Netbook Review UK

HP / Compaq Mini 311

The HP (Compaq here in the UK) Mini 311 netbook is one of the first to be powered by Nvidia’s new Ion LE chipset.  What Nvidia Ion does is replace the distinctly mediocre Intel GMA graphics that powers most netbook displays and replaces it with an Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics chip alongside the standard Intel Atom processor.  The result, we’ve been promised, should deliver smooth high definition 1080p video playback and editing.

Well, the folks at Laptop Magazine have been able to get their hands on an early review unit.  They found that the machine scores much higher than any other netbook tested and predictably does especially well in video performance. In their blog post here, they compare the HP/Compaq Mini 311 to other netbooks, and even higher powered ‘thin and light’ laptops.  The result – the little Mini 311 netbook trounces the CULV and Atom powered netbooks and thin and lights and even comes very close to the $2000 Macbook Air’s performance.

These early test results are very promising and we can’t wait for Windows 7  to launch on Oct 22nd so we can start reveiwing a new slew of Ion powered netbooks.  Check out the full blog post here.