Video Unboxing of the HP Mini 5102

[Jon Childs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.liliputing.com/2010/03/unboxing-the-hp-mini-5102-video.html#more-20008' target='_blank'>http://www.liliputing.com/2010/03/u...html#more-20008</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The HP Mini 5102 is the latest business and education-focused netbook from Hewlett Packard. It has a higher starting price than most netbooks, at $399 and up. But it also comes with a number of features that you won't find on most netbooks"</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1268839599.usr486.jpg" style="border: #d2d2bb 1px solid;" /></p><p>The HP Mini 5102 is definitely a top of the line netbook, but if the one you really want is going to cost $600-800, I can't imagine there is going to be a huge market for it. Given that you can get a decent 13" laptop for that price I don't really see this as worth the cost.&nbsp; I guess if portability is your ultimate concern it may be worth it, but personally I would just&nbsp;buy a small laptop.</p>

[Reid Kistler]

From the price & specs / options, this sounds more like a machine aimed at the corporate buyer, which usually has deeper pockets, than the consumer market.

Still, one of the significant disadvantages of the "netbook" format is the small screen size (and usually lower screen resolution). You can overcome this in a fixed location by using an external monitor, but that doesn't work as well when on the road.

All-in-all, I would also opt for a light notebook with a larger screen over a similarly priced netbook.

We have enjoyed a Dell Mini for some months now: it is wonderfully small & light, lasts all day on a single battery charge (extended battery), and has a usable keyboard. But the screen calls for a lot of scrolling at times, the touchpad / mouse is a pain (I typically use an external trackball) - AND we only paid around $130 for it ($99 + cost of the extended battery), as it was purchased at the same time as a fancy new desktop system.

Have seen a few nice looking notebooks on sale for Under $300 - and several in the $300 - $400 range. These have had basic features, but all seemed likely to be more competent than a similarly priced Netbook...