Dell Mini 10 Netbook, a short review

[T. Erdelyi]

My Dell Laptop took a crap and the hard drive crashed, that was back in 09 right after Thanksgiving so after months of sendin' parts back and forth between Dell I finally sent the whole computer back.

In the mean time I used my daughters Mac while she was off for winter vacation and after the Xmas Holiday I used my Gameboy DSI to scope out the forums and keep up on the goin's on here, this was at least tolerable when my daughter started her next semester.

Finally I bought a Dell Netbook just so I could see the screen with these old eyes.

First pass, it's a neat little machine, if all ya really need is internet access and access to mail this is a good place to start, I got a middle of the road model for $350 outta da box, spent 45 minutes while it set it self up and found my wireless.

After that, and about 2 hours tweakin' preferences I was up and runnin', (you could be up and runnin' in 30 minutes if ya just follow the quick start directions.

The keyboards 20% smaller than a Laptop but if yer a hunter and a pecker like me when ya type this ain't no problem.

The software is adequate for the intended audience, ( internet noobies, grandma's with no previous internet experience) people who just wanna be connected.

The case feels very thin and fragile but how else can ya bring something like this in under 2,5 lbs, still it holds up to the regular bumps and knock pretty well, I have a black ebony one and the finish is a mile deep, so far it repels scratches and lite dings, (just don't use it to commit any crimes, it's a fingerprint magnet).

Here are the specs from Dells Site

Mini 10v:
Intel® AtomTM N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K L2Cache)
Intel® AtomTM N280 (1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB/512K L2Cache)

Mini 10:
Intel® AtomTM Z520 (1.33GHz/533MHz FSB/512K L2Cache)
Intel® AtomTM Z530 (1.60GHz/533MHz FSB/512K L2Cache)


Operating System
Mini 10:
Genuine Windows® 7 Starter 32-Bit
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic SP1 32-Bit
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3
Ubuntu® Linux® version 8.04

Mini 10v:
Genuine Windows® 7 Starter 32-Bit
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3
Ubuntu® Linux® version 8.04


Memory
Mini 10 and Mini 10v:
1GB,DDR2,533MHZ
2GB,DDR2,533MHZ (for Vista and Ubuntu only)

Chipset
Mini 10v:
Integrated Intel® 945GSE UMA Graphics Media Accelerator

Mini 10:
Intel® Poulsbo US15W


Graphics
Mini 10v:
Integrated Intel® 945GSE UMA Graphics Media Accelerator

Mini 10:
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 500


LCD Display
Mini 10v:
Glossy 10.1 inch display (1024x600) WSVGA

Mini 10:
Glossy 10.1 inch LED display (1024x600) WSVGA
Glossy 10.1 inch HD display (1366x768) WLED

Audio and Speakers
Mini 10 and 10v:
Main Speakers (quantity) : 2 x 1.0W
Microphone – Integrated single analog

Hard Drives
Mini 10v:
120GB8 SATA HDD 2.5 inch 5400RPM
160GB8 SATA HDD 2.5 inch 5400RPM
16GB8 2.5" Solid State Drive MLC

Mini 10:
160GB8 SATA HDD 2.5 inch 5400RPM
250GB8 SATA HDD 2.5 inch 5400RPM (not available with all operating systems)
32GB8 2.5" Solid State Drive MLC


Optical Drives
Mini 10 and 10v:
External only

Power
Mini 10:
3-cell 28WHr Li-Ion Battery
6-cell 56WHr Li-Ion Battery

Mini 10v:
3-cell 24WHr Li-Ion Battery
6-cell 56WHr Li-Ion Battery

Camera
Mini 10 and 10v:
Standard 1.3MP webcam

Wireless
Mini 10 and 10v:
Wi-Fi:
Dell 1397 WLAN 802.11g - Half mini-card
Dell 1510 WLAN 802.11g /n Mini Card


Bluetooth:
Bluetooth® Internal (2.1+EDR) mini-card

Ports, Slots, Chassis
Mini 10V:Externally Accessible
Kensington lock
AC Power-in
Integrated network connector 10/100 LAN (RJ45),
VGA connector
(2 )USB and (1) Power USB
Audio jacks (1 line-out, 1 Mic-in) 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card
Multi-Media Card (MMC)
Memory Stick (MS) Dimensions & Weight
Height
26.8 – 28.3 mm (front – back)
1.06 – 1.11 inches (front – back)
Width: 261mm, 10.26 inches
Depth: 182mm, 7.19 inches
Starting weight:
2.5 lbs9 with 3 Cell battery
Mini 10:
Externally Accessible
Kensington lock
AC Power-in
3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
Integrated network connector 10/100 LAN (RJ45),
HDMI connector
(2 )USB and (1) Power USB
Audio jacks (1 line-out, 1 Mic-in) Dimensions & Weight
Height
25.34–28mm (Front-Back)
1.0-1.1 inches (Front-Back)
Width: 261mm, 10.28 inches
Depth: 182.5mm, 7.19 inches
Starting weight:
1.2kg / 2. 6 lbs9 with 3 Cell battery

On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 6.5, if Dell fixed some things like the touchy mouse/touch pad, make the windows screens fit the computer screen better, maybe I'd give it an 8.

Still for now it's all I have unless I wanna set up my deskiop :barf:.

Hope this little ramble helps, if ya have any questions about the unit please ask here.

 

[Bob W]

Thanks for sharing the writeup. What other products did you compare before deciding on the Dell?

I have a similar Asus Eeepc that I like very much. Although netbooks aren't well-suited for home use, I love it for traveling. Internet access at most hotels, and with a add-on USB number pad I can accomplish all of the work-related data entry.

The Dell that most appeals to me is this, the 13" Vostro.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/vostro-v13/pd.aspx?refid=vostro-v13&s=bsd&cs=04
Perhaps a bit large to be considered a "netbook," it's more of a mini-laptop.

 

[fishface5]

I've been eying a 10" Acer but really would like a DVD drive. I thought the DVD drive was what separated netbooks (no drive) from laptops (have drive).

 

[storl]

I've been eying a 10" Acer but really would like a DVD drive. I thought the DVD drive was what separated netbooks (no drive) from laptops (have drive).

There is that, but the other major factors (to me) are screen size (resolution) and processor (what you can actually run with the thing). You won't be running any games or doing any serious work with a netbook. My wife has the Mini 10 as well, and it is perfect for the programs she runs like Internet Explorer, Word, and occasionally Excel.

 

[LUW]

For Christmas I got my wife a 10" EEPC, with a 6 cell battery (8 to 10 hours without charge!!!) and N270 processor, and it's a very nifty little bugger. To the point that I'm seriously considering getting one for me: at least 6 hours without needing a charge and weighing only 1.3 kg with easy internet access? What else do I need? For the hardcore stuff I have my PC at home.

 

[jw2n]

I have been using a Mini 9 for a year. Great little machine. There are any number of upgrades available if you wish to do so. The majority of these are easily DYI. External drives, including good ones, are inexpensive. I bought mine from a business thru which the original customer who had ordered, fell through. Big savings for me, and with many upgrades. Touchscreens are also available for these little rascals.