Behold the HP Mini 311! Powerhouse Netbook!

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptop/hp-mini-311.aspx?page=1' target='_blank'>http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lap...311.aspx?page=1</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"When is a netbook not a netbook? PC makers have been looking to expand the definition of these systems by outfitting them with larger screens and bigger batteries, but one constant has remained: a low-powered processor that limits their use to surfing the Web, checking e-mail, editing documents, and watching standard-def video."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1254999151.usr20447.png" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Laptop Magazine is one of the first publications to get a review of the eagerly anticipated HP Mini 311 out of the gate.&nbsp; The HP Mini represents one of the first NVidia ION powered netbooks to come to market.&nbsp; The review covers all the details you need to know about the sweet little device, and yes, it plays games faster than in slide show mode, and yes, it is capable of 1080p video, provided you are playing back something that is GPU accelerated (Flash 10.1 cannot come early enough!) and yes, it can even do video editing at a reasonable speed.&nbsp; Unfortunately, I see two things that could potentially make the Mini 311 less attractive.&nbsp; First, with a 11.6" screen, the Mini 311 comes dangerously close to entering the notebook market.&nbsp; This is probably on purpose though, since people are finding lilliputian screens hard to watch for an extended period of time.&nbsp; Second, why, oh why does it have a single core CPU?&nbsp; Still, at a launch price of $399, it is really hard to knock this beauty and it will probably find its way into many homes soon.</p>

[ptyork]

Hooch, you and I think quite alike. You hit just about all of my pros and cons here, especially regarding the need for Flash 10.1 and the desire for the dual-core Atom option (not like it is all that much more expensive). However, I'm definitely one that believes that the 11.6" screen is a positive. Yeah, it blurs lines (always have been blurry IMO), but like it or not, these are becoming the new common-man's laptops. I see them cropping up everywhere here where I teach. The small screens are a major liability and I like to see them creeping up in size and resolution.

[gdoerr56]

I ordered one of these last week along an Intel X18-M and 2 GB of RAM to go with it. I use a small laptop for travel and in meetings for note taking, email and general business stuff and a full size in my office for things that require a bit more grunt.

I'm currently using an XPS 1330 that this will replace. Going from a 13" screen to the 11.6" won't be much of a loss and the 311 has slightly better resolution. The reduction in weight is important enough to me to offset the CPU. Besides, I expect with more RAM and the SSD that I won't be able to tell the difference between the two.

I'll post my initial impressions when it arrives...hopefully in two weeks or less.

[Jason Dunn]

I think the 311 is going to be a raging success for HP, especially once it comes with Windows 7, and maybe 2 GB of RAM...the dual-core CPU would be nice, but for average tasks on a netbook, I don't think most people would notice or care. The real issue is whether or not the licensing for Windows 7 Basic will allow for a dual-core Atom CPU...

[sundown]

I can see myself buying this but not until it comes with Windows 7.

[Jason Dunn]

I can see myself buying this but not until it comes with Windows 7.

Yeah, same here...it's odd how many new netbooks are coming out right before Windows 7...?

[Hooch Tan]

However, I'm definitely one that believes that the 11.6" screen is a positive. Yeah, it blurs lines (always have been blurry IMO), but like it or not, these are becoming the new common-man's laptops.

I think a larger screen is nice as well, but its getting to the point where it defeats the purpose of a netbook, being something tiny and light that can just do "casual" work. Any bigger, and I start having the expectation of having a more powerful CPU.

As for dual vs single cpu, I have to admit that I strongly favour a dual-core solution if only for when something goes wrong and there's a runaway process that cripples your computer!

[gdoerr56]

So the FedEx man delivered my shiny new HP Mini 311 this morning and much to my surprise, it uses a 2.5" drive, not a 1.8. Fortunately, my 1.8" SSD did not ship yet so I was able to cancel that and use my X-25 instead.

With the SSD, Windows 7 and 3 GB installed, the unit is perfect for surfing, email and general office connectivity applications. My Verizon mifi arrives tomorrow so I'll be all road-warriored up for my trip to SF next week.

I think I'm going to stop by Best Buy on the way home tonight and pick up the Kensington AC/Air/USb adapter for the road. I'll post something when I return on my impressions.

[chiefjohnny]

What I really like about the Mini 311 is the price, a starting price of $399 is very cheap for a netbook like this. I also think that devices with screen size below 13" are acceptable as netbooks, so the 11.6" screen of the 311 is fine for me. I am going to compare some netbooks (http://www.netbooklaptopreviews.com/netbook-reviews/) before I decide but the Mini 311 is definitely a top candidate.