The Mini 311c comes with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display and is armed with an 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, ION LE, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g), Bluetooth, a 6-cell battery, 5-in-1 card reader and XP Home.

It is a very keenly priced netbook, expected to hit the UK for £319.99 according to the Amazon.co.uk pre-order page. This is much cheaper than the other ION netbook, the Samsung N510 that currently retails for around £400. However, the N510 does offer a slightly faster 1.66GHz N280 Atom processor and wireless draft-N. Either way, it looks like Compaq is on to a winner with the Mini 311c. Check out the (French) video unboxing after the jump.

However, it appears that the ION and ION LE chipsets are physically the same after all. The only difference is that ION LE has had DX10 disabled according to some investigative work by MyHPMini member runawayprisoner. He basically added the device id of ION LE into the INF for the full ION HP drivers. The end result gives you DX10 support for the ION LE.

Remember, you cannot play DX10 games on Windows XP, so to get the most out of this hack, you would need to install Windows 7. You also get a significant performance boost over the stock ION LE. runawayprisoner talks of a 50 percent increase in the GPU for some DX9 games. His Windows Experience Index score for 3D performance also increased from 3.9 to 5.4 (check out the screen grab below). Another member, solarnoise, has seen his 3DMark06 performance increase by 300 points (not to be sniffed at!)

What I’m trying to understand is why would there be a performance difference if the hardware is the same? The only thing I can think of is better driver support for ION compared to ION LE. Or maybe ION LE has been intentionally crippled to market the gap between ION LE & ION on spanking new Windows 7 netbooks.

You could argue Microsoft didn’t want XP netbook performance to be ‘too good’ with ION and therefore Nvidia compromised with ION LE to stay within Microsoft’s licensing terms. There are a number of conspiracy theories on this one but the reality appears to be that ION and ION LE are one and the same, albeit with DX10 software-disabled on the ION LE.

The ION LE-powered HP Mini 311 (or Compaq Mini 311c if you’re in Europe) is also to get a Windows 7 SKU and myHPMini managed to get hold of the revised spec list.

This includes full ION (rather than ION LE), different storage options (including 80GB SSD or 250GB/320GB HDD) and a maximum of 3GB RAM. It will also run on either Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium or Professional (32-bit) operating systems. It will be interesting to see how these options push up the price on release though.

Via Netbooked.

The press release confirms that it will come with Nvidia ION LE (entry level) and runs on Windows XP. I’m surprised that HP didn’t choose to go for a full-sized keyboard, you get a 92-percent sized keyboard that is standard on most 10-inch netbooks. Other features include three USB ports, a couple of audio jacks and a 5-in-1 card reader.

The Mini 311 will hit the US on September 23rd for $399. Another SKU with Windows 7 will launch on October 22nd. Laptop Mag has a hands-on video that is worth checking out. The HP Mini 311 will be branded as the Compaq Mini 311 in Europe, Pocket Lint has a number of photos of this model. The Compaq Mini 311 will hit the UK for £349.

HP Mini 311 Technical Specifications:

• Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 3(1)
• Intel® AtomTM Processor N270(3) • 1.60GHz(4) • 512KB L2 • 533Mhz FSB(4a)
• 1024MB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm) • Max supported =3072MB
• 1
• NVIDIA ION LE for Windows XP with up to 319MB total graphics memory
• 160GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA)(7)
• HP Black Swirl Imprint finish & HP Webcam with integrated digital microphone(15)
• 11.6″ Diagonal HD LED(8) BrightView Widescreen Display (1366 x 768)
• Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector) (9)
• 802.11b/g WLAN(10a)
• 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards(17a)
• Altec Lansing Speakers
• 92% full sized keyboard • touchpad with scroll zone
• Touch Pad with dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down (note: no on/off button)
• 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
• Headphone-out/Microphone in combo jack (compatible with 3.5mm 4-conductor jack with stereo audio and mono mic)
• HDMI
• 1 VGA (15-pin) • 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
• Unpackaged: 11.4 in (L) x 8.03 in (D) x 0.78-1.20 in (H) • Packaged: 13.6″(W) x 4.3″(D) x12.2″(H)
• Unpackaged: 3.22 lbs(12). • Packaged: 5.3 lbs
• Kensington® MicroSaver lock slot • Power-on password • Accepts 3rd party security lock devices
• 65W AC Adapter • 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery
• HP 90W AC Adapter – KG298AA#ABA • HP PT06 Mini Battery – VP502AA • HP USB Essentials Port Replicator – NK398AA#ABA
• 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Toll Free Support (NA) • 1-Year Free Hardware Technical Support • 30-Days Free Limited Software Support with 1-Year (from date of
purchase) Free Limited Software Support with Product Registration.

Other features include Wi-Fi (B/g), Bluetooth, HDMI out, three USB ports, webcam and 5-in-1 card reader. It will come with a 92 percent keyboard and a 6-cell battery. Notebook Italia stumbled on some official press images of the Mini 311 that show it will come in two colours, black and white, both with patterned lids. Availability is pricing is still unknown, however we’ll bring you further details as soon as we have it. We have a few pictures of the Mini 311 after the break.

Whilst there was no additional details on these models, NetbookNews.de did a little digging and came across a retail listing for the HP Compaq Mini 311c. It seems that this model will sport an 11.6-inch display, powered by the Nvidia ION LE platform and 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor.

Another retail listing over at MoreComputers details the same specs sans the ION LE chipset. This listing has a price of £336.47 and stock date of 17th September, suggesting it will ship with Windows XP rather than wait for Windows 7.

The Compaq Mini 311c is already listed on HP’s support pages, so there’s no doubt it is coming – we just need confirmation on the specs. Whilst we are getting an idea of what to expect for the 311c, sadly the specs of the Mini 210 remains a mystery for now.