HP Mini Accessories Trickling Into Market

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mini1000/accessories.html' target='_blank'>http://www.hp.com/united-states/cam...ccessories.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1234503532.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>I've been spending a lot of time with the HP Mini 1000 lately, in all three flavours: the Windows XP-based Mini 1000, the Vivienne Tam Mini 1000, and lately the Mobile Internet Edition or "Mini Mi". It's by far my #1 favourite netbook right now - I haven't booted up my MSI Wind in a month. As good as the HP Mini 1000 is though, it's strange how HP released a product with basically zero accessories for it available at launch - it's only now that these <a href="http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mini1000/accessories.html" target="_blank">accessories are starting to become available</a>. From the top left, going clockwise, we have the 3-cell battery, the Mobile Mini Drive, the AC power brick, an external DVD burner, a VGA cable, and a sleeve. The VGA cable in particular is a glaring omission: for mobile professionals who want to travel ultra-light, but still need to hook up to a projector, not having the ability to do so is a deal breaker. And given the price premium that HP is charging for the Mini 1000, it's a shame that there's no carrying case included in the box.</p><p>What's not shown above is something I saw at CES 2009: a 6-cell battery. It was an interesting design because unlike most netbooks on the market, the HP Mini 1000's battery isn't right at the back, it's in a bit - and that means thaty can't do the "rear hump" like most companies can. The 6-cell battery for the Mini 1000 comes out the bottom and creates a hump that almost looks like a stand for the netbook. Pretty interesting design - I'm not sure how practical it is, hopefully I can get my hands on one. The battery life is about the only complaint I have with the Mini 1000 - it just does't last long enough, but that's pretty much what I expected from a 3-cell battery.</p>

[randalllewis]

I too have had my hands on three HP Mini versions- the way too small 16Gb solid state version, the 60Gb hard drive version, and the 60Gb version with 3G- which is my favorite. I have enjoyed using all three, but the one with the most versatility- the 3G- is best. I'll leave the sexy Tam version to you. And I have no interest in the Mini Mi at all.

I share your frustration about accessories. Even those that are available may not always really available. The Mini Mobile drive only works on the solid state version of the Mini. I'd like to buy a spare battery but I want it to be the 6 cell version. The sleeve isn't very interesting and there are much better cases for netbooks available. I'd also like to see the Jason Dunn short power cord.

Another oddity, my first Mini was the 16Gb version and it came with a dongle for the VGA adatpter accessory. Neither of my other versions have included that feature.

[Jason Dunn]

The sleeve isn't very interesting and there are much better cases for netbooks available. I'd also like to see the Jason Dunn short power cord.

Have you found a good sleeve for the Mini 1000? I have one for my 10.6" Fujitsu P7020 and it's too big. I'll be doing a video about the Samsung DVD burner and the shorter power cord - hopefully tomorrow.

Another oddity, my first Mini was the 16Gb version and it came with a dongle for the VGA adatpter accessory. Neither of my other versions have included that feature.

The VGA connector requires a dongle? Hmm. I thought it would plug into the docking station port. Strange!