• Registered: 2008-12-13
  • Posts: 1,480

Topic: dell mini 9 review

well I got my mini 9 today and here's my review of it so far, I'll update as I figure out more.
The default ubuntu thats loaded on it I don't really like, they have yahoo toolbar installed by default, and while the launcher setup they have is ok it didn't really grow on me(also no highmem support in the kernel. So after about ten minutes of the default I loaded crunchbang lite on it, install went fine no complaints there (I used unetbootin to put the installer on a usb key). The processor is actually pretty snappy, but it's the same as all newer netbooks. I went with 2 gigs of ram from newegg, it cost the same as 1 gig from dell. The keyboard is definitely cramped, but unless you have big hands it's not too big a deal. The screen is nice quality, no complaints there. It's fanless with a ssd so it's almost totally silent, but it can get a little warm. My biggest complaint is it uses a broadcom wireless card, I went to compile a new kernel (to add pcie aspm and ext4 support) and the wireless won't work unless I use ndiswrapper, at least until someone patches the wl driver for 2.6.28. All in all I'm really happy with it though, it runs well and is very portable, once you get used to the keyboard layout it's very nice to carry around.

I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.
  • Registered: 2008-12-13
  • Posts: 361

Re: dell mini 9 review

Good to hear, shame about the ndiswrapper. I'm looking at a Mini 12 as a new year present to myself, I assume it'll be the same just a little bigger smile

Nik_Doof's Website

  • From: Lincoln, UK
  • Registered: 2008-11-20
  • Posts: 4,406

Re: dell mini 9 review

Hmm, I am currently resisting the urge to purchase a netbook, it is getting harder by the day and you guys are not helping! big_smile

Seriously though, thank you for the review. It is good to know CrunchBang is working on the Mini 9.

P.S. Strange that Yahoo toolbar would be installed on the default Ubuntu install, Dell must have a distribution deal going on?!

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corenominal's Website

  • wench
  • #! CrunchBanger
  • Offline
  • From: Darlington, Co Durham
  • Registered: 2008-12-05
  • Posts: 136

Re: dell mini 9 review

I'm really tempted to get one of these mini 9s, they look hot, and i'm a sucker for Dell's quality..

Arch64/Xmonad | @mo6020 on Identica

"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." - H. L. Mencken

wench's Website

  • Registered: 2008-12-13
  • Posts: 1,480

Re: dell mini 9 review

They are good, I've been loving mine. The keyboard definitely takes some getting used to though. I'm still not sure if I'm just going to deal with this one or order the international keyboard that has a much better layout.

I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.
  • wench
  • #! CrunchBanger
  • Offline
  • From: Darlington, Co Durham
  • Registered: 2008-12-05
  • Posts: 136

Re: dell mini 9 review

They've got an inbuilt 3g modem right? I know in the UK you're tied to Voda, is it the same in the states?

Arch64/Xmonad | @mo6020 on Identica

"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." - H. L. Mencken

wench's Website

  • Registered: 2008-12-13
  • Posts: 1,480

Re: dell mini 9 review

The early U.S. versions didn't but the newer ones do. I haven't checked if mine does since I don't use it.

I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.