New Mini-Note Models are up with Custom Config as Well!
HP has new Mini-Note models up as well as a custom config option! Check them out.
In the comments Heather posted a chat she had with an HP rep which states that XP will come pre-loaded with XP and a Vista Business install CD so you can upgrade in the future.
Update:
Alrighty, looks like the pricing and spec details we got on the new Mini-Note models were correct. We did get wrong (half) the release dates, the no custom-configuration and XP as a preload option. The initial tip did say two models on Monday and two on Thursday so maybe something else is still coming.
I’m not sure if their pre-config is broke, but right now it’s only letting me have the 1.6Ghz processor, 2GB and 120GB HD with Vista Business, the 1.2Ghz with Vista Home and the either the 1.2/1.0Ghz CPU and either the 4GB SSD/120GB 5400RPM with SLED. It’s basically locking you into what is available on the pre-config’ed Mini-Notes. Since the pages are pretty new it’s probably just temporary error on their part…if not it defeats the purpose.
I find it pretty shady what HP is doing by pushing the XP downgrade. Remember if you get Vista Business you can downgrade to XP for free anyways. HP isn’t doing you some favor with these new offerrings. Unless you really, really need another 40GB, the KX870AT ($749, Vista Business, 1.6Ghz, 2GB, 120GB 7200 RPM HD) is the best purchase of all the Windows based models.
Update #2 (8:24am CST)
The custom-config option seems to be working properly and isn’t locking us into the general model configs. Curiously SLED and Vista Business are missing from the OS options. Only Vista Home and “Vista Downgrade to XP Professional” are available. Going for the XP downgrade will run you an extra $50. For CPU options the 1.2Ghz and 1.6Ghz processors are available, and you can get either 1 or 2GB of memory. On the hard drives, you can get any of the drives available on the pre-configs: 4GB SSD, 120GB at 5400 or 7200RPM, and the 160GB at 5400RPM. You’re locked into the 6-cell battery and the wireless a/b/g with bluetooth chipset.
For now it seems the pre-configs are your best bet because the custom-configs are ridiculously over priced. For $839 I could get a Mini-Note with Vista Home, 1.2GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400RPM hard drive, with the 6 cell battery and the a/b/g wireless with bluetooth. For $240 less you can get the preconfig w/o bluetooth and the 3 cell battery instead…No thanks HP.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
If you actually try using the Custom Config, it really doesn’t give you any options. As soon as you pick either an OS, or the processor, all the other options are set.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
@Narius
Hopefully it’s just a bug on their part…otherwise HP is just yanking us around like they are with the XP Downgrade stuff.
May 11th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I hope they will give us a real XP mini on the 15th?
May 12th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Hallelujah!
***
Jenn: Hello, I am Jenn from Colorado and will be happy to help you today.
Jenn: The 2133 is a great mobile laptop, how may I assist with this model?
Guest: i am looking at the hp2133 models and would like to know what “Genuine Windows Vista® Business downgrade to Genuine Windows® XP Professional” means exactly.
Jenn: The “Windows Vista® Business downgrade to Genuine Windows® XP Professional” is a special license that we offer. The system will arrive with Windows XP ready-to-go out of the box, but can then be taken to Windows Vista Business in the future (via the included media) as you deem appropriate without needing to purchase a separate upgrade from Microsoft. Does that make sense?
Guest: oh yes! that is exactly what i want. i was under the impression that the models might come with vista installed but with xp discs. but the reverse is true, then?
Jenn: Correct, it comes with XP out of the box.
Guest: ok. then i am ready to buy, but i have one more question.
Guest: what is going to happen on may 15th?
Guest: i hear that there will be more options coming out?
Jenn: Initially XP drivers were going to come out on the 15th but they arrived early.
Jenn: All the options are available now.
Guest: ok. the model that i will buy will come with a 6-cell battery, but i also want a 3-cell so the laptop will be flat when i want it to be thinner. :p
Guest: will the 3-cell be available for purchase separately?
Jenn: We don’t have the battery options at this time.
Jenn: I don’t have a timeframe when the battery will be available as an accessory.
Guest: ok. but can we expect it eventually?
Jenn: It will most likely be an accessory eventually.
Guest: ok. that is all i need to know. you have been very helpful. thank you.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Thanks for the update Heather.
