Dell Inspiron Mini 9
- Thread starter GeoTracker90
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durango_60
Explorer
haven said:
Thats exactly what I'm considering. I've got a reasonably high powered machine in my office and when I considered 99% of what I do at home amd travel I think one of these netbooks might really be the ticket. My ibook power supply is expiring quickly and I'd like something a little larger than an ipod touch to do my web surfing.
The advantages of the LCD backlighting are lower power consumption and greater immunity to shock. The Acer Aspire One, Asus Eee 900, Asus Eee 1000, MSI Wind, Dell Mini 9 and Lenovo IdeaPad all use LED backlighting for their TFT LCD screens.
Hp Mini-Note uses traditional fluorescent tubes to illuminate the screen.
Hp Mini-Note uses traditional fluorescent tubes to illuminate the screen.
absolute
Adventurer
I have to say I love Dell Laptops. Out of the tons of laptops I've had in the last 10 years, my dells have been the best. The key to a great running computer/laptop, especially Dell is to wipe it the moment you get it. This takes off all the standard Dell configurations and allows for a clean install. My first Dell had numerous issues before I did a clean install. Never a problem after that.
As far as technical knowledge, if you can install an air cleaner, then you can install a OS.
As far as major issues, I have serviced thousands if not ten thousand computers and laptops that have been all around the world for work. In the end the Dells have not let me down.
Maybe i've just have had great luck on my end.
As far as technical knowledge, if you can install an air cleaner, then you can install a OS.
As far as major issues, I have serviced thousands if not ten thousand computers and laptops that have been all around the world for work. In the end the Dells have not let me down.
Maybe i've just have had great luck on my end.
Nitromethane43
Observer
I do not know that much about the Dell Mini 9, I have an Asus EEE PC 1000 with 10" screen. Personally I love it for carrying around anywhere to use basic applications without worrying about plugging in for 5-6 hours. It's almost lighter than my laptop power adapter, I have been using it to tune cars and it fits much better into vehicles when compared to regular sized notebooks
That's on top of a 15.4" notebook
That's on top of a 15.4" notebook
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
goodtimes said:
I'm with you...never again. I thought I had issues with my Sony being a POS...no way. At least my Sony was able to limp along for over 3 years without any major issues until the fan finally went out. I haven't even had my Dell XPS laptop for 2 years and I've already had the motherboard replaced and now I have no idea what the problem is. One of the drivers and/or the hard drive is fried and the screen works intermittently. After being on the phone with India for over an hour last night constantly turning the computer on/off (yes this is what their technical support literally had me doing) I finally yelled at the guy and told him I was not going to turn the computer off one more time and they needed to send someone out. Finally 20 mins later I had a service ticket, of course I haven't heard from a soul today about fixing it.
Back in April when the motherboard fried out I was on the phone with India twice about it, the second time being over 2 hours. I finally drew the line when the guy wanted me to go get a screwdriver and start taking it apart. I told him I didn't pay for the 3 year warranty to have to take the computer apart myself. He got really rude with me and said I needed to re-read my service agreement and that I would find I'm supposed to be responsible for troubleshooting the problem before they would send a tech out. SO that means I have to physically start taking the computer apart?? ******!
I'm not saying this is the crappiest computer I've ever dealt with before (Gateway) but simply because of the hours I've had to spend on the phone with tech support who I can barely understand at times and who get rude with me I will never ever get another Dell.
ginericLC
Adventurer
I'm interested in the Mini 9 as a Cruiser computer. I don't expect it to be fast at running applications. It is what it is, a mini notebook. It is meant to check email and surf the net while away from home.
I own a Dell XPS tower and one of their widescreen displays. I've been very happy with it for the past 17 months. I was also happy with the Sony VAIO this replaced. I've not had any problems with the Dell or applications until just recently when I upgraded from SP2 to SP3 on XP. I was smart enough to leave the Vista CD in the bottom drawer until they get the quirks worked out of it. I will say I did have an issue with my order originally and I too did not like dealing with the folks in India.
I applaud Go Daddy for having US English speaking agents located right here in the states as they are one of the few I've found recently who actually keep their phone support in the US.
