HP are preparing for the launch of their next generation laptop products, including the new HP Mini 311, a netbook that will come with the new Nvidia ION LE graphics platform. On the HP website we now have links to two HP Mini 311 models, the 311-1011TU and the 311-1012TU. No price is published on the site yet but other mininote blogs are saying that models will start at $399.
Here’s my initial take on the specs published.
Pro’s:
- 11.6″ HP LED Widescreen Display (1366 x 768)
- 6-Cell Battery
- HDMI
- 3 USBs
- Price - starting at $399
Con’s:
- No Gigabit NIC, only 10/100
- No Wireless N, only b/g
- Heavier than I expected at 1.46 kg (3.2 lbs)
What’s interesting is HP have decided to ship this laptop with Windows XP Home, in advance of the Windows 7 launch (probably with a free upgrade when 7 becomes available). Both Samsung & Lenovo are waiting until the Windows 7 launch to bring their ION based products to market.
I must admit I’m tempted.
Brad over at Liliputing reported that the Asus Eee PC has recently won two awards, PC Pro Hardware of the year, and Stuff Magazine PC Gadget of the year (both UK publications). It was good to see the Asus beating out the Apple MacBook Air (I love my MacBook Pro, but the Air was a disappointment) in the PC Pro Award, and Asus being given the credit by Stuff magazine for defining a whole new genre of computers, the Netbook.
Congratulations again Asus, may you continue to innovate for many years to come.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been traveling and not had access to a printer, but for those of you who might travel to more exotic or less hospitable locations the PlanOn Printstik looks like a worthy portable printing companion. Weighing in at just 1.5lbs, including the paper cartridge and with dimensions of just 1″x10.75″x1.5″ it looks like the perfect match for your mini-note. At $25 for three print cartridges, each giving you 20 full pages (!) you better make sure your printing something mighty important. Julie at The Gadgeter has the full review.
Techbargains.com (a favorite site of mine) have put together a list of the different mini notebooks that are available today, or available for pre-order. They include the Asus EEE, HP Mini-note, MSI Wind (pre-order) & Acer Aspire One (pre-order). With the list they have include some basic specifications and a link to where the product can be ordered or the appropriate price grabber page.
