Comparing two laptops existing in different categories – overall weight and display size – may seem difficult, given that they target different consumer markets and are loaded with different specifications for their intended usage.
For this toe-to-toe event, we will compare a bantamweight to a welterweight, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 versus the HP Mini 311. In sports, particularly boxing, they have this pound-for-pound list intended to rank fighters who cannot beat each other up because of weight restrictions. We don’t have that kind of list for laptops, but it is interesting to note how two thinking machines would fare in terms of something a buyer always consider when purchasing anything – price. Both the Asus K50IJ-RX05 and HP Mini 311 are priced below $500, with the former having a tag of $420 and the latter having a price of $400.
Asus K50IJ-RX05
The K50IJ-RX05 is one of Asus’ laptops in the entry-level category of below $500. Powered by Intel’s less-advanced dual core processors, the Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 could still run applications with perceptible hitches due to 3 GB of read access memory backup and an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 graphic chipset.
The Asus K50IJ-RX05’s 15.6-inch TFT active matrix display has a max resolution of 1366 x 768, which would be good news for multitaskers and HD content watchers.
A user could store up to 360 GB of digital files in the Asus K50IJ-RX05. One could install other programs and even watch DVD films with this 15.6-incher’s optical drive. The Asus K50IJ-RX05 has slots for a memory stick, a multimedia card, an SD memory card as well as four hi-speed USB ports.
Unlike other laptops with a low battery life, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 could last nearly four hours of continuous usage.
Specifications:
| Central Processing Unit | Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200 |
| RAM | 3 GB DDR2-800 SDRAM |
| Screen Display | 15.6 inches |
| Resolution | 1366 x 768 WXGA |
| Dimensions | 14.6 inches x 10.1 inches x 1.4 inches |
| Weight | 5.7 pounds |
| Disk Space | 320 GB Serial ATA-150 – 5400 RPM |
| Optical Drive | DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM |
| Battery Life | 3.8 hours |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium |
Pros:
The Asus K50IJ-RX05 is sleek and slim. It sports a bronze black finish giving it a professional look. Its chassis carries a dimension of 14.6 inches x 10.1 inches x 1.4 inches, and weighs only 5.7 pounds.
The Asus K50IJ-RX05 boasts of a stylish and comfortable keyboard. The keys are big and the keyboard and touchpad are well integrated with the chassis.
This 15-incher has longer battery life than an average entry-level laptop.
Due to its high memory and graphics card, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 allows a high-quality computing performance. Despite being powered by an older Intel processor, this laptop still is comparable to other laptops in its price category.
Cons:
The Asus K50IJ-RX05 cannot be given upgrades. Better specs are not an option.
HP Mini 311
The HP Mini 311 is a netbook powered by the single-core Intel Atom N270 processor that clocks in at 1.6 GHz. Just like other netbooks, the HP Mini 311 features a gigabyte of RAM and 160 GB of disk space. As with all netbooks, the lack of optical drive is a given.
But while other netbooks offer the usual stuff – high portability and price scores but dismal computing performance (primarily due to less powerful features) — the HP Mini 311 goes beyond expectations by installing a graphics chip and a high-resolution display.
An 11.6-incher netbook, the HP Mini 311 has a box dimension of 11.46 inches by 8 inches by 1.2 inches. It is slim, lightweight (at 3.22 pounds) and can fit in a small bag.
Despite its small size, the HP Mini is loaded with a 5-in-1 digital media reader, three USB ports, RJ-45, VGA and an HDMI port for high-definition media viewing on external monitors.
The Mini 311 sports a black lid, silver deck, keyboard and touchpad. The keyboard offers a surprisingly pleasant touch-typing experience.
The HP Mini 311 could stay on for more than five-and-a-half hours with a six-cell battery – at par with other netbooks.
Specifications:
| Central Processing Unit | 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR2 1066MHz |
| Screen Display | 11.6 inches |
| Resolution | 1366 x 768 WXGA |
| Dimensions | 11.46 inches x 8 inches x 1.2 inches |
| Weight | 3.22 pounds |
| Disk Space | 160 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive |
| Optical Drive | None |
| Battery Life | five-and-a-half hours |
| Graphics | Nvidia Ion LE GPU |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 7 |
Pros:
Despite being powered by a single core processor, the HP Mini 311 dishes out an above-average performance. While other netbooks allow a user to consume digital files and media, they lack the vital graphic support for producing and editing these files.
An integrated Nvidia Ion LE GPU supports the HP Mini 311. With this GPU, the HP Mini 311 could play a high-definition movie, as well as edit digital files without some hitches. This netbook may slow down on heavy games, but could handle medium-core games with ease.
The HP Mini 311 allows several applications to run simultaneously without experiencing a performance lag.
Cons:
It takes a while for this netbook to boot, which is frustrating for those who want to get started right away. We’ve received complaints about the touchpad being rough and we agree that it is a minor annoyance.
Conclusion:
For someone who values portability more, does graphics editing, and views HD on a regular basis, it’s best to take the HP Mini 311. On the other hand, those who derive pleasure from viewing various media while on the road and needs a laptop to store large files in would be satisfied with the Asus K50IJ-RX05.
Considering the price range that they’re in, both laptops are laudable. The decision would be based on the users’ requirements and preferences.
Related posts:
Tags: Asus, HP, K50IJ-RX05, laptop comparison, Mini 311
Dell Precision M6400 Covet vs. Asus G71 Quad-Core Gaming - Laptop Comparison
HP 2133 MINI-NOTE vs ASUS EEE PC 1000HE - Netbook Comparison
Dell Vostro 1720 vs. HP Pavilion DV7-2180US - Laptop Comparison
HP Envy 15 vs. Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 - Laptop Comparison
Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 vs Lenovo Ideapad U330
HP Probook 4510s VS DELL Inspiron 15 - Laptop Comparison
Dell Latitude XT vs. HP Compaq 6820s
[...] beefed up with an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 graphic chipset. With these combos, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 could outperform other thinking machines at its price [...]
[...] category? Let us look at its specifications and find out. Unlike most laptops in the market, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 uses the Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200 as the primary force behind its operations. Though older, it [...]
[...] With the popularity of netbooks that was initially spearheaded by Asus, Hewlett-Packard has since joined the foray and came up with its own entry into the competition: the HP Mini 311. [...]
[...] — another mobile PC that aims to exceed expectations from this thinking machine category. The HP Mini 311 really isn’t your average netbook and we’re giving you the reasons [...]