I also own a Gateway laptop that really I've abused. It has been dropped several times. It has gone on probably 20,000 miles of roadtrips in very dusty environments. It has held up well. However, I have a friend who bought a Gateway laptop the week before I did and they cuss and swear if you even mention the name Gateway. It has been a real pain for them. I have the same feeling towards HP and Compaq. Really my Gateway should not have lasted as long as it has because it was the cheapest model and I've abused it. Would I buy another? I don't know, it all depends.
Someone mentioned that parts weren't replaceable on Dells. Well that depends upon the part and the model of the computer. I've had my XPS apart and almost every component can easily be removed for replacement. Of course the low line Dells are proprietary having all of the add on soldered to the motherboard. This isn't just a Dell deal almost every budget priced computer is built this way. Yes it makes them disposable. The difference in quality between a low level Dell and a top of the line is much different.
I think when folks start brand bashing they need to compare Apples to Apples, actually for computers I should say Oranges to Oranges. The levels and purposes need to be the same if they are to truly be compared. In the automotive end I'd use this as an example: Are we comparing a Ford Focus with a Toyota Land Cruiser? Obviously their purposes, prices, features, and quality are going to be much different. And for every diehard satisfied customer of one brand there will be someone who has had the exact opposite experience. It is usually the dissatisfied customer who roars the loudest. Every company will slip up once in awhile and have a fluke. How they treat you as a customer will determine whether or not you will buy from them again.
Back to the Mini 9, yep it is barebones and no frills. But look at the price. What other mini notebook can you buy for under $500? Really it isn't comparable to the other minis because it is almost half the cost of the others. I'm interested in it for mapping, GPS, internet and laptop. I think it might be the perfect match for that. The one item I wished they could squeeze in it is an optical drive. I'd love to be able to back up my photos in the field on a CD or share them with the folks I'm traveling with before we head home. I have little ones and I'd love for it to have that drive so I could use it as a mini entertainment system for my little guys on those 10 hour plus road trips. For me, that is the only place it seems to be lacking. I'm not sure those features will ever be available in this size and definitely not at the price point Dell has put the Mini 9 at.
I own a Dell XPS tower and one of their widescreen displays. I've been very happy with it for the past 17 months. I was also happy with the Sony VAIO this replaced. I've not had any problems with the Dell or applications until just recently when I upgraded from SP2 to SP3 on XP. I was smart enough to leave the Vista CD in the bottom drawer until they get the quirks worked out of it. I will say I did have an issue with my order originally and I too did not like dealing with the folks in India.
I applaud Go Daddy for having US English speaking agents located right here in the states as they are one of the few I've found recently who actually keep their phone support in the US.
I also own a Gateway laptop that really I've abused. It has been dropped several times. It has gone on probably 20,000 miles of roadtrips in very dusty environments. It has held up well. However, I have a friend who bought a Gateway laptop the week before I did and they cuss and swear if you even mention the name Gateway. It has been a real pain for them. I have the same feeling towards HP and Compaq. Really my Gateway should not have lasted as long as it has because it was the cheapest model and I've abused it. Would I buy another? I don't know, it all depends.
Someone mentioned that parts weren't replaceable on Dells. Well that depends upon the part and the model of the computer. I've had my XPS apart and almost every component can easily be removed for replacement. Of course the low line Dells are proprietary having all of the add on soldered to the motherboard. This isn't just a Dell deal almost every budget priced computer is built this way. Yes it makes them disposable. The difference in quality between a low level Dell and a top of the line is much different.
I think when folks start brand bashing they need to compare Apples to Apples, actually for computers I should say Oranges to Oranges. The levels and purposes need to be the same if they are to truly be compared. In the automotive end I'd use this as an example: Are we comparing a Ford Focus with a Toyota Land Cruiser? Obviously their purposes, prices, features, and quality are going to be much different. And for every diehard satisfied customer of one brand there will be someone who has had the exact opposite experience. It is usually the dissatisfied customer who roars the loudest. Every company will slip up once in awhile and have a fluke. How they treat you as a customer will determine whether or not you will buy from them again.
