HP Mini 1000 review round-up

We were certainly suitably impressed by HP's new Mini 1000 netbook when we got our hands on it earlier this week, and it looks like that may be the common sentiment about the device, at least if this first batch of reviews is any indication. Like us, other folks were especially impressed by the netbook's keyboard, with Computer Shopper, Laptop Magazine, and PC World each singling it out as one of the stand-out features, and CNET going so far as to declare it "the best netbook keyboard" they've seen. Each of the aforementioned sites also welcomed the step up to the now standard Atom processor and, of course, the cut in price compared to HP's more business-minded 2133 model. That's not to say the netbook is without its drawbacks, however, with most complaining about the lackluster 3-cell battery (though that's due for an upgrade in January), as well as those unfortunately placed trackpad buttons and, last but not least, its glossy screen -- although, as is often the case, there's not exactly a consensus on that last point, and Laptop actually lists it as a plus. Still undecided? Then dig into the links below for plenty more details, pics, and benchmarks.

Read - Computer Shopper (8.4 / 10)
Read - Laptop Magazine (3.5 / 5)
Read - PC World ("fantastic keyboard, surprisingly good sound")
Read - CNET (4 / 5)

[Patriks7 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:42PM]

Yah but the glossy screen on the new Macs is awesome right?

[Joshua Ochs @ Oct 29th 2008 12:53PM]

Get lost, troll. The new MacBooks have been (rightly) panned for their too-glossy screens as well, even in Mac-centric press.

[gareth @ Oct 29th 2008 12:44PM]

Tragic. Hp was the ONE Netbook manufacturer that offered something no one else did. A netbook with a 1280*600 screen- a workable resolution. I was just waiting for them to put in a cell processor before I bought one. Now they are just another netbook with some funky buttons.

Way to shoot yourself in the foot HP.

[Joshua Ochs @ Oct 29th 2008 12:52PM]

Exactly my sentiments. What made the HP notable was the higher screen resolution, the aluminum body and high build quality, and excellent keyboard. The only thing keeping me from buying one was the abysmal Via processor (every review commented on how slow it was - and that was when its competition was the 900Mhz Celeron in the Eee!).

So what did they do for an "update"? Dump the screen, dump the aluminum body. Keep the annoying trackpad design. Now it's just a generic netbook with a marginally better keyboard and lackluster battery life. There is no differentiation between this, a Wind, an Eee, an Acer, or a Lenovo. No thanks.

[ITRanger @ Oct 29th 2008 1:03PM]

Others are saying that this is not a replacement for the HP 2133, that is due next year.

I like this machine but am disappointed that :

- There is a silly proprietary usb storage slot. They should have just left this as an extra SDHC/MMC embedded slot.

- No pc express slot

- No higher graphics resolution as on the HP 2133

- Really poor 60GB drive option. Should have been more options to 120 GB SATA rather than PATA

- The reviews don't talk about any ways to get at the components like memory or drive.

[Jeff.a.Hogue @ Oct 29th 2008 2:55PM]

I think your points are completely moot, because HP has already said it will update the 2133, and that the Mini 1000 is aimed at the casual netbook market.

The Mini 1000 wasn't made for you, so stop complaining about how much HP sucks. I wouldn't buy a MacBook because I need discrete graphics, but you don't see my panning Apple just because they offer them. If you want a 1280x600, aluminum netbook, with all the fancy new specs (read: an Atom, how incredibly exciting) then just wait until the 2133 get's a refresh.

[Fanfoot @ Oct 29th 2008 4:21PM]

ITRanger--the Maintenance and Service Guide for the HP mini 1000 is up on HP's site at:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us〈=en&product=3842177&

It goes through a pretty complete disassembly of the entire unit, where all the modules are located, how to replace them, what the option numbers are for ordering any parts (add Bluetooth later say), etc. Even all the screws used. I didn't see anything documenting what the interfaces for the WWAN (PCIe?) or Bluetooth (no idea) cards are. Others might be able to tell from the pictures though.

The RAM is accessed from the bottom through a port you can pop open by removing the battery. The hard disk/SSD is under the keyboard, but they describe how to pop that out. There's also lots of other details if you want them.

[Dan Colonnese @ Oct 29th 2008 12:46PM]

Yeah , that is disappointing.

[Scotty Doo @ Oct 29th 2008 12:48PM]

Sounds good, i think people could do a lot worse.

