HP2133 Mini-Note PC The Little wonder for DBAs.

If you don't know it by know is because you haven't read my articles, but I am an enthusiastic in technology and an early adopter of it. I just love technology and I can't live without it.




For sometime I have been looking for an inexpensive laptop, small size but powerful enough that I could have my Oracle database and programs on it, and carry it every where I go without the need for a heavy laptop bag. Also the most important feature I was looking for was no Windows on it, yes I am more than disappointed with Windows Vista although I own several computers that have it installed.

I am glad to announce that I believe I got to the end of the journey in my finding, I recently got an HP2133 Mini-Note PC equipped with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1 and I just love it.

This Laptop has a price tag of $349 (at least by the time I bought it) from CompUSA.com comes with 1GB RAM and a powerful 120GB hard drive, and for $20 you can get a 2GB memory SDIMM from Newegg.com (BTW there is a handy video in Youtube that explains how to add the memory), HP sales it for $399, but I am sure you can get it for around $311 from other Internet sites like Provantange.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/321957-321957-64295-321838-306995-3687084.html?jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%202133%20
Base%20Model%20Mini-Note%20PC&lang=en&cc=us


It comes with the following

Specifications

Lifestyle: Business Netbooks Condition: New Operating Systems: SUSE Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1. Startup Operating System: SUSE Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1. Platform: Notebook PC Expansion Ports: 1 - Express Card Slot/54 Display Type: WXGA Viewable Screen Size: 8.9" Maximum Resolution: 1280 x 768 Processor Brand: VIA Processor Class: C7-M Processor Speed: 1.60GHz Processor Cache: 128KB L2 Memory Type: DDR2 Memory Size: 2GB Memory Speed: DDR2 667 Memory Slots (Total): 1 Memory Slots (Available): 0 Maximum Memory Supported: 2GB Graphics Description: Integrated Graphics GPU/VPU: VIA® Chrome9™ Video Memory: Up to 256MB Shared Video Interface: VGA Capacity: 120GB Optical Drive Type: N/A Supplemental Drive Type: Media Reader Capacity: 1 Media Types: SecureDigital Audio Description: Integrated Audio Audio Chipset: ADI High Definition Codec PS/2 Mouse Connectors: N/A PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: N/A Serial Communication Ports: N/A Parallel Ports: N/A USB Ports: 2 FireWire Ports: N/A Fast Infrared Ports (FIR): N/A LAN Ports: 1 Modem Ports: N/A Audio Out Jacks: 1 Line In Jacks: N/A Microphone Jacks: 1 VGA Ports: 1 S-Video Connectors: N/A DVI Video: N/A Port Replicator/Connector: N/A Communications Description: Integrated LAN Integrated Wireless LAN Integrated Bluetooth Interface Type: RJ-45 Ethernet Connector Bluetooth™ Broadcom 802.11a/b/g WLAN Data Transfer Rate: 10/100/1000Mbps Network 54 Mbps Bluetooth 2.0 Protocols: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g Width: 10.04", 255 mm Height: 27 mm, 1.05" Depth: 6.5", 165 mm Weight: 2.6 lbs 1.19 kg Mouse Type: Touch Pad Scrolling Capability: Scroll Zone Keyboard Type: Spill Resistant Battery Type: 6-Cell Lithium-ion Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hours

I was able to install Oracle 10gR2 on it with the help of my friend Nick Donatone from Oracle, the biggest challenge was to get installed the pre-required packages for Oracle like gcc and gcc++, etc. This laptop comes with no CD ROM nor DVD ROM, but I believe you can buy one optional or you can just get an external USB CD-ROM drive (No that you need one)

The packages you need to install Oracle comes with the software which you can download from Novell (NOTE: Just install the packages you need and no more than that) , Novell support tells me that this is an special edition of SUSE for HP, therefore not all open source software will work on it.

For the price tag that this computer has, all the features on it, and the flexibility it represents I will say this is a must buy.

So far Pros and Cons:

- Support from HP for matters with the OS could be a lot better.
- Support from Novel has been great so far (thanks Jack Hodge).
- The speakers are great
- The keyword is good enough and you can always get an USB keyword, mouse and connect it to
and external display and you won't have any problems with it.
- The Webcam does not work in SUSE Linux but, I heard there is a way to make it work with a
open source driver.
- The battery life is about 2 hours, I am thinking in getting the extended battery (gives you 4 hours)
- It is very light.
- It warms up a bit at the bottom while you use it for extended periods.
- It comes pack with plenty of neat Open source software such as Open office.
- The wireless is very reliable.
- I wish the processor were faster, but this is just good enough.
- I love the touch pad technology HP implemented here, it has an scroll zone that simulates that
third mouse button.

In conclusion I give to it a 3.5 rating out of 5.

This is what it needs to be a 5 out of 5.

- HP Support improvements.
- Webcam working out of the box with SUSE.
- Faster CPU.