minis

HP considers bundling Netbooks, wireless service

A day after rolling out a new line of Netbooks, Hewlett-Packard says it's looking at selling them in conjunction with wireless service providers.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Kevin Frost, who heads up HP's consumer notebook division, said the company is considering selling Netbooks at a deep discount to customers who sign a wireless service contract.

On Wednesday, HP introduced a new line of Netbooks called the HP Mini 1000.

Frost said, "The big picture for these Netbooks is that kind of model," but described it as a "longer-term" plan. He … Read more

HP gets serious about Netbooks

Update: This blog has been corrected to reflect that the Mini 1000 will be available Wednesday on HP.com, and in retail stores later.

After a brief experiment in the education market, Hewlett-Packard on Wednesday is set to introduce a whole line of Netbooks for mainstream consumers.

The HP Mini 1000 comes in three versions, with starting prices ranging from $379 to $699, and will be available on HP.com starting Wednesday, with worldwide retailers to be announced later.

HP first dipped its toe into the mini-notebook market back in April with the Mini-Note 2133, which it claimed was strictly for K through 12 students and some business travelers. At the time, HP was adamant that this was not meant to play in the same arena as the consumer-oriented Netbook from Asus, the Eee PC. Though it won't break out the numbers, HP now says the sales of the 2133 "exceeded all expectations."

But the new HP Mini 1000, Mini 1000 MIE, and the Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition are very much intended for consumers. So what's changed in just six months? The look and feel of the Mini 1000 line isn't drastically different from the 2133, but the Netbook market has had a dramatic makeover, though it's more noticeable abroad than here in the U.S. … Read more

HP gets into Netbook game with Mini 1000

We'd like to say we were pleasantly surprised to see HP announce its new Mini 1000 Netbook Tuesday. Of course we can't, since HP accidentally put a big picture of the new system up on its Web site over the weekend for several hours. Blown surprise aside, the Mini 1000 is now available for online ordering, and we've got a full review and video.

The system wisely cribs from HP's previous Netbook, the business-oriented Mini-Note 2133, using the same wide format to fit in a nearly full-size keyboard that dwarfs every other similar system. It trades … Read more

Get a Linux-powered HP Netbook for $299 shipped

In the market for a Netbook? Amazon has the baseline HP 2133 on sale for $299, down from $499. Right away that solves one of the HP's main problems: its high price. Best of all, this is a new unit--not a refurb--and you don't have to deal with any rebates.

The HP 2133 is the one Netbook I've actually reviewed, and I liked it well enough, except for two issues: price and performance. But my eval unit came with Windows Vista and a $799 price tag; the model Amazon is selling has SUSE Linux and costs $299. … Read more

JCW Mini, the 50mpg sports car

Just last week, we were able to best the Honda Fit's claimed 33 highway mpg to achieve just a bit more than 40 combined mpg (and that was with lead-footed me behind the wheel for about a quarter of a tank). Now, the Fit is a fairly economically tuned car, but how would we have handled a less docile vehicle? U.K. magazine Auto Express entered a John Cooper Works Mini--the hottest, fastest Mini Cooper available--in a MPG Marathon. How did they fair?

Surprisingly for a turbocharged hot-hatch with enough moxie to sprint from 0-60mph in only 6.5 … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 839: Is 12 inches too big?

What? What's wrong with you people? We're talking about Netbooks. Dell has a new "Mini" Note, but it's a 12-inch laptop. So, the question is: what is going on in the Netbook world these days? Also, the Internet makes you both smarter AND dumber, Google Earth shows up for iPhone, and Oprah gives out a Kindle discount. And Natali and Molly love Oprah. Deal with it.

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 839

Sling.com launch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/26/slingcom-to-launch-on-november-10/

Google Earth for iPhone/Touch http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10075543-37.html … Read more

HP Mini 1000 Netbook leaked--by HP

Had you been perusing HP's wares Sunday, you may have caught a glimpse of the company's upcoming Netbook. On HP's Home & Home Office shopping site Sunday, this image appeared:

The image, since removed from HP's Web site, noted that the HP Mini 1000 will start at $399.99, weigh 2.25 pounds, and measure less than one-inch thick. Given the model number and screen bezel, that's noticeably thinner than that on the 8.9-inch HP 2133 Mini-Note PC, it's a safe bet to say the Mini 1000 will feature a larger 10-inch screen. … Read more

It's a mega-mini--Dell's Inspiron Mini 12

We first got a glimpse of Dell's 12-inch take on the Netbook behind closed doors a few months ago. After that, it kind of vanished from our radar screens, only to pop up Sunday, in an announcement that the system is making its debut in Japan.

It's an interesting hybrid of the ultraportable and Netbook formats, combining a 12-inch laptop chassis with the basic heart of a Netbook, namely the Intel Atom CPU. Most Netbooks have a 9- or 10-inch display, so the jump to 12 inches makes for a very different experience. Less portable, to be sure, … Read more

90: The electric Mini is here. Sort of.

GM and Chrysler talks get intense, electric Mini's are on the way, Toyota will bring a new tiny car to the U.S., and we hit the road in the 2009 Acura RL. Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Electric RUF Porsche 911

• Wacky Fiat eco: Drive

• Toyota iQ headed our way

• Audi to go standard with HD Radio

• Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid review