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Dell Inspiron Mini Series

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Dell Inspiron Mini Series
File:Dell-inspiron-mini-9.png
TypeSubnotebook/Netbook
Operating systemDell Ubuntu Netbook Remix
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Vista

The Dell Inspiron Mini Series is a line of subnotebook / netbook computers designed by Dell. The series began with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and then the Dell Inspiron Mini 12. A further addition to the series, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, is expected soon.

History

Mini 9 Series

Dell Inspiron Mini Series
File:Dell-inspiron-mini-9.png
DeveloperDell
TypeNetbook
Media4/8/16/32/64 GB SSD
Operating systemDell Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Windows XP Home ULCPC SP3
CPUDiamondville Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
Memory512 MB (US only), 1GB or 2GB
DisplayGlossy 8.9" (22.6 cm) 1024x600 LCD (133 dpi)
InputKeyboard
Touchpad
Microphone
0.3 or 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
Connectivity10/100 Mbit Ethernet
802.11b/g wireless LAN
Bluetooth Optional/Standard (depends on region)
VGA 15-pin output
Audio; headphone/mic jacks
3 USB 2.0 ports
4-in-1 Flash Memory card reader

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 (also called the Inspiron 910), was announced on the 4th September 2008, as a netbook set to contend with other low cost ultra-portables such as the EeePC and Aspire One.

The Mini 9 began shipping on September 16, 2008, starting at $349.[1] It is built by Compal Electronics, which also makes the MSI Wind and the HP mininote 2133.[2]

Features

It features an 8.9 inch WSVGA (1024×600) widescreen display running on a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Diamondville CPU, and can come bundled with either the Dell Ubuntu Netbook Remix or the Windows XP Home ULCPC Edition with Service Pack 3[citation needed] operating system. In the US and Canada it has 512MB, 1, or 2GB of RAM, and a 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64GB SSD. Currently, the 32 and 64GB SSD and 2GB of RAM are not available for the Windows XP OS option. Two small stereo speakers can be found below the screen.

In the UK, the XP model comes with a 16GB SSD and the Ubuntu model comes with 8GB and up to 1GB of RAM[citation needed]. In Australia, the only current option is XP with 16GB SSD and 1GB RAM.[3]

For the device to qualify as a ULCPC under the Designed for Windows XP logo program[4] Dell cannot ship with any unit with more than 1GB RAM, although the memory is user expandable to 2GB. [5]

For connectivity, the device carries WiFi and 3 USB ports. In the US, a 0.3 or 1.3 MP webcam and internal bluetooth are available as options. In the UK, a 1.3 MP webcam comes as standard in the XP model and 0.3 MP webcam with the Ubuntu model. Bluetooth is also standard.[6] In Australia, only one model is currently available and includes both the 1.3 MP webcam and Bluetooth as standard. The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is 1-1.22 inches thick and weighs 1.035 kg.(2.28 lbs)[7]

Criticisms

Keyboard

The Mini 9 does not have dedicated buttons for the function keys. In order to achieve functions of F1 to F10, the user must press the Fn key and the key that has the function keys as secondary function (the A through semicolon row), however, there is no F11 or F12 on the keyboard. A BIOS upgrade provides mapping of F11 to Fn+Z and F12 to Fn+X.[8]

Users claim having difficulty getting used to the keyboard during first time of use. Remapping the keyboard to replace the semicolon key with the apostrophe key has proven useful to some Mini 9 users.[9] Note that the keyboard layout varies by country: the layout for non-US keyboards provides a semicolon and apostrophe on the home row.

3G/PCI Express Mini Card slot

The Dell service manual include images showing an unused PCI Express Mini Card slot, which originally indicated a future possible capability upgrade to 3G. Initial units, while retaining the space, do not have the physical connector attached to the mainboard.

However, 3G can be achieved on the device by using a third party mobile broadband device usually via bluetooth or USB.

Vodafone announced in September, 2008 that it had won a bid to exclusively offer the Dell Mini 9 for free with a 2 year contract.[10] On November 25, 2008 Dell began offering a built-in 3G mobile broadband option for US models. The $125 option is available for use on the AT&T network, and qualifying customers may be eligible for a $120 credit with a 2-year service contract.[11]

SSD/Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Dell initially shipped versions of the Mini 9 with unusable storage, after models were built using a software image that fit the basic 4GB SSD. Standard operating system upgrades later fixed the issue.[12][13]

Battery capacity

In December 2008, it was suspected that some units were shipping with 24 watt-hour capacity batteries, labelled as 32 watt-hour. The low-capacity batteries appear to be those manufactured in Korea.[14] However it was later determined that the software used to examine the batteries was incorrectly reporting the capacity and has since been reported to be fixed with an upgrade of the BIOS.[6][7]

Mini 12 Series

Dell Inspiron Mini Series
DeveloperDell
TypeNetbook
Media4/8/16/32/64 GB SSD
Operating systemWindows Vista Home Basic
CPUDiamondville Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
Memory1GB
DisplayGlossy 12" (22.6 cm) 1024x600 LCD (133 dpi)
InputKeyboard
Touchpad
Microphone
0.3 or 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
Connectivity10/100 Mbit Ethernet
802.11a/g wireless LAN
Bluetooth Optional/Standard (depends on region)
VGA 15-pin output
Audio; headphone/mic jacks
3 USB 2.0 ports
3-in-1 Flash Memory card reader

The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 was announced on the 26th October 2008 as a counterpart of the Mini 9. It was mainly created for the netbook market however it was also created to compete with ultra-portables such as the Macbook Air etc. . It starting shipping on the 8th December, starting at $549.

Features

It features an 12 inch WSVGA (1024×600) widescreen display running on a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Diamondville CPU, and comes bundled with Windows Vista Home Basic with Service Pack 1. It comes with 1GB of RAM (the maximum for the device), a 60GB hard drive. Two small stereo speakers can be found above the keyboard.

For connectivity, the device carries WiFi and 3 USB ports. A 1.3 MP webcamand internal bluetooth are available as options. The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is 1-1 inches thick and weighs 3.2 pounds (with six-cell battery), or 2.8 pounds (with three-cell battery).

See also

References

  1. ^ Engadget, “Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 pops official -- starts at $349”.
  2. ^ Apcmag, “Up close with Dell’s Eee PC killer”.
  3. ^ [1], “Dell Australia: Inspiron Mini 9 Details”
  4. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/whql/resources/news/WHQLNews_052008.html
  5. ^ [2] "Dell Mini 9: An Upgrade Odyssey"
  6. ^ [3] "Dell Europe Inspiron Mini 9 Details" - Tech Specs
  7. ^ Dell, "Dell US Inspiron Mini 9 Details" - Tech Specs
  8. ^ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DellMini9#Special%20keys
  9. ^ http://www.medicthree.com/2008/10/remapping-dell-mini-9-inspiron-910.html
  10. ^ [4] "Dell Inspiron Mini 9 coming to Vodafone next month"
  11. ^ [5] "Dell Adds 3G Option For Mini 9 Netbook"
  12. ^ http://gizmodo.com/5065657/dell-inspiron-mini-9-ships-with-annoying-disk-partition-error
  13. ^ http://gizmodo.com/5065657/dell-inspiron-mini-9-ships-with-annoying-disk-partition-error
  14. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/18/some-dell-mini-9s-said-to-be-shipping-with-smaller-batteries/


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