HP announced a business-oriented mini-notebook using AMD's dual-core, 1.6GHz E-350 processor. The 3105m includes an 11.6-inch display, up to 8GB of RAM, a 250GB or 320GB hard disk drive, a six-cell battery, an available cellular modem, and a choice of operating systems, according to the company.

We would describe HP's 3105m "mini executive" portable as yet another device adopting AMD's E-350 processor, except that it isn't really "another." A casual examination makes clear that HP has merely rebadged its consumer-oriented Pavilion dm1z, announced Jan. 4 and reviewed by us in-depth on Feb. 6.

HP's 3105m differs from the earlier dm1z in its branding and software
(Click to enlarge)

Apparently with the same cosmetics as before, the 3105m does differ from the dm1z in its software details. According to HP, the device is offered with Windows 7 Professional and with FreeDOS, as well as the Windows 7 Home Premium edition that came on the dm1z. SuSE Linux is not listed on the 3105m data sheet, but it will be available too, or so HP's online store implies.

The online store lists some other intriguing configuration options that are exclusive to the 3105m version — such as the ability to delete the device's Energy Star sticker for a $1 savings! Meanwhile, the 3105m still includes some shovelware, such as Microsoft's Office 2010 Starter Edition and a 60-day trial edition of Norton Internet Security 2011, but appears not to be loaded with the HP MediaSmart software that the dm1z included.

HP adds that the 3105m may be equipped with either a Broadcom 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0 combo board (as standard on the dm1z) or a Broadcom 802.11a/b/g/n adapter. A GPS-enabled GSM/CMDA cellular modem based on Qualcomm's Gobi 2000 chipset is also available.

Though it wasn't mentioned, the 3105m presumably has the same case construction as the dm1z, allowing the back of the device to be removed without tools. During our dm1z testing, we took a look inside (below), locating the slot that apparently works only with the cellular modem (to our disappointment, a Mini PCI Express-based solid state disk wasn't recognized by the system).

Inside HP's 3105m/dm1z
(Click to enlarge)

Like the dm1z before it, the 3105m includes two slots that accept up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. It is available with a 320GB hard disk drive spinning at 5,400rpm or a 7,200rpm drive in 250GB or 350GB versions, according to HP.

Specifications listed by HP for the 3105m include:

• Processor — dual-core AMD-350 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Chipset — AMD A50M
• Memory — up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM
• Storage — 250GB or 320GB hard disk drive
• Display — 11.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution
• Expansion — SD/MMC card reader; Mini PCI Express slot (works only with optional cellular modem)
• Networking:
  • LAN — gigabit Ethernet
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g/n or 802.11a/b/g/n
  • PAN — Bluetooth 3.0 (optional)
  • WWAN — GSM/CDMA cellular modem (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • 3 x USB 2.0
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • audio — combo headphone out/microphone in
• Battery — six-cell, 55Whr with claimed 9.5 hour duration
• Dimensions — 11.48 x 8.46 x 0.83 inches
• Weight, with battery — 3.52 pounds

Further information

According to HP, the 3105m is available now, starting at approximately $450. More information may be found on HP's 3105m data sheet [PDF link] and online store.

This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.