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Re: Dell Inspiron Mini.... Posted by Justin VanAbrahams [Email]  (#32) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Justin VanAbrahams) on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:23:16
In Reply to: Dell Inspiron Mini...., Peter_UMA, Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:03:31 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Totally seconded... I bought my Mini 9 after looking at a variety of netbooks. I've not touched my HP Pavilion in months as a result. The Mini9 does everything I need or want it to.
I'm also a network administrator, and it's been fantastic. I got the 32gb SSD to start with since I had an idea of my plans, but bought 2gb of RAM from Newegg for $20 (cheaper than buying through Dell). I started with Linux, but eventually put XP Home on it only so it could run my OBDII (AutoTap) software as well. I didn't go Pro since connecting to a domain isn't important, and a smaller hard drive footprint was useful. Skipped the webcam, but went with Bluetooth so I could use it or a USB cable to connect it to my cell phone (also an AT&T Tilt, oddly) for net access when wifi isn't available. Also picked up a USB->serial adapter to connect up with routers & whatnot when needed. That pretty much covers me every single day.
I do not like the keyboard - the lower right side has oddly placed keys that make typing a hassle, but you get used to it. And, really, I'm not typing a novel here and it gets the job done just fine. Most of the netbooks suffer lackluster keyboards, so it was a compromise I knew I'd be making.
All that said, my thoughts:
1. Buy the SSD. 32gb is MORE than enough for travel. That's any OS shy of Vista Ultimate with half the drive leftover. 16gb is plenty for backing up a camera or toting MP3s. If you're short on space, pop in a 16 or 32gb SDHC card into the card reader, or carry a flash drive. Or, if you're really hard up, you can carry a laptop hard drive in an external enclosure. That could be 500gb of USB-powered storage. The SSD means you don't have to worry about jolts to the computer, longer battery life, and very fast boot times.
2. The Atom processor is fine. No, you don't want to run Photoshop, but it's totally adequate for "desktop" tasks. It'll decode DVDs (though not Bluray reliably) and play MP3s - what else do you need?
3. I went for the Dell because most of the others offer only a 3-cell battery, and that rather sucks. The 4-cell on the Mini will keep it running for a reliable 3 hours. I've seen 4 or 5 hours of use with basic tasks (like web surfing, or listening to music). You can get a 6-cell with the Samsung NC-10, which is worth looking at.
I got the Mini on sale for some ridiculously low price - under $300 with the 32gb SSD and Bluetooth. Normal pricing in this configuration is closer to $500. Had I to actually spend $500, I'd strongly look at the Samsung NC-10... no SSD, but a slightly larger screen and an excellent keyboard... picked one of those up for a coworker. At the lower pricepoint, I like the Acer Aspire One - you can get them right now for under $300. Really, the Dell hits a lot of key points at a good price, so it's my choice.
I've owned/used everything from the 8.9" Mini to a 10" Sony Vaio to a 12" Thinkpad, and I'd choose the Mini. Well, okay, I'd *choose* the Vaio but at $2500+ it's too rich for my blood. I'm not a fan of carrying around that much money tied up in technology. Too many accident/theft horror stories I've witnessed to put myself there.
posted by 65.78.132...
, Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:13:21, Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:23:16 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:28:21, Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:40:39
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