HP Mini 1000 Review

An NC10 review is in the pipeline. Keep checking.
Samsung may not be big in notebooks, but is aggressively expanding at the moment and has, for some years, been producing some very good products (the Dell X1 is a rebadged Samsung Q30).

John

 

Thats exactly how I felt.. to give this netbook Editor's Choice Award despite all the shortcomings already mentioned in review.. and not adequate mention of competitiors for comparison (Dell Mini, 1002H, etc)......

 

I am surprised that tech savvy folks on NBR haven't ferreted out the hidden gems in the Mini 1000:
1) The "weird" display adapter will be the docking point for the upcoming HP Mini dock - How many other netbooks will have a docking option?

2) Lithium polymer battery, not lithium-ion cylinders - HP will have a larger capacity battery which is rumored to be a wedge shape, helping to angle the fantastic keyboard towards the user.

3) There is an open PCIe slot in the Mini 1000 for an HD video decoder card. Only the Asus N10j has a discrete graphics solution and that isn't a "netbook"

I believe HP has earned the Editor's Choice award because they are clearly thinking about the Mini as a platform and not a single device like the NC10.

Having played with the NC10 and Mini 1000 at J&R, I chose the Mini - It is smaller and sleeker for one and HP's planned options are all winners.

 

It's an editor's choice because, of the netbooks they've reviewed, it's the best. All netbooks have pretty big shortcomings. Apparently, they feel that the Mini 1000's strengths outweigh the strengths of the competition.

NBR reviews aren't, usually, used for deep comparisons. People need to read multiple reviews and draw their own conclusions.

 

I believe the Mini 1000 has earned the Editor's Choice award because the NC10 hasn't been reviewed.

Laptopmag has reviewed both and awarded the NC10 as Editor's Choice.

You seem to be very impressed by future promises of extra accessoires. Personally I'd go for the 6 hours battery life and the much faster hard disk of the NC10. Without any extra accessoires needed.

 

I just bought one of these HP Mini 1000 laptops from Best Buy last week. I do like the design, but I'm taking it back. Why? Three reasons:

1. Keyboard: The keyboard is nearly full size, and I like that all the usual keys (Shift, Enter) are full size as well. What I don't like is that the keys are completely flat. Why this looks cool, it feels funny. I'm a natural keyboard typist (aka I don't finger peck or have to look at the keys while typing). A lot of good typing comes from feel. That's why they put the little markers on the "F" and "J" keys. And it's also why most keyboards have slightly indented keys. Since the HP Mini's keys are completely flat, you get "lost" while typing.
2. Webcam: This is the primary reason I'm taking the notebook back. The webcam is absolutely hopeless! The image is MUCH MUCH too dark, even in normal light conditions. I have to literally shine a halogen lamp or flashlight into the lens to see anything. I assumed this was a driver issue. Went to HP's support website, but there is no driver available for download. So, I contacted HP support, which brings me to my final reason for returning the laptop.
3. Support: HP's technical support is absolutely atrocious! And this is coming from a guy who's last 4 computers were HP/Compaq (thankfully I never had to contact their tech support before).
   
   First, I called them to inquire about the webcam issue. After several minutes I was finally diverted to India where I spoke with a woman. No problem. While I'd rather speak to an American simply b/c our economy sux and we need jobs here, I can deal w/ the polite Indians. However, the woman was clueless, so she transferred me to another technician. I waiting on hold for that technician for over 2 hours. No one ever picked up.
   
   So, I resorted to email. I received two responses from two different agents in India with two separate solutions (both of which did not work). One informed me that the camera in the HP Mini is 0.3 MP (instead of the listed 1.3 MP), and that the picture is supposed to be grainy. I responded to one email telling them that I'm a computer expert (which I am) and that the problem is not w/ resolution but brightness! Another reply from a different agent that literally made no sense. So I replied to the other email and it got bounced back by HP's server! I replied to the final email I received and it bounced as well!!
   
   Their support really is atrocious!!! As a side note, if you want good support and are set on buying an HP, buy it from Costco. Not only do they extend the warranty by an extra year, they have a concierge service whom you call for help and tech support. When you call, they conference in an AMERICAN HP technician into the phone call who actually has a clue what is going on. Worth the extra few dollars to buy from Costco me thinks.

Anyway, I'm taking this computer back and waiting until HP sorts the issues out. A 6 cell battery and dual core Atom chip sounds nice as well.

Cheers!

- Seppo

 

kevin and crew, did you guys realize that the HP Mini 1000 has built in 3G antenna?



User post on Gizmodo
Just to be clear, that rumor about the hardware being inside already was totally bunk; there's a SIM slot on every HP Mini 1000 and there is an open PCIe slot that one can put their own card in though. Currently the only way to activate it, because shortsighted people at HP decided to BIOS-lock it, is a pretty involved hack developed by JKKMobile but I expect that we'll see other hacks pretty soon that make it easier.

HP charging $200 for this is absurd. Dell charges $125 for the same card and even that is on the high side. But HP is doing that for every upgrade on this machine from the hard drive to the memory. It's a great machine in a lot of ways - it is the smallest and lightest 10" netbook around, the screen is beautiful and the keyboard is the best I've ever used (or seen) on a netbook. But they need to stop gouging their customers, stop crippling the hardware, and stop trying to sell crap like the Vivianne Tam edition for $300 more than the regular version for nothing more than what a can of Krylon has to offer. Gouging and crippling hardware is just bad policy and definitely makes them look bad amongst the tech community. But I guess they'd rather impress the fashionistas than the techies that actually might make their product successful.


http://gizmodo.com/5102194/hp-mini-1000-netbook-now-shipping-with-3g-internet-capability

Initially, HP indicated that a 3G WWAN-equipped version of their newest netbook, the HP Mini 1000, would be arriving sometime in December. But if we are to believe a forum poster on Pocketables.net, all it takes to get 3G humming on an HP Mini 1000 today is to download a driver and slide in your SIM card in a mysteriously hidden slot under the battery.

