Reply to: dell inspiron mini 9 netbook

[expat]

I don't think there's enough screen real-estate for anything like VS.

Even surfing is a pain (e.g. a YouTube video barely fits on the screen due to the limited height) unless you turn off all the toolbars, status bar etc and run in minimal mode.

Get down to your local PC World and check them out to see if you could live with one.

That's why I'm typing this on a lightweight 13.3" with 1440x900, soon got bored of the netbook. Too limiting unless you need the ultraportability above all else.

I want size = fits on an A4 page. And startup & shutdown in as few seconds as possible. And cost less than £500. And yes I do want all of those above anything else (well, I would find an Etch-a-Sketch a bit limiting).

I liked the look of the Toshiba Libretto but it was way way too expensive. And I really really want fast boot and shutdown.

As I said YMMV.

[~Craig~]

just ordered one of these Dell jobbies with ubuntu. I'm hoping it will be delivered before xmas but I doubt it. Dell don't appear to be the quickest in shipping things.

[Jaws]

I have got VS2005 set up on my eee pc, and it is fine for a few tasks. I've generally been using it to work out ideas in class libraries (you need to make all the tool bars slide in and out for any practical use) and testing in NUnit. I wouldn't want to use it for anything gui related though, for that a proper laptop with a decent resolution is needed.

[PAH]

also, those of you who have used one, any thoughts on it providing a basic, portable ms, v/studio, sql express dev platform?

I don't think there's enough screen real-estate for anything like VS.

Even surfing is a pain (e.g. a YouTube video barely fits on the screen due to the limited height) unless you turn off all the toolbars, status bar etc and run in minimal mode.

Get down to your local PC World and check them out to see if you could live with one.

That's why I'm typing this on a lightweight 13.3" with 1440x900, soon got bored of the netbook. Too limiting unless you need the ultraportability above all else.

[TCL]

Do you have to give it back at the end of the contract though?

[Moscow Mule]

thanks guys. good replies. i see that vodafone are doing an offer re online access. any thoughts? also, those of you who have used one, any thoughts on it providing a basic, portable ms, v/studio, sql express dev platform?
cheers.

Vodaphone have an exclusive on the model with an in-built 3G card. Whether that's a bonus or not is up to you...

[scotspine]

thanks guys. good replies. i see that vodafone are doing an offer re online access. any thoughts? also, those of you who have used one, any thoughts on it providing a basic, portable ms, v/studio, sql express dev platform?
cheers.

[BoredBloke]

I don't see the keyboard as being an issue. These mini laptops are not meant for doing long essays on they are meant for general surfing etc. However on the one I have just bought my daughter it has a number of USB connections and a video output so she could attach external devices if she had a huge document to knock out.

[expat]

I don't understand the appeal. Are there really that many times where your laptop is just too big and your phone is just too small and you find yourself wishing you had something in between?

Yes, most of the time. I don't carry a backpack all the time and don't want to lumber myself with a laptop bag either. A small shoulder bag is fine by me.

Also startup and shutdown times matter a lot to me. In my ideal use, I'd switch it on and off frequently. With my laptop, either I leave it on all the time and keep wasting time on it, or I leave it off and I might as well not have it with me (which is what I am considering).

As for the keyboard, I don't touch-type. I never have spent hours typing, and don't intend to start now.

You may not have the same pattern as I do (YMMV as they say) but those are my parameters. TBH I do think that the target markt is people with a couple of hundred to spare, who want another gadget. That's why I resist buying one, but I have to admit that it looks like it fits my requirements.

[lambrini_socialist]

i've got one (Linux version) and i really like it. it's the kind of thing you just throw in a bag when you're going away somewhere and want to use wifi (holidays, family visits, starbucks etc) and you don't worry too much about it getting nicked (it's cheap) or taking too many knocks (SSD, so no moving parts). the Mini 9 looks and feels a lot nicer than the other netbooks i've played with, too, it's lovely and light, really small, but still seems like a laptop rather than a toy.

as said above though, battery life isn't good, and if you've gotten used to decent (ie Apple) laptops, using a netbook (especially w/ WinXP) can be a bit of a ghetto experience.

[TheFaQQer]

I don't understand the appeal. Are there really that many times where your laptop is just too big and your phone is just too small and you find yourself wishing you had something inbetween?

£100 more buys a pretty decent laptop.

If you do lots of short flights (e.g. Manchester to London), as I do, having something that you can work on, which starts up and shuts down in seconds is great. With my Windows laptop, by the time it comes out of hibernation, it's time to switch it off again! With my EEE PC, it's got next to no startup or shutdown time, and I can work on documents with a reasonable size keyboard and screen.

[PAH]

£100 more buys a pretty decent laptop.

True. Nearly settled for a 12" one, with built in DVD. Shame it was faulty and discontinued (so couldn't get a replacement) otherwise would have been a bargain.

The problem with low end full strength lappies, is they're not exactly light or cool running, so not ideal for sitting on your lap.

For something to sit on your lap whilst surfing in front of the telly, netbooks are ok, though could do with more vertical resolution.

[VectraMan]

I don't understand the appeal. Are there really that many times where your laptop is just too big and your phone is just too small and you find yourself wishing you had something inbetween?

£100 more buys a pretty decent laptop.

[PAH]

If a netbook is what you're after it's probably a similar spec to every other netbook out there with a similar screen size.

The main disadvantage I found with the smaller netbooks (such as this) is they don't have useable keyboards. Fine for the odd session but not something you'd want to type away on for hours on end.

I went for the Advent 4211 10" incher for a more usable keyboard, though the resolution is pegged the same due to restrictions with the netbook standard.

Unfortunately at the moment, for higher resolution you need to go slightly beyond the netbooks to 12" or larger.

So if a netbook is all you need, it's probably worth a punt if the price comparion to other netbook clones doesn't put you off.

[expat]

It doesn't come with any form of windoze, which may be a good or bad thing depending on your preference.

Linky sent to me this morning. Looking at this you can have XP and an extra 8gig (required I suppose) for only £29 more.

No windows AND £29? Bargain.