HP Mini 1000 first look

It may seem as if Hewlett-Packard is arriving somewhat late to the Netbook game with its Mini 1000, but the company's business division has offered a similar system, the 2133 Mini-Note PC since the spring of this year. That model scored points with the best Netbook keyboard we've seen and a solid metal construction, but the wimpy VIA processor (and a higher price than other Netbooks) kept it from being a top contender.

This new consumer version has a nearly identical design, but in lightweight plastic (its body is also slightly thinner). The large, comfortable keyboard remains--and is the Mini 1000's best feature--while the CPU has been upgraded from the Via C7-M to the Intel Atom. At $549, our review unit is about $50 more than our self-imposed Netbook price cap, and it surpasses the $500 mark without including a pricey, yet preferred (for a Netbook), solid-state drive. Our model features a 60GB (spinning) hard drive; SSD options up to 16GB are available.

We're dubious of HP's bizarrely proprietary "HP Mini Mobile Drive" slot, which is basically a recessed USB port into which only specially branded HP USB drives can fit. We'd happily trade this slot for a media card reader or ExpressCard slot. Without it, we might have been able to get separate headphone and mic jacks--as it is, you get only one shared audio connection. Still, the actual hands-on experience is the best of any Netbook we've tested so far, making it well worth a look for anyone interested in jumping into the Netbook arena, especially those who dread spending time typing on cramped keyboards.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HP
• Mini
• 1000
• first
• look

[Kotahn]

this guy has an annoying voice.

[KevinPatrickCarey]

these mini computers are completely USELESS! might as well get a real notebook or a tablet

[MissKaaTy]

haahah i have that im on it right noow x

[PortableHacker]

Wifi and ethernet these days are about the same speed.... I prefer wifi because i need no cables, You might want to put your router in the loft so you can get stronger signal, I managed to get it to a park round the back of mine....!

[nikg2011]

can any of u guys tell me if its great 4 enternet? how much mb does it have?

[shorerydr10]

no offense but this vid is so biased seriously it has no ports and has a stupid glossy display.

[XtremeBordom]

He sounds like he should be singing.