display, a 160GB 5400 RPM hard drive, Intel GMA 950 graphics, media card reader, HD audio, built-in stereo speakers, 2 USB ports, Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, a built-in webcam, and a 6 cell lithium-ion battery for approximately 4 hours of power. The system measures 10.3 x 1.05 x 6.54 inches and weighs approximately 2.6 lbs.

Check out the deal here – HP Mini 2140 AS819US Netbook

The folks at Anandtech have published an extensive review of the HP Mini 311 – the first HP netbook to feature the NVIDIA ION graphics platform. As most of you know by now, ION brings the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics chipset to the Intel Atom processor platform – promising to deliver increased graphics and video decoding performance. Of three (actually now four) known ION-based netbooks, the Mini 311 was the first to actually ship even though it was the last to get announced (the other three coming from Samsung, Lenovo, and ASUS).

Typical configurations for the Mini 311 include the Intel Atom N270 processor, the NVIDIA ION LE platform, 1GB of RAM, 11.6 inch glossy LED-backlit display, internal hard drive, 2-channel HD audio, HDMI output, media card reader, VGA port, and choice of Windows XP Home Edition or Windows 7 Home Premium.

For the folks into extensive reviews, the Anandtech review certainly won’t disappoint. You’ll find a review that covers a bevy of benchmarks – everything from application performance to graphics performance to the quality of the display.

Ultimately the question of the HP Mini 311’s worthiness is based on its comparisons with other products available on the market today. We’ve seen substantial changes in the mobile market over the last 6 months – especially with the rise of CULV-based thin-and-light notebooks that offer substantial performance increases over netbooks yet cost just a tad bit more than high-end netbooks. For the price of the HP Mini 311 one has to ask whether its better to save the money and spend just a bit more for a system with a heftier processor and awesome battery life. Thus here’s what Anandtech thinks:

“With so many other viable options, ultimately the HP Mini 311 is an interesting product that doesn’t do enough to get our full attention. . . . Intel’s Atom has always been about keeping costs low and reducing power requirements; spending $400 on any Atom netbook is tough to recommend, and the HP Mini 311 will usually cost closer to $500 once you add a few extras. The most likely buyer for the 311 is users that want a netbook with an external Blu-ray drive and software, in which case $630 for the Mini 311 is a fair deal. Ultimately it’s not a bad netbook, but neither is it Editors’ Choice material.”

After using the ASUS UL30A-X3 thin-and-light, we’d also be hard pressed to recommend anyone spending more than 400 dollars for a netbook these days – especially with the advent of thin-and-light notebooks.

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