"There are a lot of Netbooks on the market that are so similar
in terms of hardware and software that manufacturers have to find
other ways to differentiate them--usually with aesthetics and
design. Although Netbooks started out with custom Linux shells
(such as the original Asus Eee PC), the vast majority now run
Windows XP. HP bucks the trend by taking the popular Mini 1000
hardware and adding to it its own sleek, custom interface--called
the Mobile Internet Experience--built on the Ubuntu Linux operating
system and the Gnome desktop environment.
"The HP Mini 1000 Mi (pronounced "me") Edition uses the same
design as the popular Mini 1000, but it runs HP's Mobile Internet
(Mi) software rather than Windows--a simplified interface that is
much better than those found on other Linux Netbooks, such as the
original Acer Aspire One and Asus Eee PC. The main feature of the
interface is the convenience of HP's Home screen, which gives you
access to e-mail, Web, music, photos, and a program launcher
through multiple launch panels, rather than a traditional desktop.
For an Internet appliance-style design, it's well done, but it will
appeal to only a select audience. We suspect most will still want
the flexibility and familiarity of Windows."
