Via Introduces OpenBook Mini-Note

Via introduced the latest iteration of it's OpenBook series of ultra-mobile PCs, the OpenBook Mini-note. The reference design has an uncanny resemblance to the form factor of the HP 2133 Mini-Note, with the exception of the faster processor. Both designs share the 8.9" LCD screen configuration, with the Mini-note upping the ante by having provisions for built-in broadband connectivity to WiMAX, EV-DO, W-CDMA, or HSDPA services in addition to the now standard WiFi through a factory-configurable device module.

The Mini-note will be powered by a 1.6 GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor and will accommodate up to 2GBs of RAM. This is an offshoot perhaps of the decision to make it capable of supporting Windows Vista. Though the VIA VX800 Digital Media IGP chipset it has for video isn't the most powerful in the mobile computing space, it will certainly be enough to support DirectX 9.0 3D graphics up to a resolution of 1024x600. That being said, I would opine that it would comfortably work with MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VCI and DiVX for the multi-media entertainment needs of prospective owners.

It would be exciting to see what final product OEM's and ODM's could produce from the reference design.

MSI Wind Pricing Pits it Against HP Mini-Note

It may seem a little late to link to this post on Laptop Mag about the MSI Wind. But hey, I happen to think that this is an exciting product that deserves a place on this blog. Laptop Mag shares details of its interview with Andy Tung, MSI’s Director of US Sales. Tung shares some of his insight on how the Wind will compete in a market currently dominated by the Asus Eee PC.

I think they actually recognize the lead that Asus has, impacting MSI's decision to launch only the 10-inch version of the Wind in the US. I'm also of the opinion that it doesn't compete with the ASUS Eee PC 20G (8.9" Screen, 900 MHz Intel Mobile CPU, 1 GB RAM, 20 GB Solid State Drive) directly, but rather with pricier HP Mini-Note. The specs tell the story, and Laptop Mag supplies the MSI Winds specs on this page.

The Wind has a zippier 1.6 GHz Atom processor than the ASUS Eee PC's 900 MHz Celeron. It also supplies an 80GB hard drive that's plenty when compared to the ASUS' 20GB. So it really does aim to shoot at the HP Mini-Note. Versus the HP Mini-Note, the Wind trades you a faster Intel processor for less storage (the HP Mini-Note has a 120GB drive). MSI also knocked a few dollars off by bundling Suse Linux' enterprise version with the unit.

In the Philippines, the MSI Wind lists for price of Php 21,999.00 on one local shop's online pricelist. I'm actully waiting for an unboxing event from @adelgabot any day now.

More on the HP 2133

Found 2 other articles on PCWorld about the HP 2133 Mini-Note.

Sumner Lemon spoke with Philip Devlin of HP about rife speculation that a future version of the HP 2133 would be fitted with the Via Isaiah processor. That would be relatively easy since the Via Isaiah is compatible with existing boards that support the C7-M.

Another article by Glenn Fleishman reviews the cost-vs-specs aspect of the unit. He compares it to other laptops straddling the UMPC demarcation line, pointing out that these are relatively under-powered when compared to ordinary laptops. But he conceeds that as trends go these days, buyers are willing to trade off processing heft for added portability.

Fleishman also links to a video review by Darren Gladstone that compares the HP 2133 head-to-head with the Asus Eee PC. Darren loves the keyboard, but hates how slow it is at running Vista Business. Well, good thing Suse Enterprise Desktop 10 is offered as an option to Vista Business ^_^ SLED 10 would run a lot better on the HP 2133. A whole lot better.

HP Mini-Note (HP 2133) Released

PC World had posted a product review of the HP 2133. The rest of blogosphere was quiet though. I barely managed to find a press release. I've been watching out for the release of this product because it belongs to a new class of computing hardware. These devices (UMPC's and net-connected devices) optimize power consumption, portability and cost. I was surprised that there wasn't much press about the launch. Oh, well. It's the Engadget effect. They break news about upcoming products that by the time the thing actually launches the hype is almost over.

It's listed on Amazon.com now, by the way: Mini-Note PC C7-M 1.2GHz 120GB