HP Mini 311, still the best?

[bork]

So last night my wife got yet-another virus on her netbook.  Her lack of English is a big problem to this; she'll go to various sites and get all kinds of crap that I've never heard of before.  Anyway, I decided that maybe it's time to go ahead and give her my Japanese MacBook, so there's no virus problems, and then get myself a nice netbook/PC desktop combo.  A few questions:

-Is the HP Mini 311 still the cream of the crop among netbooks?  I'm particularly interested in its resolution, HDMI output, and being able to do a little bit of (limited) gaming.
-Any issues running Windows 7 on it? 
-How well does it handle HD video?

Basically, I'd be using this netbook as my main computer for a little while until I build or buy a desktop.  It would be hooked up to an HD monitor.

[Van Cruncheon]

- yes, get the 1366x768 version and if there's an N4XX atom model get that, if not get the N280
- no, ran it for six months no with no complaints
- passably, i have watched numerous 720p divx rips on it

[Smooth Groove]

So last night my wife got yet-another virus on her netbook.  Her lack of English is a big problem to this; she'll go to various sites and get all kinds of crap that I've never heard of before. 

You actually believed her when she claimed to have accidentally found Blackzilla while looking for Godzilla? 

[Van Cruncheon]

if you have $800ish, get the alienware m11x netbook, using a low-voltage dual-core c2d and an nvidia 335 gpu

[Smooth Groove]

Get a SSD as well.  Frag is spot-on that it's one of the sweetest upgrades ever. 

[bork]

- yes, get the 1366x768 version and if there's an N4XX atom model get that, if not get the N280
- no, ran it for six months no with no complaints

I'm not seeing the N4XX atom option on HP's site, just N270 and N280.  Is it worth the $25 extra to go from 1.60 to 1.66Ghz?

How much RAM would you recommend, and can you put the RAM in easily yourself, like with the Asus EEE models?

- passably, i have watched numerous 720p divx rips on it

So, no go on 1080P rips?  (This would be on an external monitor if that means anything)

Get a SSD as well.  Frag is spot-on that it's one of the sweetest upgrades ever. 

Well, price is a bit of an issue.  I'll be going all out on whatever desktop I get later on, but for the netbook, I want to keep things cheap. 

[AdmiralViscen]

Win7 runs fine and I have the N270 because the N280 is only available direct from HP.com. I got a 2GB stick of Ram that snaps right in on the bottom, 3GB total.

[Smooth Groove]

I think you can get a 30 to 40 GB SSD for around $100.  That's enough for an OS and a bunch of programs.  

Also, it'd probably lead to less problems down the road.  Based on anecdotal evidence, I'd say that laptop hard drives are quite prone to dying.  

If your wife needs more storage capacity, you can just get her one of those mini, portable HDs that only need an USB cable for power.  Mini portable drives have gotten way cheaper.  I saw a 750 gb at Costco for $100.  

[bork]

Win7 runs fine and I have the N270 because the N280 is only available direct from HP.com. I got a 2GB stick of Ram that snaps right in on the bottom, 3GB total.

Good to know!  That makes buying it off Amazon more tempting, although I notice the HD the Amazon model comes with is 5400 RPM, whereas on HP's site it's 7200 RPM.

I think you can get a 30 to 40 GB SSD for around $100.  That's enough for an OS and a bunch of programs.  

Also, it'd probably lead to less problems down the road.  Based on anecdotal evidence, I'd say that laptop hard drives are quite prone to dying.  

If your wife needs more storage capacity, you can just get her one of those mini, portable HDs that only need an USB cable for power.  Mini portable drives have gotten way cheaper.  I saw a 750 gb at Costco for $100.  

This would be for me; I'm going to give the wife my MacBook.  I have an external HD already so that's not an issue, but I'd be fine with the SATA 7200RPM 160GB drive they include.  We've had several netbooks in the past and have had no problems with the drives.  Money is a little tight because I'm not working right now (finishing school this week and will start the job hunt then!).

[bork]

Yeah I think I am going to get it from Amazon if I get this netbook...my MacBook's HD is 5400 RPM anyway.  The difference is $100 if I get it from HP...$60 for tax and shipping.   

[Cormacaroni]

Can someone recap Frag's views on the SSD? I keep hearing contradictory reports on these damn things. One guy I trust (who is an IT hardware manager for a big firm) hated his because of stuttering.

[Van Cruncheon]

i believe the intel x25-m lacks the stuttering issues

[pilonv1]

I'm going to need a new netbook soon, my EEE PC 900 crapped out over the weekend. Part of the underside the size of a dime has melted

Will check out the 311

[Cormacaroni]

i believe the intel x25-m lacks the stuttering issues

...and otherwise rocks?

[bork]

Holy shit, the Asus EEE PC 1201N looks like it blows everything else out of the water!     Under $500.

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

the dual core Atom doesn't give a significant jump in performance FYI, at least according to the reviews I've read. Plus it has shittier batt life compared to the 311.

This is actually the KING of the netbook class right now:
http://www.amazon.com/UL30Vt-X1-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Windows-Premium/dp/B002XZLURC

[Van Cruncheon]

the dual core Atom doesn't give a significant jump in performance FYI, at least according to the reviews I've read. Plus it has shittier batt life compared to the 311.

