Dell Mini Laptops

Dell's mini laptops come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 9-inch to 12-inch. In this post, we will discuss each and every models of Dell's mini laptops.

1. Dell Inspiron Mini 9


Overview:
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is the first mini laptop from Dell. It comes with 8.9-inch display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom Processor, 16GB SSD, and 1GB of RAM. Dell has discontinued this model of mini laptop, but you could still get it from online retailer such as Amazon.com for $339.

Good:

• Compact, sturdy design
• Configurable online
  

Bad:

• Awkward keyboard
• Limited storage space with 16GB SSD
• Short battery life (3 hours 12 minutes from 4-cell battery)
  

Specification:

• 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor N270
• 1 GB RAM
• 16GB Solid State Drive
• Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/g
• Ports: Ethernet; Headphone; Microphone; VGA; USB x 3
• 4-1 card reader
• Dimension: 9.1 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
  
• Weight: 2.3 pounds
  

Availability:
The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is currently available at Amazon.com for $339.

Review:



2. Dell Inspiron Mini 10


Overview:
There are 2 versions available for this mini laptop: Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and Dell Inspiron Mini 10v. The difference between these 2 models are:

• The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 uses Intel's more energy efficient Atom Zxx series processors, while the 10v comes with an Intel Atom N270 or N280 CPU.
• Dell Inspiron Mini 10v is cheaper
• Dell Inspiron Mini 10v does not have an "edge to edge" display like the one found on the Mini 10
• The Inspiron Mini 10v's screen resolution maxes out at 1024 x 600 pixels, while the Mini 10 is available in a high resolution 1366 x 768 pixel display.
• You can customize your Mini 10 order to include a built-in TV tuner, but not in the Mini 10v.
  

Other than the differences stated above, both models of Insipron Mini 10 come with a 10.1-inch screen, 1GB RAM, and 160GB hard drive -- a typical 10-inch netbook spec. The Inspiron Mini 10v is said to be the replacement for the Mini 9 as it has a spec that stacks up against the Mini 10 and the Mini 9.

Good:

• Compact design
• Various colors and designs are available
• Roomy keyboard
• Bright, glossy display
• Good TV reception (Mini 10v)
  

Bad:

• Finicky touchpad and touch buttons
• Lacks VGA port (Mini 10)
• Reviewer experience trouble in playing back a 720p WMV video both on the screen and via HDMI to a 32-inch HDTV
• Bulky, awkward TV antenna (Mini 10v)
  

Specification:

• 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor N270 (Mini 10) / up to 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor Z530 (Mini 10v)
• 1 GB RAM
• 160GB Hard Drive
• 10.1-inch Widescreen Display with 1024x600 resolution (optional HD display 1366x768 available for Mini 10)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 (Mini 10v) / Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500 (Mini 10)
• Wi-Fi 802.11g
• Ports: Ethernet; Headphone; Microphone; VGA (Mini 10V only); HDMI connector (Mini 10 only); USB x 3
• 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
• Dimension: 10.3 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches, 2.6 pounds
  

Availability:
Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and 10v is currently available on Dell's official site. Price differs base on configuration. You may also get a pre-configured unit from Amazon.com with a price as low as $368.57.

Review:



3. Dell Inspiron Mini 12


Overview:
Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is a mini laptop with 12.1-inch screen. When this mini laptop first came out, Dell has made Windows Vista the default OS for this machine. The result is a sluggish performance. So if you decided to get this mini laptop, be sure to install Windows XP instead of Vista on it. Ir run much smoother on XP.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is a great choice for those who like to have a bigger screen and keyboard than the typical 10-inch netbook. It's unfortunate that Dell has discontinued the Mini 12 model, just like the Mini 9. But there are still remaining stocks at Amazon.com. You can pick a unit of Mini 12 with Windows XP at the price of $439.99.

Good:

• Glossy 12.1-inch screen
• Slim design
• Excellent battery life with six-cell battery
• Nearly full-size keyboard
  

Bad:

• Sluggish performance under Vista
• Slow hard drive
• Quiet speakers
  

Specification:

• Up To 1.6-GHz Intel Atom Z530
• 1 GB RAM
• 80GB Hard Drive
• 12.1-Inch Glossy LED Display (1280x800 resolution)
• Intel GMA 500 Graphics
  
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/g
• Ports: Ethernet; Headphone; Microphone; VGA; USB x 3
• 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
• Dimension: 11.8 x 9.0 x 1.1 inches,
  
• Weight: 3.2 pounds (with six-cell battery), 2.8 pounds (with three-cell battery)

Availability:
Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is currently available on Amazon.com for $439.99.

Review:


And that covers all mini laptops from Dell. The most attractive part of Dell's Mini laptops is that they offer various colors and designs that customers can choose to match their own personalities. At the same time, the system offers decent performance that's enough for you to perform your daily tasks. Dell's mini laptops are recommended for those who are not very demanding on system performance, and like to have something that looks special. We will keep the list updated as new models of Dell mini laptop is released.

