Chris’s Domain

Ever wondered what happened to the HP Mini 2140? This interesting backstage insight to Microsoft’s 2009 TechEd event in Australia provides all the details relating to what is essentially the first ever mass scale temporary netbook deployment program, with over 2500 HP Mini 2140’s ordered, shipped, reimaged with Windows 7 and handed out to attentees of the event.

http://4sysops.com/archives/deploying-2500-windows-7-netbooks-at-tech-ed-australia/

http://www.techedbackstage.net/2009/09/04/netbook-imaging-is-almost-done/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkYg46-6yfA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37473564@N00/3877137526/

Some additional points:

• Every 2140 ordered was a custom base unit SKU with FreeDos, with Windows 7 installed by the deployment staff.
• All 2140s deployed have the standard 1024×576 resolution screens with 160GB hard drives.
• The large supply of 2140s ordered resulted in a stock shortage earlier than anticipated, but there were enough 2140s committed for this event.
• The 2140 runs Windows 7 beautifully and is fully compatible.
• Attendees will be asked if they wish to receive the device as a gift or a loan. Those who elect for the loan option will be able to use the netbook as much as they wish during the event but must return it on departure. MS will then donate all returned netbooks to a community program aimed at helping the disadvantaged develop technology skills.

I spoke to some attendees during the event and they appear to be very satisfied with the netbook, albeit with battery life being the only concern as 3-cell batteries were handed out with a promotional offer for 6-cell batteries which they could purchase at a very good price. Being IT pros, there’s great praise for the keyboard, nice touchpad, bright screen and of course Windows 7 performing very well on this netbook. Even the HP DriveGuard and durable shell was put to the test as I saw many instances of people dropping their netbooks, but no casualties! The HP Mini 2140 is officially the best enterprise netbook out there. Period.