Netbooks have been the equipment of choice of users who need an ultra portable notebook with the basic capabilities to work and stay online while on the move.
The HP 5103 Mini Executive is yet another model in the successful range of netbooks by the largest PC manufacturer in the world. i-Tech had the opportunity to test a model for a few weeks. Ours had an Intel Atom 455 1.66 GHz processor, a 10.1 inch LED-backlit display, 2GB of RAM, Intel Graphics Accelerator 3150, and Microsoft Windows 7 Premium 32-bit.
The first impression you get is that this is a sturdy, well-built machine and an ideal travel companion as it won’t let you down. This impression is almost confirmed when you start using the machine. It’s not fully confirmed because it is a relatively heavy netbook compared to other models of the same screen size and weight which is an important factor when assessing portability.
The Intel Atom 455, the latest generation of processors for netbooks, handles everything you can throw at it. The 2GB RAM are enough to handle modest multi-tasking. When you consider that this model has a Microsoft Windows 7 Premium operating system, which is normally installed on desktops and larger notebooks, it goes to show its strong processing capabilities.
However, this takes its toll on the battery and we were not impressed with battery life, especially when we did multitasking and were connected to wi-fi.
The keyboard is very good and we could type at speed for a whole day but the fact that it does not have backlight (not that most netbooks have it) could be a disadvantage in certain under-lit environments away from home or the office. The touchpad is small and uncomfortable, and to carry an extra mouse, however small, would add to the bulky feeling of the machine.
The LED display is crisp and the Intel graphics are quite good, supporting HD quality.
In terms of software, our model came with several pre-installed software, including the HP Drive Guard, HP Protection Tools, HP Support Assistant, McAfee anti-virus, and Microsoft Office 2010 (trial). All this software from HP is very good in terms of quality but some users might find they don’t need all these functions or want to use other third party software.
However HP’s intention is to provide as complete a package of connectivity and security services as possible to users who are sensitive to these issues, and the company succeeds in achieving this.
To sum up, the HP 5103 Mini Executive is a reliable piece of hardware to have if you need to work on the road and could serve you well if the shortcomings mentioned are not crucial to your needs.