How To Upgrade The RAM for Dell Inspiron Mini 10v

Dell Inspiron Mini 10v netbook comes with a default 1 GB RAM. For those who are thinking of upgrading their Inspiron Mini 10v RAM to 2GB, here's a useful video series that shows you how to do it.

Dell Announced Latitude 2100 Netbook

Dell has just announced a new 10-inch netbook, Latitude 2100, which targets the educational market.

Different from most netbooks on the market today, the Latitude 2100 comes with a thick and heavy chassis. It measures 10.4" x 7.4" x 1.6" and weighs 3.4 pounds when put together with the optional 6-cell battery, making it one of the bulkiest netbook around. Also, in preparation for the rigorous use by the school students, Dell has designed the Latitude 2100 with rubberized cases, and offers an optional handle / shoulder strap, and docking cart that schools can use to store and charge up to 24 netbooks.

Other specs for the Latitude 2100 is quite similar to other netbooks on the market: Intel Atom CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB SSD, Windows XP, etc. The rubberized cases will be available in a variety of colors including yellow, green, blue, and red.

Check out the introductory video for the Latitude 2100:


Also, Laptop Magazine has done a review on the Dell Latitude 2100. Check it out.

[via CNET News]

Dell Mini Laptops

Since 2008, Dell has released quite a number of new mini laptop models. We will give you an overview of each models of mini laptops in each product lines from Dell. We will also add in reviews for each models of Dell mini laptop in this post as they are available.

Currently there are 3 models of low-cost mini laptop in the Dell Inspiron line:

1. Inspiron Mini 9


Inspiron Mini 9 is the first netbook model from Dell. It has an 8.9-inch display and the starting price is as low as $279.

The specification for the Dell Inspiron Mini 9:

• Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
• Up to Intel® Atom Processor® N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
• 1GB DDR2 RAM at 533MHz
• Up to 16GB Solid State Drive
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
• Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
• Optional AT&T built-in cellular mobile broadband (HSPA 7.2)
• 32WHr Battery (4 cell)
• Genuine Windows XP Home Edition

Dell provides its customers with the flexibility to configure their own specs. The specification listed above are the maximum specs that you can get, and the price of the final product will base on the configuration selected. There are several reviews being done on the Dell Mini 9 laptop, and the overall rating for this netbook is above average. Check out the video review below, and the Inspiron Mini 9 review roundup which links to several expert reviews on this machine, and giving you an overall idea of good and bad about this netbook.



2. Inspiron Mini 10


The Inspiron Mini 10 is another netbook from Dell that comes after Dell Mini 9. It has a 10.1-inch screen size and a starting price of $399.

The specification for the Dell Inspiron Mini 10:

• 10.1" Widescreen Display (1024x576)
• Up to Intel Atom Processor Z530 (1.6GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache)
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 160GB, 2.5inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500
• Wireless 802.11g/n (1510) Mini Card
• 24WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell)
• Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3
  

Released in February 2009, Dell is a little late in joining the 10-inch netbook competition, but the Inspiron Mini 10 is still outstanding in a few ways. It's one of the thinnest and lightest netbook in its class, provide several colorful design options, has a bright glossy display, and a roomy keyboard. However, at similar price, the 3-cell battery on this machine is making it less competitive compare to other netbooks in the same class such as the Asus Eee PC 1000 HE and Samsung NC10.



3. Inspiron Mini 12


With a 12.1-inch display, we consider the Inspiron Mini 12 a mini laptop instead of netbook. It has a starting price of $399 and comes with the following specification:

• 12.1" widescreen TrueLife® Display (1280x800)
• Intel®Atom®Processor Z520 (1.33GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache)
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (onboard)
• 60GB PATA Hard Drive (4200 RPM)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500
• Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
• 48WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell)
• Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
  

Here's a great video review on the Inspiron Mini 12 by mobilecomputermag.co.uk:



And finally this video gives you an overview of all 3 Dell Inspiron Mini laptop:

Dell Vostro A90 Available in US Now

Dell Vostro A90 netbook which has already been released in Europe for quite some time, is now available in the US.


The Vostro A90 netbook has an identical specs as the Inspiron Mini 9:

• 8.9-inch screen
• Intel Atom N270 CPU
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB SSD
• Windows XP Home
• WiFi, Bluetooth and an optional 0.3 webcam

An obvious difference between them would be the external design -- the Vostro A90 comes in a cool all-black design. The price for Vostro A90 is currently set at $349.

Dell Netbook Roadmap Leaked

A full set of Dell's netbook roadmap slides are leaked. From the slide, we can see that Dell is planning to release an 11-inch netbook (Mini 11) by end of Q3. Also, there will be quite some changes to the Mini 10. Dell is planning to add 3G modem, Vista, and may be a 1.86GHz Atom processor to the Mini 10 on 17th April. And finally, a new 1.6GHz Atom N270 SKU will arrive in May and Dell will update will update everything in the second half of the year with Intel's Pine Trail processors.

[via Engadget]