Just for reference, I have the higher-spec’d model that has the 1.6 GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor, 2GB of RAM and runs Windows Vista Business. And without further delay, the video…

The display on the Mini-Note is 8.9-inches and when compared to the Eee or Cloudbook it seems much larger as compared to their 7-inch display. Which aside from the 1.9-inches of extra real estate you also have a much higher resolution on the Mini-Note.

The Mini-Note has a screen resolution up to 1280 x 768, which is incredible as compared to the 800 x 480 on the others. However with that comes some extra eye strain, so a quick tip, aside from lowering the screen resolution will make the viewing experience a little easier on the eyes.

Change the overall font size

• Open Control Panel
• Click on the Personalization icon
• Then in the left hand column, click “Adjust font size (DPI)” and click Continue
• This opens DPI Scaling
• Switch from the default of 96 DPI to the “Larger scale (120 DPI) - make text more readable”
• Click Apply and then OK

When it came to my Mini-Note purchase I wanted to get the faster processor and have the notebook come with the 2GB of RAM pre-installed so that meant opting for the $749 model with Windows Vista Business installed. So aside from getting used to the notebook itself, its been a little bit of a challenge with Vista.

Overall I like Vista, well I don’t hate it is most likely a better statement but I don’t think it’s as bad as I had heard. I hate to make a rash or quick decision but I may like it better than XP.

A few things that I have had to change, well actually fix is the login and sleep issues. I am not sure if this is a notebook issue or something with Vista but I was forced to login in each time I turned on or woke the computer from a sleep state. Which although they only took a few extra seconds, I am impatient and it turns out that they were both easy fixes. So just in case anyone else is in the same boat as me, I thought I would share the fix.

Boot without a login:

• Open the Start menu and click Run
• In the Run field, type netplwiz, then click OK and Continue
• This will open up User Accounts and on the Users tab there will be a checkbox towards the top
• Uncheck the box next to “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer”
• Click Apply, then OK

Wake from sleep without a login:

• Open Control Panel
• Open Power Options
• In the left side column, click “Require a password on wakeup”
• Click the link that states “Change settings that are currently unavailable”
• Click the “Don’t require a password”
• Then click the Save Changes button

This latest set comes courtesy of tnkgrl Mobile. Here is just an example picture, and while there are many better images in her set, I just have a thing for self-portrait style laptop images. I encourage you to click through and check out the post.

Having purchased the $749 model, it came standard with the 6-cell battery, which most people would like because of the extra battery life. I on the other hand feel that I do not always need that amount of power and would sometimes prefer to opt for the smaller, and slightly lighter 3-cell battery.

Sadly they are not yet available for purchase. I had called HP to attempt to place my order, but was simply told that because it was a new item the batteries are not yet available. While I did not dig to deep with the representative that I spoke with, I was informed that she did not have any timeframe as to when they will be available.

Personally the extra power is nice, but a battery that sits flush and takes an albeit small amount of weight off would be nice to have. One positive thing about the larger 6-cell battery, aside from the obvious longer life is that it raises the notebook a little and makes typing a little nicer.

Here are some size comparison pics of the HP Mini-Note 2133, Everex Cloudbook and Asus Eee PC. Check out my Flickr set.

Go ahead and check out the unboxing pictures that I took. In the meantime I need to get some hands on time with it. Overall first impressions are that it feels like a real nice and solid notebook. It has a more “real” feel than other notebooks in it’s class.

I went with the $749 model, that features the 1.6 GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor, 2GB of RAM, 120GB 7,200 rpm hard drive, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth with Windows Vista Business.

I will that for anyone who is planning to get a Mini-Note, be prepared for that first boot up time, it is a real time waster.

More to come as I play.

This morning I received the welcomed “Shipment status EMail” from HP. I guess the Mini-Note will be arriving sometime next week. I did not order any special shipping, I just went with the standard shipping, only because after buying the notebook I was feeling cheap. Of course now that I know it’s on the way, I wish I had spent the few extra bucks. Oh well a few extra days will not hurt.

The Mini-Note that I ordered was the higher-spec’d model. The $749 model that features the 1.6GHz Via C7-M processor, 2GB of RAM, 120GB 7200rpm hard drive, built-in Bluetooth, a 6-cell Li-Ion battery and runs Windows Vista Business.

I went with this model, mostly because it had the extra (2GB) RAM, and also the larger battery and built-in Bluetooth. As someone who has used (and still owns) and Eee PC 701 and Everex Cloudbook (running XP) I hope the Mini-Note will be the notebook that I have been looking for.

This website while covering news about the Mini-Note and most likely some of its competition will also focus on my user experience and almost act as a long-term review type of journal.

The HP Mini-Note 2133, although rumored for quite a long time was officially announced on April 8, 2008. The launch of the Mini-Note offered four different configuration options with pricing ranging from $499 on the low-end and topping out at $749 on the high-end.

First up we have the $499 model, this features a 1.0GHz Via C7-M processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB SSD, 3-cell Li-Ion battery and runs SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10.

Stepping up from there we have the $549 model which features a 1.2GHz Via C7-M processor, 1GB of RAM, 120GB 5400rpm hard drive, 3-cell Li-Ion battery and runs SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10.

Next up we have the $599 model, this model offers the same features as the $549 model with one exception, it is running Windows Vista Home Basic instead of SUSE Linux.

Finally we have the top of the line model which retails for $749. The model features a 1.6GHz Via C7-M processor, 2GB of RAM, 120GB 7200rpm hard drive, built-in Bluetooth, a 6-cell Li-Ion battery and runs Windows Vista Business.

All four models include an 8.9-inch display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, integrated VGA webcam, Via Chrome 9 UMA graphics and a Broadcom 4311AG 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi Adapter. They also all come standard with a “limited 1 year standard parts and labor warranty.”

Product [HP] Read [Business Wire]

While things are getting underway here there will be a lot of initial changes. We are currently working on getting a user forum set up and customizing both the forums and blog.

Overall (and hopefully) we are looking to create a one-stop shop so to speak for all things related to the HP Mini-Note 2133. So make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed and check back often, the forums should be up and running shortly with HP Mini-Note related news beginning to get posted.

As well if you have any tips or comments feel free to send them over. We can be reached at:

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