HP Mini Mi Linux screenshots and pictures
I now have the HP Mini Mi for about a week. What's so interesting about it is that HP made it really easy for people to use Linux by providing a very cool homescreen and the main tools people use.Of course if you are a Linux type you can always hack things into it - or even if you are not (like me) you can still move around quite comfortably and get things done (for example I managed to get the Telecom 3G USB modem working with a couple of scripts and some editing).
This is really my first Ubuntu machine here (we do have a couple of Mac around the house but I mostly work on Windows boxes) so it is been so far really interesting.
I've walked around with the HP Mini Mi in my backpack (which is now feeling quite empty since this is a small laptop) and the people who saw it so far are quite interested - this includes a couple of friends of mine who would use this kind of laptop while on the move, and even my parents-in-law who travel quite a lot and have been complaining of the size and weight of their own laptops.
The Mini Mi follows the Mini Note in style, except that this time it comes in all black, with a beautiful stylish finish on the cover.
The HP Mini Mi is running Ubuntu and uses HP's own repositories hosted by Canonical to provide applications - but you can always add your own repository list to it of course.
I got the version running on a 16GB Sandisk SSD and it's really nice and fast - booting is quick, while suspend and resume work really well. Another interesting features is a recessed USB slot, that can take special USB drives that will fit flush inside the body of the laptop - additional storage without those USB drives hanging from the side of your laptop. Very clever.
The keyboard is really nice to use thanks to its size - keys travel light and a good length too. The screen opens ok, but I wouldn't mind if I could tilt it a bit more.
Below are some screenshots of the standard user interface. The all too common Windows key is replaced with a HP key that will always bring you back to the home screen. Check it out:
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Comment by Patrick, on 14-FEB-2009 18:38
Hi there,
Are you able to boot to a normal Ubuntu screen with icons/taskbar etc etc?
Comment by Ebsan, on 29-APR-2009 16:34
I was wondering if the recessed USB slot gets annoying. What if you want to quickly put a file on someone elses USB drive? Is that possible at all?
Comment by marjolaine, on 12-JUN-2009 18:13
Hi,
I would like to ask where I could find a guide on how to use the linux graphic interface. I am having a hard time using the system. Though I am comfortable using windows, but i don't like to change it's system when i bought it. Need help.
Thanks.
Comment by freakalad, on 30-JUN-2009 13:43
very, very nice!
just a pity there's no local retailers selling the ubuntu units...
Comment by Roslyn, on 14-NOV-2009 22:39
hello, i found your column very interesting. I have a mini netbook but still cant get to work with it. I purchased a wireless router in bestbuy, my mini recognizes the router and also the password but i cant do internet browsing, it always say that webpage cant be displayed, any idea?
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Comment by Lipex666, on 14-FEB-2009 16:59
great reveiw - can you buy this in New Zealand?? as all I can find is the Vivienne Tam Edition and a xp version? Hopefully coming soon.