Dell Netbook -- a Review

Working in IT, people expect me to have some of the latest gadgets. Since I am not a Trust Fund Child, however, I don't jump in immediately.

In late August, I found the right combination of sales incentives (this cost $300 complete, before my coupons, etc -- it was a one day sale), pressure, and need (I was to go on trip and the laptop does add a lot of weight when I am porter for two travellers), so I broke down and got a netbook.

Dell Inspiron Mini 10v, UBUNTU 8.04 (Standard Edition)
2GB DDR2 SDRAM [ Promotional upgrade ]
10.1" Widescreen Display (1024x600)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
160GB, 2.5inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Wireless 802.11g (1397) Mini Card
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
24WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell) [ I should have upgraded this -- it is adequate but not optimal ]
3Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after remote diagnosis [ Promotional upgrade ]

I've used Linux, so that was not scary. I was impressed, however, that the install provided was pretty smooth for even a non-Linux user. The layout of the interface made it a no-brainer to find the installed applications and ... this is big ... the wireless worked out of the box.

Netbooks are not power-houses. I found, however, that the machine configured as I have it is quite agile. I am looking forward to what it will do when I get the chance to upgrade to the 9.04 Linux Community version.

Most Linux distributions (and this one is no exception) contain a fair amount of bundled software. That means OpenOffice (an open source alternative for MS Office), multiple multi-media apps, web apps including firefox and a link to Box.net (for online backup), and a good number of games. Much more is available for download, of course.

The 10.1 inch screen does take a bit to get used to ... almost all screens need a bit of scrolling. I'm hoping the OS upgrade will have supported drivers to tweak the resolution to fit more on the screen. It will be smaller though (can you say "magnifying reading glasses" three times fast?).

Most have a keyboard that is smaller than a laptop (this one is 92%). Having tried a fair number of HP and Acer netbooks, I will say this one has the best tactile response from the keyboard. 92% is close enough so only the layout is a real challenge to efficiency.

The touchpad controls don't hold tweaks right now ... I got an external mouse. With that, navigation is pretty smooth.

All told, this is a good tool ... note, I didn't say "toy". I'm not going to use it as a desktop replacement, but it is a good travel machine. I could not have been gone a week without checking email for business, and it did let me do research to answer some of the messages quite effectively.

This is going to be a great technology to watch for those who don't (or can't) effectively use a palm-size solution.

Comments: 34

Margy Rydzynski Sep 24, 2009, 10:26pm EDT

The price sounds excellent. I've been trying to figure out how to get an inexpensive travel machine for quite a while now. Linux doesn't bother me, so I might try this out.

Thanks for the write up!

Debra C. Sep 24, 2009, 11:19pm EDT

Watch for the sale days. Otherwise, it is $150 to $200 more.

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Nurse Nancy S. Sep 25, 2009, 4:04am EDT

I have never used Linux and I am not a huge fan of Dell. Had too many friends and family members that have been very unhappy with their Dells.

I hope this works great for you. You did get an EXCELLENT price.

Debra C. Sep 25, 2009, 10:45am EDT

I've had mostly good experience with Dell, but this is the first time for years I got anything through the Home/Home Office division (I go through Small Business -- dedicated state-side support group makes it a lot easier to deal with, and I would assert that machines "designed for business" tend to last longer). I admit that supporting machines for people that didn't buy carefully from them has been a challenge.

Linux was not very approachable for non-geeks before KDE and Gnome (these are graphical user interfaces) became a norm. At this point, the icons may look different than those on Windows or Mac, but it is still navigating by picture.

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Karen R. Sep 25, 2009, 5:04am EDT

I really want a netbook so I can carry it in my purse and take it to work to use at lunch time and maybe a few minutes at break, too.

Debra C. Sep 25, 2009, 10:48am EDT

It would be quite good for that. Another application may be a writer who does most of their work in online apps (ie blogging, using GoogleApps or ZohoOffice rather than something on the local machine, online entry in forms) but needs to change location often. For this, however, I would get the larger battery.

