Dell's Mini 10 Packs a Punch

RBHendrick — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:19:57 GMT

I just received my Dell Mini 10v, which I upgraded with a number of options. Have to say that I wish I found this message board before ordering. The 6-cell (56 WHr) battery is definitely unsightly and unwieldy, and was an immediate disappointment when I opened the package. Shame on Dell for not disclosing the physical change involved when selling the upgrade. A simple photo or interstitial note would suffice. I haven't decided if it's worth fighting with Customer Support, but am very disappinted with that element.

On the more "expected disappointment" level, I'm finding that either the processor or RAM is definitely a little overwhelmed with just a bit of application switching (e.g. iTunes open, IE open... don't try opening one more thing... or a background update in progress, IE, then anything extra will run/switch very slowly). As I said, that part is somewhat expected. I initially thought it was the 1GB RAM (which, yes, I would love to upgrade), but upon mointoring the Task Manager, it appears that the CPU (which I upgraded to the N280 1.66 GHz, 667 MHz) is frequently running at absolute full capacity (100%) far more than the physical memory is topped-out.

On all other fronts the Dell Mini 10v is good. Sound is surprisingly decent for such an inexpensive/small device (my expectations were really low in this area). Keyboard is fine, touchpad is a little awkward (very close to keyboard, not very tall) but you get used to it. Screen, outlets, and overall construction also appear to be fine. Webcam is also great.

2GB RAM Option for Mini 10 is Finally Here

Direct2Dell — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:02:59 GMT

Since we introduced the Mini 10 back in February, the most common question on my blog post about it was

Matrix-2002 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:31:42 GMT

It just became available with 2GB of RAM and Windows Vista Basic starting at $429 but you can't customize it with GPS or TV Tuner yet:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDOEM5&s=dhs

soybean.monk — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:56:25 GMT

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

The Dell Mini 9 is back because you can upgrade this little net book. With 2GB ram and a greater SSD hard drive via Run Core. The other net books 10v, 12 you couldn't upgrade the net books. Dell doesn’t realize consumers want the choice to expand their net books as they see fit (thank you Dell for that little slot with 2 screws underneath the Mini 9).

Dell is a computer brand label that’s notoriously known for the reliability of their PCs and also for their support of alternative operating systems such as Linux, BSD, etc. The Dell Mini 10v is all wrong. I do agree that net books should have a base screen of 10 inches. I have a Dell Mini 9 and I use this net book everyday. Due to the fact its light, it boots fast, it doesn’t consume too much electricity, its quiet with an SSD hard drive (no moving parts).

Dell doesn’t realize what a gem the Dell Mini 9 is. The Dell Mini 9 has the potential to become the primo net book if they work on improving and tweaking it. The Dell Mini 9 only consumes about 1GW of electricity vs. a dual core laptop at 30GW. My Dell Mini 9 is my best friend. The Dell Mini 9 is the right net book it just needs slight improvements such as a bigger screen, a better keyboard, a real 3D graphics card (to handle 3D videogames), interactivity with cell phones.

Motorola and Dell need to partner and create a device that’s part net book/part cell phone.

soybean.monk — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:48:13 GMT

Well Dell Computers, a name brand American company are Made in China and the Tech Support comes from India. Yet these PCs are bought and used by Americans.

I can't communicate well with the Indian tech support people. Whenever I call Dell I get a guy named Steve with an east indian accent.

duskstriker — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:58:44 GMT

Dear July 2009,

Please bring me a Dell Mini 10 that can be upgraded to 2GB of Ram. I have been waiting for months on top of months. I want to get rid of my tax return moneys already! (...and no the 10v won't work for me.. I want the high res screen and shweet hd)

Patiently yourse,

Bryan

XD hehe

dvinas — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:26:08 GMT

I recently purchased a Mini 10. Went to the website, and customized the most expensive model. I was not given a choice of battery, and had to take the 6-cell. Unfortunately, as I hadn't been following the discussions, I didn't realize that this was an "upgrade" from the original battery, but just thought it was the standard battery. I looked at all the photos, checked the dimensions, and ultimately chose to purchase this netbook. When I received it, there was a huge "roll" sticking off the bottom of the laptop. It is completely unusable for my purposes. The height is almost double in the back, it elevates the keyboard to an uncomfortable typing angle, and it won't fit into the nifty case I bought for it. I am absolutely furious at Dell, and have spent over 6 hours on the phone with various "customer service" agents, who basically all tell me it's my own fault for trusting Dell. I escalated to several supervisors, who all quoted return policies and claimed this was not Dell's fault, despite the clearly misleading marketing information and technical specs.

As evidence, go to this link: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-10?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=corp&~lt=popup and then click the "Tech Specs" tab. If you scroll down to "Ports, Slots, Chassis" and look at the Mini 10 Dimensions & Weight, you'll see that the height is listed as 1.0-1.1 inches (Front-Back). Additionally, have a look at the gallery and see the various product shots, taken from all angles. Now look at this photo: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/09/dell-mini-10-6-cell-battery-gets-pictured/ and tell me whether that looks like the same product. No longer the sleek, sexy laptop I thought I was buying, the version I received has an unsightly tumor growing off the bottom. This difference should be clearly stated on the website, and it should be pictured in photos. Some customers might like this feature, and some might not (like me). In either case, they should know what they're getting and have the option of which battery to purchase.

All I want is to return this machine and get my money back, as it was clearly misrepresented on the website. Nowhere is there a photo with the new battery, and if you choose the high-end Mini 10, there is no choice of battery, and indeed, no indication that there is anything unusual about what you will receive. I am being told that I will have to eat the 15% restocking fee. I have spent the equivalent of the entire purchase price in my time dedicated to trying to resolve this issue, to no avail. Dell customer support is the worst I have encountered in recent history. I am tired of dealing with unprofessional reps in the India call center. I am tired of being told that I "should have known" the battery would be big. (What, am I telepathic?)

I am an IT professional, and it is part of my job to recommend technology to my clients, not to mention my friends and family. I am returning the laptop, and Dell can keep the $75 they are stealing from me. But be warned, I will make sure that you lose far more than that amount in business. In this economy, for a company like Dell to completely ignore their customers, and treat us like criminals, is utterly reprehensible.

taffman — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:55:18 GMT

Almost at the end of another month. Will we see more news on the Mini 10 with the items being released that have already been promised. We will see

CapitalCreationGroup — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:29:24 GMT

Whenever the 2GB of RAm is available, Dell better UP their production because they will get a SURGE of orders! Please bring out the 2 GB of RAM, waiting to use that with Windows 7 Ultimate! MS finally has a winner, now Dell needs a winner with the perfect 10.

mgmacmurray — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:42:30 GMT

Please tell your support reps that the Mini 10's 1GB of RAM is NOT upgradeable. I asked 3 different 'online chat' reps to confirm the maximum supportable RAM and all 3 said the user could upgrade the RAM to 2GB.

Wajid 1581, Srinivas 1307, Sastry 1286

Frustrating.