However, until the release of Windows 7, most of these devices have come with Windows XP based on the heavy resource requirements if Windows Vista™.
Well, now there is Windows 7.
In January 2009, I received an HP Mini 1000 Mie Edition for review as part of a social media program run by Ivy Worldwide (formerly known as BuzzCorps).
This was the least-powered version of the Mini 1000 series. It was equipped with a 1 GHz Intel Atom processor, integrated graphics, 1 GB of RAM, and a 16 GB SSD (solid state disk). The unit came with a customized Ubuntu Linux.
To be fair, I decided to give Linux a go. I used Ubuntu for a few weeks until driver issues forced me to return to the Light. Of Windows, that is.
Since that time, Windows 7, from Beta 1 to RC to RTM has been installed on the unit.
The Windows 7 Review
For the RTM or gold version of Windows 7, I decided to perform a clean install.
I reformatted the SSD, and proceeded to install Windows 7 Ultimate.
Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, x86 (32-bit) version installed in approximately 27 minutes. This was on the same 1 GHz Atom CPU.
Surprisingly, the OS installed onto a 16 GB SSD leaving me with 7.14 GB of free space after the install.
That said, I proceeded to install an 8 Gb Verbatim Tough-‘n’-Tiny usb flash drive as a secondary hard drive on the system. Slipping it into the recessed USB bay was easy, and the minute flash drive has been the d: drive for this netbook since then.
I proceeded to install Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview on the system, as well as Microsoft Windows Live Essentials. I also connected to a Live Mesh account with 1.5 GB of information.
Using Windows 7 Ultimate on a netbook
Windows 7 on this netbook is snappier than Windows XP on the same device.
It is a lot easier to navigate the controls, and users are immediately useful on the netbook, a personal requirement.
I have been using the Mini 1000 since the RTM of Windows 7 as my everyday carryall computer, and I have not regretted the decision.
The HP Mini 1000 is well suited as a notebook companion, or as a device tasked with delivering either a resource-light LOB (line-of-business) application, or desktop productivity applications.
I have used it in all three usage scenarios, and see the Mini Mie perform admirably.
I have used the Mini 1000 as my primary system on day trips to clients, as a backup to either my HP tx2 Tablet PC or dv2 laptop on longer trips. I have used the Mini 1000 as the system I connect via VPN to our data center, and I have run our MSP applications on it as well
USB connectivity is effortless, and it runs all Microsoft Office productivity applications with nary a fuss.
Conclusions
The HP Mini 1000 Mie Edition is one capable netbook.
If you don’t ever forget that you are using what is essentially a $289 USD computer for your tasks, you will come to appreciate the netbook, and the more powerful computing that Windows 7 allows the Mini 1000 to deliver to you.
For this, the HP Mini 1000Mie Edition running Windows 7 has been awarded the SmallBizWindows Business Ready award.
Follow me on Twitter