This is actually the KING of the netbook class right now:
http://www.amazon.com/UL30Vt-X1-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Windows-Premium/dp/B002XZLURC

the alienware isn't much more, and spanks it

also 13", ew

[bork]

the dual core Atom doesn't give a significant jump in performance FYI, at least according to the reviews I've read. Plus it has shittier batt life compared to the 311.

This is actually the KING of the netbook class right now:
http://www.amazon.com/UL30Vt-X1-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Windows-Premium/dp/B002XZLURC

It seems to be better than the 311 from videos I've seen; it's running games decently that the 311 runs pretty choppy.  $749 is getting up there too...that Asus you posted doesn't even seem to be in the netbook class!  Although I'm going to use whatever I get as my main PC for a bit, it's only temporary until I get a desktop, and then the netbook will just be used for on-the-go stuff.

the dual core Atom doesn't give a significant jump in performance FYI, at least according to the reviews I've read. Plus it has shittier batt life compared to the 311.

This is actually the KING of the netbook class right now:
http://www.amazon.com/UL30Vt-X1-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Windows-Premium/dp/B002XZLURC

the alienware isn't much more, and spanks it

also 13", ew

Yeah, that does kind of defeat the purpose of it being a netbook.     That Alienware is what, $800?  For that much I'd rather just get a regular laptop.  I'm looking to pay less.  Even $500 is pushing it.

[cool breeze]

the alienware m11x is a regular laptop, just around the size of a netbook and with good gaming performance.  supposed to have a great battery life too.

[bork]

the alienware m11x is a regular laptop, just around the size of a netbook and with good gaming performance.  supposed to have a great battery life too.

How is it compared to the Republic Of Gamers laptop?  I customized one, and as usual, after adding all the stuff I'd want/need, the price goes up a couple hundred bucks.  I used to own a pretty powerful $3,000+ Alienware laptop in the mid 00's, and it was a real bitch to lug around, plus the battery life sucked, so it's good to see that things have improved.  But I don't need something so powerful.  I would really like to stick with a desktop/netbook combo...I think I am done with laptops for a while.

[bork]

I'm getting the Mini 311 from HP after all, so better specs n' all that, yay.  Turns out that my parents decided to get it for me as a graduation/early birthday present, so I was able to get a few extras like an external DVD-RW, and I don't have to drop a dime.  Going to have to order extra RAM from crucial; would have just configured it from HP but I don't need Windows 7 Home (I have Professional already) and they won't let you upgrade the RAM or hard drive if you don't pay extra for 7.  I'm fine with 160GB though.  Gonna go buy another external HD anyway.

[bork]

This is beginning to get nutty.  My father just told me that he decided to change the order and throw Windows 7 on there and have it ship with 3GB of RAM.  (I'll pay for the changes.)  With shipping that comes to $683.  Getting close to that Alienware price now.

HP Mini 311
• Black Swirl
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
• Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N280 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2, 667 Mhz FSB) with NVIDIA ION graphics
• 3GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
• 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
• 11.6" diagonal HD LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1366 x 768)
• External Tray LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
• HP Mini Webcam
• Wireless-N Card
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
• HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

[TEEEPO]

might as well get a asus ul series laptop.

[bork]

might as well get a asus ul series laptop.

I looked at the newer model ASUS series at a store...don't like the touchpads they use now.  Plus it doesn't have HDMI out.  Is the GMA 4500 it uses better than the ION?  The size difference certainly doesn't seem to be big at all.  I think I'll be more than fine with what I'm getting; seems like the Mini will be able to do everything I want plus I can screw around with some games, as opposed to my Mac which wasn't the greatest even with older titles.

[brawndolicious]

I thinkgma 4500 is a little weaker but it runs Souce engine games all right.

[bork]

I thinkgma 4500 is a little weaker but it runs Souce engine games all right.

Doesn't matter anyway; the second Mini is already in production.  The first one already shipped (like a week early); hope it doesn't cost too much to return it.   

[TEEEPO]

might as well get a asus ul series laptop.

I looked at the newer model ASUS series at a store...don't like the touchpads they use now.  Plus it doesn't have HDMI out.  Is the GMA 4500 it uses better than the ION?  The size difference certainly doesn't seem to be big at all.  I think I'll be more than fine with what I'm getting; seems like the Mini will be able to do everything I want plus I can screw around with some games, as opposed to my Mac which wasn't the greatest even with older titles.

[youtube=560,345]qCYRO9MvAv0[/youtube]

you can switch between the integrated intel graphic chipset and a nvidia g210.

[bork]

Looks very nice, but it's a full-on notebook and it's 14".  That's larger than the notebook I have now.  Good price though; it spanks my MacBook (big surprise!) and costs less. 

It's too bad Vaios are kinda shitty and/or not worth the price; I kinda like that little widescreen netbook Sony put out, although the screen wasn't very impressive.  They have a newer one now with an insanely high screen resolution, but it still is supposed to suck and is $1,000, LOL.

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

then get the alienware!

[bork]

then get the alienware!

   I am already getting the HP Mini 311!  The better-configured one.  I wouldn't get that Alienware anyway....it's too fucking ugly.  I've learned my lesson with laptops and that's why I want to go with a powerful fully upgradable desktop plus netbook combo this time around.