Shane McGlaun25 June 2009, 10:50 AM
HP's latest netbook offers multiple 7,200-rpm storage options along with Windows Vista.
HP was a late bloomer when it came to growing a pair of netbooks. Once the company got into the netbook market, it didn’t take long to branch out and offer several models. The computer maker has announced its latest netbook called the
HP Mini 5101.
The 5101 has a 10.1-inch LED backlit LCD with an anti-glare coating. Graphics are via Intel GMA 950 and the little rig has lots of choices when it comes to storage. Typically, with a netbook we get pokey 5,400-rpm hard drives. HP is offering not one, but three 7,200-rpm HDD options on the netbook ranging from 160GB to 320GB of storage. Those wanting to get more performance can opt for a 128GB SSD as well.
The machine runs an Intel Atom N280 processor and can be optioned with 1GB or 2GB of RAM. The machine runs Windows Vista Home Basic rather than Windows XP, which isn't great news. 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi is built in and WWAN based on the Qualcomm Gobi chip is optional. This chip is dual-mode EV-DO and HSPA, so it allows connction to just about all telcos worldwide -- however, since it's a more expensive chip than regular HSPA chips, and Australia has no EV-DO network since Telstra shut its one down, it's more likely we'll get a configuration with a single-mode HSPA chip here.
The little machine weighs 1.30kg and measures 262 x 180 x 23.2 mm. Power for the machine is from a 4-cell 29WHr lithium-ion battery or an optional 6-cell 55WHr unit. There is no word on battery life, but you can bet it's not going to match the over eight hours the
Toshiba NB205 posted.