The minute you first lay eyes on the HP 2133 Mini-Note computer, you're ready for a cool new product. Out of the box, it's about 20 percent smaller than a typical small notebook computer and not any wider than the full size QWERTY keyboard that you discover when you open the system's clamshell. It's also light and ergonomically designed, making it a nice companion for executives who want to bring it with them on short trips.

According to Kyle Thornton, HP's category manager for ultramobile computers, executives were not the primary market for which the company designed the 2133. Instead, it worked with educators and IT managers to design a system to meet the needs of schools.

In trying to meet the standard of one computer per child, schools have been purchasing cheap older models to meet their budgets; and the 2133 was an attempt to give them a small, state-of-the-art system that is rugged enough for the bouncing around that students give laptops, yet feature-rich enough to meet their educational and computational needs.

For the most part, HP seems to have hit the target. The 2133 is a true ultraportable which, starting at $500, doesn't cost as much as many of the standard systems in the same class for form factor and functionality.

HP has put in some features that you normally don't see in this price range. For instance, there's an acrylic panel over the LCD to make it more durable -- which my associates noticed at first glance without being prompted.

The display is tremendously bright, similar to the MacBook Air, making it very easy to read in most lighting environments. The keys are full size and respond well, as if you were typing on a desktop keyboard. And the speakers are on each side of the display, facing you as they should, not hidden underneath where the sound gets muffled like on other notebook computers.

HP engineers also have taken the time to create a casing that is durable yet doesn't have visible screws to remove the case or components. Mr. Thornton calls this an HPPI (HP professional innovation) that was built in because students like to unscrew screws to take apart systems. I call it a smart move that should be built into every PC.

In general, it seems to be an intriguing system and good value for the dollars. Yet it's not perfect. The small form factor means not much room for a pointing device; and the engineers put a long rectangle touch pad on the heel of the keyboard. It would have been better with a touch point eraser-like cursor control instead.

It also runs very hot; so don't expect to keep it on your lap for hours at a session without something to guard you from the heat.

The most curious design factor is the shape of the battery, which sticks out from the bottom of the case. That shape allows air to reach the bottom vents, but keeps a user from putting it easily into a portfolio carrying case or briefcase. So it might keep executives from carrying the system home or on trips because it takes up more room than its small footprint would otherwise require.

At 2.7 pounds with three cell battery and hard disk, it is ultralight, just below the lower end of the lightest full size travel-worthy notebooks. That gets you 2¹/₂ hours of battery life. A six cell battery increases battery life to 4¹/₂ hours.

Mr. Thornton promises new accessories in the near future, including an optional external DVD drive and an option for a solid state disk.