14 DAY TRIAL // Even though Atom-powered netbooks aren't expected to hold onto their market share much longer, HP still thinks there are enough prospective customers out there to warrant a new release.
It wasn't long ago that we learned about how some parties believed that Intel's Atom line of netbook chips, and netbooks in general, were doomed.
HP does not agree with that assessment, or at least doesn't think the demise of netbooks is all that near.
After all, it has just released a new entry-level mobile personal computer.
The newcomer, like all Intel-based netbooks, has a screen size of 10.1 inches.
The native resolution of the display is 1,024 x 600 pixels, not all that incredible, but not underwhelming either.
The chip acting as the heart of the system is the Atom N2600, a dual-core model whose clock speed is 1.6 GHz and which has its own integrated graphics (GMA 3600 HD).
Furthermore, HP threw in 2GB of RAM (random access memory), plus all the connectivity and I/O options one would expect.
That means Bluetooth 4.0+HS, Wi-Fi (wireless network), USB support (three ports) and, should one afford one extra expense, mobile broadband with GPS as well.
Finally, like any self-respecting laptop, the HP Mini 1104 has a hard drive unit whose capacity is of 320 GB.
HP supposedly sells the thing for $399, which is about the same as 306.38 Euro, according to exchange rates. The online listings can be found right here.
That is actually a rather high sum, especially knowing that the ASUS Eee PC R051BX AMD-based netbook sells for 250 Euro, or $321.92.
Then again, HP's new offer does have a longer battery life (about nine hours instead of four), and comes with a spill-resistant keyboard and motion-detecting HDD. For a little extra, buyers can get an USB DVD drive too.