Review: The HP Mini 110

Many reports indicate Microsoft will be the demise of Linux's netbook; but that simply is not the case. Next week, the Computex Trade Show will be held in Tawain. At the show a multitude of news regarding Linux's netbook will be available. At present, HP has decided not to wait and has declared to provide an important announcement about the Linux netbook this week.

The big announcement...HP is releasing a new netbook called the HP Mini 110 that runs Ubuntu Linux 8.04 with HP's mobile internet desktop interface. In addition the HP Mini 110 will be available with XP Home as well but the Linux models seems to be a better buy, whether you are a fan of Linux or not.

The HP Mini 110 gives you the option between the N270 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU and the newer Intel Atom processor N280 that uses 1.66-GHz. Option one can be found in pretty much every netbook available. The Mini 110 comes equipped with a 10.1" LED anti-glare display. Rumor has it the Mini 110 might also provide an option of a Broadcom Crystal HD Decoder but that has not yet been confirmed. The Broadcom Crystal HD decoder would optimize HD video in H.264, MPEG-4 and various other formats.

The Linux model does appear to have more options that the XP Home netbook. With the XP version your storage choices are limited to 160GB hard drive or 32GB solid state drive (SSD). With the Linux version you have the option of a 250GB hard drive. Another benefit of going with Linux is an option of 2GBs of RAM. With the XP version you are limited to 1GB of RAM. Unfortunately for Microsoft they've limited XP Home to only 1 GB of RAM. The option that Linux offers, 2GBs of RAM will entice users who want that extra space.

Another benefit of the Mini 110 is that is come equipped with Syncables. Syncables allows users to synchronize their favorite videos, music, photos, and other documents within their personal computers and up to four others. This is particularly nice because you will be able to keep your important files with you at all times.

The keyboard of the Mini 110 also happens to be note-worthy. The keyboard size is 92% of the standard sized keyboard; so for users who like the idea of the netbook but simply need a bigger keyboard the Mini 110 is worth checking in to.

The Mini 110, in both Linux and XP Home will be available June 10^th, 2009. The Linux Mini 110 starts at $279.99 and the more limited version with XP starts at $329.99.