Mini1000
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Mtube II mixes an Android tablet with an XP netbook
Been thinking about settling down with an XP netbook but can't get the idea of an Android tablet out of your mind? We understand your pain -- and so does Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry, which is showing off the Mtube II netbook / tablet at Computex. The slick remix of an HP Mini 1000 runs XP when in netbook configuration, but then switches over to Android on an unspecified ARM processor when the screen is pulled off and used as a tablet. Yes, it's basically the product most of us have daydreamed about for ages -- much like the Touch Book -- but there are some tradeoffs here: first, the Atom in the netbook base has been swapped for a VIA C7-M, so it's not exactly a rocket, and second, the screen is connected by VNC, so video performance isn't going to be all that great. We're hoping the additional year of development III says it needs will solve some of those problems, but until then you know we'll be doodling this thing all through math class. Videos after the break.
Verizon HP Mini 1151NR hands-on and impressions
We got our hands on the Verizon HP Mini 1000 (or, as it's more properly known in this form, the 1151NR) recently, and we've taken the little guy -- and its built-in 3G card -- for a spin. The Mini itself has a standard enough spec sheet: a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB HDD, two USB 2.0 ports, 802.11b/g, SD slot, and Windows XP, and there's no special Verizon branding to be found anywhere on the unit. We can't really take issue with the choice of machine, which is a fairly well-loved netbook with generally pretty solid performance. The important thing here, of course, is the addition of the big V's hardwired 3G. Did we fall in love with it? Does it make sense in the face of products like Verizon's MiFi 2200 EV-DO router? Will it alter future events forever? Read on to find out.
HP Mini 1000 six-cell battery gets examined, frightens other batteries
It's been a long time coming, but the six-cell battery for HP's Mini 1000 netbook is now finally making its way into the hands of some eager users, and jkOnTheRun has taken a minute to give folks an idea of what's in store. As you can see above (and from another angle at the link below), the battery is amazingly even more unsightly than suggested in earlier shots, although it does expectedly deliver the goods when it comes to battery life, with jkOnTheRun managing about six hours on a charge. Of course, you'll have to decide for yourself if that's worth the $100+ price tag, not to mention the cost to your Mini 1000's self-esteem.
Verizon HP Mini 1000 to run $199 on a two-year contract at launch
Yep, it looks like Verizon's subsidized HP Mini 1000 will indeed launch on May 17th -- and if these leaked screenshots are any indication, launch pricing will be set at $199 after a $50 rebate two-year contract and $299 after rebate for a one-year commitment. (The prices are marked "at launch ONLY" so we're guessing they'll go up sometime after.) As for specs, it's nothing special, just a 80GB Atom machine with 1GB of RAM and a WWAN card, so really, we'd much rather take the subsidy on a USB 3G stick and spread the mobile broadband love to all our machines than be stuck with an underpowered netbook, but hey -- it's your call. One more pic after the break.
Verizon's HP Mini 1000 due to launch May 17th?
Sure, the hot buzz right now is centered on Verizon and Apple teaming up to release a unicorn-built iPhone tablet that runs on marshmallows and cuddles, but Boy Genius Report says that Big Red's actually-real partnership with HP is about to bear fruit -- the long-rumored subsidized Mini 1000 is apparently due to launch on May 17th. The specific model will be the Mini 1151NR, and if that leaked product-comparison sheet we saw earlier holds water, we're looking at a pretty standard Atom / XP configuration with a 3G modem built in. Pricing hasn't been locked down, but according to BGR, it'll be just as ridiculous as every other subsidized netbook: $299 after rebate with a mandatory two-year data contract. That's more or less $200 off standard MSRP, a discount we're sure you'll pay back twice over the course of the contract. Seriously, we'd much rather fiddle with a USB stick that we can use on multiple machines than spend around a grand on data fees just for a netbook -- what about you?
How would you change HP's Mini 1000 Mi?
Judging by recent PC shipment reports, HP's had a pretty good run in Q1, and we fully suspect that a good chunk of those sales are in the netbook category. The outfit's Mini 1000 Mi was highly anticipated and chock full of promise, though we're not totally convinced the whole Mi interface lived up to the mile-high hype. So, now's your chance to tell us -- did it? Are you pleased with the software? Do you feel the user interface attracts or detracts? Could the hardware use a retooling? Are you totally looking forward to the 2000 Mi (or 1000 Mii, whatever HP settles on)? Feel free to blast our your really real opinions in comments below -- we'll be listening.
Verizon's subsidized HP Mini 1000 leaks out
Hey, look at that -- Verizon employee training materials that prominently feature the HP Mini 1000. That's exactly what we predicted after we heard the two companies were talking about offering subsidized 3G laptops last month, and while we won't congratulate ourselves too much, well, we told you so. Sadly, there's no pricing on these slides, but we'll go out on a limb and say it won't blow minds when it's finally released. Hit the read link to check out the rest.
