Hewlett-Packard's next netbook is shipping February, and you shouldn't buy it.
That's because HP plans to release an upgrade for the netbook just four months later, according to a Taiwanese publication.
DigiTimes cites "sources at notebook makers" who claim the HP Mini 2150 is set for release in June -- just four months after the Mini 2140 hits stores.
Unlike its predecessor, the Mini 2150 will ship with a built-in 3G modem. That was the only difference disclosed.
Early January, HP showcased its Mini 2140 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Mini 2140 features a 10.1-inch widescreen LED display, a keyboard that's 92 percent the size of a standard keyboard and a six-cell battery that HP says will last eight hours. Marketed for business users, the Mini 2140 starts at $500.
Price details for the Mini 2150 have not been revealed, but you can expect HP to keep it close to the same cost as the Mini 2140.
A 3G modem may not sound like a big deal, but I personally think it's a feature worth waiting a few months for. Imagine a scenario where you're in dire need for an internet connection but can't find a Wi-Fi hotspot. With a 3G modem you could purchase a one-day pass to browse the web, and presto -- problem solved.
And if you don't wish to wait till June for a 3G-equipped netbook, you can always look at other options such as the MSI Wind U120, which is already shipping.
HP to add more members to its Mini-note family [DigiTimes]
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Photo: Jonathan Snyder/Wired.com
