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Ladies and gentlemen, this is it! HP’s long awaited tablet officially announced. It actually came up during Steve Ballmer’s CES keynote event and immediately became “hot”, but this way or another, it’s way too early and we’re still missing a lot. And even though this is just a prototype slate and we are few months away from seeing it out, we’re more than sure this cool multi-touch gadget is something ‘ya all would probably want. It runs Windows 7 to handle it and a Kindle reader software, but as we’ve seen from Microsoft’s CEO, you can even play with it Frogger. There’s more of it few scrolls after, including a mysterious video teaser and an image of Ballmer. Stay tuned.

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Remember the Mini 5101 that HP released 6 months ago to target high-end customers with business related aspirations? Turns out it’s not alone – as a matter of fact it has a new twin brother that carries the title Mini 5102. The latest, which belongs to the growing Pine Trail family, packs inside an Atom N450 processor along a 10-inch display, offered with a WSVGA or WXGA panels. But as a premium portable device, one can guess it boasts a lot more than usual. What else is new? We’re talking about a Broadcom HD video accelerator, added to the pile, while keyboard is at 95% from the regular one. Besides that you can toss inside any possible operating system available, either it’s FreeDOS, SUSE Linux, Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter/Premium editions. Battery wise, you can choose between 4-cell and 6-cell flavors, but the most attractive alternative, marked as optional, is that super cool capacitive (multitouch) touchscreen which turns that netbook into a tablet (well, not exactly, but you know what I mean). It ain’t going to be cheap, boys and girls, but we still can;t tell how much and when. PR words added after the break.

Update1: Apparently, the Mini 5102 cover is made out of a stunning brushed aluminum plate and the chassis hides an optional handle for ‘A-grades’ students. Checkout the hands-on video the good people at engadget just shared.

Update2: We’ve added another video from the CES show that demos HP’s touchscreen netbook capabilities, this time with a snapdragon and Android platforms running inside. Check it out right after the break.

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Details scarce at the moment, but HP officially joins the Pine Trail pond, with its latest Mini 210 netbook which has recently appeared on various online retailers, like eCost, and suppose to replace the previous and popular Mini 110. From what we know, the new 210 version is expected to go live in five different color variations, matte silver with pattern, matte black with pattern, sonoma red, pacific blue or solid black, and suppose to include a 10.1-inch flush glass display, along that trendy 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor, the new Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 1GB of RAM, a 160 or 250GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n wifi connection, 5-in-1 card reader, 3-cell/6-cell battery and Windows 7 Starter edition preloaded inside – all priced at $321 for basic package and up to $399 with some optional upgrades. Stay tuned.

Update: Turns out the Mini 210 wasn’t the only Pine Trail netbook that HP has issued. And besides that Mini 210 we’ve mentioned in here and the 5102, released to premium users, the company has also announced the Mini 2101 and the Compaq 201, both to include 10-inch displays, Island style keyboard and Broadcom Crystal HD accelerators. However, while the Mini 2101 is priced at $399 and packs a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM and Windows 7 Starter, its sibling, the Compaq 201 runs for only $229, but has the good old Atom N270 processor,paired with 1GB of RAM and Windows 7 Starter. Design wise, they all look the same, except the colors. PR notes after the break.

[via Logichp]

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While most Nvidia ion-based netbooks are scheduled to go live at the end of this year, HP seems to be the one to take matters into its own hands and be the first to hit the scene with a graphics-boosted netbook device. The model we’re talking about is the Mini 311, which recently showed up on HP’s online shop with an HD compatible 11.6-inch (1,366 x 768) display, Atom N270 processor, an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and built-in VGA and HDMI ports for external image use. Microsoft’s Windows XP stuffed inside to handle this powerful system, while a near-full-size (92%) keyboard, three USB hubs and Altec Lansing speakers are all part of the deal. Starting price looks pretty attractive, at $399, but any add-on will set you back an extra cash. Thus, an Atom N280, Bluetooth and 802.11n will charge you $25 each, while white flavors are listed for another $20 and 3G WWAN connection is set for $125 more. Nevertheless, we still think it’s a good bargain, especially when it runs a 720p flash video flawlessly. See for yourself after the break.