[Rahul Sood @ Oct 29th 2008 12:55PM]

It's a nice unit.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 6:24PM]

You said "unit".

huh huh huh huh... huhhuhuhuh huh huh

[Joshua Ochs @ Oct 29th 2008 12:55PM]

Someone out there is making a fortune right now on 8.9 and 10.2 inch 1024x600 LCD's...

[2fast4u2fast4u @ Oct 29th 2008 9:40PM]

It's either Sharp or Samsung. I say Samsung.

[Hans @ Oct 29th 2008 1:03PM]

Why the hell is the trackpad on the left?

[Canoo @ Oct 29th 2008 2:28PM]

i think they tried to center it with the letter keys. this way you got from typing to using the track pad in a straight line. or thats the idea they probably had.

i dont think the traditional laptop is like that though.

[Nova @ Oct 29th 2008 1:06PM]

It's something that try to be an Asus Eee.

[Level 5 @ Oct 29th 2008 2:21PM]

While I think the Mini 1K is rightly criticized for its 1024x600 screen, I really do think an refresh to the 2133 will have the 1280x768 people crave. Furthermore, HP would be really smart to wait on the dual-core Atom, a 1 or 2GB option, and a 2.5" SATA option. I'd buy a $599-$699 netbook with that kind of punch, especially if it ran Vista in the decent range. And a backlit keyboard option wouldn't hurt. The pros would gobble it up.

[Fanfoot @ Oct 29th 2008 4:25PM]

Dude, the next gen chipset AFTER the ones they're currently using doesn't even have SATA on it. Sorry, but you'll be waiting a LONG time...

[Tanya @ Oct 29th 2008 1:20PM]

The trackpad on the left would be rather annoying actually. Seeing as most people are right-handed it doesn't seem practical.

[Richard Glitter @ Oct 29th 2008 1:21PM]

I still don't understand why the netbooks consistently get the following two things wrong:

1) screen resolution
2) lack of optical drive

I understand the issue with the optical drive (size) but I'd be happy to settle for a slot-loader to fit it into this form factor. I want to be able to watch DVDs!

The thing is, I still have a Dell Inspiron 700m laptop. IMHO, this was the first "netbook". When it came out, I thought it was the PERFECT size for a laptop. It has a 12-inch screen and does 1280x800 resolution (!). The screen is awesome and bright (although it too has a glossy screen - easy to clean, but also gets dusty quickly and
glares. I have learned to live w/ it).

But the 700m is almost 4 years old now, and the specs on it are STILL higher than netbooks.

In addition to the screen, it has a Pentium 4 2.0 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, a DVD-burner, and a 120 GB hard drive (OK, it came with a 60GB, I upgraded that). Also it works flawlessly with XP, all drivers just work great.

And it's still much faster than any netbook out there. Granted, it has its flaws. The battery life isn't great, and it is a bit thicker and heavier than the new netbooks. Also, the build quality isn't as sturdy, it has more "flex". But so far, I haven't seen a netbook worthy of replacing this trusty old steed.

[Ro @ Oct 29th 2008 9:50PM]

dell had thin laptops before the 700m. The insprion 2100 was a 12.1 inch laptop and was less than 3 lbs. I loved that thing and used it so much the hinges that held the monitor on to the laptop broke.

[Richard Glitter @ Oct 30th 2008 1:07AM]

Oh right, this is engadget, where the trolls mod you down for making a well thought-out post instead of just some attempt at disposable snark, or saying OMG WANT to every consumer gadget that comes out.

Ridiculous.

[Freakin Ijit @ Oct 29th 2008 1:28PM]

Why get that when you can have this?:

http://techvideoblog.com/ifa/98-linux-laptop-the-hivision-mininote/

Lol!

[Tynen @ Oct 29th 2008 1:36PM]

I'd buy it if it came with Linux instead of windows.... I don't want to pay 40 dollars for a windows license that I'm not going to use.

[Fanfoot @ Oct 29th 2008 4:23PM]

Linux model is supposed to be out Jan 2009 in the US.

[M @ Oct 29th 2008 1:36PM]

I hated glossy screens until I was forced to own one by way of a company issued laptop. Now, I won't buy and LCD with the anti-glare filter unless it's a really good deal. The extra brightness you get from not having that filter in these glossy screens more than makes up for the occasional glare or mirror effect IMO.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 9:49PM]

Why should he be low ranked for expressing his opinion? He did say "IMO".

