Imagine
a monitor that could double as a Web machine, able to do everything from online
searches to email. HP’s Passport 1912nm can do all that and at $260 it is one
of the best bargains today for schools.
The
Passport is modestly sized at 10.8- by 17.5 by 2.1-inches but comes with a
stand that raises the screen by about 7-inches. The whole thing weighs 8 pounds
and the stand lets you tilt the display forward by 15- or backwards by
5-degrees. On the downside the screen can’t be adjusted up and down to
accommodate different sized students and teachers, but it has the mounting
screws for attaching it to a wall bracket.
From
the bezel to the stand, everything about Passport is black, with the exception
of a lone LED light that shows its asleep (amber) or operating (blue). At the
center of attention is the 18.5-inch display that can show 1,366 by 768
resolution, but uses older fluorescent backlighting, not the latest LED
illumination. In other words, as a monitor it doesn’t distinguish itself.
Passport,
however, comes into its own as an Internet kiosk. Inside is a 1GHz Texas
Instruments dual-core OMAP 4430 processor that uses ARM’s capable Cortex A-9
technology. There’s 2GB of flash storage, 1GB of memory chips and it connects
with the outside world via 5 USB ports and a flash card reader that can work
with SD, MMC, MS and xD cards. While it has built-in wired networking, it lacks
WiFi wireless networking, which can limit where it is deployed to areas that
have LAN support.
The
Web screen comes with a basic keyboard and mouse as well as integrated 2-watt
stereo speakers that sound remarkably rich and bright. Unfortunately, the
volume adjustment buttons are awkwardly under an annoying lip under the screen,
making them tough to use; there’s no mute button.
Setting
up Passport is like a dream come true. All you need to do is connect it to an
Ethernet port and plug in its power cord. Finally, turn it on and fill in the
language, time zone and password you want to use. That’s it, you’re set. From
sealed box to operating Web machine, it took all of three minutes and doesn’t
require any special skills.
Based
on a customized version of Ubuntu’s Linux software, Passport is a
self-contained system with nothing to attach and no software to load. It is
minimalist to say the least with large icons for music, video Web browsing and
photos on its home page. There’s no file browser, multi-tasking and you can’t
add software to it, which will likely elicit a huge sigh of relief among IT
administrators tasked with keeping public-access computers working.
There’s
also a password-protected Settings section for doing basic maintenance,
including setting the time and whether you want to set up the system’s
networking manually or automatically. On the downside, it can’t grab anything
from a network drive.
It
worked well with CNN, BBC and NASA Web sites, played YouTube videos and could
handle creating documents with Google Docs and Office 365. While it worked with
most everything we threw at it, the included FireFox 4.0 browser was slow to
load sites, taking 2.1 seconds longer than a Windows 7 notebook to load the
same site using Chrome’s browser.
The
system automatically updates its software as needed and HP engineers think it
is impervious to virus attack because its storage is protected. Only time will
tell. It, however, draws the line when it comes to loading specialized
software. For example, it balked at working with the University of Colorado’s
PHET science and math simulations, which requires the loading of Java
apps.
It
also can only do one thing at a time, which limits its usefulness. Things like
listening to a podcast while looking over a Web site, something that even the
cheapest netbook can do, is off limits.
Passport
can fit right into a school’s library, computer lab and faculty lounge, but is
a winner as a public online kiosk in common spaces. It excels as a public
terminal for kids and adults to catch up on email, grab assignments and watch
an online video or two. The system can also print using HP’s ePrint protocol,
but only with HP printers and lacks a Web cam and a video conferencing app.
All
told, it uses just 21 watts when it’s on and 4.3-watts while in standby, which
adds up to an annual power bill of just $7.50 if it’s used for 8 hours a day
during the school year and electricity costs the national average of 12 cents
per kilowatt-hour. That’s a lot less than recycling an old PC and CRT monitor
for this task and there will be fewer set up and maintenance hassles. It comes
with a 3-year warranty.
While
it’s not perfect, Passport 1912nm is the ideal computer for such a wide variety
of school uses it’s a wonder that nobody thought of this sooner.
A
HP
Passport 1912nm
Price:
$260
+
Inexpensive
+
Low operating costs
+
Simple, quick set up
+
Self contained
+
Adjustable stand
-
Can’t add software
-
Screen can’t move up or down
-
No WiFi
