NetbookTech

HP and Vivienne Tam introduced the latest Vivienne Tam-branded netbook last week, the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition, at New York Fashion Week.

The new netbook combine’s Tam’s “Butterfly Lovers” design with HP’s Mini 210 netbook technology resulting in a system that’s less than 1 inch thin and weighs around 2.7 pounds. According to HP, “the netbook design is inspired by the classic Chinese love story, “Butterfly Lovers,” a beautiful tale of freedom, romance and inspiration. “

HP also partnered with Beats by Dr. Dre to deliver high-end audio software through headphones or external speakers.

Features include:

• Butterfly Lovers desktop theme including animated butterfly start menu, custom Vivienne Tam icons and three wallpapers
• HP QuickWeb instant-on browsing with quick access to social networks, Skype, email, and other online-content
• Matching microfiber suede sleeve
• Optional Butterfly Lovers wireless mouse and Monster-branded in-ear headphones

Specs include:

• 10.1 inch BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display
• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 2GB of memory with 1 SO-DIMM slot
• 93% full-size keyboard
• Up to 320GB hard drive
• Built-in webcam
• Gold 3-cell (3.0 Ahr) battery provides up to 5.5 hours of battery life or black 6 cell (sold separately) for up to 11 hours of battery life

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition should be available starting on March 19th with a starting price of $599. The matching Butterfly Lovers themed HP Wireless Mouse will be priced at $39.99.

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Yes, we’ve got our hands on a new netbook, and it’s none other than the HP Mini 210 (specifically the Mini 210-1095NR) in Sonoma Red. This netbook features:

• 10.1 inch WSVGA anti-glare widescreen display
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• 6 cell Lithium-Ion battery
• Intel Graphcis Media Accelerator 3150
• 5 in 1 media card reader
• Intel Atom N450 processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• Windows 7 Starter 32 bit edition
• Built-in webcam

Stay tuned for our review but do not it’ll take some time because we do like to use the netbook for a bit to get a good feel for the system. In the meantime, check out the unboxing pictures in all its glorious detail.

HP continues to expand their netbook portfolio with the announcement of two new models today – the HP Mini 110 designed by Dutch designer, Studio Tord Boontje, and the first 11.6 inch HP netbook – the HP Mini 311. Here’s what you need to know about each new model.

HP Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje:

• Measures just over an inch thin and weighs 2.68 pounds
• 10.1 inch mercury-free LED display
• 92 percent keyboard
• HP Imprint 3D – industry’s first 3D PC surface technology. Multiple layers on the top cover are used to make the art appear to float on the surface while casting shadows onto lower layers
• Windows 7 Starter Edition – personalized with 15 wallpapers, screen saver, and Stardock MyColors desktop theme – all designed by Boontje
• Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6GHz
• 1GB RAM
• The mouse buttons are still on the left and right side of the touchpad
• VGA output, Ethernet, Multi-card reader, headphone jack, three USB ports, and webcam

According to PC Magazine in their hands-on with the new Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje, the new netbook is being offered with several matching accessories including a wireless mouse and a carrying case. Expect a starting price of $399.

HP Mini 311:

Now if you’re looking for something a tad bit larger than the standard 10.1 inch netbook, you might want to check out the newly announced Mini 311. With the Mini 311, HP joins not only the 11.6 inch netbook market but also the NVIDIA ION platform market (tho we’re still waiting for the NVIDIA ION netbooks to ship).  Features of the Mini 311 include:

• 11.6 inch HD (1366 x 768) widescreen display
• NVIDIA ION graphics
• 92 percent keyboard (which is a crying shame for an 11.6 inch system)
• Spacious touchpad
• HDMI port
• Three USB ports, Ethernet port, VGA output, and 5 in 1 media card reader
• 160GB HDD or 64GB SSD
• 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor
• 1GB expandable to 2GB
• Six cell battery
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Prices will start at around $399

As with the HP Mini 110, PC Magazine has a hands-on look with the new HP Mini 311 here. Expect the Mini 311 to ship after Windows 7 ships (which is Oct 22nd). Here are more pics of the Mini 311 courtesy of PC Magazine:

You can pre-order both the HP Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje and the HP Mini 311 here at http://www.hpdirect.com/go/newfromhp

Missed this one last week. HP announced their latest flagship Mini PC/netbook for mobile professionals – the HP Mini 5101. The first system to feature both a magnesium alloy lower half of the case and a lightweight anodized aluminum display enclosure with a black, brushed finish on the top half, the Mini 5101 sets a new standard for the bill of materials used in a netbook. Specs and features include:

