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HP's recently announced Mini 5102 netbook is a solidly built device that travels well and comes with multiple features that will simplify the life of a mobile professional.
Unlike the cheesy, plastic netbooks you find at Best Buy and other outlets, this machine is targeted at business users and has a durable metal case that should stand up to the rigors of the road. The bottom is a magnesium alloy shell and the screen is wrapped in anodized aluminum.
Obviously with these devices it is all about size and weight. The 5102 is 10 by 7 by 1 inch and weighs in at 2.64 pounds.
It is about as compact as you can get before you start to limit the functionality of the keyboard and the screen. The 5102's keyboard is 95%-full and has a nice, responsive, positive feel, and the 10-inch LED backlit WSVGQ screen is bright and clear (1024x600 resolution).
HP markets the Mini 5102 as a companion PC, a device that is meant to complement your existing office machine, not replace it. And it comes with some interesting features that make that feasible. But first more about the basics.
The 5102 is similar to the earlier generation 5101, but this one features the newer Intel Atom N450 Processor (Pine Trail architecture, 1.66GHz, 667MHz front side bus, 52KB L2 cache). It also now has an optional multi-touch display (my review machined did not) that allows you to zoom in/out, rotate, etc. Matt McAndrew, product marketing manager of HP Business Notebooks, says they added the touch control because it is becoming increasingly common on personal devices and software developers are beginning to expect it.
Unlike the earlier model, the 5102 is available in black, red and blue -- apparently in deference to the education market where...