Hardware Geeks

Today HP introduced the new Mini 1000 companion PC, a thinner smaller lighter version of the HP Mini-Note 2133. But unlike the 2133 which is geared towards education and business users the Mini 1000 is meant to be a Companion PC for anyone.

The HP Mini 1000 will come in two colors and three flavors, and weighing in at only 2.5 pounds it is one of the lightest Mini Notebooks available. Even though the Mini 1000 systems are thinner and lighter than the HP Mini-Note 2133 it enjoys the same keyboard that made the 2133 popular.

The three models are as follows:

• The HP Mini 1000 features a piano-black finish with HP Imprint swirl design and is powered by an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor running Windows XP Home, making the Web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, 2 USB ports, built-in webcam and microphone. It comes with wireless connectivity (WLAN,) and 3G versions are expected to be available in December.

Configuration choices include screen size—8.9-inch Brightview or 10.2-inch diagonal Brightview widescreen Infinity display with1024 x 600 resolution—and solid-state or mechanical hard- drive options.

• The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition comes in vibrant red with a peonyflower inspired design that reflects the globally acclaimed fashion designer’s Spring 2009 collection. It seeks to satisfy the highly mobile, Internet- centric fashionista woman and features a 10.2-inch diagonal Brightview widescreen Infinity display with1024 x 600 resolution.

Its design was first unveiled on the runway of Tam’s Fall 2009 Fashion Week show in Battery Park in New York, although many on the scene mistook it for a purse rather than the companion PC that it is. Tam labeled it the world’s first “digital clutch,” and it ships with an embroidered sleeve to protect the exterior, Accidental Damage Protection service and an HP SmartFriend Calling Card good for 6 months of unlimited consultative service.

The Vivienne Tam Edition companion PC is powered by the Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor running Windows XP Home and has a 1GMm memory, making the Web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, 2 USB port, built-in webcam and microphone. It comes with wireless connectivity (WLAN,) and 3G versions are expected to be available in December.

Tam said, “The fashion-forward woman no longer has to sacrifice glamour when staying in touch with all her favorite digital content. And the flower and vibrant colors suggest good fortune, happiness and prosperity in the Chinese culture.”

• The HP Mini 1000 with MIE (Mobile Internet Experience) is the uniquely simple, strikingly mobile Internet companion. It delivers a seamless Internet experience out-of-the-box via an intuitive interface developed by HP that makes it easy to enjoy digital content – videos, photos, music and email—on-demand and on the go. MIE comes loaded with Instant Messaging, email and Skype, for online video chat, making it easy to enjoy social-media experiences anywhere they are connected.

The HP Mini 1000 with MIE is Linux-based and powered by an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor. It includes an Ethernet jack, 2 USB ports, built-in webcam and microphone. It comes with wireless connectivity (WLAN.)

Applications such as browsing, email, online video, are pre-loaded and run from the MIE dashboard, minimizing start-up time. Favorite websites that are added to the dashboard stay live, and the task bar makes it easy to switch between programs.

Being that these three Mini 1000 systems are companion PCs the one thing that they lack in my opinion is the ability to synchronize the systems with your current systems.

I had the opportunity to play with the three systems earlier this month and I have to say I was pretty impressed with them all especially the MIE version. I am looking forward for the MIE to hit store shelves. The UI for the MIE interface is pretty amazing and if you have ever used a Touchsmart PC the UI will be familiar to you. (Although the screen is not a touch screen). The MIE version also comes bundled with various Open Source programs so you really don’t need to add any additional software to it.

The swirl design they have is also pretty impressive and if your a girl you will probably love the Vivienne Tam one.

Something to note is that like the 2133 the sound system on the Mini 1000 systems is top notch, I am unsure what HP has been doing to their notebooks lately but it seems that every single one has amazing sound.

The XP version of the HP Mini’s should be available at HP Shopping now and for the price tag you really can’t go wrong, I personally will hold off until the MIE version.

Updated: 1:20 am EST
For more information on the Mini 1000’s and to pre order visit: http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mini1000/?jumpid=ex_r602_go/mini

Post Tags: hp  mini-note  companion pc  hp mini 1000  mini 1000 

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