Update1: It’s not that we needed any further proof to make us believe that HP’s Mini 311 netbook is capable handling advanced high-def media files better than others, but just in case, here are some facts – risen from LaptopMag’s benchmark tests – to maintain our claims: on the PCMark 05, the 311 has scored 1,917 points, that’s 500 points above the average, while the PCMark 06 review has given the 311 a 1,386 score, which is  1,200 on top of the ordinary and just about the same score as a MacBook Air. Very impressive, isn’t it?

Update2: If you have any plans on getting one, the guys at MyHPMini discovered interesting details from HP’s service manual. In general, the 311 will soon be out in different Windows 7  versions, including Windows 7 Starter, Basic, Premium, and Professional flavors. Additionally, you’ll also get a chance to upgrade your netbook and stuff inside cool specs like:

• NVIDIA ION, the FULL platform, only with Windows 7
• 1GB RAM (plus 1GB on-board ram), total 2GB
• 2GB RAM (plus the 1GB on-board), total 3GB
• 80GB Solid-State-Drive (SSD)
• 250GB Hard Drive, 5400rpm, only with Windows 7
• 320GB Hard Drive, 5400rpm, only with Windows 7

Now that’s what we’re looking for.

[HP]

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Remember Vivienne Tam’s HP 1000 netbook edition? Turns out it now has a new “digital clutch” chic sequel, which recently showed up at New York’s Fashion Week catwalk show and said to be inspired by Chinese love story “Butterfly Lovers”. Thus, it’s all covered with light brown flavor and three beautiful butterflies, that according to Tam, “symbolize love, freedom, independence and transformation”, which are all suppose to be targeting modern women who admire the creation of “fashionable technology”. Regretfully HP hasn’t released any details about specs or pricing, until now, but with the clothing collection set to take off on Spring 2010, we seems to have plenty of time to bring’em on.

[via slashgear]

Those of you who anxiously look for high-end netbook machine with business exterior flavors, HP might have the right solution, as the company recently announced a new netbook, the Mini 5101, which comes with a slick aluminum and magnesium alloy body, housing Intel’s 1.66GHz N280 Atom processor, together with four-cell or six-cell batteries, 2 MP webcam, Bluetooth 2.0/ WiFi b/g/n connectivity and up to a 320GB HDD or an 80GB SSD. Additionally, you get to choose between a standard 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 WSVGA display or HD-compatible 1366 x 768 LED screen at the same size, paired with optional WWAN module and either Windows XP Home, SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 or FreeDOS systems aboard, offered at a starting price of $449 from July. See how the Mini 5101 netbook really looks, with HP’s official video after the break.

Update1: Looks like the Mini 5101 is finally available to purchase, starting at $399.99 and including a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display, along with a flat chiclet keyboard and all the basic stuff we noted above. However, for extra cash you can get inside the business edition a 128GB SSD drive and 1366 x 768 resolution, but it will cost you a lot more.

[via HP]

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The idea of having both Android tablet and XP netbook, packed in one small portable device is lighting our imagination for quite some time, and when Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry was recently introducing the Mtube II netbook / tablet hybrid machine at the Computex show, we knew we’re on the right direction with this one. The interesting combination of HP Mini 1000, coming with Windows XP flavor, and an Android tablet platform that can easily pulled out of the main body and serve as an independent touch unit, will probably reach the markets in a year or two, but at the meantime, having the ability to watch this wonder in action right here, right now, directly from our armchair is truly exciting, despite the poor processors that were integrated inside – VIA C7-M for the netbook and unspecified ARM processor with the Android tablet – and the screen, which is connected by VNC, providing a medicore video quality at most. Nonetheless, the technology for itself is pretty fascinating, so if you’d like to see this enlightening video for yourself hit the break and start dreaming.

[via chinese engadget]

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Great news from Moblin Linux direction, as Intel’s free open-sourced platform will apparently receive a significant corroboration from Taiwanese corp Acer, who recently pledged on a computex conference to widely implement this phenomenal OS inside its desktop computers, laptop devices and Aspire One netbook machines, starting this year. And while anxiously waiting for self interaction, various editions of Moblin 2.0, including Suse, Xandros, Linpus, Red Flag, and Ubuntu were flauntingly demoed in that same press gathering, running on different portable netbook brands from HP, Asustek, MSI, and Hasee Computer, impressively raising our impatiemt feelings. But needless to say we’re constantly following, so just stay in touch for future updatings.

