HP Mini 110
It’s not perfect, but the new HP Mini 110 ($329 as configured) is definitely the company’s best netbook for consumers yet. HP has addressed our biggest complaints with the earlier Mini 1000 (no VGA port, small and slow hard drive), and has added more style to the mix with new color options. On the other hand, the attractive edge-to-edge glass display is gone, and the Mini 110 is thicker and heavier than its predecessor, not to mention that HP still includes awkward vertical touchpad buttons. The HP Mini 110 is a good value, but there are better 10-inch netbooks for the money.
Design
On the outside, the HP Mini 110 looks very similar to the Mini 1000, but is slightly heavier (2.6 pounds versus 2.4 pounds) and thicker (1.3 inches versus 1.0 inches). In addition to the Black Swirl Imprint lid design, HP will make White Swirl and Pink Chic finishes available in July. And, unlike the ASUS Eee PC S101 or the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, its pattern hid our fingerprints. Plus, the glowing blue wireless status lights for the power and wireless on/off switch project a futuristic look.
We quickly noticed that the latest version of this model sits a little higher in back when placed on a desk, thanks to slightly taller rubber feet. We’re assuming this was done to dissipate heat, as the Mini 1000 ran warm.
Keyboard and Touchpad
When we opened the lid, we also noticed that the finish didn’t have the same look and feel as the Mini 1000. This time, HP opted for a different resin for the plastic deck surrounding the excellent 92-percent keyboard, which results in a slightly grittier feel, and a somewhat cheaper look. The right Shift key is full size and placed directly under the Enter key. Additionally, there is a complete row of dedicated function keys. The only keyboard that can hold a candle to HP’s is that of the Samsung NC10. Some of its keys aren’t as large as those of the Mini 110, but many users may prefer their chunkier feel.
Specifications are as follows :
Weight 1.06 kgs (lightest in the HP Mini line)
Thickness Just over 1 inch
Display
(For XP) 10.1-inch Diagonal SD LED Antiglare
Widescreen Display
(1024×576)
OR
10.1-inch Diagonal HD LED Anti-glare
Widescreen Display
(1366×768)
(For Mi) 10.1-inch Diagonal SD LED Antiglare
Widescreen Display
(1024×576)
Processor Intel® Atom™ N270 1.60 GHz or Intel® Atom™ N280 1.66 GHz
Chipset Intel® 945 GSE Chipset
Graphics Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Shared)
OS Microsoft Windows XP or HP Mini 110 Mobile Internet Edition (MIE)
Internal Storage
(For XP) 16GB/32GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module) OR 160GB –5400 RPM Hard Drive
(For MIE) 8GB/64GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module) OR 250GB–5400 RPM Hard Drive
Memory
(For XP) 1024MB DDR2 System Memory,
Supports up to 1 GB
(For MIE) 1024 MB/2048 MB DDR2 System Memory
Supports up to 2GB
Ports 5-in-1 digital media slot
3x USB Ports
VGA Connector
Camera Webcam with Integrated Microphone
Communications Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
802.11 b/g WLAN, HP un2400 EV-DO/HSPA Mobile Broadband (Configurable)
External Bluetooth Nano Dongle (Configurable)
Keyboard 92% Full-Size Keyboard
Power 3 or 6-Cell Lithium-ion (28Whr, 55Whr), 30W AC Adapter
Special Features Syncables – Sync effortlessly
Broadcom® Crystal HD Enhanced Video accelerator (Configurable)
This specs sheet was taken and modified slightly from Nicholas Aaron Khoo’s blog, whom I attended the HP Touch The Future Now event in Beijing with.
The 2.4 x 1.1-inch touchpad is vertically narrow, resulting in a lot of backtracking. Also, still present are the awkward right and left mouse buttons, which straddle the pad vertically. Nevertheless, because we adjusted to the layout in a few hours, we don’t think the touchpad is a deal breaker.
Ports and Webcam
The Mini 110 eschews the annoying VGA adapter port in favor of a full-size VGA port on the right, bringing this machine in line with most other netbooks. We also appreciate the new third USB port (two on the right, one on the left); the 5-in-1 memory card reader and the Ethernet port are on the right side.
The integrated 0.3-megapixel webcam on our review unit provided decent images in a video call over Skype; our caller could see our face clearly. The microphone, located to the left of the webcam, picked up some background noise, but our caller could hear us just fine without our needing to speak up.
Display and Audio
HP has nixed the edge-to-edge glass display in favor of a traditional bezel (we’re assuming to save on cost). On the plus side, many users will appreciate that this 10.1-inch (1024 x 576) LCD is an antiglare widescreen. The picture was bright and colorful when we streamed an episode of Family Guy, over Hulu. HP will offer a high-def display option (1366 x 768 pixels) for $30 on July 8.
The silver speaker bar on the original Mini 1000 has been replaced with a speaker panel that’s integrated into an area beneath the screen. When we streamed music over Slacker, we were impressed with the volume this tiny netbook pumped out.
