(Click for a larger view of HP's Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam edition )
HP's 2133 Mini-Note PC
(Click image for further information) |
HP's first foray into the netbook world, the
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC (right), targeted the education market and was based on a Via C7-M ULV processor clocked at 1GHz, 1.2GHz, and 1.6GHz. The new HP Mini 1000 gains the more typical 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, teamed with the 945GSE and ICH7M supporting chipset. Unfortunately, it also now has 1024 x 600 screen resolution, instead of the Mini-Note's 1280 x 768 pixels.
HP's Mini 1000
The new HP Mini 1000 models include the gussied-up Vivienne Tam edition shown at the top of our story, the basic Windows XP Home-based edition shown above, and a Linux-based "Mini MIE" version. All offer 8GB or 16GB solid state drive (SSD) storage, an optional 60GB hard drive, and optional USB storage modules that hold up to 8GB, says the company. Standard features include Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a webcam, and a 5-in-1 card reader.
HP Mini 1000 (side view)
According to HP, the netbooks will be available with 3G cellular connectivity by the end of the year. Company representatives have reportedly also briefed some journalists on an optional video accelerator that's said to be forthcoming. We have no information on how these options will be interfaced to the netbook, however; in fact, the Mini 1000 no longer includes the ExpressCard interface that was included on the 2133 Mini-Note.
Unusually, purchasers of the Windows-based Mini 1000 are only offered 512MB or 1GB of RAM from the factory, rather than the 2GB of RAM HP says it will ship on Linux configurations. It's rumored that Microsoft pressured HP to impose the RAM limit and keep hard disk size to 60GB, in order to be able to license
Windows XP ULCPC, the software vendor's loss-leader edition of Windows XP Home. We can't confirm this; however, it's worth noting that the earlier 2133 Mini-Note ran Windows Vista, and was offered with a 120GB hard disk drive.
HP's Mini 1000 boasts a "92 percent" keyboard
The HP Mini 1000 netbooks measure 10.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches, and include a keyboard that's said to be 92 percent the size of a standard notebook's. HP offers a choice of 8.9 or 10.2-inch displays, with LED backlighting and flush glass panels.
Specifications listed for the HP Mini 1000 by HP include:
- Processor -- Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
- Memory 512MB or 1GB, apparently expandable to 2GB
- Expansion -- 5-in-1 Secure Digital, Multimedia card reader
- Storage -- 8GB or 16GB SSD standard; 60GB hard drive optional; up to 8GB additional via USB-based HP Mobile Mini Drive
- Display -- 8.9-inch or 10.2-inch HP BrightView display, 1024 x 600 resolution
- Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet
- WiFi -- 802.11b/g
- USB -- 2 x USB ports (one recessed port for USB storage)
- Bluetooth -- 1 x Bluetooth radio
- Other features:
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Mic/headphone ports
- 92-percent keyboard
- Wireless 3G (coming by end of year)
- Battery -- 3-cell, 26WHr Li-Ion battery (6-cell battery coming in January)
- Dimensions -- 10.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches
- Weight -- 2.25 lbs
- Operating system -- Windows XP Home
AvailabilityThe HP Mini 1000 is available now starting at $400, and the Vivienne Tam Edition should ship in mid-December, according to HP. The Linux-based version is expected to be available in the U.S. in January starting at $380, the company adds.
Further information can be found on HP's website,
here. Meantime, reviews of the system have been made available by
PC World,
here,
Laptop magazine,
here, and
jkOnTheRun,
here.
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