Hewlett Packard debuted its new Mini 2140 netbook today just ahead of CES 2009. Cased in aluminum, the Mini 2140 runs on a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor and has a 10-inch display with a couple of resolution options. Buyers have the option of a sharp 1366 x 768 pixels or a less demanding 1024 x 576 pixels. The latter also results in a lower price.
Large-handed folks that have trouble adjusting to compact netbook keyboards will enjoy the 92 percent keyboard on the Mini 2140–just slightly smaller than what you’re using with your desktop computer. The Mini 2140 has a 160 GB hard drive built in (5, 400 or 7, 200 RPM) and comes with the optional inclusion of an 80 GB solid state drive. There is also an ExpressCard/54 slot built into the casing.
One of the best features of the Mini 2140 is the array of operating system options it includes. Not only does it support both Windows XP and Professional, but both Windows Vista Home Basic and Premium, SuSE Linux, and FreeDOS. I’m sure we’ll see more specs come out once CES launches, but if not, expect the Mini 2140 to ship later in January starting at $499.