Should the 3G-Equipped HP Mini 2150 Notebook be Your Next Laptop?

By February 2009, Hewlett-Packard is scheduled to ship the Mini 2140 netbook. However, what I'm almost losing sleep over is the upgrade to the 2140. It's the 3G-Equipped HP Mini Notebook 2150, and HP plans to release this baby to the market by June 2009. So, I'm positioning myself to be all over this one. I know I already have an Apple MacBook Pro, but I'm tired fighting my teenagers for time since their desktop broke down, and I decided it's not worth the repair. They don't know it yet, but if I can save up for the HP Notebook 2150, I'll more than happy to let them have the MacBook Pro.

The HP Mini 2150 is very similar to the Mini 2140 Notebook, soon to be its predecessor, unveiled in January 2009 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but should hit stores by February 2009. The targeted buyer is a business user.



Basic Description and Features of the Mini 2140 Notebook:

• Processor: Intel Atom N270
   
• Memory: 1 GB or 2 GB
   
• Hard Drive: 80 GB or 160 GB
   
• Operating System: Windows XP or Windows Vista
   
• Screen size: 10.1 wide screen
   
• Display: LED High Definition
   
• Keyboard: 92% the size of a regular laptop keyboard
   
• Battery: 3-cell Lithium Ion (lasts up to 4 hours); 6-cell Lithium Ion (lasts up to 8 hours)
   
• Modem: Wireless Broadband (Broadcom 802.11) with Bluetooth 2.0
   
• Camera: Integrated camera
   
• Weight: about 2.62 pound (1.19 kilogram)
   
• Thinness: 1.05 inches (27 millimeters). That's very thin.
   

So, why don't I go out and grab the HP Mini 2140 when it shows up in stores in February? Though the 2150 will probably have most of the same features as the 2140, I have good reason to wait, besides, "I don't want to charge it to a credit card."

Key New Feature for the Mini 2150 that's Worth the Wait

It's the 3G modem that I'm crazy about, and I'm willing to wait another 4 months to get the netbook with that upgraded modem. That is great, because during that time I should have what it takes to pick up a Mini 2150 cash paid in full.

What's the big deal about a 3G modem? Let's say, I make another trip to Chicago, I'm not around O'Haire Airport, and I can't find a hot spot to access the web. No problem. With a 3G modem all I'll have to do is buy a day's worth of Internet connection, and click, click, I'm online. Did you catch that? The 3G modem makes a Wi-Fi hot spot unnecessary. That's the same as saying, your notebook becomes a mobile hot spot. Wow!

Now, if I buy this baby, and the 3G modem does not work exactly that way, you bet, I'll return it, and take a look at the HP Mini 2150's competitor, whatever that is.

How Much Will It Cost? And Where Can You Find It?

The HP Mini 2150 will probably be starting at $500, the same as the 2140, depending on the size of hard drive you want, and other options you choose. But don't go looking for the thing yet. Like me, you'll have to wait until June. Then check HP's online store, eBay (Buy It Now), CDW, Tiger Direct, PC Mall, and Best Buy, among others.