That clears up the downgrade issue. It sucks you’re still paying more than you should just so you can “upgrade” to Vista Business in the future. Hopefully we’ll see the batteries available soon.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Ok this custom config thing is weird.
I did Vista with XP downgrade, 1.6 processor, 2GB of ram. It gave me the price of like $974.
The pre-built model of the same specs (only difference was it says Vista Business…doesn’t note anything about a downgrade to XP) lists at $749.
Whats up with that?
May 12th, 2008 at 7:54 am
You’re paying extra for the “privilege” to be able to upgrade to Vista Business in the future. Likely there’s also a customization charge they’re sneaking in there too.
I’m really disappointed with HP on this…
May 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
So… No 3 cell battery purchase for those who ALREADY have a 6 cell?!?! Also, can we still get the XP Pro disks on the 15th if we have Vista Business?
May 12th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Customization charge?
Yeah that’s crazy.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Given the pricing structure from HP and the questionable way that Microsoft is “continuing” XP availability, it sounds like the best route for a Mini Note is the preconfigured $549.00 model with 120GB hard drive and SUSE and replace SUSE with Ubuntu following the info provided on the forums. I am presuming that Happy Heron hums along nicely on the 1.2Ghz Via. I do believe that HP and Microsoft are missing the boat by pushing Vista and only making XP available as a “downgrade”. Frankly, I think Microsoft would do better to dump Vista now and maintain XP until the next version of Windows is released.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
No thanks HP. Or, fix the website HP.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:45 am
the article says, “Remember if you get Vista Business you can downgrade to XP for free anyways.” if you purchase the KX870AT which seems to be the best buy but comes with vista, how do you “downgrade” to xp? are the xp disks included? if not, how does one get access to the xp?
thanks.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:18 am
@Kees
Unfortunately it doesn’t come with an XP disc. You’ll need to borrow one and a the key from a friend. Then when you activate it, you’ll need to choose activate by phone. You’ll need to get a rep on the phone and tell them you’re downgrading from Vista to XP. They’ll ask for your Vista key and then give you your activation key.
May 17th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Hi all,
I just got my hp 2133 ($749) and it is fairly good machine. However, it did not come with the software for making recovery CDs just in case of failure. I contacted hp and asked me to downlowad the software for Compaq NC 6400 Vista. I did… But when I tried to burn the CDs, it says that the partition is not found and I can not continue. Too bad hp…
Has anyone figured it out to burn recovery CD or DVD yet? Let’s hear from the pros. Thanks.
Dr. Sam
May 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Just opened my new 2133. Waited for the one with the 7200 RPM drive. So far one complaint: No manual speaker and/or volume switch like on my hp 2400. I am disappointed with that.
Otherwise I love it!
May 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
@Bill in NY
Maybe this is what you’re saying you don’t like, but there are three F# keys that will control your volume when pressed with the Function key. One for mute, one for volume down and another for volume up.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:21 am
Thanks Josh! That makes me happy! Now one other thing, I have the 6-cell battery. I want a 3 cell but don’t see it available at HP. Where could I find a 3 cell battery so it doesn’t weigh so much? Thanks again.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
As far as I know no one has a 3 cell available yet. Various HP reps said they were coming May 15th, then the first part of June and now late June. So who knows
June 24th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I just purchaed and recieved the HP 2133 MiniNote KX870AT ($749, Vista Business, 1.6Ghz, 2GB, 120GB 7200 RPM HD) model and mine came preloaded with Vista so looks like i didn’t get XP like Heather was to get as promosed by HP. I also didn’t get ant recovery discs of any kind. Kinda not happy about that. The laptop sure looks cool though.
June 24th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
@cowboyy2087
You can call HP and get the restore discs sent to you - they usually overnight them for free. (It still sucks you have to call to get them though)
As far the XP bit, you’ll need to downgrade yourself if you want to go that route on that model. Basically you’ll need to install XP using a Service Pack 2 disc use a key you already have used. When it’s time to activate, choose activate by phone and call MS. Get a rep on the line (you don’t want to use the automated system) and tell them you’re downgrading from Vista Business to XP. They’ll ask for your Vista Business key and give you a new XP key so you’re legit.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:38 am
The mini-note XP downgrade CDs were back in stock and shipping as of monday when I called to get mine. No charge as long as you ship via USPS.