NVIDIA's Franken-Mini is half HP, half Tegra, no Intel
And now, a little visit to the "Why not?" department: NVIDIA is showing off an HP Mini 1000 at CTIA that it has totally gutted, replacing the laptop's stock Atom-based circuitry with its own Tegra wares atop a bone-stock Windows CE build. At first the move seems counterproductive since Tegra can't run XP or Vista, but if you look at this as the first prototype of a large Tegra-powered $99 MID, you're thinking along the right lines. The concept isn't indicative of any sort of partnership between NVIDIA and HP, but the chipmaker is looking at this as an opportunity to demonstrate to manufacturers how easy it is to make a device like this -- and like other Tegra devices we've seen, this thing could easily have HDMI, run fluid 3D graphics, and generally make the world a better place at a stupid cheap price. We were also shown a Tegra single-board computer measuring no larger than a single small-outline DIMM like you'd find in a modern laptop, proof that this action can be scaled way down depending on the kinds of devices manufacturers are looking to make. Check out a video of the Franken-Mini after the break.
HP Mini 1000 six-cell battery now available to order, for real
You may still not be able to get that VGA adapter, but it looks like HP Mini 1000 users can now finally get their hands on the six-cell battery for the netbook, which should provide a significant boost over the stock three-cell battery. As you may recall, this follows a brief spat of seeming availability in January but, judging from some of the responses on the HP Mini forums, it looks like HP has since canceled the few orders that got through before the battery was pulled from its site. Those folks may not be too disappointed any longer, however, as the battery now has a price tag of $95.99 (after a $20 instate rebate), which is quite a bit easier to swallow than the $153.90 that HP was originally asking.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HP Mini 1000 VGA cables: hard to get, hard to use?
HP's Mini 1000 certainly hasn't had much difficultly attracting its share of fans, but it looks like those wanting to hook the netbook up to an external monitor have been having their patience tested considerably as of late. According to reports on the HP Support Forums, the promised VGA adapter for the netbook has been nigh impossible to come by and, for the time being at least, HP doesn't seem to be getting any more specific than "early 2009" about widespread availability. The headaches might not end then, however, as some folks have been reporting problems with the VGA out for the very similar Mini 2140 netbook, and with a USB-to-VGA adapter used with the Mini 1000. In both cases, the Mini 1000 is apparently unable to automatically detect the external monitor's native resolution, so it simply pumps out a standard 1024 x 768 resolution no matter what size monitor is hooked up. Looking for more tales of woe? Then dive into thread linked below for the full rundown of laments.[Thanks, Shane]
HP promises fix for Mini 1000 webcam problem
Well, that was fast -- we were wondering where that Gear Diary video of an HP employee fixing the defective webcam on a Vivienne Tam Mini 1000 went, and it turns out that it was pulled at ol' Hewpie's request. The company's promised to release an official statement with instructions for sending in affected machines, and we'd guess it doesn't want customers taking matters -- and display bezels -- into their own hands while they sort out a plan. Sounds reasonable to us -- and we know you understand it too, which is why we've posted a similar video after the break.
A bit of surgery gives the HP Mini 1000 new sight
HP's Mini 1000 might get all the ladies, but the netbook is not without its flaws. Apparently in the manufacturing process somebody forgot to remove the protective film from the webcam lens, giving thousands of netbooks incredibly impaired vision of their handsome owners. HP hasn't fessed up to the problem in any grand manner, but an HP employee was kind enough to do some on-the-spot surgery of Gear Diary's Vivienne Tam-edition Mini 1000. It's not super-involved, so check out the video after the break and then go scare the life out of your girlfriend when you suddenly attack her flowery netbook with a pair of knives. Tell her Engadget sent you. Update: At the time this post is going live, the video has been pulled from YouTube. We're not sure what's up with that, but the procedure is pretty simple: wedge open the top of the screen, push down the two connecting tabs to separate it more, pull off the film with tweezers. This might void your warrant (in fact, probably does) so proceed at your own risk! [Via GottaBeMobile]
HP Mini 1000 Mi gets video review
HP's Mini 1000 Mi has been up for order since CES, but for those still waiting (and waiting) for a proper overview of the system before buying in can finally say that their patience has paid off. The netbook lovin' crew over at jkOnTheRun has taken the time to showcase the aforementioned machine on video, going over the basics, the not-so-basics and the pros / cons of ownership. We're going to warn you up front, though -- the clip is darn near 20 minutes long, so you'll certainly want to snag some cookies and milk before diving into the read link. That said, you'll be hard pressed to find a better look at the Mi software without actually removing your keister from your chair, so it's probably worth your while.
