When HP’s 2133 Mini-Note hit the market last spring, the category was still establishing itself: Intel’s Atom processor had yet to arrive, and 10-inch screens had yet to become the sweet spot for mini-notebook displays. As a result, the 2133 fell behind other models. HP has now caught up to the competition with its 10-inch HP Mini 1000.
Our $549 unit (which has a starting price of $399 and can be configured to order on HP’s site) sports an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP, but what sets it apart is its extremely compact build and one of the best keyboards we’ve used on a netbook to date. However two things hold this system back from being our favorite: its three-cell battery and its higher price point.
Design
Measuring 10.3 x 6.6 x 1.0 inches and weighing 2.4 pounds, the Mini 1000, when placed next to its rival 10-inch netbooks (the Samsung NC10, ASUS Eee PC 1000H, Lenovo IdeaPad S10 and the MSI Wind) is definitively thinner and more compact. In fact, it compares favorably to smaller 8.9-inch netbooks, such as the Acer Aspire one and Dell Inspiron Mini 9. When matched up with the razor-thin and much pricier $699 Eee PC S101, the Mini 1000 is a mere 0.3 inches thicker and the same weight. When we tossed the HP Mini 1000 and the AC adapter (bringing the travel weight to 3 pounds) into a bag it felt almost non-existent, and with its durable finish we didn’t worry about scratching its lid.
HP replaced the aluminum chassis of the 2133 Mini-Note with a more affordable but still stylish plastic casing. The black lid, like the new Pavilion dv notebooks, is glossy and has HP’s signature Imprint finish with a Swirl pattern. And unlike the Eee PC S101 or the Dell Inspiron Mini 9, its pattern hid our fingerprints. The glowing blue wireless status light and the silver mesh, which covers the speakers that are nestled between the bottom of the screen and the top of the keyboard, project a futuristic look.
| Size and Weight Chart (inches and pounds) | Screen Size | Measurements | Weight |
| HP Mini 1000 | 10.2 | 10.3 x 6.6 x 1.0 | 2.4 |
| ASUS Eee PC 1000H | 10 | 10.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 | 3.2 |
| MSI Wind | 10 | 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.7 | 2.6 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad S10 | 10.2 | 9.8 x 7.2 x 1.1 | 2.6 |
| ASUS Eee PC S101 | 10.2 | 10.3 x 7.0 x 0.7 | 2.4 |
| Samsung NC10 | 10.2 | 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.2 | 2.8 |
| ASUS Eee PC 901 | 8.9 | 8.9 x 6.7 x 1.3 | 2.6 |
| Dell Inspiron Mini 9 | 8.9 | 9.1 x 6.8 x 1.3 | 2.3 |
| Acer Aspire one | 8.9 | 9.8 x 6.7 x 1.4 | 2.4 |
Superior Netbook Keyboard
The HP Mini 1000’s keyboard is one of the best on a netbook to date. Not only is the 92 percent–size keyboard spacious and comfortable, the key positioning is near perfect. Unlike the Eee PC 1000H or MSI Wind, the right Shift key is full size and placed directly under the Enter key. Additionally, there is a complete row of dedicated function keys.
The keys on the Mini 1000 lack the 2133’s DuraFinish, which made the keys resistant to visible wear and tear, a cost-cutting move. However, the matte black keys on the Mini 1000 are still softer to the touch than those found on its rivals. They each had pretty good tactile feedback, and the panel had no bend or flex. The only keyboard that can hold a candle to HP’s is that of Samsung’s NC10. Some of its keys aren’t as large as the Mini 1000’s, but some may prefer their chunkier feel.
Our appreciation for the Mini 1000’s design lagged when we saw the touchpad, which has only been slightly altered from that on the 2133. The 2.4 x 1.1-inch touchpad is disappointingly small and vertically very narrow, resulting in a lot of back-tracking. Additionally, still present are the awkward right and left mouse buttons which vertically straddle the pad. This layout forced us to use both hands to access the buttons, or to double-tap on the touchpad quite a bit. Nevertheless, we don’t think the touchpad is a deal breaker. We adjusted to the layout in a few hours. The touchpad also has a dedicated scroll bar, which was useful for moving through long Web pages; a button to turn off the pad lies above it.
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