HP Mini 5103 Multitouch Review Discussion

The new HP Mini 5103 is an update to the previous 5102 netbook, adding the newest dual-core Intel Atom N455 to the spec-sheet. This 10.1-inch netbook can be configured with an optional multi-touch display and has a starting price of $399.99. Check out our review to see our verdict on this small system.

Read the full content of this Article: HP Mini 5103 Multitouch Review

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Nice review, but I think you guys at NBR need to take a hard look at the HP Pavilion dm1z before you call the 5103 a winner:

lgpOnTheMove - taking a new cut on notebook reviews: First Impressions - HP dm1z notebook

AMD's Nile platform is spanking Intel all over in the performance department, and models like the dm1z cost far less than a souped-up 5103.

 

I really think Nile's place as a netbook CPU is debatable at best. Anyway I try to look at it, they are CULV and therefore have a bit of an unfair advantage when comparing them to Atom. Not to mention the fact that they have a much much higher power draw.

I also think that calling the dm1z a netbook is a bit of a stretch. It's small, sure, but what else about it makes it a netbook?

 

Great review!!

But is screen resolution really 1330x678? That seems kinda odd resolution to me.

This laptop is tempting with its business look.

 

Display: 10.1-inch multitouch LED-backlit display (1366x678, matte finish)

I do believe that he meant 1366x768

 

I agree , its like calling a m11x a netbook because it has a 11" screen.

 

You mention some valid points, and some of those are addressed in the article in the link. I do have to respectfully disagree, however, with those who think the dm1z shouldn't be called a netbook. Processor alone shouldn't be the determining factor, and although it may not say "Atom inside", the dm1z still meets the size/weight criteria of other 11" netbooks like the HP Mini 311. It's also tough to call it a notebook when it actually fits inside a case designed to carry a 10" netbook.

I would agree though that 11" is the upper limit for netbook size after 10". Any larger and you really are dealing with a chassis that can accommodate processors with a higher TDP.

 

So the m11x, with its 11" screen and ~8 hour battery life is a netbook? Even though it has a culv processor instead of an atom?

Is the asus 1215n a netbook with its 12" screen and atom processor? Everyone else seems to think it is.

In my opinion, what matters is a combination of 3 things: price, size, and battery life. You need 2 of the 3 to be considered a netbook. Price needs to be under $500. Size needs to be 10" screen or smaller. Battery life needs to be over 1 hours of real world use per battery cell (wifi on). A screen size over 12" automatically fails as a netbook and becomes a small laptop.

Netbooks have always been about being a relatively cheap and portable computer whose only purpose in life is to do very light office work, multimedia playback, and most importantly interNET use, and to do them for a long time.

 

You have to keep in mind that while the m11x has a 11" screen, the chassis on that thing is much bigger, comparing more to a 13" notebook. At that size (and weight) I'd dismiss it as a netbook entirely.

You are right about the 12" Asus netbook - running an Atom processor it would be hard not to label it anything but a netbook. Yet when you examine its size it's clearly bigger than the dm1z and weighs about the same.

Nailing down the ceiling on price for netbooks is a tough call. Most Lenovo 11" netbooks I've seen run as much as $600, as do some Sony's, while enterprise models like the HP 5102 and 5103 can fetch up to $860. Even a 10" HP Mini 210HD can top out at $550 if you load it up with all the bells and whistles. True, $500 also puts you into entry notebook territory, but again that's what makes models like the dm1z so attractive IMO. Nicely configured at around $525, it will beat similarly priced notebooks on size/weight, yet also beat any Atom netbook on raw performance.

I'd say the netbook market has now come to the point where we can no longer classify products under one category. We have $400 mainstream 10" models running single-core Atom processors and high-end 10"/11" models coming in at $500+ with HD screens and dual-core N550/K625 CPU. The distinction perhaps should be not between netbooks and notebooks, but between mainstream netbook vs. high-end netbook.

 

There's nothing that I can't stand more, than a multi-touch display that can't swivel. Seriously, what's the point if you can't use it as a tablet? It just bugs me.

 

You are close to making a valid point.

Size should be size of the laptop, not size of the screen. People don't choose a netbook because they like to stare at small small screens They choose netbooks because the small screen is a fair trade-off in exchange for overall portability (size and wt of the laptop.)

So in terms of size m11x is to big and heavy to be seen as a netbook. Its a small screen in a big 4.6 lb chassis. It would be like dropping a moped engine in a car and saying it is now a bike (probably a bad analogy given the m11x is so much more powerful than a netbook...)

So by your measure the dm1z:
<$500
11.4 in (L) x 8.03 in (W) x 0.78-1.20 in (H)
3.24 lbs

It real failing is it lacks HP's claimed 5+ hrs of battery life.

... Overall I would say netbooks are a laptop segment where the consumer is willing to make a trade-off in terms of power in exchange for portability (smaller size and weight.)

Initially you could add low price, but that model has broken down as the price of entry level 15" laptops has drifted down, while netbooks have come up in price. But at first, netbooks were nearly loss-leaders, but now they are priced on the same playing field.

Likewise, netbooks used to consistently offer superior battery-life. Sadly this is no longer consistently the case.

 

This is a very attractive netbook, especially given the price. It's safe to say this is one of the only netbooks I have seen that I would actually consider buying. I would upgrade the hard drive to a Seagate Momentus XT though, or perhaps an inexpensive SSD (well, comparatively).

Referring to the comments on how a netbook is classified/different from other notebook market segments, take a look at our article here:
Today's Netbook Market: Current Trends and Our Take

 

What's the deal with no gesture enabled touchpad? I'm not one to smudge up my screen with fingerprints so would have liked to have more options on the touchpad. Bad choice on this.

 

I'd really want a version of this with the new AMD stuff coming in 2011. I'd also want a 1366x768 multitouch screen. HP's configurator only lets you have high-res OR multitouch, not both!

While they're at it, they should make it pivotable or flippable (like what Dell does), and perhaps have Wacom pen input.

The biggest draw of a 10" netbook for me is that there's a pocket in my raincoat that just fits it perfectly -- at least for my Samsung N130.

 

The HP Mini 5103 with Intel Atom N550 dual-core processor, which has been reviewed favorably on some sites, has bee pulled from the HP web site. The word from an HP sales rep is that this is a "delay", but no one at HP pre-sales customer service knows what is going on, and in some cases, they deny that it was ever offered. Any info on this?

 

I work with 2 programs at once tuning 2 way radios and recording the results. I have to move the mouse between 2 screens constantly. A multitouch screen would make it a lot easier for at least 1 of those screens. I have owned the HP TM2 covertable tablet, the mutitouch was terrific, it was the angle of viewing and the general design problems that got me to send it back. I am very optimistic about the tablets coming down the chute within the next few months. Real computers with a touch screen between 8 and 11 inches... Oh and this is important; open architecture for apps or programs so I can choose what works for my use...