Netbook Comp

We are excited to review the new HP Mini 2140, the eagerly awaited successor of the HP 2133 Mini-Note, which happens to be one of our favorite netbooks of all time. In terms of the external appearance, the HP 2133 and the new HP 2140 do not have any notable differences, besides the size of the screen – 8.9 inch versus 10.1 inch, respectively. Also, the chassis is a little bit larger (6mm longer and 1 mm wider than the previous model) and the ventilation grills have been slightly changed. In our past review of the HP 2133, we made it clear that it was a reliable, high quality netbook with a business vibe. Specifically, the chassis offers a solid structure that suggests sturdiness – the chassis itself is aluminum and the structural reinforcements are made of magnesium. The display hinges are also made of magnesium, further accentuating the HP 2140’s well-built structure. In addition, HP netbooks are known for their large, comfortable keyboards that are almost at par with full-size keyboards – therefore, you shouldn’t have any problems typing. The HP 2140 is also equipped with the HP DuraKeys protection system, preventing the keys from damage.

The HP 2140’s touch pad offers accurate control over the cursor, but its smooth surface can be problematic at times. Above the touch pad, there is a button that can either turn on or turn off the touch pad. The touch pad buttons are places on the sides to maximize the space take over by the large keyboard. First-time users will have to get used to this unconventional positioning, but it should not be a big problem. On the front, you can find the wireless switch, Power button, and the HDD activity LED. The right side is equipped with the SD/MMC card reader, USB and LAN ports, ExpressCard slot, and the power connector, while the left side has the audio IN/OUT connectors, VGA connectors, and an additional USB port. The 10.1 inch display offers 1,024 by 576 resolution with a glare type screen. A large number of netbooks in the market offer the same resolution, suggesting that the 1,024 by 576 resolution is slowly becoming the standard. This particular resolution does not provide quality vertical resolution, which is probably the most prominent problem when surfing the web. However, HP provides an extra, more costly model with a better resolution of 1,366 by 768, if you want to spend the extra dollars. The screen is embossed with an additional acrylic layer to protect against sharp objects and scratches.  However, we were not able to test this supposed extra protection to see if it actually makes a difference. The viewing angles on the new HP 2140 seem to have been upgraded – it’s substantially better than the HP 2140, and for this, the new display gets a higher score. Although the HP 2140 cannot be opened completely, it’s not a big deal since most netbooks have the same issue.

The main difference between the HP 2133 and the HP 2140 lies in their platform – the HP 2133 utilized the VIA platform, while the HP 2140 is based on the Intel solution. Although HP had taken a big step in experimenting with the relatively obscure VIA platform, the truth is that it does not compare with the performance of the Intel solution. The HP 2133 had frequent problems with overheating, especially in the bottom area. On the other hand, the HP 2140 does not have any noticeable issues with overheating. Additionally, its fans are pretty much silent – all thanks to the Intel solution.

The HP 2140’s audio system is one of its biggest weaknesses. HDD data protection is responsible for the HP 3D Drive Guard, but it does not perform well when the sound card is supported by low-quality speakers. Furthermore, the speakers are located under the display on the cover, and when the netbook is opened, the area gets blocked by the chassis. This ultimately hinders the sound coming from the speakers. The webcam is nothing special and definitely has room for improvement – especially considering the price of this netbook.

Tech Specs (varies with customization):