Dell Inspiron Mini 9

[GeoTracker90]

I just recieved an email from dell touting their new 9" mini lap top. My first thought was to put one in an expo vehicle. From their information it looks like it uses a solid state hard drive so hard drive problems may be less of an issue with rough road use. Just wondering if any one has seen this yet? Here is a link to Dell's web page for this new mini:

Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Mike

 

[SafariPacific]

I don't know how the Mini 9 is specifically, though I really like Dell. My last laptop was an Inspiron 1150. Have had it over 5 years, at the office, in the dirt, in 115+ to -20 temperatures and its still running strong (Minus the Windows factor ). Dells support is great too. Had a problem with the power connector shorting out, called support, shipped machine to Texas (Dell paid), and had my machine fixed back in my hands within 4 days.

Acer also has a small laptop, "NetBook" My dad just picked up one this weekend. After he's done fiddling with it I'll give it a go.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/hands-on-acers-aspire-one-netbook/

 

[goodtimes]

I had a Dell laptop once....never again. What a POS that thing was. The case was flimsy (if you didn't pick it up with two hands, the whole case would bend, creak, pop, etc), it ran hot (HOT!!!!---don't set it on your lap....), the display was dim, it ran slow, and constantly had to be restarted (10x as often as any other windows machine I have had--seriously). Their service was about as good as their product....as in: it sucked.

Maybe I got a bad one....but when their customer service was unable/unwilling to resolve the problem in the year that it was under warranty (and then told me "sorry, it isn't under warranty anymore"), it told me all I needed to know.

 

[tdesanto]

That looks like a nice little computer. Very small and light. I also like the idea of the solid state drive. Now with the hard drive not being an issue, hopefully the rest of it is solid enough to handle the vibrations off road.

The only downsides I see:

1) max 16GB hard drive. If you use navigation software, you'll quickly use up at least 1-2GB of that right away. Then the OS will use probably 1GB or more.

2) max 1GB RAM. I'd prefer 2GB. Just don't try to have more than 1 or 2 applications open at the same time if they are memory hungry apps.

 

[Lynn]

So, has anybody investigated setting up one of these mini laptops with a bluetooth keyboard and a sunvisor monitor?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Might not be a bad option, I've had fairly good results with the Dell's I've owned.
The other option to really take a look at is the ASUS, similar specs, 7-10" screens, 2-20GB SSD, $250-600. I'd love to see one in the 8" screen range with robust hinges, 20GB SSD and 2GB RAM. I'd pull the trigger on that to replace my IBM Thinkpad as a dedicated trail/navigation computer.

 

[soonenough]

I had a Dell laptop once....never again. What a POS that thing was. The case was flimsy (if you didn't pick it up with two hands, the whole case would bend, creak, pop, etc), it ran hot (HOT!!!!---don't set it on your lap....), the display was dim, it ran slow, and constantly had to be restarted (10x as often as any other windows machine I have had--seriously). Their service was about as good as their product....as in: it sucked.

Maybe I got a bad one....but when their customer service was unable/unwilling to resolve the problem in the year that it was under warranty (and then told me "sorry, it isn't under warranty anymore"), it told me all I needed to know.

I couldn't agree with you more. Everyone always touted how great Dell's computers and customer service were, so I went with one of their Inspiron laptops when I went to college. Four motherboards, countless (literally) hours on the phone, and one letter to Michael Dell later, they finally lemon'd the thing and gave me a new model. It's about 3 and a half years old now, and although it worked decently for the first year or so, its pretty much a POS now. Then again, I'm not an IT tech, so maybe I just don't know the tricks for getting it to run well.

As you said, maybe I was one of the unlucky ones who just drew the black bean, but I have vowed to NEVER buy another product from them as long as I live. In fact, I just scored a brand new HP 6910p last week for super cheap, and it's working well so far.

Sorry, off topic, I know, but I have a hard time restraining myself from a Dell rant

 

[durango_60]

I hope it sells well, so Apple will build one with a decent OS.

 

[durango_60]

I might take that back, what can anyone tell me about ubuntu?

 

[chrismc]

I might take that back, what can anyone tell me about ubuntu?

Its great if you don't plan to run any standard software on it. There is no halfway decent nav application for Linux (I've tried them all), among other things. Ubuntu is my preferred server OS. My desktop and mobiles are all Mac OS, or Windows when necessary.

 

[chrismc]

Hah, nice. The Mini 9 comes out to the same price no matter if you choose Linux or Windows XP. Way to rip people off. You get what you pay for in computers, and Dell's are cheap. I run a network of ~1000 PCs and ~50 servers, and we use Dell for the PCs (I've managed to talk the powers-that-be into spending a little more for HP servers). Dell seems to have made planned obsolescence an art form- there computers have an absolutely amazing ability to fail about 1 month after their warranty expires. Also, Dell is fond of making your OS and hardware upgrade decisions for you through driver support at their leisure.

 

[SafariPacific]

I might take that back, what can anyone tell me about ubuntu?

I just made the switch to Ubuntu (Kubuntu) for my new laptop this past weekend. Getting use to is hasn't been as bad as I thought. Though, I have a few years experience with Red Hat and Fedora with my web servers, so the switch wasn't as bad. Also my friend Tim helped show me where all the GUI tools are and Ubuntu's cool easy application installer.

As far as standard software, yeah I've had to make some cut backs. I do have Photoshop 7 working (even though I'm use to CS3) and some other usual win applications. I just finished installing Rosetta Stone (Latin America) and it works much faster, but the mic has issues.

Whoops.... kind of hijacking the thread.. Maybe should start a thread for linux? I can add a lot on that subject

 

[haven]

The combination of an LED-backlit LCD screen, low power processor and solid state drive is a durable addition to an expedition vehicle.

The new mini computers from Acer (Aspire One), Asus (EEE 900 and 1000), MSI (Wind) and HP (Mini-Note) preceded the Dell announcement by several months. You might argue that the Apple Macintosh Air was the first example of this class of machine, except that it costs $1700!

It will be interesting to see how these "netbooks" change the marketplace. The manufacturers are recommending these smaller, cheaper machines as a second or third computer, useful on trips when you don't need big storage or high-powered computing. But the people who are buying the machines are finding that they are perfectly adequate as a primary computer. There may no longer be a justification for a $1500 laptop when a $400 "netbook" does the job.

I've felt for some time that my computing needs are met by last year's hardware. I have no need for the latest blazing fast processor or terabyte drive. I'm not rendering the latest Pixar movie. I'm using a word processor, spreadsheet, image editor and web browser.

As people decide that a $400 to $500 laptop is all they need, the computer manufacturers are going to need a new model for staying in business.

Chip Haven

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The combination of an LED-backlit LCD screen, low power processor and solid state drive is a durable addition to an expedition vehicle.

The new mini computers from Acer (Aspire One), Asus (EEE 900 and 1000), MSI (Wind) and HP (Mini-Note) preceded the Dell announcement by several months...

Do you know which of those offerings have a screen as mentioned?

 

[IH8RDS]

I had a Dell laptop once....never again. What a POS that thing was. The case was flimsy (if you didn't pick it up with two hands, the whole case would bend, creak, pop, etc), it ran hot (HOT!!!!---don't set it on your lap....), the display was dim, it ran slow, and constantly had to be restarted (10x as often as any other windows machine I have had--seriously). Their service was about as good as their product....as in: it sucked.

Maybe I got a bad one....but when their customer service was unable/unwilling to resolve the problem in the year that it was under warranty (and then told me "sorry, it isn't under warranty anymore"), it told me all I needed to know.

I think I got your "refirbished" one... lol

Junk. I now have two acers and one toshiba