Shootout: What’s The Best Ion Netbook?

December 23rd, 2009 by K. T. Bradford  

And the Winner Is…

EeePC-WinnerThanks in large part to its dual-core processor, the ASUS Eee PC 1201N won 4 out of 7 rounds, so it’s obviously the best choice is your priority is performance. However, you get less than 4 hours of battery life, which could be a turn-off for some. The 1201N also has a narrow singular touchpad button. If you can deal with these tradeoffs, consumers looking for a powerful, fast, and gaming-worthy Ion netbook will be happy to own this netbook. Click here for our full review.

HPMini-WinnerThe HP Mini 311 is just as strong a contender, but for different reasons. This is the superior machine when it comes to design and ergonomic comfort, plus it lasts nearly five hours on a charge (and even longer if you get the Windows XP version). And while the Mini 311 doesn’t have a dual-core CPU, it scored high in our graphics and video transcoding tests. Click here for the full review.

The bottom line: Get the Eee PC 1201N if you want the fastest netbook, and get the Mini 311 if you want a better mix of graphics power and endurance.




Comments (3 Responses) 

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3 Responses to “Shootout: What’s The Best Ion Netbook?”

  1. Rogue Says:
    May 7th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    After reading the article, I don’t agree with that the Mini-311 is all it’s cracked up to be.Yeah I know it didn’t win, clearly it was the 2nd place champion. But I just wanna say, it’s the FPS that is the proof in the pudding for an ion netbook. Usability of the tool chosen for the job. When you’re watching a 1080p video, the fps will matter, not the keyboard or the ergonomics. When you’re gaming in WoW, even my 10″ ASUS 1005HA-PU17 has enough keyoard to be comfortable enough with a usb mouse attached.. The ASUS battery life is 1 hr less than the 311, not worthy of making a point. You won’t be raiding an instance for hours on a plane..you’ll do it in an airport at the laptop tables, in the admirals club, or at the lounge..or more commonly in a hotel room..all attached to an outlet. Or even if not, running on battery, unless you’ve chosen a flight with a 6hour layover..or decided to trek the kids across BFE..4 hour life at full gaming speed is more than hefty at this performance level. The ASUS EeePC 1201n is the blowout winner.

  2. Edwin Doherty Says:
    July 16th, 2010 at 7:27 pm

    I have had the Samsung Rogue since Jan 7th, it previously worked good until about a couple of months ago. my phone doesn’t receive texts messages until about 20-30 mins after the other person sent them. almost all of the time i will get multiple messages at once, when i do get them. whenever i send a image message occasionally it will send just fine and other occasions it may take a few minutes, hours, or a day to get to the other person. i have heard of others having issues with their phone randomly turning off, mine does that too. my first samsung rogue got so bad i had to get a replacement, that was almost 2 weeks ago. I am still having the same problems with my new one! I am so disappointed, i just want to get a new type of phone. i payed retail for the rogue and am so mad that it turned out to be a crappy phone :/ just my rant…

  3. Andrew Says:
    August 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 am

    Disagree with Rogue on the simple fact that the Mini 311 has an incredible community at MyHPMini which have developed a software Overclock that allows overclocks to ~2.0Ghz and an Unlocked BIOS that gives you access to all of the ION Chipset options and Allows (thanks to lowering the memory multiplier) overclocks to 2.2Ghz+ If you get an ION LE you can also unlock it to an ION as well as overclock the ION Chip, a lot. It can take 3Gb of RAM and you can adjust how much DDR3 VRAM you give it in the unlocked BIOS. My 311 is running at 2.23Ghz with the ION VRam set to 512Mb with the Chip itself overclocked. I have 3GB of ram a and a 320Gb 7200RPM HDD. I have also now upgraded to the new 9 cell battery which weighs the same as the standard (less excess plastic) but has 60% greater Capacity. Yes 60%. It is without a doubt the Best ION Netbook On the Market and the fact that you can pick one up for about £230 from Amazon makes it an absolute steal.

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