CNet: HP 2133 to be VIA-based, starting at $499
See, this is why I read articles to the end! If I had stopped halfway through this CNet article discussing the Palm Foleo and inexpensive sub-notebooks, I would have missed this quote:
“The 2133 from HP will have an entry level model priced at $499, and will have a Via processor, we’re told.”
Of course, I don’t know who told them that, nor what the credibility of the source is, but it coincides with a insider confirmation that Steve suggested the other day. It also works out nicely with this quote from an UltraMobileLife post on the HP 2133 (Note: a VIA-sponsored site written by VIA employees):
“While I can’t make any comments about which platform HP would be using for a UMPC…”
Two thoughts: why else couldn’t a comment be made on a VIA site unless plans to use VIA were already known and why would a VIA-sponsored blog cover a UMPC that wasn’t going to run on a VIA chipset?I think it’s relatively safe to end any speculation on the brand of CPU in at least one model 2133, now it becomes a question of which VIA chip will be on the inside. Since the new 64-bit Isaiah chip is pin-compatible with the VIA C7 and slated to ship in the spring, we could see the older chips inside at first and later see a model with the new ones under the hood. It’s also possible that Digitimes was correct and there will be an Intel-based model at a higher price, especially since I expect several models based on the CNet quote. Either way, if the starting price is $499, HP has a shot a making a dent in the small notebook market and has definitely piqued my interest in this device.
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Greetings:
This is excellent news for the UMPC market.
Although I don’t consider the HP 2133 a UMPC but a Mini Laptop, it still is good news.
By the end of 2008 I believe that most UMPC’s in screen sizes between 4.5 inches to 6 inches will have a starting price of $500.00.
Regards Robert
i have to say i have the UX390N..and i have small hands..and i hate typing on the thing and the screen is too small. 7-8 inches is a nice niche
I like HP and their products. But the likelihood that I would buy this product is less likely than I’ll be buying an iPAQ of any sort.
I’m not a fan of the VIA chips, and they’ll have to go very far before I’d be interested in such a device.
Woadan
why are you so against this product?
While the design of the HP looks very nice, I’m wondering why one would want this device over the similarly sized Fujitsu P1610/1620 OTHER than the lower price of the HP?
Assuming that one ignores the price difference wouldn’t you want the Fujitsu convertible tablet design with touchscreen, etc…????
Or is it just about the fact that the price IS so much lower that the feature differences don’t matter at that point???
Hope this makes sense….
;-)
This is excellent news.
If this price is true, we may have a new leader in the tiny notebook market. Asus can’t be thrilled about the prospect of going toe-to-toe with HP’s marketing muscle, and Everex may as well just throw in the towel this afternoon.
My Eee isn’t looking so great next to this beauty.
Asus showed us that if the price is sub-$500 the features are far less important to many. That’s what HP is shooting for, I’m sure.
Dave, I’m not sure who you’re asking “why are you so against this product?” I don’t see anyone in the thread that isn’t excited by it and I didn’t say anything negative in my write-up.
ArchiMark, your question makes sense but the long and short of it is that not everyone sees or wants the benefits of having a tablet. However, if this device in notebook form is $500 and it could be offered in a convertible Tablet PC model for another $100 or so, I’d snap one up.
There is something some people fail to remember. For me the issues are:
1) Price. I’m toting this around. If it gets bashed or dropped, I won’t have a heart attack at the lost money.
2) Size. I’m toting this around. It has to be light and small. (MacBook Air is too large and a half-pound heavier.)
3) I’m not yet convinced I’d use inking so I don’t need a touchscreen. I’d plant XP on it, anyway.
$499 probably = Linux, btw.
The most important piece of info is still missing: WHEN!!
Oh, one more thing when it comes to this particular machine versus all the others: It’s from hp. hp doesn’t do fall-apart hardware.