HP Mini 311-1000NR
4 expert reviews - 0 user reviews
Follow
0
0
Want it
0
Have it
0
Had it
0
We have collected 4 reviews of the HP Mini 311-1000NR. Experts rate HP Mini 311-1000NR 7.5/10. Reviewsor.com helps you find reviews, best prices, user reviews of the HP Mini 311-1000NR and HP Netbooks.
- Writh a review
- Say something
- Ask a question
- Get support
HP Mini 311-1000NR Reviews
HP Mini 311 Ion-Based Netbook Review
HP's Mini range of netbooks have been well respected in the industry, and while they were never as instrumental as Asus in the explosion of the netbook as a whole, they've really managed to nail their niche. From the start, the HP Mini was one of the most fashionable netbook lines out there, boasting subtle curves, a uniform keyboard, gorgeous styling cues and a larger-than-average trackpad. By and large, the Mini lineup hasn't changed too much since its introduction, but that has mainly been the case because Windows XP was pretty much the only operating system available for it (Linux alternatives notwithstanding). Couple that with the limited Atom CPU lineup and the struggle to keep costs down, and we're left with a colorful line of machines that don't actually differ much from one another, save for designs and accents. Now, there are two major reasons to pay close attention to the Mini 311. It may follow the prior Minis in terms of size and style, but it's the differences within that promise to make this a new, refreshed machine. For starters, HP has loaded Windows 7 onto this machine. We waited for what felt like forever to finally have Windows 7 available for netbooks, and we can confess that it really adds a touch of style and functionality compared to older models with XP.
HP Mini 311
Up until now, we’ve been hesitant to recommend 3G netbooks sold through wireless carriers or retailers. We like the convenience of built-in mobile broadband, but $59.99 per month is a lot pay for connectivity on a secondary PC. The HP Mini 311 is different. This 11.6-inch netbook ($199 through Verizon Wireless with a two-year contract and $100 online discount) not only has a bigger screen than other subsidized models, but it features Nvidia Ion graphics, providing plenty of muscle for Windows 7 Premium. Ion also gives you the ability to enjoy high-definition video and mainstream games, and you can even edit movies at a pretty fast clip. This version of the Mini 311 has shorter battery life than its XP cousin, but if you want a slick ultraportable that lets you connect anywhere, it’s a good choice. The Mini 311 combines elements from several of HP’s larger notebooks: its black lid (also available in white) bears HP’s Swirl pattern. A black speaker grille unobtrusively lines the front edge of the chassis, and the silver deck, keyboard, and touchpad remind us of the company’s Pavilion Series. Measuring 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.3 inches, the Mini 311 is roughly the same size as the Acer Aspire 1410 and the MSI Wind U210.
HP Mini 311
The Netbook wars have heated up, with PC makers adding upscale features such as larger HD displays and faster low-voltage CPUs to systems, in an effort for push prices up past the usual $299-$399 range. We've seen HD Netbooks from Sony and others, usually with prices closer to $599, so we're excited to see HP's new Mini 311 packing in an 11.6-inch, 1,366x768 screen, as well as Nvidia's Ion graphics chip, all starting at $399. You're still stuck with the same Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP, but that's typical for a $399 Netbook. Our review unit added the slightly faster Atom N280 CPU, an optional white lid design, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, for a total of $494. The real payoff is in the Nvidia Ion, which, while not a true discrete GPU, offers enough power to play HD video files smoothly (a sticking point for Netbooks), as well as do some basic gaming. For non-graphics tasks, it won't affect performance much (and GPU support for Flash video, such as Hulu, is still a work in progress), but it does solve some of the frustrations associated with Netbooks, without driving up the price.
HP Mini 311-1000NR
We're still testing it, but so far the first Ion netbook delivers on its promise: The first affordable netbook that can support games and HD video has arrived. Commuting to work this morning, I was playing Left 4 Dead on HP's Mini 311-1000NR--that's right, on a netbook. Few netbooks are up to that task, and HP is first to market with an nVidia Ion-based portable. The 3.22-pound, 11.4-by-8.0-by-1.2-inch Mini 311-1000NR has a reasonable amount of power and a $399 asking price. (Our review unit, as configured, sells for $450 as of October 5, 2009.). What's Ion? If you've somehow missed the reams of stories I've already written about the Ion platform, here's the executive summary: For netbooks or nettops, it marries an Intel Atom CPU (in this case, the 1.66GHz N280) to an nVidia Ion LE GPU, yielding more-powerful, affordable machines that can output high-def video and even allow you to play some games. Also fueling this machine are 1GB of RAM and a 160GB 5400-rpm hard drive--standard-issue netbook guts. Unfortunately, we don't yet know exactly how much additional juice the Mini 311-1000NR delivers--we're conducting our WorldBench 6 lab tests as I write this--but we do have some preliminary results.
-
HP Mini 311-1000NR : (7.5/10)
4 expert reviews
0 user reviews
-
Samsung NC10 : (9.4/10)
3 expert reviews
0 user reviews
-
LG 50PS80 : (7/10)
1 expert reviews
0 user reviews
-
Ricoh CX3 : (8/10)
1 expert reviews
0 user reviews
