HP Introduces Affordable Mini Netbook for Schools

PALO ALTO, Calif., HP today announced an education-focused Mini netbook designed to help schools around the world acquire affordable, reliable computing technology.

The HP Mini 100e Education Edition features a modern, innovative design with the durability and functionality essential for classroom computing. Complete with an array of hardware and software tools, the HP Mini 100e aims to close the digital divide by offering students and teachers an interactive learning experience at an affordable price.

“HP is committed to helping schools adapt to students’ changing needs and to creating solutions that provide better interactivity, connectivity and learning,” said Dan Forlenza, vice president and general manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group, HP. “The HP Mini 100e is an affordable, feature-rich device that helps ensure every student has the tools needed for success in their academic endeavors.”

The HP Mini 100e includes productivity, education and security software from Microsoft, such as Microsoft® Office 2010,(1) Microsoft Math and Microsoft Security Essentials.

In addition to the learning software, the HP Mini 100e also features a spill-resistant keyboard helping to ensure greater protection against spills and higher reliability in the classroom as well as an easy-to-see LED that indicates when the PC is connected to a network, thereby enabling better instructor monitoring.

The HP Mini 100e offers optional Wi-Fi Certified WLAN(2) as well as an integrated worldwide modem that is compatible in all countries with the V.92 standard. This enables dial-up internet connection(3) in remote areas so students can easily connect to the web anywhere there is internet service available over a phone line.

HP Mini for the classroom

Created to seamlessly integrate into education environments, the HP Mini 100e features a practical clamshell design starting at only 3.19 pounds. Its 10.1-inch diagonal LED-backlit WSVGA display, 92 percent of full size QWERTY keyboard and an integrated carrying handle allow for maximized comfort and efficiency in the classroom and on the go.

It also includes separate headphone and MIC ports to allow the Mini 100e to easily connect to other devices, along with a VGA webcam(4) that offers enhanced sound quality and reduced echo in virtual conferencing, language courses and interactive multimedia classroom sessions.

Built with added durability features for the classroom environment, the HP Mini 100e includes strong metal alloy hinges with steel pin axles. The Mini 100e also features a customizable back panel, keyboard deck and bottom case – exclusive to HP Minis – allowing customers to personalize their units with their school logo, motto or a picture for added security and personalization.

The HP Mini 100e boasts a wide array of technologies in a tiny package, including a low-power Intel® Atom N455 processor(5) and Intel NM10 Express chipset, enabling the unit to run cooler, use less power and help improve battery life compared to its predecessor. It offers 1 gigabyte (GB) of DDR3 memory for faster data transfer, along with optional flexible battery solutions, including three or six-cell battery options.(6)

Catering to varying education environments, the HP Mini 100e offers Windows® XP Home, Windows 7 Starter(7) or SuSE Linux (SLED 11) operating systems.

A variety of accessories are also available for the HP Mini 100e, to further improve the productivity of students in the classroom and on the go, including:

* HP Slip Case
* HP Optical Mouse
* HP Combo Lock
* HP Student Edition Youth Backpack
* HP External USB Optical Drive

Pricing and availability

The HP Mini 100e will be available worldwide in July. Pricing will be set on a per deal basis and is not expected to exceed $300 per unit.(8)
More information about the HP Mini 100e and its accessories, including product specifications and images, is available at www.hp.com/personal.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

(1) Includes reduced functionality versions of Word and Excel. Purchase of Product Key required to activate full Office 2010 suite available at participating resellers/retailers and www.office.com

(2) Wireless access point and internet service is required and is not included. Availability of public wireless access points limited.

(3) Ethernet cable not included. Internet service required.

(4) Internet access required

(5) Intel’s numbering is not a measurement of higher performance.

(6) Sold separately or as an optional feature.

(7) This system may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware and/or a DVD drive to install the Windows 7 software and take full advantage of Windows 7 functionality. See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ for details.

(8) Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary.

Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2010 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.