The new HP Mini 110 is a small notebook by any bloke's standards. However, looks are deceiving.
But never fear.
Blokes should not be put off.
Although it is small, the Mini delivers some powerful features.
One of the most pleasant surprises was that the keyboard could easily accommodate the touch typing of this reviewer.
Connecting to the internet proved to be problem.
I could not under any circumstances connect using the Telecom XT mobile connection I use with my normal HP laptop.
Xtra technicians worked through the problem but, in the end, the connection could not talk to the notebook.
Wireless at home was the best connection.
Once that was established, the Mini proved its worth.
If a mobile connection worked on other Mini 110s then this notebook would be a valuable tool for both women and men alike.
The price could be a bit of a turn-off at nearly $900, but the Mini offered most things a full-size laptop offers with the advantage of fitting in a much smaller space.
HP suggests women carry it in their purses, but backpacks or briefcases would easily accommodate it.
The Mini seemed to get warm on the left side of the keyboard, but that is apparently something HP is aware of and has addressed by slightly raising the model.
Opening the lid starts the Mini.
For someone used to a mouse, it took a while to get the feel for the narrow touchpad.
The right and left mouse buttons, which straddle the touchpad, are easily negotiated.
Overseas reviews said the Mini 110 was heavier and thicker than the Mini 1000.
That may well be, but the Mini 110 is a good addition to notebook options.
It has an excellent keyboard, colour options for both males and females, a bigger, faster hard drive than the Mini 1000, a full-size VGA port and added USB port and loud speakers.
Quick specs
• Windows XP
• Intel Atom processor N280 (1.66GHZ, 512 KB L2, 533 Mhz FSB)
• 1024 MB DDR2 System Memory, supports up to 1GB
• Widescreen display (1024x576)
• 92% full-size keyboard
• Adobe Reader, HP Wireless Assistant, Sun Java VM, Microsoft Works, Adobe Flash Player, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11.