HP's exclusive Mobile Internet Ubuntu skin not so exclusive anymore
Crazy kids and their crazy hacks have extracted all the juicy goodness of HP's Mini-purposed Mi software for Ubuntu, including the launcher (pictured), the OS skin, and some application skins, and unleashed it for all Ubuntu users with an eye for black and some hacking skills of their own. From what we can tell, it's not exactly a breeze getting the mod up and running -- and most successful folks still cite a few tweaks they'd like to make -- but it's free, so we won't look a gift theme in the resource files... or something like that. Instructions are in the forum, a bit more inspiration is after the break. [Via Ars Technica]
HP makes MIE installation and recovery files available for download, fun times
We've known this was coming, but plenty of you will no doubt be excited to hear it's finally here. That's right, HP's just made MIE installation files available for the Mini 1000 -- great news if you've wanted to get in on all that MI action. As you can see above, they've unleashed one version to install the recovery tool from an XP machine onto a USB flash drive, and one to install the image from Linux machine to a USB flash drive. There is absolutely no guarantee these images will work with anything other than the Mini 1000, of course, so... watch out![Via GottaBeMobile]
HP UK spurns Linux in its new netbook offerings
Looks like anyone in the U.K. hoping to buy a new HP netbook with Linux is going to be sorely disappointed. For reasons unspecified, the company's decided not to offer the Mini 1000 or the Mini 2140 with a pre-install of Linux -- standard options for the U.S. versions of both. Current U.K. HP Linux offerings include the 2133, but it's an older model, so the lack of it for the newer models may signal a trend moving forward. HP will apparently offer its Ubuntu-based Mobile Internet Experience as a download, however, so all hope's not dead. Well, you can't always get what you want, can you?
HP to publicly release Mi Edition Ubuntu installer
We're actually pretty high on HP's Mini 1000 Mi Edition, which trades in XP for a custom Ubuntu build with a slick, polished interface, and it looks like early Mini 1000 owners can now get in on the action as well -- a Mi Edition installer will soon available for download. If you're currently running Mi Edition or know someone who is, you can actually build an installer flash drive right now, but we'd wait for the official Windows-based utility to appear in the next few days. No guarantees that HP's Mi Edition installers work with any non-Mini 1000 machines out there, but given the proliferation of drivers and tools for hacking OS X onto various netbooks, we're definitely hoping the community takes to hacking the much more open Mi Edition the same way.[Via Download Squad]
HP's six-cell battery for Mini 1000 offers twice the battery life, a fraction of the value
Mr. Blurrycam never lies, so when he caught sight of a six-cell battery for HP's Mini 1000 we knew one would be coming soon. Sure enough, three weeks later it's up for sale on HP's site selling for a bargain (gulp) price of $153.90. That's almost half the cost of an entire machine (which currently start at $350) and as of now you can't pay the difference to upgrade from the stock three-cell when customizing a new netbook. That's an awful lot of bank for twice the battery life, but don't let us rain on your parade if you're looking to do your part to help the economy.
Specs for HP's Mini 1100 pop up, ExpressCard/54 slot is a go Update: maybe not
Looks like HP's web monkeys are filling in the product pages for those unannounced Mini 1100s we spotted earlier -- spec pages for the 1133CL, 1135NR, 1140NR and 1141NR have been posted, and those rumors of an ExpressCard/54 slot are apparently true. It sounds like the 1141NR is the Vivienne Tam edition -- it comes with a "Vivienne Tam sleeve" -- but apart from that and Bluetooth in the 1135NR and 1140NR, they've all got the same 10.1-inch 1024 x 576 display, 1.6GHz Atom N270, 1GB RAM, 60GB drive, and three-cell battery. No idea why HP's got so many different confusing model numbers for what seems like the exact same product, but we're guessing we'll find out more soon -- hopefully there's a bit more sense behind this silliness than with the Eee alphabet soup.Update: HP's told Lilliputing that the ExpressCard listing is a mistake and that the 1100s are just minor variations on the 1000s, but the entries are all still up with no changes. Guess we'll wait and see when these things go official. [Thanks, Ricardo] Read - 1133CL Read - 1135NR Read - 1140NR Read - 1141NR
HP Mini 1000 six-cell battery spotted by Mr. Blurrycam
While most folks will apparently have to wait at least a few more weeks to get their hands on a six-cell battery for their HP Mini 1000, Xavier Lanier of Notebooks.com was able to snag one a tad early and, whilst he was showing off the stash of gadgets hidden in his Scott eVest, he gave everyone a little glimpse of it. As you can sort of see above, it expectedly adds a bit of bulk to the otherwise slim Mini 1000, but we're guessing that's a more than acceptable trade-off for those craving some extra runtime. Still no word on a price or exact release date just yet, unfortunately, but those details should be popping up before too long. Hit up the link below for the full, slightly less blurry video.[Via imjosh.com]
