HP relooke somewhat its netbooks for Christmas, with new colors and an improved design. On the other hand, on paper, the configuration does not evolve/move at all. The processors Intel Atom N550 are large absent from Minis 210-2040. HP prefer to keep N455 under the keyboard. The manufacturer however ensures to have succeeded in optimizing the management of the battery to offer a greater autonomy to his small PC, which we will hasten to check.
Contrary to some of its competitors, HP does not change the components of its netbooks. Whereas Atom N550 from Intel start to invest the small PC of certain marks, the hardware configuration of the HP Minis 210-2040sf remains in any point identical to that of the Minis 210-1112sf, left during the summer. From where performances of processor (2,4 with the Windows index) and graphs (3) unchanged. Even the screen of 10,1 inches (1 024 X 600 pixels) did not gain in quality, since our measurements us revealed an average luminosity of 158 cd/m ² (against 164 over the 1112) and a rate of contrast of 676:1 (against 658:1 before).
Side of the provided software, one always finds the function of starting fast QuickWeb, which makes it possible not to launch Windows 7 Choke to sail on Internet, to consult its e-mail, to even benefit from some functions multimedia. Moreover, HP exchanges the version of 60 days evaluation of Microsoft Office 2007 against Microsoft Office Starter 2010. Lastly, the manufacturer knew to hear criticisms concerning his models since the beginning of the year and corrected the shooting on the design.
The frame thus evolves/moves, and in the good sense. The whole of color coal and the parts silver plated in imitation brushed aluminium form a coherent whole. The keyboard chiclet is always of the part, just like the touchpad, which asks for a small time of adaptation because of its entirely tactile and multipoint surface.
The machine took a little plumpness (30 mm and 40 G additional) by changing skin, but HP solved the problem of the very thick battery which raised the Minis 210-1112sf unpleasantly. The manufacturer completely integrated it into the back of the machine, and the heightening is really tiny. Finally an ergonomics adapted and comfortable on Minis 200, it is not too early!
A better autonomy, a consumption in fall
HP holds its promises: the consumption of electricity was optimized, and autonomy, was improved. Our tests clarified a profit of 2 Watts at rest and 1 Watt in load between the two machines. Moreover, the battery seems of much better quality, because our test of reading of video came to end from the machine in 5:00 and 30 min, against 4:00 and 30 min with the former generation, under the same conditions.
A ventilator which never stops
While comparing the results of our thermal measurements between the two generations, we realized that Minis 210-2040 were much less hot than 210-1112, qu ' it acts of the lower part of the machine or the palm rests, so much in load than at rest. That is explained partly by the ceaseless activity of the ventilator. This last, although not very noisy (35,2 dB to the maximum) does not stop accelerating and slowing down, and this, whether the machine is at rest or that she is requested. It is rather perturbing with use, because the phenomenon is perceptible with the ear, and, especially, that is likely to strongly reduce the lifespan of the ventilator.
The HP Minis 210-2040 is sold 349 euros, that is to say 30 euros moreover than its predecessor. The manufacturer moderately invoices these changes of ergonomics and battery and remains in the average costs of a netbook of 10,1 inches in this end of the year. If the autonomy and the dissipation of heat progressed well, it is regretted however that the ventilator is hyperactive and that the quality of the screen did not improve. Four stars for the efforts.
