various ramblings

-- justin kelly

hp mini 2140 HD + linux mint : finally a great netbook - why the freak is HP making it so hard to get one

just got a hp mini 2140 HD netbook

Hp_mini_2140

finally a great netbook with high-res (1366 x 768) HD display, 6 cell battery, linux, great keyboard, and metal/brushed aluminium case

for whatever reason HP AU has made is almost impossible to get one of these.  all agents and hp call centre people I spoke to said only the low res (SD) model was available and that the HD 'might' be available in a few months

thanks for unwoken for the whirlpool forums for forwarding me the details of the only hp au staff who is willing sell me one of these - from searches and forum posting there is so much demand for this model - can't see why hp is hiding them

the ordered model came with novell/suse linux - but if you want a great netbook - just grab the latest linux mint and everything with work perfect

HP USA seems to have discontinued the 2140 in favour of the 5150 - but the 2 can't compare

also refer:

quick summary

pro:
- best netbook going around
- great keyboard
- great build quality
- come with linux - if you ask 

con:
- impossible to get the HD model in AUS
- those bloody LED lights at the front are way to bright

if your lucky still might be able to get one from the US via http://www.priceusa.com.au/

what happened to netgear being awesome?

just got a netgear dgn2000 adsl2+  modem / wireless N router, opened the box and first thought was, whats happened to netgear? 

instead of the solid metal box that my current 802.11g box is this is cheapo plastic and doesnt include mount points so i can't be hung from a wall etc. as the old netgears could

Ng-dgn2000

good:
- web based setup wizard actually worked fine for optus

bad:
- not mountable
-- how im ganna put this on the wall will be interesting
- plastic
-- bring back the solid metal netgear cases of old
- admin page hasn't seemed to of progress in the last 5 years

conclusion:
- netgear was once awesome - this is not
- it works but for the price you pay for i expect more from netgear