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I dropped my briefcase containing my notebook and netbook while traveling. Shortly thereafter, my netbook became dysfunctional. So I need a new netbook.
I defined my needs and wants. Then decided which netbooks were possibilities.
I investigated the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and decided that was out.
Then I looked at the Dell Inspiron Mini 12 and decided it was definitely in.
In this article I am exploring the HP Mini 1000, which comes with either a 9″ or 10″ display. Since the 9″ model is identical except for the display size, I have already decided that I’m more interested in the 10″ model. So that is what I’ll be exploring below.
Although, I can custom order a Mini 1000 from HP, they also provide “Smart Buy” models, which are simply standard configurations at a discounted prices. The Smart Buy model that most closely meets my requirements is the Mini 1120NR.
| HP Mini 1000 16GB 3-Cell Linux | |||
 | 10.1" Display (1024x576), Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB Solid State Drive, 802.11b/g, 3-Cell Battery, HP Mobile internet (Mi) Linux, 2.45 lbs. | ||
Comes in:
| More Info | ||
Specifications
Display: 10.2″ SD LED with 1024×576 resolution
CPU: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
Graphics: Intel GMA950
RAM: 1 GB DDR2
Storage: 16 GB Solid State Drive
Camera: No
Wireless: 802.11b/g
Bluetooth: None
Battery: 3-cell
OS: HP Mobile Internet (Mi) Linux
Weight: 2.45 lbs.
Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.56 x 0.99 inches
Reviews:
Perry Longinotti at NotebookReview.com wrote a solid review of the HP Mini 1000 Mi Edition. Some key quotes:
…the HP Mini looks great. Its black body is clean and svelte. You will immediately notice how thin it is.
Pop the lid open and you’ll see a nicely proportioned keyboard – complete with function buttons.
The base of the keyboard does not flex at all.
The touchpad borrows the unorthodox layout from the Acer One and HP 2133, putting buttons on the left and right side rather than underneath.
I suspect most folks will be disappointed that there are not more ports (standard VGA being a real sore point).
This Linux OS is very easy to use and everything just works out of the box. This operating system is certifiably ordinary people friendly.
I prefer this UI to both Windows (XP, Vista and 7) and OS X for basic computing tasks. I am not just referring to the eye candy factor. Having almost everything I want to do waiting for me on the Home screen as soon as the computer boots is great.
The whole experience is snappy.
Heat is not a problem.
Performance of the included 3-cell 26 Wh battery was 2 hours and 37 minutes using a highly unscientific mix of word processing, lots of Web surfing and a little bit of YouTube watching.
Dana Wollman at LaptopMag.com also published a review of the HP Mini 1000 Mi Series. Dana writes:
Afraid of Linux? Don’t be.
The first thing we noticed about the Mini 1000 Mi is how tiny it is. Particularly compared with compact machines like the MSI Wind U120, another 10-inch netbook, it’s 0.3 inches thinner and, at 2.4 pounds, 0.4 ounces lighter. The ASUS 1000HE, by comparison, is 3.2 pounds.
…the keyboard, 92 percent the size of a mainstream one, stretches from edge to edge with no extra room on the sides, and the keys look larger, too; they had a pleasantly springy feel and soft finish.
As did the Mini 1000, the Mini 1000 Mi loses design points for the touch buttons awkwardly flanking the touchpad. Even after considerable hands-on time, they remained cumbersome.
…another trade-off to the Mini 1000’s small size is that it has fewer ports than other netbooks…
The Mini 1000 Mi’s three-cell battery lasted 2 hours and 39 minutes on the LAPTOP Battery Test.
In a number of places, Dana mentions that the Mini 1000′s performance is sluggish and blames that on the slow 4,200 rpm hard drive. Since, in the first review where a unit with an SSD is tested, Perry calls the performance snappy.
Since, I the version I am evaluating has an SSD, I’ll disregard the sluggish performance reports. (However, if you are contemplating purchasing a unit with a hard drive, you will want to keep this in mind.)
My Thoughts
Advantages:
- Best-in-class Linux packaging.
- Small and lightweight.
- Solid touch type-able keyboard, complete with function keys.
Concerns:
- Smaller number of ports (most importantly one less USB and no VGA out)
- Short battery life
- I’m not crazy about losing 24 rows of pixels off the bottom of the display (1024 x 576 vs. 1024 x 600). I was hoping for better resolution not worse.
Conclusion:
I would definitely want the 6-Cell battery. This is available if I custom order one from HP. However, even though the larger battery is a $40 option, custom ordering is more expensive, so the same configuration with the 6-Cell battery costs $399 (about $70 more).
As with the previous posts, I read a lot of other reviews as well. A common theme is that, while many raved about the Linux UI and packaging, most felt the hardware was ho-hum – nothing to distinguish it from other similar netbooks.
However, for me, the small-size, light weight and keyboard all hit my hot buttons. So this unit makes the cut.
I have one more netbook to review (the Sylvania G Meso). Then I’ll pit all those that made the initial cut in a head-to-head comparison – select a winner – and make my purchase.
[Update: After spending a few minutes looking at the Sylvania G Meso, I decided that it never should have made the initial list.]
Stay tuned.
