NetbookShow

You’ve probably read about quite a netbooks already that are getting upgrades to Atom N570 processors, so there’s no surprise that netbooks, on the whole, are rolling out with Atom N570 processor upgrades.

HP’s updated their Mini 110 and 210 netbooks with the new processor over in Japan, so you can expect the same updates soon on the Western markets.

Looking at the price of the Atom N550 HP Mini 110, with the same 1GB, 250GB and Windows 7 Starter – there’s roughly a $100 price difference (29,800 yen vs 39,800 yen) here. Not good value for pretty much what we would expect to be no appreciable difference in performance. Then again, we’ve seen both the dual core N550 and N570 models of the Acer Aspire One D255E go up for pre-order at Amazon.com for the same price of $330.

HP’s newest Mini 210 and 110 netbooks don’t offer any new specs but rather, two new design options. These include the “preppy pink” (need we say more?) Mini 210 and the white crystal Mini 110, a pattern reminiscent of the one on the Studio Tord Boontje Mini 110.

The preppy pink version, as you can see, has a plaid finish, that HP hopes will remind its female customers of the luxury brand Burberry. The company says it chose a richer, more pearlescent pink than, say, a hot pink hue. The idea is that women will find it more sophisticated (and, perhaps, even understated?) than a Barbie pink netbook. We agree that the combination of different, mauve-ier pinks is more pleasant to look at than solid hot pink, but that’s not saying much. As a woman, I still find pink netbooks condescending (and we know other women in the industry who would agree).

Say what you will about pink: HP did pay close attention to details. The touchpad mirrors the lid’s plaid pattern and the keys, as we said, have a pearly finish. The netbook comes with a girly Anime desktop background and even has a cute (but useless) cartoon-like icon stamped on the bottom.

This is completely subjective, of course, but we’re bigger fans of the Tord Boontje design, which we think both men and women will enjoy. From a far away it looks like a white, pearlescent netbook, but up close you can see it has a 3D in-mold design. Essentially, there’s a pattern laid over a solid lid, so you get the effect of a glossy, patterned lid, but without the fingerprints and glare. We’re glad HP is playing with this in-mold technique in more of its notebooks, including the new Pavilions. On the inside of this netbook, too, HP made sure the keyboard has a subtle sparkle, which we think is a nice touch.

The Mini 210 and Mini 110 start at $354 and $279, respectively, and will be available June 15.

HP Home & Home Office has now made available the 11.6” Mini 311 notebook and 10.1” HP Mini 110 netbooks with Windows 7.

For the HP Mini 311, upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium from XP Home is a $50 upgrade. For the HP Mini 110 series, the upgrade from XP Home to Windows 7 Starter costs $30. You can also upgrade to a 250GB HDD if you choose Windows 7 Starter.

There’s also the HP Mini 110 Tord Boontje Edition which only ships with Windows 7 Starter.

There’s also a whole other bunch of HP products with Windows 7. No sign of the 11.6” HP Pavilion DM1 though…