• Spill-resistant 95 percent keyboard
• HP DuraKeys clear coating over the keys makes them 50 times more resistant to visible wear than keyboards without it
• Intel Atom Processor N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• Max of 2GB RAM
• 10.1 inch LED display in WSVGA or HD resolutions
• Intel GMA 950
• Up to 320GB 7200RPM HDD or optional 80GB/128GB Solid State Drive
• Wi-Fi
• Optional Bluetooth 2.0
• 2 megapixel webcam
• Optional integrated Gobi-powered HP Mobile Broadband module
• 4 cell or 6 cell battery with 6 cell delivering up to 8 hours of power
• Starting weight of 2.6 lbs
• HP 3D DriveGuard delivers 3 axis digital accelerometer chip which tells the hard drive to shut down if there is sudden movement or shock
• HP Panel Protection System includes scratch-resistant acrylic LCD cover and magnesium hinge bracket
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• VGA port
• Headphone/line out port
• Microphone in port
• 1 SD slot
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Measures 10.30 x 7.09 x 0.91 inches

The HP Mini 5101 will have a starting price of $449 and is expected to be available in late July.

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[Check out the product overview]

HP continues their march into the netbook market with the introduction of three new netbook models – the HP Mini 110 XP Edition, HP Mini 110 Mobile Internet (Mi) Edition, and the HP Mini 1101. The Mini 110 XP and Mini 110 Mi are designed for “Internet-centric” consumers while the HP Mini 1101 is ideal as a “companion PC” for business users.

These new 10.1 inch netbooks have a starting weight of 2.33 pounds and measure just over one inch thick. You’ll can choose from either a 10.1 inch standard display or a 10.1 inch high definition LED widescreen display. Other common features include the Intel Atom N270 or N280 processor, a 92 percent keyboard, built-in webcam and microphone, built-in VGA port, and a 5 in 1 media card reader.

Here are additional details to the three new netbooks:

HP Mini 110 XP Edition:

• Up to 1GB of RAM
• Either 32 GB SSD or 160GB HDD
• Optional WWAN
• Optional Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator available in July which allows for 1080p HD content playback

HP Mini 110 Mi Edition:

• HP developed user interface on top of Linux
• Comes with apps for web browsing, email, and online video
• Up to 2GB of RAM
• Up to 250GB HDD

HP Mini 1101:

• Available in either Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista
• Two optional batteries – 3 cell or 6 cell
• Optional integrated HP Mobile Broadband

Both the Mini 110 XP and Mini 110 Mi editions will be available in your choice of Pink Chic, Black Swirl or White Swirl HP Imprint finishes, while the business oriented Mini 1101 will be available only in the Black Swirl finish.

OK.. now the pricing and availability:

• The HP Mini 110 XP Edition and the Mini 110 Mi will be available in Black Swirl in the US starting on June 10 with a starting price of $329.99 and $279.99 respectively
• The HP Mini 110 XP in Pink Chic and White Swirl will be available in the U.S. starting on July 8th. Pricing to be determined
• The HP Mini 1101 in high gloss black starts at $329 and will be available starting on June 1st.

Oh yes – if you want to pre-order the netbooks – call 800-230-5752 to reserve a unit.

[Check out the press release in PDF]

The Boy Genius Report reports that Verizon Wireless will begin offering their first netbook/mobile broadband bundle starting on May 17th (which also happens to be the same day they’ll be offering their new MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot device). This first bundle will feature the HP Mini 1151NR netbook and will probably cost approximately $199 along with a new two year contract and a mail-in rebate. Yes, it is a bit pricey – especially compared to packages from other carriers.

Remember you can also purchase an HP Mini 1000 netbook directly from HP with an option to include mobile broadband support from either Verizon or AT&T. Of course going this route is even more expensive as you’ll only get a $100 dollar mail-in rebate debit card (along with a new 2 yr agreement).

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HP also began offering the Linux version of their Mini 1000 netbook a few weeks ago. Known as the “Mini 1000 Mi”, the system features an HP-developed user interface called “Mobile internet” (hence the “Mi”) designed to make using Linux a bit easier for the average consumer. Mi allows users to access e-mail, the Internet, photos, music, and videos with a single mouse click. Here are snapshots I took of the Mini 1000 Mi at CES 2009 – including close-up shots of the new user interface.

Here’s Firefox running on the Mini 1000 Mi.

Here’s the home screen to the Mi.

The bottom row of the Mi interface shows all the executing processes on the system.

The base configuration of the HP Mini 1000 Mi is available for $329.99 and features:

• Intel Atom processor N270
• 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• 512MB RAM
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• 8GB SSD
• Webcam
• Wi-Fi
• 3 cell battery

For $404.99, you get the above system with a 10.1 inch display (same resolution), 1GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD.

