HP's Mini 5102 Netbook boasts multi-touch interfacing

by Stevie Smith - Jan 7 2010, 06:46

With all this recent talk of smartbooks, superphones and tablet computers, we’re glad to see that some hardware manufacturers are still looking to evolve the humble Netbook category as CES 2010 kicks into gear.

Bearing that in mind, meet the new Mini 5102, which was unveiled yesterday by Hewlett-Packard (HP) and pushes the Netbook’s strictly Web-centric profile thanks to the inclusion of a touch-screen user interface for both application and online navigation.

Equipped with a solid 10.1-inch display and powered by the Intel Atom N450 processor, the Mini 5102 also has 95 percent full-size keyboard, additional trackpad navigation, a modest 2.0 mega pixel camera, and integrated facial recognition technology.

Targeting students and more professional users as opposed to regular consumers, the Mini 5102's central point of appeal is its multi-touch gesture interface that supports finger taps and motion swipes across the screen in order to move through menu choices, software applications and Web sites.

Weighing in at less than three pounds and complete with an optional carry handle for even easier portability, HP’s latest Netbook offering also delivers up to 10 hours of battery life – if consumers select the optional six-cell battery.

Currently enjoying the limelight of CES 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, expect the HP Mini 5102 to make its retail bow before the end of January.

Pricing has not yet been confirmed.

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