Friday, April 18, 2008

Perfect Web Worker's Setup

I am sitting at Starbucks. I have my HP Mini with me with Sprint's Novatel Wireless U727 USB EVDO adapter with me. I am enjoy my time at Starbucks waiting for dinner while getting some work done. I am able check my e-mail with Outlook 2007, read my RSS feeds, fix couple of reports with Cognos and run some report over the web server. It is just perfect for a lazy Friday afternoon.



Now, I am able to accomplish most of my work using HP Mini with Sprint's EVDO. This setup actully raises an interesting question about processor power per watt verus productivity. Do you really need to get latest Intel Atom or Core 2 Duo processors in HP or Asus eeePC? Mini is not my primary computer. I have an Core 2 Duo desktop machine with dual wide screen monitors running in my office. For portable computers, I have a Dell Latitude D820 with T7400 processor and UWXGA screen, a Vostro 1500 laptop and a 2.2GHz SR MacBook Pro with 4GB of RAM and 320GB Hard Disk. I also have a 8GB iPhone, Samsung BlackJack II, AT&T 8525 and Blackberry Curve as my mobile devices.

Now I have HP Mini. The question is how much processoring power to you actually need to get things done. I use desktop or MacBook Pro or Latitude for all the heavy lifting, but those machines are also at least double the size and weight compared to my Mini. Do 30 seconds or 2 minutes actually make significant differences while you are mobile? This is a major shift in my thinking of mobile computing. Before Mini's arrival, I always want to have latest/fastest processor for my notebook/tablet PC/UMPC that I can get my hand on. Now with Mini, I can get things done with low power VIA C7-M processor. It probably took 2 to 3 minutes longer overall time for things to complete. Mini is 1/3 the cost of my MBP before all the upgrades ,weights about 50% less and 1/2 of footprint compare to my MPB. This is geting very interesting. I will post more thoughts later. Does 3 times the cost produce 3 times of productivity or efficiency for me? This is just become very intersting.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

HP Mini Windows XP

I can't wait until HP comes out with XP Driver. I am going to try to reformat to XP. I will post my progress here.

Update 5:11PM
Ok after 2 hours of work. I got followed things to work on my Mini with XP.
WLAN (Broadcomm43xx)
LAN (Broadcom 57xx)
VIA C7 Graphic Card
VIA C7 Chipset
Keyboard ShortCut
Mouse

Not Working
Audio Device AD1984A High Definition Audio Bus

How to upgrade your HP Mini

I got couple of people asking me how did I upgrade my HP Mini. There are three screw holds behind the battery.

1st screw


2nd screw


3rd screw


after you pop the keyboard out

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Upgrade on HP Mini Note 2133

Ok.. after I removed the battery, I saw three screws. I removed three screws. I was able to remove mini note's keyboard. I removed stocked 1GB DDR2 667 ram and replaced with 2GB DDR2 667MHz ram. Removing keyboard also revealed mini's hard drive. It is 120GB 2.5" Fujitsu SATA HD. Just happen, I have a 160GB 7200RPM 2.5" Segate SATA around. I just popped the drive out and replaced the hard drive. I checked the HP's website for Windows XP driver but found none. HP only has Vista driver for now. I am re-formatingto Vista. It is 12:16PM now. let's start the timer.

Update at 2:42PM
I got Vista Home Basic running. If you are trying to reformat your Mini make sure you attach your external USB DVD-ROM Drive on the USB port on the left side (powered one). For some odd reason, when I plugged into the right hand side USB port, the Windows Vista Installer will hang at Expanding File (0%) screen.

Update at 4:18PM
Got Vista Business Running. Running on Last HP driver update. Then Vista SP1.

Update 10:11PM
Took about 2 hours for SP1 to install and update. After many reboots, Mini sens to be more stable now. Some interesting observation, Firefox 3 Beta 5 uses less CPU cycle during the page loading and start up. Next, I am going to install Office 2007. Let's get the stop watch started.

HP Minin Note 2133 is here.

Ok. It is HP mini note 2133.
I ordered the $549 version with SUSE Linux Desktop.
Spec on HP Mini Note 2133


  • 1.2GHz VIA C-7
  • 1GB of RAM
  • 120GB HD
  • 3 cell battery
  • 8.9"
  • 2.6lb
Here is some of the unboxing photo.

















HP Mini Note next to Dell Vostro 1500









HP Mini Note stacked against Dell 700m, MacBook Pro and a Dell Vostro 1500





HP Mnin Note next to Dell 700m

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Something is coming

I ordered this item on April 9th, 2008. This morning, HP sent me a shipment confirmation. It is coming. It weights 2.6lb or 1.3KG. I will have an unboxing video on Friday after I received the item. Have a great week. Check back later.