It seems as if HP is about to enter the UMPC market, and quite ceremoniously, as the specifications and (possible) release date of the upcoming UMPC 2133 are looking really nice. All models of the 2133 will sport a VIA C7-M processor; three models have a 1.2GHz version, while one sports a slightly upgraded 1.6GHz model. All models will have graphics powered by a VIA Chrome 9 chipset. Supposed prices for the four models range from $549 to up to $849.
The $549 model gives you a 1.2GHz processor, a 120GB hard drive, 1GB RAM and is running SuSE Enterprise. The same hardware specifications are available in the $599 model, but the computer ships with Vista Home Basic. For $749, the computer is upgraded with a 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, Bluetooth, and Vista Business out of the box. The $849 model is very similar to the $749 model, except for the fact that it sports better “regional availability.”
HP should hope people will be willing to spontaneously drop about $600 for ultra-portables with 8.9-inch displays, or this will be a failed venture into a volatile market, however I don’t see that happening. HP is expected to drop toe 2133 on April 7, 2008.
Via [Engadget]
What!
No XP.
No SSD.
Unmentionable Weight.
Asus smiles broadly:-)
@ BG
Take a close look at the Dimensions… 13.3" x 8.5" x 5.5"…
I would suggest these are the dimensions/weight of the box, with the accessories, etc. That device isn't anywhere near those dimensions.
Obviously the HP and the eee are not necessarily geared towards the same customer. Some people will pay $500+ for the new eee PC 8.9" precisely because of the SSD, others will pay a similar amount for the HP because it has a 120g HD.
There is likely room enough in the marketplace for both. The more interesting question is which one will fellow Apple PowerBook G4 12" refugees spring for? Because the MacBook Air isn't what I'm looking for… Apple ought to wake up and come out with a Mac Mini priced "portatop" toot-sweet.
Respectfully, =)
– C
True enough. I am coming from the HP Jornada side of the equation (I've used SSD with mobile OSs and would never have switched back to HDD had there not been a gap in the development timeline). I am definitely geared toward light-weight traveling. If you want a slooooow computer on which to store songs and videos, the HP 2133 running Vista is your machine. I recognize that the 5.26# is probably the shipping weight, which is essential info for retailers, but the end-user wants to know the carry-weight, which the displayed diagram does disclose.
Once you go BaRack you never go BushWhack!