HP Mini 311 with ION benchmarked: it goes very fast
We've already seen the NVIDIA ION-based HP Mini 311 perform impressively during demos, but now that the netbook is hitting reviewers it's time for some real benchmarks -- and according to the crew at Laptop, they're more than solid. The 311 scored a 1,917 on the PCMark 05 test, almost 500 points above the average netbook, and put up a scorching 1,386 in the 3DMark06 test -- 1,200 points over the netbook average, and basically the same score as a MacBook Air. That's not too surprising, seeing as ION is just a netbook-oriented variant of the GeForce 9400M, but it's still rather impressive -- and combined with 1080p video playback, the potential for some light gaming, and (eventually) ION-accelerated Flash, we'd say the Mini 311 is looking like a real contender.
























Then why'd you post?
Because he doesn't care so much that he cares enough to tell us how much he doesn't care.
At least you could say you dislike it, or like it. Just go away
I can buy three semi-pimped 311s for the price of a MBA.
One for my TV's media player (using the HDMI port).
One for traveling anywhere.
One as a gift, or as a backup in case one of the other two breakdown.
That is worth its weight in gold.
under1.2kg + 1366x768 + Ion + VIA = Sale
anyone know what the max ram on this guy is? will it ship with win7 instead in the next 2-3 weeks?
Max ram is still unknown, although on an Asian version of the HP website, the max ram for the 311c is stated as 3GB. It is using DDR3 1066 ram BTW.
And for the Windows 7 question, most early bloggers/reviewers received the Mini 311 with Windows7 install. So, to answer your question, most definitely.
i digg it and the macbook air mention is the first gen macbook air prices round 800$
so dont make a big deal of it .
first gen u say hmmm
"The Mini 311 is 501 points better than the overall ultraportable average. In fact, this system has an almost identical 3DMark06 score to the latest MacBook Air ($1,995.84)."
If it is, like 5 pts off from the latest MacBook Air, how do you think it did against the 1st Gen MacBook Air? LogicFail.
@ portugal
Did you even read the article? It went up against the latest MacBook Air and scored the same. This thing could blow the 1st gen MBA to hell, and for $400 less too.
VERY big deal.
In my opinion, the HP Mini is THE nicest netbook out there, both in price, looks, and feel (this current iteration with the track pad buttons below).
This just seals the deal.
Too bad I still have an AAOne, or I would be picking this up in a heart beat. Maybe next year.
Chance Stevns - It's ok, just return W7, you're not forced to buy it even if it's included with the laptop you want; they will shave a part of the price off. Windows XP Home is even being sold for 25 euros in some places, so you can always go with that.
Ruben - sorry i posted this under the wrong topic ;)
Any idea if they will start selling this with Win7 at the end of the month? I've been waiting for an ION netbook to be released before I upgrade from my apsire one (the WiFi is annoying the hell out of me) and while it's relatively easy to instal Win7 on it, I'd rather just get it pre-installed.
The problem is that the price is going up once Windows 7 comes out. I believe the price goes up to $479. At $399, this is actually the best value available on a netbook. It has a decent sized battery, and 11.6 inch screen, great resolution and ION means that it'll stream video like it's no one's business.
You can check it out more here:http://www.netbookreports.com/2009/09/hp-mini-311-series-now-available-from-399/
Even better, for a limited time they are giving away the extended 12 cell battery for an extra $49 bucks.
atom 330 or the newer triple core atom = sold
Won't happen. At least not while Intel and Microsoft continue to define the limits of netbook hardware.
I saw one at a Fry's.
This one is too big for my tastes.
Waiting for an affordable 10" Ion-based netbook with the 1366x768 resolution.
apple tablet will crush all the netbook from the face off the earth
including this one.
....................huh?
Someone needs a hug.
"I'll take this Apple tablet here"
Salesperson "OK, That will be 1 liver please"
"Is there any other from of payment?"
Salesperson "Well I can understand that you need your liver to live. Hmmmm. How about your house? How much is it worth?"
"It's worth about $400,000"
Salesperson "Well we'll offer you a trade, your house for this fantastic bottom-of-the-line tablet"
"Well.......... I'm not sure"
Salesperson "BUT LOOK IT'S SHINY!"
"I'LL TAKE IT!"
So... when can I get a Geforce 9400M + CULV?
"seeing as ION is just a netbook-oriented variant of the GeForce 9400M"
ION IS 9400M ! The ION brand name is simply a 9400M with a CPU socket to fit an Atom, it's not a mystery but does seem to point to this blogger really not understanding the technology at all.
Usual old Engadget eh ?
"The ION brand name is simply a 9400M with a CPU socket to fit an Atom,"
so in other words, ION is a netbook orientated variant of the 9400M?
Its appropriate here http://www.comixed.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/128977458000861231.jpg
It's using the ION LE so it only supports DX9 but other than that they are look to be essentially the same.
my concern is not about the socket, but that it is nettop oriented too. In fact it was there first. the netbooks are only now being released with ion.