Back to the Mini 9, yep it is barebones and no frills. But look at the price. What other mini notebook can you buy for under $500? Really it isn't comparable to the other minis because it is almost half the cost of the others. I'm interested in it for mapping, GPS, internet and laptop. I think it might be the perfect match for that. The one item I wished they could squeeze in it is an optical drive. I'd love to be able to back up my photos in the field on a CD or share them with the folks I'm traveling with before we head home. I have little ones and I'd love for it to have that drive so I could use it as a mini entertainment system for my little guys on those 10 hour plus road trips. For me, that is the only place it seems to be lacking. I'm not sure those features will ever be available in this size and definitely not at the price point Dell has put the Mini 9 at.
soonenough
Explorer
Miss R2FJ said:
Haha reading that actually made me laugh out loud. Only someone that's been there can truly appreciate how incredibly infuriating that is (trust me, I know all about Dell of India...see my previous post).Here's an article that compares the HP Mini-Note, Asus 1000, Acer Aspire One and a model I had not heard of, the Sylvania G Netbook.
http://www.computerworld.com/action...eBasic&articleId=9114478&source=NLT_AM&nlid=1
The authors liked the Acer.
http://www.computerworld.com/action...eBasic&articleId=9114478&source=NLT_AM&nlid=1
The authors liked the Acer.
Netbooks now make up 9 of the top 10 laptops ordered through Amazon.com
http://gizmodo.com/5054615/netbooks-dominate-amazon-laptop-sales
At some level, this is validation of the netbook concept.
I expect to see lots of action in this segment of the market
in the next year or so, until some concensus emerges about
the best form factor, screen size, and battery life for a netbook.
I was interested to read that Google's Android operating system for
mobile phones is being evaluated by laptop makers for future products.
These will be smaller, and at least a little cheaper, than netbooks.
The Nokia N810 is a good example of what a "mini netbook" might
look like, a little larger than an iPhone with a keyboard that slides out.
Chip Haven
http://gizmodo.com/5054615/netbooks-dominate-amazon-laptop-sales
At some level, this is validation of the netbook concept.
I expect to see lots of action in this segment of the market
in the next year or so, until some concensus emerges about
the best form factor, screen size, and battery life for a netbook.
I was interested to read that Google's Android operating system for
mobile phones is being evaluated by laptop makers for future products.
These will be smaller, and at least a little cheaper, than netbooks.
The Nokia N810 is a good example of what a "mini netbook" might
look like, a little larger than an iPhone with a keyboard that slides out.
Chip Haven
egn
Adventurer
Have a look at the new Gigabyte Convertable Netbook. It has a touch screen and can be converted to a tablet.
Currently I use a HTC Advantage. With a touch screen it is much easier to handle navigation software.
Currently I use a HTC Advantage. With a touch screen it is much easier to handle navigation software.
preacherman
Explorer
looks like a cool computer but......
I took my dell to Africa and the brand new battery (from dell) was defective. No big deal right, I will just call Dell, tell them about the problem and see what they can do.
As soon as I called they said because I was in Africa I would have to talk to the international devision. I explained that I bought the battery in America and that I lived in the us. Since I was calling from overseas they said I would have to talk to the international division. "No problem" I said "can you transfer me."
"Sorry sir the international division is only open from 9-5 central time" WHAT?????? The international customer service is only open during US business hours?????? "Well can I have the number and i will call them when they are open"
"yes sir, its 512......." "What? The international customer office does not have a 1-800 number?"
"no sir"
So to recap, if you take a dell out of the country and it craps out you have to stay up all night and pay for the call to get it fixed.........Kinda weird
Otherwise I love my dell.
I took my dell to Africa and the brand new battery (from dell) was defective. No big deal right, I will just call Dell, tell them about the problem and see what they can do.
As soon as I called they said because I was in Africa I would have to talk to the international devision. I explained that I bought the battery in America and that I lived in the us. Since I was calling from overseas they said I would have to talk to the international division. "No problem" I said "can you transfer me."
"Sorry sir the international division is only open from 9-5 central time" WHAT?????? The international customer service is only open during US business hours?????? "Well can I have the number and i will call them when they are open"
"yes sir, its 512......." "What? The international customer office does not have a 1-800 number?"
"no sir"
So to recap, if you take a dell out of the country and it craps out you have to stay up all night and pay for the call to get it fixed.........Kinda weird
Otherwise I love my dell.