So here it is, the new 2133 Mini Note subnotebook from HP, just a little ahead of the next generation of Asus EEE PC machines, with a price-features ratio tailored to challenge those of the forthcoming cheap subnotebooks from Asus. With $499 you get a 8,9 inch display (1280×768 resolution), 512 MB RAM, 4 GB SSD, VIA C-7M CPU ULV 1.0 GHz processor, VGA Webcam, WiFi and, of course, Linux in the SUSE Enterprise flavour. You can add $100 more and get 1 GB RAM, a 120 GB real hard disk and some more horsepower, or go higher and add more hardware features and Windows Vista instead of Linux. About size and weight, the 2,8 lb (1.27 Kg) the HP 2133 Mini-Note 10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05 in (255 x 165 x 27 mm), then it’s larger and hevier than the EEE PC 4G.
HP 2133 Mini-Note’s batteries should provide around 4 hours with normal use and more than 2 hours with wireless surfing.
The only feature criticized by most of the reviewers is the strange and not very comfortable scrolling buttons on the side of the HP 2133 Mini-Note display, besides the usual readability problem of a high resolution small display that has also a coated anti-scratch/glare surface. Anything else seems right and may really be a reason of defeat for $499 EEE PCs. For example, one aspect of the HP 2133 Mini-Note that may appeal to most users is its brush metal case which suggests quality and toughness, and many other features have been positively commented on the major hitech Web sites.
If you need more info to decide it this is going to be a tough EEE PC challenger, you can read and see more about the HP 2133 Mini-Note subnotebook on Gizmodo, Notebooks.com, LaptopMag and, of course, JKOnTheRun. Don’t forget, of course, HP’s 2133 press release and Mini-Note’s full specsheet.

UPDATE: take a look at the pictures and EEEPC vs HP 2133 comparison published by CLUMPC blog.