The netbook follows its predecessors (Mini 2133 and Compaq Mini 701) in terms of optical aspects, but some changes from the Compaq Mini 701 can be recognized as far as the case's form, especially the tray and the included interfaces, are concerned. The manufacturer fully returned to using the first netbook's (Mini 2133 with 9" display) chassis, apart from the vent's design at the left side's edge.

This also applies to the composition of colors, since the HP Mini 2140 is once again designed completely silvery; moreover, it not only seems to be colored metal-like, for the tray and the display's lid parts made of aluminium are indeed employed, which accordingly enhance the Mini notebook's material impression. The excellent feel is accompanied by a sturdiness just as convincing.

The display remains unyielding to punctual pressure applied to the lid, and torsions are only possible to a minimal extent as well. The same applies to the base unit, which allows for grabbing it anywhere without yielding, let alone possible deformation. The device's working, in contrast, could not fully convince us. Overall, the Mini 2140 made a good impression, but at a closer look, irregular clearances were noticeable, especially at the transitions between the aluminium tray of the case and its cover at the upper side of the base unit. When applying pressure, the clearances' width is even somewhat changeable. 

The edge-to-edge design of the display, which has seemingly come into vogue (also employed by Apple for the new Macbook models), brings a decisive disadvantage, apart from the disputatious reflecting display's surface: it is sensitive to pollution. After each touch of the display, which is inevitable when opening the display or adjusting the opening angle, some unpleasant prints remain on the display's surface. If one does not constantly clean it, an unsavory, complete frame around the display builds up over time.

As it is typical for netbooks, the interfaces offered are rather few. For instance, two USB 2.0 ports are offered (whereas one port includes a special separate power supply), one VGA outpout for connecting an external display, a LAN socket, and 3.5mm sockets for connecting headphones respectively a microphone.

While an SD card reader is found in many other mini-notebooks (at times even used for expanding the included mass storage space), the HP Mini 2140 also comes with a 54mm Expresscard slot with the help of which the device can be upgraded with a range of features based on using the Expresscard.

The single ports' location can, in out opinion, by all means be called felicitous; those ports rather used frequently (VGA, LAN, power supply) were placed on the rear side, usually saving the sides from bothersome cables. A port for a docking station would definitely have been nice for a netbook aiming to the business segment, but the HP Mini 2140 can unfortunately not offer that. This of course gives a special significance to the VGA port, since it is the only possibility to extend the internal mini-display by offering a larger desktop in order to use the netbook in a stationary usage efficiently.
It was able to suprise us in a positive manner while tested: it offered an excellent, sharp picture at a maximal resolution of 1920x1200 with good colors, connected to a 24" Dell 2408wfp monitor. Continuously working should therefore not be a problem.

The integrated Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet Controller makes an optimal connection to your wired home or office network possible. The HP Mini 2140 does not leave anything  to be desired in terms of a wireless connection, thanks to the included Broadcom 802.11 a/g/n Wireless LAN module. Bluetooth 2.0 (availability subject to configuration) can be counted as an upscale communication feature, interesting especially for wireless data transfer to and from external devices, such as cell phones and PDAs.

Up to this day, wireless broadband internet (UMTS/HSDPA) unfortunately is not available in any configuration of the HP Mini 2140. However, a suspicious opening in the battery's bay may indicate a possible future UMTS-version. Until then, the user can only take a detour via an external UMTS modem, which maybe connected  to the notebook either through a USB port or through the integrated ExpressCard slot.

Waiving an optical drive is no suprise, CDs or DVDs can only be read through an external device, as usal for netbooks. These are usually connected to a standard USB port, so one can freely choose such a drive from any manufacturer.

As far as the operating system is concerned, one is spoilt for choice, since HP equips the 2140 with a whole range of systems: the netbook is for instance available with Windows XP Home or Pro, Windows Vista Home Basic or even SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10.

HP offers only 12 months of warranty for the Mini 2140, but the warranty can be extended to 2 or even 3 years, if one buys a corresponding HP Care-Package, at differing prices, depending on duration and type of the service offered (Pick-up and Return, exchange, on site, and so on).

The HP Mini 2140's display is rather untypical of a netbook, its format is 16:9, better known from multimedia devices, with a resolution of 1024x576. Compared to the current standard resolution of 1024x600 for netbooks, the HP Mini 2140 lacks 24 pixel in height. This contributes to the difficult situation concerning the vertical number of pixel for netbooks, since scrolling often is necessary, especially while surfing the internet.

The 10.1" "Illumi-Lite" LED display, as HP labeled it, showed good benchmarks during the review. The display convinces with a maximum brightness of 247 cd/m² in the central area; the diminishment of brightness in the outer areas goes down to acceptable 209 cd/m², resulting in a good 84.6% for illumination.

Compared to various competing models, the HP Mini 2140 delivers a very strong picture with saturated colors. This is definitely also due to its reflecting glare-type surface, which gives an image subjectively rich in contrast indoors, but also quickly creates strong reflections in bright ambient light. The maximum contrast was only a mediocre 187:1 with a black value of 1.32 cd/m².

System Noise

Overall, one can say that the HP Mini 2140's vent is permanently running as a matter of principle, blowing hot air out of the aluminium case. Under a low workload, (i.e. when using office applications or surfing the internet) the vent is working at a pleasantly low level of noise; one notices the device, but the background noise is not  perceived as disturbing at all.

Interestingly, the notebook remains pretty quiet even under a constant workload over time, the vent became only slightly faster and louder. The maximal level of noise we could measure was 33.0 dB (A).

The aluminium chassis distributes the developing heat about evenly, strong punctual heating can thus be avoided. The top side of the base unit (mainly the keyboard) heats up just a bit, to about 34.4 °C. The temperature reached at the bottom side is somewhat higher, but stays within an acceptable range, with a maximum value of 40.2 °C.