Hewlett-Packard Square Up To Asus By Revealing Mini-Note Eee Inspired Micro Notebooks

Hewlett-Packard have announced a new micro sized notebook that looks set to compete directly against Asus’s much hyped Eee in the from of its new Mini-Note micro notebook computers which, according to HPs official press release, are designed specifically for the education market – though there’s no doubt that these devices will gain far wider appeal (not least with the blogging community).

Sporting an aluminum shell that is both hard wearing and lightweight, the new Mini-Note micro notebooks come with a 8.9” WXGA screen and a spill resistant keyboard that is only 8% smaller than that offered by full sized notebooks.

The Linux powered devices are due to become available in a number of models ranging from the base model sporting 512MB of RAM and a 4GB solid state drive which will purportedly retail for a mere $499 to a 1.2GHz, 64GB solid state drive model costing $1199 and a series of customisable models offering a series of processors and storage capacities though, interestingly, Amazon are already listing a 1GHz Mini-Note and a 1.2GHz Mini-Note (though no prices are listed at the time of writing).

Official HP Press Release:

To help schools offer affordable computing to every student, HP today introduced a full-function, mini-notebook PC priced starting under $500.

Designed for the education market, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC is flexible enough for students to use from the classroom to the family room.

“HP listened to our needs and now is delivering a product designed by education for education,” said Chris Sieger, director of information technology for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia. “Teachers and technology are the two most important assets in education. HP’s announcement demonstrates that it understands what schools need from industry.”

At slightly more than two and one-half pounds, the HP Mini is smaller and lighter than many math or science books. It includes a suite of wireless, multimedia and security capabilities to allow students to learn everywhere they go – from class to home, from field trips to vacations.

“Education shouldn’t end at the bell,” said Jeri Callaway, vice president and general manager, Personal Systems Group – Americas, HP. “HP believes providing each student with an affordable, creative multimedia tool like the HP Mini will better prepare them to live, learn and work in an information-rich society.”

Business and mobile professionals value the same mobility, usability and cost concerns of the education market. The HP Mini provides mobile professionals a sleek, lightweight device that provides access to information and the ability to collaborate with others as well as to communicate via email, instant messaging or even blogging.

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

• Simple, refined design and anodized aluminum shell that is sleek and sturdy yet lightweight;
• HP DuraKeys, featuring a clear coating applied over the notebook keyboard that protects the finish and printed letters and characters
• An HP 3D DriveGuard, which sends a signal to shut down the hard drive upon sudden movement or shock by using a three-axis digital accelerometer chip
• Scratch-resistant display and magnesium hinge bracket
• A large 8.9-inch diagonal WXGA display, user-friendly full keyboard (QWERTY) and touchpad;
• Ability to view video, still-image capture, web conferencing or video-enhanced instant messaging with no additional hardware to buy or carry. An optional integrated VGA webcam enables video and still-image capture to allow the addition of photos and video clips to presentations, documents and email
• Two battery solutions – three-cell for lightest-weight configurations or optional six-cell for longer battery life
• Wireless technologies such as integrated Wi-Fi Certified WLAN and optional Bluetooth, allowing students to access the Internet as well as communicate via email, IM, chat, VOIP and blogging. The wireless technologies also enable connections at hotspots as well as with Bluetooth devices such as printers, mice and headsets
• Optional Absolute Software’s Computrace 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.

Hewlett-Packard’s Mini-Note series of micro notebooks are due to become available later this month.

Update – see: Hewlett-Packard Release 2133 Mini-Note Micro Notebook – HP Mini-Note Official Product Page Now Live.