We got our hands on the new HP Mini 5101 10.1-inch netbook, featuring a 95% QWERTY spill-resistant keyboard.
HP unleashed two brand new notebook PCs at the stroke of midnight. Say hello to the HP Mini 5101 and HP ProBook 4310s, two models we had the pleasure of playing with a few weeks back. It was obvious that HP was striving for style during our meeting, for the company was even showcasing a brand new lineup of swanky laptop bags and accessories. The HP USB Port Replicator was perhaps the most peculiar of the lot with its totem pole of interfaces and adjustable swivel orientation. We were impressed with the new HP Mini 5101 and HP ProBook 4310s (check out our hands-on), and not only from an aesthetic standpoint. Both models feature advanced processors and are designed to run Windows Vista Business, so we know HP has supplied the afterburners.
Honey, I shrunk the laptop
The HP Mini 5101 was cute, lovable and unassuming with its 10.1-inch diagonal LED backlit display, but a potent 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N280 processor sat under the hood. We loved the Mini's all-metal case, and the magnesium base brought durability to the table, without the extra calories. We especially liked the micro-textured palm rest panel, and the Mini's overall design was sleek and appealing. We were concerned about the size of the keyboard, but once we sat down and popped open the Mini, our woes were tossed out the window. The HP Mini 5101 features a 95% QWERTY spill-resistant keyboard, so typing was not an issue. HP also relocated the touch pad buttons to the bottom instead of a vertical orientation this time around, which was a good choice.
The HP Mini 5101 can ship with a lightweight 4-cell battery to save weight or a 6-cell battery, in addition to two different screens. Users can opt for an LED-backlit WSVGA (1024 x 600) screen or a 16:9 HD (1366 x 768) screen. Equipped with HP Fast Charge, the Mini 5101 guarantees 90% battery life in 90 minutes from a powered off state. The Mini also features 3D DriveGuard, which uses a three-axis accelerometer to detect sudden movement and initiate protective action.
The HP Mini 5101 can be customized with Wi-Fi and Mobile broadband (check out our review of the HP Mini 1151NR for carrier subsidies), and Disk Sanitizer is included. Interfaces consist of three USB 2.0 ports, VGA, power, Ethernet, SD/MMC slot, stereo mic and headphone/line out. We were jazzed about the three USB ports, for even our Macbook Pros are limited to only two USB ports. Users can choose between 160, 250 or 320 GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drives or an 80 GB Solid State Drive. Unfortunately, the Mini did not offer a CD/DVD drive and Windows XP Home is preinstalled.
Price and release date
The HP Mini 5101 will start at $450 and is expected to ship in late July.
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