[via pcworld]

HP reinforces its Mini netbooks lineup with brand new models, including the Mini 1101, 110XP and 110 Mi, armed from top to bottom with basic specs like 10.1-inch LED-backlit display, GMA 950 graphics set, VGA output, 802.11b/g WiFi connection, 3-cell battery (6 optional) and either 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 or 1.66GHz N280 processors at your choice. But If that’s not enough, each one of the three hides even more goodies, as the 110XP boasts 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD or 32GB SSD, along with a WWAN 3G hardware and a Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator for 1080P video handling, while the 110 Mi carries HP’s Linux-based OS, together with 2GB of RAM and up to 250GB HDD. The third, out of the three, is the Mini 1101, which looks like a basic 110XP version, dropping the Broadcom graphics chipset and adding a Vista OS inside. In terms of price and availability, the 1101 is scheduled to arrive on June 1st, priced at $329, while the 110 alternatives will be joining a week and a half later in black swirl, white swirl or pink chic flavors, priced at $279 for the Linux version and $329 for the XP style. Checkout the complete press release and video demo after the break.

Update1: The guys at Tech65.org were lucky enough to get their hands on the Mini 110 netbook version and generously shared their first experience in a short video preview you can all watch after the break. New add-ons  aside, it seems like HP has made some delicate changes within the external design, ditching the “toggle-off” button around the trackpad and removing the speakers position right under the screen, while adding a matte flavor to the bezel frame in order to prevent mirror reflections. Hardware wise, you now get a 2.5-inch hard-drive (instead of 1.8″), which vigorously  supports 5400 RPMs, making your portable device even faster. Hit the jump to read more.

Update2: Looks like the HP’s Mini 1101 netbook version is finally up for sale at the basic form, priced at $329. Just click in here to get your first impression or wait for its sibling to make their appearance.

Update3: Both Mini 110 Mi and Mini 110 XP are up and available for ordering on HP’s website, priced at at $279.99 or $329.99 respectively, with an optional Intel Atom N280 processor for extra $25 or 6-cell battery for additional $40 to the base price.

Update4: Looks like the Mini 110 netbooks are getting additional colors to the lineup, as HP just added white swirl and pink chic versions to the product page, that will cost you an extra $20over the base price. Furthermore, the company is now offering an HD video boost  option, by adding Broadcom’s Crystal HD Enhanced Video accelerator to your machine for only $30 more.

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It seems like HP will never abandon the promising Mini-Note 2133 design, with its adequate look and wide keyboard, that turn it into your ultimate travel-mate netbook. However, while the previous model had a sluggish VIA C7-M processor, the new Mini 2140 comes with an updated 1.6GHz Atom processor version, together with 80GB/160GB hard drive at your choice, USB ports, WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity and even ExpressCard / 54 slot. Screen size is bigger as well, offering a 10-inch display, available in 1366 x 768 and 1024 x 567 resolutions, which provide a better proportion for those who play games. Base package will be offered at $499, as you’ll be able to choose between XP Home / Pro, SuSe Linux, or Vista Home / Premium OS.

Update1 – 20/1/09 – the Mini 2140 is now available with the same specs we’ve noted up. Mind you, the Vista version is more expensive and priced at up to $799.

Update2- 31/3/09 – the Mini 2140 will finally be released on April 1, with an HD display, supporting 1,366 x 768 resolution.

[HP]

If the Mini 1000 netbook wasn’t enough, HP has launched the Compaq Mini 700 to the European market, packing a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a pair of Altec Lansing speakers, GMA 950 graphics card, built-in webcam/microphone, HSPDA and the usual USB2.0 ports, Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity. There are no differences between the two versions, although the “700″ in the second model could easily imply for a 7″ display, but it’s not, the Compaq Mini comes with a 10.2-inch (1204 x 600) screen size, not to mention a Windows XP onboard. Price wise, the 700 version is more expensive, as you will have to spend £399 ($594) in order to get one. Clearly, it won’t carry basic specs. Checkout the unboxing video after the break.

[via notebookitalia]

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If black exterior design becomes too dull and boring for you, HP has the right solution, as the company has launched a special Vivienne Tam Mini 1000 Netbook edition, to be available in December for a starting price of $699.The new limited version packs a 10-inch display, together with a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB SSD or 60GB HDD and of course, a lavish flowery reddish decoration that covers the ultra portable computer, from top to toe. Bottom line, looks interesting but cost a fortune.

