I’ve been exchanging e-mails with HP for the better part of the day and we have the final word on the supposed Mini 1100 series with an ExpressCard slot. It doesn’t exist and it was mistake made by the Web team. This is straight from horse’s mouth, people.

We don’t offer a model within the HP Mini 1000 series that has an Express Card slot. There was an error made on our website which is being corrected. But for those customers interested in an HP Mini with an Express Card lot, we do offer the 2140 of course!

…I know this is confusing, but the 1100 models are simply other SKUs within the 1000 series, and differences within the various SKUs can be things like panel size, hard drive, etc., you know? (Though the info on our support website looks a little misleading because it makes it sound like the 1100 is a completely separate/new series.)

Now let’s get back to talking about the Hello Kitty app for the iPhone!

Everyone at CG knows how enamored I am with the HP Mini line and everyone at HP knows that I want a 2140 rigged with the Mi OS. Unfortunately, the 2140 is not offered with Mi, which makes me sad. I spoke to Doug about this over CES and wondered what would happen if I just swapped hard drives from an Mi to a 2140. We both concluded that the Mi and 2140 are virtually the same machines with the same specs but differing shells. I figure it’s worth a shot.

However, I just got off the phone with HP’s customer service to see when the high-res display 2140s would be available since they’re not listed and that’s the one that I want. Doug caught this yesterday as well. The rep told me they wouldn’t be available for another month. Just to see what the ship date would be for the high-end 2140 I’m told it would ship on the 28th of this month. How is this possible?

Doug’s assumption about the high-res displays starting with the $649 model is spot on. The SKUs change from “UT” to “UA”, which I believe denotes the change in display resolution. But, seriously, if I order the $779 model right now what will show up on my doorstep in a week or two? Something tells me my shipment will be delayed.

Here’s HP’s footnote about estimated ship dates.

3 HP is not responsible for delays outside of our immediate control, including delays related to order processing or unexpected increase in demand. Typically only orders paid for by credit card receive credit approval on the same day the order is placed. Orders delayed due to order processing will default to an Estimated Ship Date 30 days from the date credit is processed and the order is released. Estimated Ship Dates are based on any known extended lead times.

Update: We just got word from HP that the high-res versions are six weeks out. That makes me sad.

My favorite netbook of 2008 is now a few bucks cheaper. HP cut the price of the Mini 1000 to $359 over the weekend. It’s certainly not the cheapest netbook on the block, but let’s wait and see what HP does with their MIE version. It was, after all, $20 cheaper than the XP version when it was first announced. There’s also a bump to 1GB of RAM on the XP Mini 1000 on top of the price cut.

Product Page

It features vibrant peony blooms signifying good fortune and prosperity. A matching silk sleeve is included to secure this stylish fashion accessory.

Weighing in at 2.45 lbs and 1” thin, it features Windows XP Home on a 10.2-inch display. The price includes a 16GB SSD, but for $25 more you can get a 60GB HD instead.

If you order by Dec. 12, you’ll get it with free shipping in time for the holidays. HP claims that it’s a definite “do” for the fashion-forward, trend-setting woman who wants to elevate her digital capabilities while accentuating her keen sense of style. Don’t order me one; it’s a little too flowery for my taste.

Blah, blah, blah, “BIOS is locked”, blah, blah, blah, “HP is not so nice”, blah, blah, blah, “remember the switch”, blah, blah, blah.

Still, there are times when you can’t put a price on connectivity, and compared with the dreadful performance of other 3G options, the integrated approach is the better investment if you have the gold pieces for it.

I’ve been fawning over this little netbook since last week and I can’t wait to get one, but I’ll have to wait until January for the MIE version. Hopefully I’ll get it in time for CES because lugging this 15-inch MacBook Pro is getting old. Spec-wise it isn’t very powerful, but it isn’t meant to be a desktop replacement either. The UI on the MIE version is very intuitive and runs a gaggle of Open Office applications. There’s a repository of applications and programs that can be added to the MIE Mini 1000, but we didn’t have any Internet access, so I wasn’t able to see what I could or couldn’t install. There is some regulation on what programs can be installed and they have to be in the HP MIE repository, but I’m sure you can “hack” it to run whatever you want. I could be wrong, though. All I know is that I want it and so long as it has an RSS reader then I’m good to go.

What would a netbook be without all sorts of tiny accessories? The HP Mini 1000 will have at least six of them; some available now and some available in January. Apparently available now is an extra three-cell battery, although I couldn’t find it listed on HP’s shopping site, the HP Wireless Laser Mini Mouse ($40), and the HP Bluetooth Pendant Headphones ($99). Pretty straightforward stuff and not necessarily specific to this particular model except for the battery.

Coming in January, though, will be a protective sleeve, a cool little USB flash drive that fits flush against the side of the case, and an adapter for hooking the Mini 1000 up to an external monitor (VGA only). No word on pricing or exact dates, unfortunately.

Hit the jump to see photos of everything.

[via jkOnTheRun]

Netbooks have been slowing down over the last year and for the most part, each one is about the same thing with a different logo on the lid. HP’s offerings seem refreshing and polished even though they sport the standard netbook specs of 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 8.9-inch or 10.2-inch display, up to 2 GB of RAM, and either a 60GB HDD or 16GB SSD. The solid-state drive can be complimented by a standard USB thumb drive in a special slot for extra storage. The specs are only half the story as the OS is where it gets interesting.

HP gives you the choice of either Windows XP or an Ubuntu-powered “experience” MIE operating system. This Mobile Internet Experience streamlines most common uses into a custom built homescreen that screams of HP’s Touchsmart interface – that’s a good thing.

A 8.9-inch Mini 1000 XP option launches today for $399 with 512GB of RAM and a 8GB SSD – or $50 more for the 10.2-inch screen. The linux flavor will drop after the New Year and will start at $379 for the 8.9-inch model. A mobile broadband version should be available in select markets by December, along with a docking station by January. 

The Vivienne Tam edition will also launch in December for $699.

So every other netbook manufacturer, take note at HP’s netbooks, but don’t copy ‘em. Instead, hire a design firm and actually produce something that is innovative instead of another EEE clone. Deal?