William Dotani Oct 8, 2009, 12:21am EDT

I think a jar of vegemite at lunch will make you forget about batteries, but as Debra says, you'll need a larger battery, so you'll need to go to the gym to build up your arm strength to carry the Debra C large battery.

Debra C. Oct 8, 2009, 12:17pm EDT

Oh, William!

Seriously ... if the purse wasn't important, they do have solar recharge backpacks now -- that would carry both and hand the electrical needs.

William Dotani Oct 31, 2009, 2:24pm EDT

I hear they store energy from light reflected from snowflakes which means you should take your PC with you during the fun time you have as you shoel snow.

Debra C. Oct 31, 2009, 5:04pm EDT

That would have worked great a couple of days this week!

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William Dotani Oct 8, 2009, 12:18am EDT

The price and functionability sound quite good. I thought Linux a Charlie Brown character.

I bought a HP desktop 3 months ago and still have not used it. I have simply been too busy, especially with family matters.

Debra C. Oct 8, 2009, 12:19pm EDT

Lucy's little brother was Linus. Linux was first developed by Linus Torvalds, but he names it Linux. Trivial Pursuit requirement for the day now complete.

Watch out -- you have now passed the 3 month obsolescence point without even trying that desktop!

William Dotani Oct 22, 2009, 11:20am EDT

One of these days I will set my new PC up. I am a hick, not a geek, but I like watching V shape flying geese.

Debra C. Oct 22, 2009, 4:25pm EDT

Well you live in the right place to see a lot. How is Jack Miner's sanctuary doing?

William Dotani Oct 25, 2009, 1:16pm EDT

Jack Miner???????????

Debra C. Oct 27, 2009, 2:13pm EDT

Yes -- just across the border. A sanctuary for geese.

William Dotani Oct 31, 2009, 2:25pm EDT

I thought that was a Chinese restaurant.

Debra C. Oct 31, 2009, 5:05pm EDT

No. And they don't sell to them either. That is duck.

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William Dotani Oct 8, 2009, 12:22am EDT

I'm so old fashion. I just want a keyboard and Word.

Debra C. Oct 8, 2009, 12:19pm EDT

Ah ... but where is Word without a mouse?

William Dotani Oct 8, 2009, 1:27pm EDT

So you want to talk about the nutrition of western Chinese countryside cuisine, eh! Personally, I'll pass on the rodent.

Debra C. Oct 10, 2009, 9:17pm EDT

How about mousse?

William Dotani Oct 14, 2009, 11:50am EDT

As long as the tail is removed.

Debra C. Oct 14, 2009, 1:08pm EDT

Already incorporated by the whisk.

William Dotani Oct 22, 2009, 11:23am EDT

I honesty have let technology pass me by. I don't have a cell phone or a lap top, but I do have an electric can opener.

Debra C. Oct 22, 2009, 4:22pm EDT

Ooooo .. one of those cool cordless ones you set on top of the can to spin around and take off the top?

William Dotani Oct 25, 2009, 1:15pm EDT

Me cordless!!! Ha ha ha. I'm sting into plugging things in.

Debra C. Oct 27, 2009, 2:14pm EDT

But the tail on this can opener wiggles so cutely while cutting the lid.

William Dotani Oct 27, 2009, 2:32pm EDT

Animated appliances are scary!!!

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Mary G. Oct 20, 2009, 9:25pm EDT

My Dell caught on fire, so I'm sure not a fan.

Debra C. Oct 20, 2009, 9:42pm EDT

Was it back in that time when lots of notebooks were catching fire? That was scary every time I used my Toshiba or Compaq notebook back then. Understand the reticence.

William Dotani Oct 31, 2009, 2:26pm EDT

Did you roast marshmellows over the flames?

Debra C. Oct 31, 2009, 5:09pm EDT

I think Mary would have found that too smoky? Remember when this was happening back in '06? Here's a YouTube link to the result if you've forgotten. Scary!!!!!!!!!

William Dotani Dec 1, 2009, 9:42am EST

I remember. I bought my daughter a SONY VIAO laptop before that time. She never had any problem.

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Dell Netbook -- a Review

Comments: 34

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