HP is marketing its latest netbook as ideal for business users -- a rather peculiar move for a device in this category.
They're called netbooks because they're streamlined for surfing the internet and basic computing tasks -- in other words, screwing around rather than getting actual work done. But HP is marketing its Mini 2140, to be introduced at CES 2009 this week, as an enterprise netbook.
Just what makes this netbook business-savvy? A keyboard that's 92 percent of a standard, full-size keyboard, HP says. Secondly, a 10.1-inch LED display. Also, a longer-lasting, six-cell battery that HP claims will last about 8 hours. Finally, the sleek, silver case feels a lot classier than many other netbooks I've dealt with.
Those subtle differences aren't mindblowing improvements from preceding netbooks. Like most netbooks, the Mini 2140 is powered by 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, and it carries a 160GB hard drive.
Nonethless, it's clear why HP is marketing the Mini 2140 as a business netbook. We're facing hard times, and businesses are going to look to cut costs on hardware for their employees. In fact, the typical lifespan of an office computer is three years, but 46 percent of businesses are postponing on purchasing their employees new computers, according to a Wall Street Journal story.
Is this the next direction for netbooks? Quite possibly. A decent netbook purchased in addition to an external display would be equal to or less than the cost of a desktop system -- and employees would be able to carry their work with them.
We'll provide plenty more on netbooks in our CES 2009 coverage in Las Vegas. Stay tuned for more.
See Also:
- Review: HP's Mini Notebook is a Real Deal Eee PC Killer
- HP Mini 1000 Gets Official
- HP Mini 1000 Has a Secret 3G Modem
Product Demo [HP]
Photo: HP
