HP Mini 2140 review

For a machine aimed at professionals, the HP is uncommonly good looking. The brushed aluminium chassis looks fantastic, and what’s more feels sturdy enough to survive life in the fast lane.

Glance down the specification list and it’s clear HP has carefully tailored the 2140’s specification to its target market. Gigabit Ethernet makes a rare appearance alongside draft-n wireless networking and Bluetooth, and, miraculously, HP finds room to squeeze in an ExpressCard/54 slot.

The glossy 10.1in display is a more questionable choice given its increased reflectivity, but image quality is good enough for office tasks. The tendency to wash out images at the brighter end of the scale is more disappointing, however, as is the comparatively low resolution 1,024 x 576 screen. This feels cramped; given the budget we’d opt for one of the forthcoming models with a higher resolution display.

Ergonomics are a mixed bag too. The keyboard is fantastic, with a spacious layout, and generously-proportioned keys make typing a doddle. It’s simply the best we’ve encountered on a netbook. The touchpad, however, is an entirely different kettle of fish. Its wide and excessively squat shape doesn’t make for the easiest cursor control, and the soft, rubberized buttons on either side are fiddly to operate.

The final moan comes courtesy of the 2140’s battery life. It’s not a cheap netbook, and to find a small 2,600mAh battery at the rear is disappointing. Four hours and 48 minutes of light use isn’t terrible, but it falls well short of the best.

Were it not for these faults the HP would compete with the best here. As it stands, however, it can only be considered a worthy ultraportable-substitute for businesses looking to cut costs.