Hasta La Gadget!

HP’s got more additions to its Mini netbook lineup coming your way with the 1101 and 110 XP / Mi. All three models sport a 10.1-inch widescreen LED, autosync software for easier connectivity to your primary PC, and the standard 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 / 1.66GHz N280 processor options with GMA 950 graphics, VGA output, 3 or 6 cell batteries, and 802.11b/g. The Mini 110 XP edition takes the trend even further with — and we’re sure you’re surprised here — 1GB RAM and 160GB HDD or 32GB SSD, as well as optional WWAN and a Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator, which HP claims will let you watch 1080p video smoothly — yeah, we’ll believe it when we see it. Those who go with the company’s Linux-based pet Mi can bump up to 250GB HDD and 2GB memory. As for the Mini 1101, it looks like it’s basically the business-centric 110 with XP and Vista as your OS choices and no apparent video enhancer. As for pricing and availability, the Mini 1101 is coming at ya on June 1st with a base price of $329, while Mini 110 will follow shortly after in black swirl on June 10th, and white swirl / pink chic on July 8th. Those will start at $279 with Mi and $329 if you want Windows XP instead.

Filed under: Laptops

HP unveils Mini 1101, Mini 110 XP / Mi editions with optional HD video accelerator originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T has announced plans to offer subsidized netbooks nationwide, which include access to its 3G data network.

The company in April was testing subsidized netbooks in Atlanta and Philadelphia, and soon the devices will be offered in 2,200 AT&T stores throughout the United States, as well as through att.com.

AT&T also plans to offer additional model choices, including netbooks from Acer, Dell and Lenovo. The company has not yet specified which models.

The growth suggests that the subsidized-netbook pilot program went well for AT&T, meaning consumers are actually buying these.

We’re surprised. As I pointed out months ago, buying an AT&T-subsidized netbook for $100 requires committing to a 2-year broadband plan. The plan costs $60 per month, amounting to $1,540 over two years.

On the plus side, you do gain internet access anywhere you can get a cellphone connection. But that’s $60 per month to use the internet on one computer — an extremely limited, low-powered netbook at that, which is typically a companion device.

Why not purchase a smartphone with a tethering plan? That way you’d be able to use the internet on various computers as opposed to just one. Plus, you’d be able to simply add on to your smartphone monthly plan. The idea of another data contract on top of my two-year smartphone commitment is a huge turn-off to me.

Other than that, netbooks are cheap to begin with. On average a pretty decent netbook costs no more than $350, so why pay $100 for a netbook and agree to a $60-per-month, two-year contract?

What do you think, readers? Would you commit to one of these?

Press release [AT&T]

See Also:

• The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals
• The Netbook Effect: How Cheap Little Laptops Hit the Big Time
• RadioShack’s $100 NetBook Costs $1500 Over Two Years

Sure, the hot buzz right now is centered on Verizon and Apple teaming up to release a unicorn-built iPhone tablet that runs on marshmallows and cuddles, but Boy Genius Report says that Big Red’s actually-real partnership with HP is about to bear fruit — the long-rumored subsidized Mini 1000 is apparently due to launch on May 17th. The specific model will be the Mini 1151NR, and if that leaked product-comparison sheet we saw earlier holds water, we’re looking at a pretty standard Atom / XP configuration with a 3G modem built in. Pricing hasn’t been locked down, but according to BGR, it’ll be just as ridiculous as every other subsidized netbook: $299 after rebate with a mandatory two-year data contract. That’s more or less $200 off standard MSRP, a discount we’re sure you’ll pay back twice over the course of the contract. Seriously, we’d much rather fiddle with a USB stick that we can use on multiple machines than spend around a grand on data fees just for a netbook — what about you?

Filed under: Laptops

Verizon’s HP Mini 1000 due to launch May 17th? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 May 2009 21:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Judging by recent PC shipment reports, HP’s had a pretty good run in Q1, and we fully suspect that a good chunk of those sales are in the netbook category. The outfit’s Mini 1000 Mi was highly anticipated and chock full of promise, though we’re not totally convinced the whole Mi interface lived up to the mile-high hype. So, now’s your chance to tell us — did it? Are you pleased with the software? Do you feel the user interface attracts or detracts? Could the hardware use a retooling? Are you totally looking forward to the 2000 Mi (or 1000 Mii, whatever HP settles on)? Feel free to blast our your really real opinions in comments below — we’ll be listening.

Filed under: Laptops

How would you change HP’s Mini 1000 Mi? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Considering just how cheap Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 gets on occasion, there’s practically no doubt that the SSD portion of this mod will run you more than the computer itself. For those wild and wacky DIYers who couldn’t honestly care less, jkkmobile has put together a video (along with a gallery of images) showing exactly how the process works. For what it’s worth, we’re told that the whole ordeal was a simple matter, but you can judge for yourself after jumping past the break and mashing play.

Continue reading Video: 128GB SSD slotted into Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9

Filed under: Laptops

Video: 128GB SSD slotted into Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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