With netbooks increasingly becoming more popular on the ultra-lightweight portable PC market, leading PC maker HP decided it was time to provide its users with a new netbook system. The company has just introduced the new Mini 2140, designed for mobile professionals who require the basics in terms of computing experience in a small, light and portable package. Like the recently announced HP Mini 1000 series, the new Mini 2140 comes to provide users with the computing power of an Intel Atom processor, encased in a chassis that clearly resembles that of the company's first Mini-Note PC, the VIA C7-M-powered 2133.

 

“HP continues to enhance its portfolio of Mini products to ensure we offer customers choices that meet their personal performance and style needs,” said Dan Forlenza, vice president, Business Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “The sturdy, lightweight HP Mini 2140 integrates innovative functionality to keep on-the-move executives connected without weighing them down.”

 

The new Mini 2140 has been designed on the same Intel Atom platform that is featured on almost every other netbook system currently available on the market. The netbook sports an Intel Atom N270 processor, clocked at 1.6GHz, and the Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset. Users can take advantage of a maximum of 2GB of DDR2 memory, while on the storage side they will be able to choose from two different 160GB hard disk drives or an 80GB Solid State Drive. The integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics engine is powering the system's 10.1-inch LCD screen, capable of providing a maximum resolution of 1366 by 768.

 

Additional specifications include 2 USB 2.0 ports, one external VGA monitor, one RJ-45 port, 1 microphone in and one 1 headphone port, as well as an Express Card/54 and one Secure Digital slot. The system is featured with an 802.11 draft-n and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology and has a starting weight of 2.6 lb, or approximately 1.19kg. The keyboard is 92 percent of the a full-size QWERTY keyboard and the battery options include a small 3-cell one, or a 6-cell one for higher battery life.

 

The new system is expected to become available later this month, for a starting price tag that should settle around $499, according to the company. It will be showcased at the Conusmer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada which will start on January the 8.