Third netbook's a appeal
continue away from HP!!
HP 2140 Mini-Note - Atom N270 / 1.6 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HDD 160 GB - GMA 950 - Gigabit Ethernet -...
 List Price: $449.00 |
Product Description
Nugatory wonder, big possibilities, the ideal companion PC for the highly mobile professional, this fully effective HP Mini comes with all the features to keep you ultra-productive while staying ultra-transportable.The HP Mini 2140 is designed to go where you go without weighing you down. Don't be fooled by its size; this small miracle keeps you ultra-productive.Customer Reviews
Third netbook's a appealI loved the nature of a netbook because I'm a writer who just needs basic word-processing, web and portability. Oh, and affordability -- I don't like paying $1900 for a mini version of a Sony vaio.
I first tried buying a 9" Asus, which was surprisingly portable -- but it was way too small to be practical, so I gave it to my 7 year old niece. I then got an Acer Aspire One that had a preferably keyboard but which still was slightly too small. The niece will get this one too.
The HP 1000 series struck me as having the entire keyboard, and I decided to get the 2140 because it has a classy aluminum case and some ruggedness.
It's entranced me a while to get used to the smaller screen. But I've finally started using it and adjusting to it. And it's giving me all the fundamental functionality I need, with great portability and the kind of aesthetics that make you proud to own it.
continue away from HP!!
I bought this module after reading all the great things from the reviews. upon receiving of this unit, it looks profound, and works fine for the first month and half.... then the unit begins to not with it down, and finally reached it's untimely death. reloaded the os four times, but it keep having the same problems. I decisively formated the hard drive and start from scartch.... hp customer ritual were no help at all, all they can tell me is to sent the unit back for repair...... the turn around pass would be 7 days. if you want a unit that works, then get a full size laptop, don't get the mini note engage. it's cheat for a very good reason..... :(
Discontinued due to serious WI-FI issues
I wanted a 2140 ear-splitting-rez for a long time and finally bought one just before it was discontinued by HP. I was soooo perturbed to get it as it is a sexy and slick looking little machine. I wanted to like this car so bad, but the 2140 has serious connection issues, in terms of WI-FI, and does not connect to many different signals and routers. You can't even-handed take it to a coffee shop, because there is at least a 50% chance it won't work with their router. It is a useless party, as it has terrible WI-FI. Just do a search on Google that reads "2140 wireless problems", and you will find monstrous forum discussions of 2140 owners that have this same problem, or inability to connect wirelessly to the internet, and there is NO FIX elbow. The machine is fundamentally flawed and I believe it was discontinued because of this flaw. HP took the motor car back, and I still believe they are a good company, but this machine is a dud.
Skilled Travel Computer
I've tempered to this on three trips from the States to the Middle East (20+ hours in a plane/computer each way).
- Keyboard: The keyboard (92%) is plenty big. I tried a friend's Acer (80-something% bulk) and it was WAY TOO SMALL. I haven't noticed a big difference between this 92% and my 100% on my home computer - which is a bigger HP laptop.
- Come Pad: I read other reviews that didn't care for the touch pad, but I like it. I had to get used to where to put my feel on the right side for scrolling, but that is very minor. I accidently touch it once in a while during typing, but I've found that typical to all measure up to pads on laptops.
- Battery: I did not opt for the larger battery, and I'm averaging at least 4 hours per fee. I've spent tons of hours in planes and airports without access to an outlet. I don't poverty the bigger battery. Save your money and opt just for the regular battery.
- Hide: This would be 5 STARS if the screen were higher resolution. I've heard the HD screen may come out later in the year, but don't hang on. This is good enough for a travel computer - not quite good enough for a full-time computer.
This is a great travel computer and well merit the price.
Bare metal casing and elegant design in a netbook form factor
Bought one of the first 2140s that shipped in February 2009. Have already captivated it on a 1 month trip to China. This is my 1st netbook, and 5th notebook that I have owned since 2002.
The portability and openness of the 10" form factor is great. The screen is bright, and when compared to other netbooks - the HP Mini 2140's metal coating makes it a stand out. I had a chance to sample and feel many other netbooks while in Hong Kong and while some of them may have a few things in their favor, I realized the HP 2140 was the pre-eminent choice for me.
No problems connecting to any wireless / wired networks in hostels / hotels / coffee shops. The split trackpad knob layout has not been a problem to adjust to. Both buttons have a nice rubbery feel/reply. The quick battery recharge to 90% has been good. 6-cell battery-operated provides a good tilt, now I don't need to bring a CoolPad to angle the keyboard!! The 1024x576 is a paltry quibble. I can't imagine reading the text on the high-resolution 1366x768 stretch. Contrrary to some opinions, I prefer the coating/glass/whatever that is on the screen - easy to lave, and I don't worry about touching it.
I have not tried an external monitor or printing with this netbook, so I am not able to comment on those aspects.
Soon - I will test the ExpressCard 54 slot with a Ingenious Labs audio card that I am using on another notebook. UPDATE - X-Fi Audio Xtreme come clean has been tested and works!
Performance wise - only issues are a little lag if running too much video and a couple of gloomy screens when too many Google Chrome tabs were open along with other programs. Memory oppression of some sort. But easy to avoid, once one knows the limitations of the processor. Used the netbook to talk with a handheld SkyPE Ipevo phone in many sitting room. Handy!
One annoyance (That I was aware of before buying) is that to use the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys one must use the FN key at the same at all times. Which is swappable with the LEFT corner CTRL key (Not the RIGHT CTRL key, which would make it a one handed activity - unless I missed a setting) in the BIOs - but still annoying - as the smaller screen requires more scrolling. The trackpad scroll works well though. Other netbooks have particular PAGE-UP/DOWN keys.
I also own an HP DV6000 series limited edition white pad - which is slick but -- after experiencing the aluminum/metal feel of the the HP Mini - I will say that more note/netbooks should be built with metal over shoddy. Enjoy!
NOTE: This review is of the 6-cell version. This review is attached to the 3-cubicle version on Amazon. Both are identical except for the battery size/life.