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Hands-On With HP Mini 1000 with HP’s MIE (Linux)
October 29th, 2008 by Dana Wollman
This morning, HP didn’t just unveil a new netbook, the long-awaited Mini 1000 ($349.00); it also announced a new OS. Mobile Internet Experience (HP is, understandably, loathe to say “Linux” in front of consumers) is built on top of Ubuntu, and just might be the best thing about the Mini 1000.
The main screen has three columns: one for e-mail, another for Web, and a third for photos (it also has a music playback control panel). The Web column has neat visual bookmarks, a-la Google Chrome. It’s all pleasing to look at, but we do wish that you could work inside those columns. Imagine being able to check mail in one pane while scroll through photos in another. Alas, these panes are just gateways to fullscreen applications.
As intuitive and non-threatening as this flavor of Linux is, it doesn’t change the fact that big-box retailers still have a track record of selling XP over Linux (or that the return rates for Linux netbooks dwarf those for XP ones). We’ll be curious to see if MIE wins over more consumers, or if more brick-and-mortar retailers pick it up.
You’ll have to wait until January to get one for yourself, but until then check out our hands-on video.
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12 Responses to “Hands-On With HP Mini 1000 with HP’s MIE (Linux)”
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October 29th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Could you comment on the fan noise (if present), please?
October 30th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Could you also comment on the screen glare? Does it have a bad effect?
October 31st, 2008 at 11:33 am
Could you also comment on the choice of video camera for shooting the video
Using a small tripod and making sure the picture is permanently in focus before shooting
November 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I JUST bought a HP mini 1000 (haven’t even recived it yet). Will I be able to purchase MIE via HP ? not a fan of XP
November 13th, 2008 at 1:57 am
-”As intuitive and non-threatening as this flavor of Linux is,”
Careful, you bias is showing.
-”…it doesn’t change the fact that big-box retailers still have a track record of selling XP over Linux”
It’s called OEM branding. Illegal in non-developed countries.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Which version of Ubuntu Linux will be used, 8.04 LTS or 8.10?
January 8th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
@HOWDEE: Ubuntu Netbook Remix is based off of Ubuntu 8.04.1 LTS. That is the only version Ubuntu has created for OEM’s. I’ve installed the vanilla version onto one of these and everything works. I’m considering purchasing one for myself with the HP flavor and wiping it so I can have things like ssh and the medibuntu repos
.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Does it have GCC and Emacs?
April 19th, 2009 at 3:48 am
it is a great little machine. the mi interface works perfectly with it. i bought the windows version (the only one they sell in europe) but immediately replaced it with the linux mi.
I just love it. it is very very polished. all that i care about works right away. way way better than the xp version.
this thing feels almost like a mac – simple and logical, everything is just were you expect it and just works. and it looks very very well indeed, without being a copy of win or osx
don’t think twice, if you want one go for it
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Based on this blog and some other research I purchased the MIE.
It was a little harder to find than the XP version – but well worth the search. I have posted a short article at http://blogs.itworldcanada.com/idol/ as part of a contest they are running.
I am taking it ‘on the road’ for the next few weeks and will post an in-depth review on my website.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
As intuitive and non-threatening as this flavor of Linux is, it doesn’t change the fact that big-box retailers still have a track record of selling XP over Linux (or that the return rates for Linux netbooks dwarf those for XP ones).
Actually, both Dell and Asus have reported the return rates are similar for Linux and XP.
Only MSI has stated the return rates are four times higher for Linux. Maybe it’s a problem with MSI’s implementation of Linux… or its marketing of Linux.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:51 am
my main problem after playing with MIE is that it doesnt support the built in verizon wireless broadband card