HP's 2133 Mini-note sub-notebook

The HP 2133 Mini-note Linux Edition is an incredibly good looking piece of kit, but is sadly a classic example of style over substance. Gorgeously designed and stunning to look at, the 2133 Mini-note seems to have it all at first glance. The keyboard is perfectly sized and the screen is bright and perky. It's so pleasurable to use that it could probably only be topped by an invitation to have a go on a jelly-covered bouncy castle with the half-naked celebrity of your choice.

It's a bit disappointing then that this is all that the 2133 stands out for. Throughout our time with the notebook it slowly dawned on us that although the Mini-note wasn't a bad netbook, it certainly isn't the best. While it does manage to tick most of the right boxes and do everything it sets out to do, it just doesn't do those things as well or as fast as other products.

Price is a limiting factor too and the HP is in danger of putting itself out of the market with the £350 price tag as the reality is although it looks like you're getting bang for your buck, all you're actually getting is the appearance that that is what you get.

In the end, the HP 2133 Mini-note is very much like the aforementioned celebrity-endorsed jelly-castle adventure. It sounds good in theory, it's great while you're doing it and you're sure to have a lot of fun. When all is said and done though you'll just be left slightly frustrated that the experience didn't quite live up to your expectations. Also, it'll be messy.

As a netbook the Mini-note is OK, but there are better and faster products on the market that would work out cheaper.