Two low-cost ultraportables can enter, but only one can leave. It's official. I'm torn between the HP 2133 and the Eee PC 900. I know that I want an ultraportable that has a larger, higher resolution screen than my Eee PC 701 4G. But I don't know which one to go for. I doubt I'm alone, which is why I added a poll to the top of the site. Once you cast your vote, feel free to leave your comments here. I'd love to know what you think.
On the one hand, the Eee PC has a proven track record and the 900 series looks like a huge improvement over the 700 series. While the final specs and pricing haven't officially been announced, we do know that it'll pack an 8.9 inch, higher resolution display in the same tiny package. It'll also have more storage space, and possibly more RAM and a faster processor.
The HP 2133, on the other hand, includes far more storage (depending on which model you purchase), an even higher resolution 8.9 inch display (1280 x 768 pixels compared to the Eee PC 900's 1024 x 600 pixels), and a near-full sized keyboard. The HP 2133 also seems to have a more solid build quality and weighs a bit more (2.6 pounds, compared to 2 pounds for the Eee PC). The HP 2133 also has a VIA processor instead of an Intel chip. Considering the Eee PC 701 uses an Intel Celeron, which is sort of the Jan Brady of the Intel chipset family, this may be six of one, half dozen of another.
Which computer are you leaning toward, and why? Or are you waiting for more low cost ultraportables to hit the market before making up your mind?
20 comments:
Provided Asus keeps price of Linux version at $500 mark, the EEE 900 will do everything I need right out of the box and, as I understand, with longer battery life. Would expect hard drive in HP to suck battery down faster. No way would I think of putting Vista on these. If it turns out I need Windows, XP works quite nicely on the level of processor speeds and memory of these machines.
i have finally met an eee in person, and the keyboard is just too small to touch-type on without massive reorientation--which, i think, would probably screw me up on all regular keyboards from then on. i am a student and need to be able to type quickly and accurately.
I'm going for the 900 when the Atom processor version hits the street. I have a 700 now and will move XP to the 900 restore the 700 to Xandros and sell it.
I'm with Scott. I have a 8g 700 now and I love it. It does everything I need it to do and it is much better to carry around than my 17" laptop. My plan as of now is to wait for the 900 to get the atom treatment. Though new mini laptops are popping up like crazy these days, so I'm keeping an eye on them. Will evaluate all options when the atom 900 hits the market.
I have an 8gb 700 now and I am very happy with it...
If I wasnt I would still prefer eee because of its comunity!
It's a tough choice... I'm waiting for the final specs and pricing on the EEE 900... If the rumor about it coming out initially with an Intel dual-core processor ends up being true, I'll probably go for the EEE pc. I don't mind if it sucks down battery life a bit faster, I just want a dual-core. I have to say, the $550 HP 2133 with linux is really tempting right now, but the Via chips are disappointing, so that's why I'm waiting to see the 900 before making up my mind.
I would die for a eee pc 900 with the keyboard of the HP 2133. That is perfection!
I'm waiting for either the Atom or the Via Isaiah, as there should be a flurry of new contenders this summer, once both of these chips are on the market. The old Via C7 doesn't really appeal with the next generation so close to release, and neither does a 7" screen or Celeron.
Need: 8.9" screen or bigger, 6 GB or more of flash storage, usable keyboard and touchpad/trackpoint, semi-rugged, wireless G, low power CPU, linux preinstalled, 512 MB of RAM.
Nice to have: LED backlight, 8-12 GB of flash storage, expandable RAM, expandable microSD flash storage, larger battery for >6 hours, waterproof, OLPC-style display.
Not worth paying extra money for: >12 GB of flash storage, fast or power hungry CPUs, touchscreen, optical drive, wimax, Windows.
I want a $400 computer, as I already have a 14" laptop and desktop computers at home and at work. This one is only intended for use while commuting on the bus, so that I can read PDFs without printing them, and edit letters or reports. The screen size will probably force me to finally learn the keybindings for ratpoison or wmii.
I think the HP will win out in the long run. This company has already made custom sleeves for both models. http://www.sfbags.com
Guess they are hedging their bets.
I will wait and see what has best battery life and keyboard of all the newcomers and then use it to type notes in class. and use another laptop for power hungry apps. Luiz Bento has a point the eee with the hp keyboard would be great. battery life is very important. I would use Linux
I agree with @scott - any upgraded CPU or graphics capability in the 8.9 inch is worth getting. 12G is enough storage for most stuff, and bigger SSD are still expensive - relatively.
I will max out my 2133 and see how it works, on the $550 version - not vista for me. I have many EEE and will get a 900 with the new CPU, too.
