SmallBizResource Blog -- Hardware

Analyst Puts Foot in Mouth About HP's New Low-Cost Laptops

Posted by Gayle Kesten Tuesday, Apr 8, 2008, 11:19 AM ET

HP is about to ship a super-small, low-cost laptop that could be a viable option for businesses that don't need a heavy-duty computer.

The 2133 Mini-Note, primarily geared for the education market and going on sale later this month, will come in a $500 version running on Linux, and a $600 version running on Windows Vista, according to this post on bMighty.com. Of note, software for word processing, spreadsheets and the like are a separate purchase.

HP, however, envisions its new Mini beyond the classroom, saying it expects users "to cotton to the idea of buying two laptops -- a lightweight one just for Web browsing on the go and the full-power machine for the home or office," reports The Huffington Post.

Considering how so many business users are already attached at the thumb to their Blackberrys and iPhones, I think that spin is a bit of a stretch.

Then there's this stunning suggestion from Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, who is paraphrased in a Mercury News article as saying the Mini could prove popular with parents wanting to buy a computer for their kids, women and executives wanting a PC to take on trips.

Beneath my liquid foundation, powder and blush, I swear I have a thick skin.

Hardware