When I saw the Eee PC's, I knew I would eventually get one, or some other kind of netbook. This Dell is a dream, and it does the basic stuff I want-email, web, video playback, iTunes, and word processing. This is not a gaming PC, something for graphics or modeling software, not for any kind of software that takes up a lot of RAM and processing power, and it's probably not suitable as a main PC for most people. It's a glorified PDA for people who want something more than a PDA, but love the portability. That said, if this is making your mouth water and doesn't sound like a step backward in technology, you've come to the right place.I looked into the Dell Mini 12s, but decided against one because they're simply not as portable. The Mini 12 has a bigger screen, keyboard and hard drive space, but that also makes the PC bigger and less portable. The Mini 9's smaller keyboard will require a bit of adjustment, epecially if you use the F keys very much since they're integrated with the second row of letter keys. I don't have a problem with the size of the screen, but I can see how some might. Try to look at one of these in person before you buy if you think it might be an issue.
The Mini 9 will handle 2GB of RAM, but it can only be shipped with up to 1GB because of the software license with Windows XP. Thank you Miscrosoft for another slap in the face! I mean, anything's better than getting a machine with Vista on it, but REALLY. Dell also put the RAM cap on the Mini9s with Ubuntu, which really makes no sense... Anyway, it's nothing to pop open the cover, put in your extra GB of RAM, close it, and have the zippiest little netbook around. (I think it will handle a 4GB stick, but then you're looking at power and heat issues.) When you turn it on, it's ready to go in no time, even without a memory upgrade! Also, decompress the drive. Compression doesn't save that much space and it runs better. If hard drive space is an issue, add an external drive, thumb drive or SD card.
It doesn't come with a DVD drive, but how often do you really use one? I only use mine to install software and to rip my CDs to iTunes. I don't do either of those things when I'm out and about, and remember, it's all about that portability! Eventually you will need to buy a DVD drive, but you might not need one right away. Also plan on investing in an external mouse if you don't like touchpads. This one is particularly irritating because it's so small. I can't really comment on how this or anything else affects battery life, since I rarely run on the battery. The speakers are really small, so have some headphones on hand if sound is a problem for you.
I got it and immediately covered it with one of those sticker skins later to keep it from getting scratched. It's a glossy finish that you just know is going to get sandpapered if you carry other stuff in your bag. (And who doesn't?) I also got the webcam and bluetooth options, even though I have no use for either of them. That was because hubby will eventually inherit this when I buy something else, so I wanted him to be able to expand this however he would need.
My only other gripe is that when you use this in public, you get a lot of people coming up to interrupt you to talk about it. It's not Dell's fault, but if you need to get something done, don't do it in Starbucks where you'll be interrupted about every 30 seconds. Come on, it's the 21st century! It's difficult to accomplish anything in an environment like that. I had the same problem with my PDA and folding keyboard, and when it started to happen again, I wanted to cry... but my Mini won't let me.
Overall, this is 4 1/2 stars, but the drawbacks are nothing when I can put this in my purse, go to Borders, do my thing, and get out without the achy shoulder. I always wanted a small laptop like this, light enough to carry around, small, with PC power and feel. Now that I have one, the sky is clear, birds are singing and velvet ropes have parted-well, not really, but this is about as close as I can get.
An 8 gig hard drives seems small, but the built in SD card slot can act as your document storage. I dumped much of the pre-loaded programs that I would never use which leaves nearly 2 gigs on the built in hard drive. I have 35 albums, almost 4 gigs of photos and a bunch of documents on the 16 gig SD card and I still 8 gigs of room for more there. I write documents to the card using a Windows briefcase that syncs with back-ups on my desktop.
If you are looking for a simple laptop/travel computer, this is a good choice.This unit is great for sitting on the couch and checking email and general browsing. I hated holding the heavy 15" laptop while try to do simple things like this.
It was also bought for a second laptop so when the primary is in the hands of my wife, I had something to use. I figure this is great for taking out of town.
My young daughter is now taking ownership of it. She thinks the size is perfect for her.
So far, I love it. It is light with incredible battery life. I got the Linux Ubuntu software instead of the Windows Vista. It is about the same navigation as Windows and learning curve is next to nothing. Instead of Internet Explorer, it comes with Firefox which is superior browser. Linux is even better than Apple's OS; I am impressed.
Configuring the mini into my wireless network was a breeze.
I looked at the ACER in a Staples store and did not like it. The DELL screen is much better quality.
Take a look at the DELL OUTLET for these units also. I paid 279 dollars plus shipping and tax for "Previously Ordered" Mini 9. I upgraded the RAM myself to 2 Gig from Crucial for about 32 dollars. I bought a SDHC 8 Gig card to supplement the 4Gig internal storage.I really like the Dell mini 9 when it behaves. I bought the max'd out version--64 G SSD and 2 gigs of Ram, running Ubuntu. I kept Ubuntu. I had a VM for XP for a while, but never used it. My complaint is that my machine locks up a few times a day. I contacted Dell support and went through the motions--reinstall the OS without any modifications, sat on the phone while we did a surface level integrity check of the solid state disk (yes, I know it makes absolutely no sense). I lost the will to live when the Dell service representative asked me to reinstall the OS a second time. So, I am living with a machine that locks up. There's another review here from a fellow who gave up after while as well. The moral of the story is that when you buy the Dell mini 9, you get what you get and you sit there and take it. I'm not saying that's bad; I'm just saying my computer locks up a couple of times a day.
Dell gave me a new one. All is forgiven.I bought this along with ATT's 3G service (and, with my purchase of ATT service, received a bit of a rebate).
For the price, this computer is perfect. I don't expect to save much on here (although, it does come with Box.net, for which you can sign up.) I am going to use it as a word processor, to check the internet, and to blog. For those purposes, it's more than one could ever want. (Especially if you use Google Documents!)
The one thing that takes getting used to is the keyboard. With the smaller keyboard, comes smaller keys, and also some keys are placed in different locations than the usual QWERTY keyboard that I'm used to. e.g., the tab button next to the Q is tiny, the right shift button is tiny, the single and double quotation marks are down by the space bar, the brackets are functions of the U, I, O, & P buttons (you need to press FN + those buttons), and the +/= key is in a place I'm not used to.
In addition, I sorta feel like the computer is a walking advertisement with all of the programs that are already built in McAfee, Box.net, Bluetooth, Java, Dell Video, etc.
I'm also too scared to change the operating system for fear of my ATT wireless getting messed up. (There are horror stories posted online!)
But, I'm not a computer expert; I have no reason to run Linux; and I can ignore/delete all the other stuff. I will relearn this keyboard. It's not like I'm trying to win a typing contest.
The best part of the computer is actually using it. Last week, I was sitting in the movie theater changing the design of my blog before the lights went down. I was also texting with to my sister's phone via my ATT number.
With no more cell phone rings, now movie theater goers are going to be concerned about laptop lights.
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