[Richard Glitter @ Oct 30th 2008 1:11AM]

Because this is engadget, trolls mod you down instantly if you don't immediately want own and love and worship every single item that gets released. My post got modded down to for posting my reasonable and balanced opinion on this netbook. I really want a netbook, and they're almost there, but there are just a few little things that so far haven't compelled me to buy one over my current laptop. But since I said that, and not OMG WANT!!!!!11 in my post, I got modded down too.

Ironically, probably by 13-year olds who can't buy this stuff anyway.

[Casademike @ Oct 29th 2008 2:16PM]

Wow. Some of you guys really expect a lot for $399.

[Juxterium @ Oct 29th 2008 2:20PM]

We're not asking for a $400 price tag, we're asking for what set the HP 2133 apart from the rest back. As it is now the HP is just another netbook with slightly above average keyboard, but personally I'd prefer they brought back the old styling with the brushed metal, increase screen size AND resolution and make the change from VIA to the atom and that would be my perfect netbook as the HP 2133 is absolutely fantastic however screen size and the VIA processor put me off.

[ITRanger @ Oct 29th 2008 2:24PM]

No, I just want the ability to expand as and when required. I don't like the idea of buying a new netbook.

In case you're wondering why I dont go for a laptop ... It's purely down to size, weight and price.

[Kevin @ Oct 29th 2008 3:25PM]

WHAT am I missing? The 1000 shaves .1" off the length, width, and depth and .2 pounds off the weight (vs. the 2133)... and you lose a USB port, an express card port, and a VGA port in the process??? Hello??? And the VGA adapter is $79??!! Moving on, HP!

[PowerCell @ Oct 29th 2008 3:27PM]

You guys need to stop your pissin' and moanin' and look at the price points on this thing. It's cheap. It's well made. And it's easy to use.

No, it's not top of the line, but it's dam good for what they're asking...

[Rotaryfan @ Oct 29th 2008 4:09PM]

$100 for a 10" screen though? I hope the linux version's upgrades are cheaper, if not, the 1000HA is looking pretty attractive right now at $430. ironically the eee's are shaping up to be the best value excluding the s101 and its ilk. wasn't the wind supposed to be cheaper than the 10" eee?

this thing is really expensive when you make it equivalent to an s10 or eee. even the old mini note is a better deal ($300 for base model on amazon)

not okay HP.

[ZnO3 @ Oct 29th 2008 4:12PM]

Whoaaa, those specs is better than any mini laptop :D
I could run Vista for that :D



----------------------------
http://zno3.com

[Fanfoot @ Oct 29th 2008 4:28PM]

The most interesting review I've seen is at:

http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/10/jkontherun--han.html

Also HP's site for the US Mini 1000 is up now, including cases, and accessories at:

http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mini1000/?jumpid=ex_r602_go/mini#/Main/

[Skazer @ Oct 29th 2008 5:19PM]

Well, HP really messed this one up despite what Engadget says. The HUGE problem: It uses a 4,200 RPM hard drive, while the Asus Eee and MSI Wind both use a 5,400 RPM one. That alone is reason enough NOT to get this thing.

[Fanfoot @ Oct 29th 2008 7:25PM]

I can only assume the others use 2.5" drives, since I don't think there are any 1.8" drives (iPod Classic size) available above 4200 rpm.

[Fanfoot @ Oct 30th 2008 2:14PM]

Looks like that's incorrect. Toshiba announced a 1.8" 5400 RPM drive back in the spring. It's SATA though and I don't see a PATA version that I assume would be needed for netbook applications.

[Antoine @ Oct 29th 2008 5:28PM]

Superb !

[Eric @ Oct 29th 2008 8:19PM]

Man, netbooks are gay.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 29th 2008 9:50PM]

Not that there's anything wrong with that!!

[Simon @ Oct 29th 2008 9:11PM]

Whats the deal with the expansion port on the left side?

Laptop mag says it is for a VGA adaptor and other things. But CNET said that it was a proprietary external drive connection (although on the video of the CNET review he said it was a eSATA port).

My money is with Laptop mag being correct.

[sammyV @ Oct 31st 2008 5:22PM]

on the left there is a vga expansion port and on the right side, there is a proprietary usb slot.
the computershopper video is correct.

[Garuda Guillen @ Dec 20th 2008 2:25PM]

Where did you get the pricing info about the HP mini 1000 VGA adapter? $79 is steep! The problem is, I've now committed to buy this thing, and I need the adapter pronto, because I will need this computer for business trips and lectures where I have to connect to a projector (unless I want to get my flash-drives all contaminated with spyware).
Please, if you have a link to where the Adapter is advertised, even if it's not available for sale yet, I'd really like to see what I'm up for!