HP shows off new netbook, ultra-light PCs

By Gabriel Madway

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co is unveiling a host of cost-conscious PC products, including a new netbook targeted at professionals, a pair of ultra-light notebooks, and a new gaming and multimedia PC.

The products were announced on Tuesday ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show, which begins on Thursday in Las Vegas.

HP's new offerings are continuing the trend seen all over the PC world for smaller, more efficient and more affordable products.

Although global computer sales have been slumping, HP, the world's no. 1 PC maker, has so far weathered the downturn better than some of its rivals. Its diversified business has provided it with some measure of insulation from lower corporate and consumer technology spending.

The company's new netbook, the $499 HP Mini 2140, features a 10.1-inch screen and a keyboard that is 92 percent of the size of a full-size model.

The 2140 weighs 2.6 pounds with a four-hour-plus battery. It will run on Intel Corp's low-power Atom processor.

HP was late to catch on to the netbook phenomenon, which has been dominated by Acer Inc and Asustek. HP spokesman Mike Hockey was clear that HP views the ultra-portable device as a "companion" PC, not a substitute.

There is plenty of concern in the industry that netbooks will cannibalize the segment and pressure margins.