Imo this feels "fast" simply because the standard netbook comes with the stupid old GMA950. Obviously Ion is light years ahead of that.
Great release regarding the the consumers; bad day for Intel.
HP is killing it with these new releases. Too bad I bought a Mini 1000 last year as this one sounds right up my alley. I guess I'll have to settle for the Envy 15.
You have either not read or failed to comprehend the 3 or 4 Envy reviews that all panned it. Also HP is in the far back tier for customer service and support and have actually lost ground in that regard the last couple years. So yes they are killing it but not the way you think.
Though this netbook doesn't have the air's c2d, has half the ram, etc. NOBODY CARES. The price is right. Less than $600 WITH an external DVDRW drive.
The overpriced macbook air is not a netbook. It's just a really thin macbook with no dvdrw, and one usb port... How stupid is that?! It does look and feel really nice though. damn you apple
I may pick this up for my mom if it's reasonably priced.
OMG. BEST ENGADGET COMMENT EVER.
I have hands and fingers of a giant. Netbook keyboards are way too small for me. They are also too big for my feet.
some of us don't have sausages for fingers.
Equal to a macbook air? Come on people, seriously... A real CPU, MultiTouch trackpad (its awesome), no fans, best support with on the spot fixes, full size keyboard, backlit keys...
This is not equal to a mackbook air, its not even fair to compare them to each other. They are intended for different markets.
Also..the dope from Laptop Magazine is comparing it to the Air of two years ago not the current models. A lot has changed in two years.
Obviously you fail where it states "current generation Macbook Air"
"N900 @ Oct 5th 2009 8:26PM
@ portugal
Did you even read the article? It went up against the latest MacBook Air and scored the same. This thing could blow the 1st gen MBA to hell, and for $400 less too.
VERY big deal."
You obviously didn't read the article. I mean the original article not Nilays usual cut and paste hack job of an article written by someone else. The original article was comparing it to the 2 year old 1st Gen MacBook Air and only scored roughly the same in one area. Which is not surprising considering how quickly hardware advances. But go ahead and try to make yourself believe this is the same thing.
How "original" are we talking here? When you click the read link, it takes about 5 seconds to find the line...
"The Mini 311 is 501 points better than the overall ultraportable average. In fact, this system has an almost identical 3DMark06 score to the latest MacBook Air ($1,995.84)."
Are you just trying to deliberately confuse people or ...?
Actually the writer of the article addresses this discrepancy in the comments section...
K. T. Bradford Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Darwin – actually, we compared it to the most recent MacBook Air. I think a wrong link may have snuck in, but click it now, you’ll see the 2009 test results.
So... It can be neener neener neener tiemz?
my 2 will be showing up in a week (didn't spring for fast shipping)
will check out full capabilities firsthand before ordering more of em :D
does anyone know if this pcmark was with 1 gb of ram or 2 gb, seeing as you can't configure this for anymore than 1 gb on the hp site?
I have a Macbook Air, guess haters hate cuz they don't have the cash to shell for one, ignorant nubs. This 311 looks pretty interesting with that nvidia gfx, definitely want to see these moving onto more netbooks soon. HP has an ultraportable (DV2) 12 incher with 4 gb ram and ATI 512meg (works great, I've got one of those sitting on my desk too) and depending which model start at around 599.99 if you're looking for some "ultraportable" gaming experience that is.
Going back to the 311, my only peeve is i've been expecting more 10 inch screens to have better than 1024 resolution, 1200x800 perhaps or something sick like 1366x768 like on my Vaio P.
Anyways with Windows 7 out, touchscreens are where to go, where is that Viliv Blade already :)
Wow i'm on crack, guess i should avoid multitasking multiple comments. This 311 does have good resolution on it's 11.6 (for some reason I mixed it up thinking it was a 10.1), anyways happy to see that, though still sticking to my comments that I would like to see manufacturer increase res on 10.1 inch.
How do you guys feel about these 11.6 netbook um ultraportables? Too close to 12.1inch? Again, i think the DV2 almost competes with this model, not that much more in $, but hardware (except for the similar 1.6 Neo AMD processor) kicks ass with up to 4 gig ram and 512 ATI built-in HD card.
Still laughing at the Macbook Air comments. Why don't we start talking shit about how a Kia Soul at compares to a Mercedes Benz GLK.
How long before we can get OS X on this?
I'd like to know this as well. I'm looking to get into the hackintosh game with one of the new ION netbooks.
Yeah, these machines are pretty much identical to a Macbook Air but much cheaper. When I say 'pretty much' you have to ignore the obvious Core 2 Duo processor that is 3-5 times faster than the Atom and the Unibody solid metal enclosure and the high quality display. Just ignore those things as they are 'style' elements for iSheep.
When you spec up the HP you can get it to be decent for just $574 whereas a Macbook Air would set you back $1499. How stupid would I feel to be walking round with a fruit-logo machine when I can be smarter by buying the cheapest, lowest performance machines around. I must tell everyone how smart I am and how unintelligent the iSheep are.