I have a 700 now and I like it. I'm no touch typist, so that's not really an issue, the 4G SSD is room enough for the stuff I have on it and the processor seems to even run programs like GIMP and Google Earth without issue.
That said, I can well appreciate the advantage of a bigger screen/better resolution and it is here that both the 900 and HP product score. Where the HP lets the user down however is that in giving the user a 92% keyboard (a larger and weightier overall device), it then only offers the 8.9" screen found on the smaller 900. As with the 700, HP chooses to surround the screen with vast amounts of useless plastic, some of it hiding speakers. That much additional real estate should encourage the inclusion of a larger screen.
Vista of any flavour is a bad choice (and would struggle at any rate on the HP's processor, though I understand a 'downgrade' to XP is available) while the inclusion of SUSE is probably a far better choice than ASUS' Xandros (especially as 'supported' by ASUS), while a ballpark figure of $500 would seem to be about right for either device - even if the HP has more storage. HHD vs SSD and all that...
At $399, the ASUS 4G 700 hit a 'sweet spot' - a fully functioning sub-notebook at a price that was less than most PDA/smartphones. But once you hit $500, users are no longer seeing the device as a 'disposable' computer and its in competition with 'real' notebooks out there of similar size and more capabilities.
At the price HP is asking for their device, I'd not see it as a replacement to my EeePC, but rather, a replacement to my current HP notebook I use as my home computer. I'm not sure that's HP's goal....
I'll go for the Eee PC 900 and run Debian on it. I like the idea to have a choice of a 12 GB Windows and a 20 GB Xandros edition at the same price (although I did not consider the Win Eee earnestly). Also I'll try to avoid an Atom- or VIA-equipped computer as long as these CPUs are inferior to the Celeron M in some benchmarks (even running at higher clock speeds). As to Eee PC 900 vs. HP 2133: I think HP will have a tough time to keep up with Asus in this segment. There's already an enthusiastic worldwide Eee community which can easily balance dozens of millions of marketing dollars spent by HP. In the long run, HP might be able to overtake Asus here, but this will take some time (i.e., years) and effort.
I think neither ASUS nor HP control their user communities. Neither will user communities control these companies marketing of UMPCs. But, I control me, so I got an HP2133 which I will use more than my EEE 702.
I touch type too, and I don't think the size of the eee's keyboard is too bad. Sure it can be clumsy, but it was never meant to be as versatile as a laptop. If you want to write a report I'd look to something other than a sub laptop anyway.
Personally I couldn't be bothered to pay for the HP. Sure, a bigger and higher res screen would be nice (I have a 4g), but if I really need it I'll take my regular HP laptop with me. I'm not about to spend money for a windows system that has subpar specs.
The HP looks great, but still seems a little larger than I'd personally like. I bought the eee to be a great, cheap, carry anywhere computer, not a laptop replacement.
My eee has good functionality for the size (my girlfried can put her's in her purse), and I'm willing to accept it's limitations. I think the HP is trying to be a laptop replacement, and if that's what you need then I think it would do a great job.
To be honest i think that the Eee in general is a great tribute to people who want to be more at ease and staying comfortable with what they wanna do. In the sense that it promises only to do the necessary things like Web, text and video/music (but you can push it if you dedicate yourself to train it). I love this fact that the Eee is a big pause on our constant pondering and doubts, concerning computers and tech. I see the Eee as a device just on the edge of whats not too much and not too little, which is perfect for me. (and the tiny keyboard doenst even bother me, it actually taught me not to stress from the beginning.)
Right now all companies, including HP, are attempting to score the big bucks while building the gap between massive technological wonder laptops and the Asus Eee (on the other end).... and honestly... its too much.
Asus Eee keeps it cool. Keeps everyone calm, and is faithful to its place and feel in a world gone mad with super gadgets they dont even know how to work.
The Eee is what you make of it.
I've read the other posts on this page, and done quite a bit of research of my own.
The wide choice you have with the HP is nice [go on there website].
However the combination of hardware in the 900 is very appealing.
Ex. large solid state.
Also the HP is pretty sexy, and the build quality is better.
Even though the width is pushing it with me, it would still fit my binder.
I just don't want to wait much longer for the 900!
The HP has IMHO a crippled Via C7, and then handicaps it with Vista of all things. Just dumb.
For $50 I'll take the ASUS EEE 900... either one Linux or Xp Home.
I own an 8G model (702) and can say that pixel pitch han't changed. To read anything, one still squints... theres just more height and width.
The EEE 900 is the better 'first experience' of the two. HP/M$ will have to dump the 2133's on the Education system to proclaim sales. The regualr Joe on the Street will sniff around, and come to the same conclusion.
Always the Eee PC windows!!
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
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