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The Gadget: The HP Mini 2140 is the update to the education and business oriented Mini 2133 netbook. HP says they bumped the 2140′s specs to cater more to the road warriors.

The Skinny: The most notable changes in the 2140 is the 10-inch, LED-backlit, 16:9 screen (1366×768!) and the 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor. Visually, the 2140 is pretty much identical to the 2133. HP also tacked on support for 802.11n wi-fi. Other than that, it still offers up to a 160GB HDD, 2GB RAM and your choice of Windows Vista, FreeDOS or SuSE Linux. The HP Mini 2140 will be available this month starting at $500.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2009 – Building on its award-winning portfolio of Mini products, HP today unveiled a new HP Mini designed for mobile professionals that require a rich computing experience in a small, portable package.

The HP Mini 2140 Notebook PC features a simple, refined all-aluminum case for a sleek yet lightweight design. Starting at 2.6 pounds,(1) the fully functional and durable HP Mini 2140 is an ideal companion PC for the on-the-go professional. It features a large 10.1-inch diagonal scratch-resistant HP Illumi-Lite LED display available in either standard or high-definition(2) resolutions, a user-friendly 92 percent of full-size QWERTY keyboard, and a range of hard-drive options including an optional high-capacity 80-gigabyte (GB)(3) solid-state drive.

“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 HP Mini 2140 keeps mobile professionals ultra-productive by including a small, low-power Intel® Atom processor to enable the unit to run cooler, use less power and improve battery life. It includes a suite of wireless technologies such as integrated Wi-Fi Certified WLAN(2) and optional Bluetooth® 2.0, allowing a variety of ways to access the Internet for email, IM, chat and blogging. An integrated VGA webcam allows for easy still-image capture, web-conferencing or video-enhanced instant messaging(4) with no additional hardware to buy or carry.

The HP Mini 2140 is also a great tool for the classroom. The suite of wireless,(5) multimedia and security capabilities allows students to learn wherever they have Wi-Fi access – from the classroom, to the library, to their homes. The HP Mini 2140 can change how students learn today and is the practical answer to providing each student continuous access to a notebook in one-to-one computing.

To meet the needs of both mobile professionals and students, the HP Mini 2140 underwent the HP Total Test Process, which included more than 95,000 hours of extensive testing and product validation to ensure designs, materials and components meet the highest standards.

The product is packed with a combination of innovative features to boost productivity and improve the overall mobile experience, including:

A large 10.1-inch diagonal LED display with 16:9 aspect ratio available in either standard-definition (1,024 x 576) or high-definition (1,366 x 768) resolutions. User-friendly 92 percent of full size keyboard (QWERTY) and touchpad.

HP DuraKeys, featuring a clear coating applied over the notebook keyboard that protects the finish and printed letters and characters. HP DuraKeys offers 50 times more resistance to visible wear than keyboards without it.

HP 3D DriveGuard, featuring a three-axis digital accelerometer chip that sends a signal to shut down the hard drive upon sudden movement or shock.

HP Panel Protection System with a scratch-resistant acrylic LCD cover and magnesium hinge bracket for added durability in demanding environments. Ability to view video, still-image capture, web conferencing or video-enhanced instant messaging with no additional hardware to buy or carry.

The integrated VGA webcam enables video and still-image capture to allow the addition of photos and video clips to presentations, documents and email.(4)

Two battery solutions – three-cell for lightest-weight configurations or six-cell lithium-ion battery for longer life.(6)

Optional Absolute Software’s Computrace,(7) which allows IT professionals to work with local law enforcement to track and help recover stolen or missing computers, inventory computers district wide, and detect changes in hardware and software.

New accessories designed for the Mini include an HP USB Docking Station, USB-powered HP Mobile Audio Speakers and HP USB optical disk drive that can read and write CD and DVD formats, as well as offer HP LightScribe capability to burn content directly onto discs. A lightweight, functional messenger bag designed specifically for the HP or a neoprene slip case offer added protection for professionals while on the go.

More information on HP Mini 2140 product specifications, images and other HP mobility solutions is available in an online press kit at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2008/mobility/index.html and at http://www.hp.com/personal.

Pricing and availability
The HP Mini 2140 starts at $499(8) and is expected to be available later this month.