Last time HP and Vivienne Tam worked together on a netbook, it was just a stock HP netbook with a pretty desigin on the lid. This time, I predict the same.

All we know so far is that sometime during New York Fashion week, which is happening right now, HP will announce the new “digital clutch” that’s inspired by the Chinese love story “Butterfly Lovers.” But we don’t know when that will be or what type of netbook it will be. Hopefully this time around HP finds some way to make the model stand above the rest of its netbooks. Idk how, but I’m hoping HP does.

So the blogosphere is a buzz because someone found a BRAND NEW Mini series from HP. The fact of the matter is that it’s not an entirely new series. It’s still based on the Mini 1000 series but it now has an ExpressCard slot, which I don’t think is that big of a deal. Everything else is the same based on spec sheets. There are four new SKUs in the 1100 series with one being a Vivienne Tam edition. I can’t quite wrap my head around HP’s nomenclature at the moment so I can’t tell you which SKU will replace which existing product. But I assume it will consist of a Mi, XP, and WWAN version. I already know that one of them is the “Digital Clutch” because it says so in the “What’s In The Box” section.

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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.

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?

Vivienne Tam’s ornate little HP notebook debuted in September during fashion week and it was supposed to launch in October, but Glam’s Tech Chic site is now saying that the Vivienne Tam Edition will be out in December. We’re still not sure on the specs, but we do know that it will have an Intel Atom proc. And I’d say it’s a safe bet that the screen size is 10-inches after having seen it in-person a couple months ago. Our resident netbook expert suggests the following specs:

It’s Fashion Week here in NYC and that means tons of models and plenty of parties to crash. Tonight, HP and Vivienne Tam introduced the HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook. It will launch in October, but no other details were disclosed and I’d say it’s somewhere between eight and 10-inches. Oh, it comes with a “complementary embroidered storage sleeve.” Designer Vivienne Tam had this to say,

“When I was approached by HP to create a special edition notebook, I could see the design in my head instantly. The notebook is a true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology. I wanted to create a notebook that would appeal to women of all ages, ethnicities and income levels across the globe.”