The poster is using model number #1033cl—our question is, does every Mini 1000 have said SIM card slot? Let us know in the comments, owners. The drivers are downloadable here from HP, and for more instructions, hit the forum thread: [Pocketables]

http://gizmodo.com/5097493/hp-mini-1000-already-supports-3g

 

Wow. I'm pretty impressed. But yeah, HD and glossed-out screen make me unsure if I'll ever consider purchasing. :GEEK:

But very innovative and I'm glad to hear (a couple posts above) about the possibility of an extended battery option. :smile:

 

Though I own a Samsung NC10 and agree with your assessment of the HP Mini 1000, must disagreement with a review automatically implicate Bribery?

To any proud journalist, reporter, reviewer, etc., the accusation that someone's objectivity is intentionally and willingly being bought with advertising dollars is probably one of the most grave. Let's not throw accusations like that around willy-nilly!

I'm disappointed that comparisons to the NC10 haven't been made, but the netbook industry hasn't done many favors. Even to "laptop" aficionados, the number of netbooks is dizzying (and Asus doesn't seem to help either, with a new, nearly indistinguishable, model being announced weekly). Compound the huge market problem with the fact that every netbook has roughly the same specifications. This is likely a case of innocent ignorance more than willful bias. That said, I hope it's rectified!

Additionally, I'm very interested in seeing what the key pitch of the HP Mini 1000 is! We need to settle the keyboard showdown between the NC10 and Mini!

 

1. This is both a blessing and a shortcoming. Which other notebook requires a $80 proprietary dongle just to connect to VGA?

2. As it stands, the larger capacity battery doesn't exist. The only option available is a 3-cell battery that only lasts a little more than 2 hours. But yes, the HP Mini 1000 does have the form factor working for it.

3. Is this even feasible? Where can you find a HD video decoder card that would fit in this machine's chasis? I was under the impression that this slot is only for 3G capabilities.

I think the HP Mini-Note 1000 has many shortcomings, such as poor webcam, short battery life, and a limited selection of ports. It may very well deserve the Editor's Choice Award, but I feel it's more fair if more netbooks are reviewed first (especially since there are quite a few worthy contenders).

 

Since there is a lot of discussion about what's the best netbook I made a poll.

You can vote here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=330475

 

I still don't agree. When you can get a nice eee PC 904 for close to $300, why pay roughly $200 more for netbook with an annoying glossy screen. Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

$50 less?

Please, the world doesn't revolve around you.

In other parts of the world it may cost more than the HP, and even more than just $50.

 

In Europe I expect the HP 1000 to be (at least) 50 euros more expensive than the NC10.

Going by the first UK prices the difference will probably be bigger.

 

errr... well maybe the price is diff...

 

Just a quick correction to the Article. The HP Mini hard drive versions HAVE SD slot readers in them. The HDD versions just dont come with the "hp mobile drive"

 

What type of adapter is needed to use vga output?

 

One that you buy from HP for $79 + tax.

 

Got my HP Mini PC yesterday See signature below. It's as good as I expected. The only real "issue" I've had adjusting too are the side mounted trackpad buttons.

I got it for $444 from Amazon.com which is about $30 less than configuring direct from HP.

I was between the HP and the Samsung NC10 too. The battery life was attractive on the Sammy, but IMHO the form factor/looks of the HP won out for me. And personally I don't mind the glossy screen. The Samsung just seemed too non-discript. The HP is a real attention getter

 

i think that this and the NC10 are the two nicest ones i dont think may will disagree that being said when the NC20 comes out it might be on top for a while.

 

I couldn't agree more. The misplaced, small right shift key in my eee PC is a much bigger distraction then I ever thought it would be.

 

Thank you for the excellent review as always.

 

Readers in Europe may be interested to note that the Mini 700 is now available from Compaq's online store and some retailers. While its 399 Euro RRP compares poorly to the 299 USD RRP of the cheapest Mini 1000, for a matched specification the Mini 700 actually works out about the same (at about 480 USD plus tax, versus 399 Euro including VAT). Particularly interesting is that the HSDPA modem (about 100 euro) doesn't come with any contract obligations: it's yours for good.

It looks like the Mini 1000 might not launch in Europe after all, except in the special edition. This is fairly sensible given that the Mini 700 has very similar specs and there's no obvious upgrades that you could make to it beyond flashy tat on the outside. I'm curious as to how the Mini 2140 slots into this range though. The $499 Mini 2140 has exactly the same spec as the $480 Mini 1000, except for the slight resolution drop. The metal chassis and VGA port make it a pretty compelling upgrade.

 

HP Mini 1000: my thoughts

DON'T!!! This little pipsqueek sucks! Open more than 2 windows and you're in BIG trouble!

I use this for web surfing and Email and STILL wait ALL DAY for windows to open, "CTR-V" or "C" to complete, etc.

Reminds me of my old 486 with it's DINOSAUR speed.

 

The HP Mini 1000 (with 32GB SSD) is an interesting attempt at a highly portable web-centric device. However, it is an extremely slow device. In fact, so much so that it is unworkable. The $400-$500 spent would be better spent in a more traditional notebook.

The more traditional HD model is a bit faster but is likewise slow. If you just need to surf the web and have no applications (e.g. Word, anti-virus, etc) then it would be an interesting purchase and somewhat useful. Given the extreme limitations, though, I would value this device at $250 to be worthwhile.