Update: meanwhile, in a perfect holidays timing, HP has announced a $40 price cut, on all regular Mini 1000 models, starting at $359.99 for the basic 10-inch version with Atom N270 processor, 8GB SSD and a 3-cell battery. Do the math which one is preferable.

[HP]

The guys at HP probably feel the saber, landing on their neck, with their HP 2133 Mini Note left behind, in the fierce netbook competition, having a relatively weak Via C7-M processor inside, instead of the mighty Intel Atom N270 CPU, placed in others. But the situation is about to change, as HP has just introduced the new 10-inch Mini 1000 netbook, equipped with an Intel Atom version, 2.25lbs weight and competitive $399 starting price. Unfortunately, there are no further details to tell, so stay tuned for more to come.

Update1: As mentioned, HP ditched the weak VIA C7-M processor in favor of the Atom N270 CPU, coming with a 10.2-inch 1024 x 769 display, instead of the great 1280 x 768 screen on the 2133. You will be able to choose either 512MB, 1GB or 2GB RAM, while the XP version gets only 1GB. Storage wise, HP offers a 60GB 4200 rpm HDD or 8GB/16GB SSD. Other specs include 2 USB ports, an SD slot, VGA webcam, eSATA port, 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity (optional). The Mini 1000 XP Home edition version, will be available in mid-December, starting at $399, as the Linux MIE version, which is a special Ubuntu-based OS, designed by HP itself, will make a debut in January, for $379.

Update2: Checkout the videos from Notebooks.com after the break.

Update3: March 13th – The Mini 1000 officially gets a 6-cell battery. Those who’ve been anxiously waiting for this one to arrive (probably most of you) can get it for $95.99 (after $20 rebate) from here.

[via gizmodo]

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After the Asus Eee PC, MSI Wind and the HP 2133, there’s a new kid on the mini-laptop block, as Michael Dell has snappily revealed the new Dell Mini Inspiron at the All Things Digital conference. This sub-$500 lappy presumably features an 8.9-inch screen, a card reader, three USB ports, Ethernet connection, a VGA output, a built-in webcam and many more. We can’t be sure if it is equipped with an Atom-based processor but the Mini Inspiron is expected to run either Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux OS. Stay tuned for more details to be revealed next week at the Computex show.

Another picture after the break.

[via gizmodo]

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Almost 2 months after HP has revealed its new UMPC Mini Note wonder, it goes live stateside, with a price range from $499 to $849. To refresh your memory, we are talking about a great mini laptop, built from a brushed metal, with Via C7-M processor (1.0 GHz up to 1.6 GHz), an 8.9-inch screen (1280×768) and a full sized keyboard, for easy and accurate typing. It has great loudly speakers on its sides, a built-in webcam, WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, SD / SDHC slot and many more. The 2133 runs Vista or Linux at your choice and comes with different configurations, like hard drive ranged from 4GB internal flash to 160GB SATA 7200 or 512MB of RAM up to 2GB of RAM. Personally, i think this new lappy from HP is a triumph, but to give you a better view of this magnificent mini notebook, checkout the 30 minutes review from jkOnTheRun, after the break.

[via HP]

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Hp introduces the new Elite Auto Focus webcam, coming with 3 megapixels CMOS camera, supporting video shooting from 640 x 480 at 30fps to 1600 x 1200 at 5-6 FPS only. The Elite features a stereo microphone, USB 2.0, face tracking or Magic-i functions, and a privacy cover, to hide your intimate moments. It is compatible with all known video chat applications, like Skype, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, AIM and can be attached to your monitor easily. No word on price, but it seems the race for the pixels has reached the webcams.

[via gizmodo]

Hp joins the UMPC party, introducing the new Compaq 2133, an Eee PC-like model with 8.9-inch 1366 x 766 (WXGA) screen display, running Vista or Linux at your choice. The ultra mini features large QWERTY keyboard, ExpressCard/54 slot, built-in webcam, WiFi, and optional SSD drive. No price or availability details, but we expect to see this handsome around summer time. I hope HP will be kind enough to send me one.

Update: Commercial Times says it will be available around April for 630$, that’s double the Eee-PC price.

[via engadget]