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I missed this one a few weeks back. HP is now offering a version of the Mini 1000 netbook where you can purchase the system bundled with a 3G Mobile Broadband card. You can choose from either AT&T or Verizon as your mobile broadband provider with a base configuration available for $549 (this includes $100 dollars off). At this price, you get a system with the following specs:

• Intel Atom Processor N270
• Windows XP Home with SP3
• 10.1 inch SD LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display
• 1GB RAM
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 16GB SSD
• HP Mini Webcam with HP Imprint Finish
• 802.11 b/g
• 3 cell Lithium Polymer Battery

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Hot on the heels of the introduction of the new HP Mini 2140 business oriented netbook comes the first review of the system by the folks at LaptopMag.com. The reviewed system features an Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM (expandable to 2GB), a 160GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD, a 10.1 inch 1024 x 576 resolution display, Intel GMA 950 graphics, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, ExpressCard slot, SD memory card reader, and Windows XP Home OS – all for $529.

So what did LaptopMag think of the new netbook? Well they liked it enough to give it their “Editor’s Choice Award”. Here’s their verdict:

“The $529 HP Mini 2140 (starting at $499) rises above the majority of the netbook competition by incorporating a well-designed keyboard, a durable design, and more than seven hours of battery life. Some may prefer the $499 Samsung NC10 (also a LAPTOP Editors’ Choice winner). It’s $30 less than the similarly configured HP Mini 2140, and its six-cell battery doesn’t bulge from the bottom of the chassis like the Mini 2140. But the extra cash buys a more durable case and more endurance.”

You can read more here at LaptopMag.com.

HP today announces the launch of their new HP Mini 1000 line of netbook systems with the introduction of three new systems – the HP Mini 1000, the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition, and the HP Mini 1000 with MIE (Mobile Internet Experience). News of the HP Mini 1000 leaked out over the weekend when the HP Shopping website accidentally had some images of the new netbook series – yet actual detailed specs were scarce at the time.. ah but now we know the goods..

First off, all three systems have the following common traits:

• Less than one inch thick
• Weighs a little more than two pounds
• 92 percent keyboard size
• BrightView widescreen Infinity display (1024×600 resolution) with flush glass and LED backlight
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor

Now let’s get to the details of each of the new systems.

First up, there’s the HP Mini 1000:

Key features of the Mini 1000 are as follows:

• Piano black finish with HP Imprint swirl design
• Windows XP Home
• Ethernet
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• 3G versions coming in December
• Choice of either 8.9 inch or 10.2 inch display
• Choice of SSD or regular hard drives
• Prices start at $399

Here are the full specs:

• Windows XP Home with SP3
• Choice of 8.9 inch or 10.2 inch WSVGA HP LED BrightView Infinity Display
• 512MB or 1GB of RAM
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 8GB/16GB SSD or 60GB 4200 RPM PATA HDD
• HP Mini Webcam with HP Imprint Finish
• Wireless G card with optional Bluetooth support
• 3 cell Lithium Polymer Battery
• Measures 10.3 in (L) x 6.56 in (W) x 0.99 in (H)
• Only 1 DIMM slot for a maximum of 1GB of memory
• Weighs 2.23 lbs
• Integrated stereo speakers

Note – a fully decked out system can be as high as $549.99 – that’s including a 60GB HDD, 1GB of RAM, and a 10 inch display.

The Mini 1000 is available now for purchase.

Next, we have the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition:

Key features for this netbook are as follows:

• Vibrant red with peony flower inspired design
• 10.2 inch BrightView display
• Windows XP Home
• Ethernet
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• 3G versions coming in December
• MSRP of $699

You can reserve the Vivienne Tam edition today.

Finally, there’s the HP Mini 1000 with Mobile Internet Experience (MIE). What makes the MIE model particularly interesting is the fact that it’s an HP designed user interface for accessing digital content – including videos, photos, music, and email. The system runs a Linux OS and has Ethernet, two USB ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Prices for the Mini 1000 are expected to start at $379. This system will be coming out soon.

HP rounds out the new netbook announcements with several accessory announcements also including a new HP Mini Mobile Drive which comes in 2, 4 or 8GB storage capacities and an optional six cell lithium-polymer battery due out in January.

Initial thoughts

The new HP Mini 1000 series certainly have the looks and the form factor/sizes are definitely just right. However, the mouse button layout is still the same as before (why in the world are the buttons on the left and right sides of the touchpad??)  and the prices are a tad bit high once you start adding features to the list. Other netbooks feature more and cost less – something HP might have to contend with if it wants to be successful in this market.

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