HP Store Online

needing some help on purchasing the HP Mini Netbook?

I am looking into buying the HP Mini Netbook with Intel Atom Processor N270.... I have gone to the HP website and also checked out BestBuy and I want to know what it is I'm getting for the money and if it is worth it. (I'm not so smart when it comes to breaking down what exactly goes into a computer) First of all - the netbook comes in 2 different sizes.... 8.9 and 10.1. HP allows you to upgrade to the 10.1 while BestBuy only carries the 10.1 (which is the size I want.) Here is what is included with the BestBuy computer at a price tag of $349.99 What's Included * HP Mini Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor N270 * Disk-On-Key 2GB * 3-cell lithium-polymer battery * AC power cable * Owner's manual Product Features * From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores * Intel® Atom™ processor N270 Features a 533MHz frontside bus, 512KB cache and 1.6GHz processor speed. * 1GB DDR2 memory For multitasking power. * Note: Optical drive not included Optional external DVD-ROM drive available (not included). * 10.1" TFT-LCD widescreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution For a clear view of your movies and graphics. * 16GB solid state drive flash module Provides plenty of storage space and fast read/write times. Recessed port lets you add an HP Mobile Mini USB drive for extra storage. 2GB Disk-On-Key included. * Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 graphics With 128MB total available graphics memory for lush images. * Built-in HP webcam Makes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends. * Memory card slot Supports Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard formats and lets you easily transfer digital photos from your digital camera. * 2 high-speed USB 2.0 ports For fast digital video, audio and data transfer. * Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g) So you can easily connect to your local area network or a wireless hotspot. * Built-in Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector Connects you easily to the Internet. * Weighs 2.4 lbs. and measures 1" thin For lightweight portability. * Long battery life Of up to 3 hours to give you more time away from an outlet. * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition operating system with Service Pack 3 (SP3) preinstalled. * Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Centrino, Core, Viiv, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Now while on the HP website, you can customize a few things and add/edit some of your options and "build" the netbook exactly how you want it. I have built this computer with the following: HP Mini 1000 XP edition series NN099AV * – Genuine Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 * – Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N270 (1.60GHz) * – FREE Upgrade to 1GB DDR2 System Memory (1 Dimm) * – 80GB 4200RPM Hard Drive * – Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 * – 10.1" diagonal SD LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1024 x 576) * – HP Mini Webcam with HP Imprint Finish (Swirl) - For 10.1" Display * – Wireless-G Card * – HP Color Matching Keyboard * – 3 Cell Lithium Polymer Battery * – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope This has a price tag of $444.99 I know there is a $75 increase in price based on the fact that I chose to upgrade from the 16GB hard drive to the 80GB... What else is different and can you explain to me if I would be better off paying the price difference and going with the built HP or should I still with the base HP through Best Buy. Is it worth the $75 to upgrade from 16GB to 80GB hard drive? Someone please help! Thanks

Public Comments

1. The 16gb drive is "Solid State." In netbook land, this means they took the rubber case of a flash drive and stuck it into the netbook. This'll make the netbook quite slow. You can get an Acer Aspire One with a spinning hard drive for $350.
2. Wow. That's a very informative question. The difference between the customized price and the original price is so small you can almost neglect it. I purchase an Asus Eee PC which came with a 16GB hard drive and I asked the technician to upgrade it for me for an extra fee. I even added a little more RAM and bought an external optical drive since it didn't come with any for lightweight purposes. Almost all of the features that lacked, I bought all of them and it was worth it. Compare it with a laptop which has everything at the cost of almost $1000. I was able to save almost $600. So you're more concerned on how advanced your laptop should be. My advice, having the best laptop means having the most advanced piece of technology on the street. You can customize it right? Then do the necessary customizations according to your preferences and besides the difference between the customized and original prices is so small. I'd cutomize right away if I were you. Plus, with the customization feature, you can fill in any gaps as prepared by factory default. More storage is important so you need to upgrade to 80GB HDD. 16GB won't get you anywhere.
3. There are many different things to consider: With a 16GB hard drive you will quickly run out of space if you use it for anything besides browsing the internet. 80GB will at least allow you to install additional programs and store music, pictures, etc. Is it worth an extra $75? I would say so - but the drive listed above is only 4200RPM-which is pretty slow. I honestly would look at the Dell Inspiron Mini. There are 3 models that you can customize depending on what you want. The Inspiron Mini 10 as a directly comparable product with better specs and for less money ($399). BaseInspiron Mini 10 Operating System (Vista)Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3 LCD Panel10.1" Widescreen Anti Glare® Display (1024x576) Memory1GB2 DDR2 SDRAM Storage160G, 2.5inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive Video CardIntel®Graphics Media Accelerator 500 Mobile BroadbandNo WWAN Option, Inspiron Wireless Networking CardsWireless 802.11g (1397) Mini Card Battery Options24WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell) CPUIntel®Atom®Processor Z520 (1.33GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache)