HP Gets More Bookish

Correction: HP has gotten more netbook-ish.  Today HP announced a new line of netbooks, and as opposed to the HP 2133 Mini-Note, which they were adamant was for the educational market and not to compete with the Asus Eee PC, this one is targeted squarely at that market.

Why the big change?  Well, according to HP, the 2133 Mini-Note has "exceeded all expectations."  That and the burgeoning netbook market seems to indicate a hop into the middle of the competition might be a good idea.  On the other hand, quite a few analysts feel netbooks are stealing revenue from standard notebooks, which would not be a good trend for OEMs in the long run.

Despite that, on Wednesday HP unveiled the new line.  Here's how HP describes the new series:

The HP Mini 1000 features a piano-black finish with HP Imprint swirl design is pre-installed with Windows® XP Home, making access to the web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® wireless capabilities. Versions with 3G capabilities are expected to be available in December.

Configuration choices include screen size – 8.9-inch or 10.2-inch diagonal BrightView display – and solid-state or mechanical hard-drive options.


The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition comes in vibrant red with a peony-flower inspired design that reflects the globally acclaimed fashion designer’s Spring 2009 collection. It seeks to satisfy the highly mobile, Internet-centric fashionista and features a 10.2-inch diagonal BrightView display.

Its design was first unveiled on the runway of Tam’s Fall 2009 Fashion Week show in Battery Park in New York, although many on the scene mistook it for a purse rather than the companion PC that it is. Tam labeled it the world’s first “digital clutch.”

The Vivienne Tam Edition companion PC runs Windows XP Home, making the web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capabilities. Versions with 3G capabilities are expected to be available in December.

• The HP Mini 1000 with MIE (Mobile Internet Experience) is a uniquely simple, mobile Internet companion. An HP-developed interface makes it easy to enjoy digital content – videos, photos, music and email – on demand and on the go. MIE comes loaded with instant messaging, email and Skype for online video chat, making it easy to enjoy social-media experiences anywhere consumers are connected.

Applications enabling browsing, email and online video are pre-loaded and run from the MIE dashboard, minimizing startup time. Favorite websites that are added to the dashboard stay live, and the taskbar makes it easy to switch between programs.

The HP Mini 1000 with MIE runs the Linux operating system. It includes an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capabilities.

So, those of you just wanting a Palm Foleo-ish (well, suped-up) experience can go for the MIE (in January).  Those wanting to show their fashionista side can go for the Tam edition (soon).  Those just wanting the device period can go for the 1000.

Note: HP sticks their Media Style interface on the MIE.  It's to "protect consumers" from Linux.  While we are exaggerating, Carlos Montalvo, vice president of marketing for the Personal Systems Group at HP said:

"It's important we made sure that Linux does not manifest itself to the user."

Ha.  For those needing translation, this means: most consumers don't know Linux, don't want Linux, and we want to be sure we don't scare them off.