The Internet is at the center of modern life keeping you connected and informed through email, IMs, RSS feeds, social networking sites and Search. Keeping up often requires time shifting with companion devices like netbooks. Powered by energy-efficient Intel Atom processors, the HP Mini 311 is optimized for Web access and can handle standard productivity apps - but is light enough to carry everywhere at just 3.22 lbs. Its 16:9 11.6-Inch diagonal HD LED BrightView display makes viewing HD content and two documents side by side possible. The 92% of full-size keyboard enables much more efficient and comfortable use than texting (or typing on smartphone keyboards) for most. The touchpad has buttons at the bottom for intuitive use. The HP Mini 311 is the perfect device for staying productive, informed, in touch and entertained on the go. 

 

The 11.6-inch display on the 311 has a resolution of 1366 x 768, which makes it easier to view Web pages and documents without having to scroll. The glossy display has excellent horizontal viewing angles; we could see the screen clearly from nearly 90 degrees to either side, though tilting the screen forward resulted in a rather quick image reversal.

Along the front edge of the system is a black speaker grille that hides Altec Lansing stereo speakers; they provide better sound than we’re used to from netbooks. While listening to Oasis’ “Live Forever,” sound was on the tinny side, but we heard much more bass than is typical of systems this size. Still, they were adequately loud; we could hear them from a few feet away without straining.

 

There’s no surprises when it comes to the port selection on the Mini 311. On the left side is a USB and HDMI port; on the right is Ethernet, VGA, two USB, headphones, and a 3-in-1 memory card reader.

 

Specifications

 

Processor: Intel® Atom™ Processor N280 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2, 667Mhz FSB)

Memory: 2GB (1066DDR3) / max to 4GB* DDR3 Memory (2048 x 1 pc)

Hard Disk: 160GB

Display: 11.6” HD LED (1366 x 768)

Optical Drive: External Lightscribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support

Bluetooth: Yes

Wireless: 802.11b/g

Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Starter

Audio: Altec Lansing Internal Speakers

Network Interface: Integrated 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 Connector)

Ports: 3 USB 2.0, VGA, Headphone out / Microphone in combo jack, HDMI

Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion battery (4-5 hours)

Weight: 1.46kg approx.