▶▶▶ HP Mini 210-1180NR 10.1-Inch Netbook (Blue)

HP Mini 210-1180NR 10.1-Inch Netbook (Blue) Review

My granddaughter purchased this, although not from Amazon. This is her first computer. She made choices based on how she plans to use it (internet and light word processing, plus photo storage and viewing), and because even though she's a child, she travels a lot.

I make my review to this model HP Mini-210 1190, although her model is the HP Mini-210 1199, which at the time of this review, Amazon doesn't sell. Still, they have the same processor and hard drive, and the same Windows Starter operating system. The case on her model (and the tipping point when looking at netbooks in the store) is pink plaid, a stand out for most little girls.

It is fast, friendly and capable as an internet machine. The battery sticks out in an odd way, but really, it is designed to allow the netbook to tilt up and keep cool. It works. As with the majority of laptop-netbook products, don't block the bottom of the hardware.

We were unprepared for the stripped down Windows 7 Starter, though. I'd never heard of it and it is so basic, you can't even change the desktop wallpaper. Although that may not matter to business users, I must still point out that once you have a pink plaid netbook, you kinda wanna customize your wallpaper.

So we used the last license provided by the Windows 7 Home Premium I had remaining from my own upgrade to upgrade the netbook. Windows 7 Starter comes with an Upgrade Option icon (they know you'll be coming) and by inserting my remaining licensing key, her system was much improved. The Mini capably manages the higher grade operating system.

The power cord is old-style brick. By this time it seems that Mini netbooks should come with mini power cords, but not so here. The machine is lightweight, though, very appealing as a traveling companion, has all the basics for a business working person, an internet cruiser, and a child who loves plaid. Take note that it does not have a DVD player, although it does have several USB ports for attaching an inexpensive ( to ) external DVD drive.

Just that Windows 7 Starter nonsense. Just too stripped down to be useful. And the big brick power cord. Hate those things. One star off for those combined negatives.

UPDATE: Because of the unusual (although it shouldn't be by this time) screen resolution, we have found that many websites don't load correctly using Internet Explorer, so my grand defaults to Safari which works just fine.

HP Mini 210-1180NR 10.1-Inch Netbook (Blue) Feature

Intel Atom Processor N455 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2, 667Mhz FSB); 1GB DDR3 System Memory (1 DIMM) - Max supported = 1GB; 250GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA); Genuine Windows 7 Starter
10.1 inch WSVGA LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1024 x 600); Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 (shared) with up to 256MB Total Available Graphics Memory; HD Audio; stereo speakers
HP Imprint finish in pacific blue; HP Mini Webcam with integrated digital microphone; 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector); Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN
3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0; 1 VGA (15-pin); 1 RJ -45 (LAN); 1 Headphone-out/Microphone-in combo jack (compatible with 3.5mm 4-conductor jack with stereo audio and mono mic)

HP Mini 210-1180NR 10.1-Inch Netbook (Blue) Overview

Enjoy ultra portable internet surfing and entertainment. Small, slim and stylish with a crystal design in matte pacific blue, the HP Mini 210-1180NR lets you surf the web and stay connected wherever you go. Amp up the fun with this netbook by playing videos and music and showing off your photos. E-mail, chat and instantly access your files from anywhere with exclusive, integrated software. At less than one inch thin and starting at just 2.99 pounds, this ultra-compact netbook won’t weigh you down. With a 10.1" diagonal display and nearly full-size keyboard, the HP Mini 210-1180NR doesn’t skimp on features—it comes complete with built-in wireless LAN, a 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for easy file transfer and a webcam with integrated digital microphone. HP QuickWeb gives you fast access to your favorite sites, e-mail, IM and more. Stream video from other PCs easily and fast with HP MediaStream and use HP QuickSync to synchronize files with your home PC and connect to the same wireless network with ease.

HP Mini 210-1180NR 10.1-Inch Netbook (Blue) Specifications

IDEAL FOR

Ultra portable internet surfing and entertainment. Small, slim and stylish in pacific blue, the HP Mini 210-1180NR lets you surf the web and stay connected wherever you go. Amp up the fun with this netbook by playing videos and music, and showing off your photos. Email, chat and instantly access your files from anywhere with exclusive, integrated software that keeps you in sync.

SPECIFICATIONS