Comments on: Hands-on with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9

There aren't many surprises--leaks had revealed the system's design and features--but it's still exciting to see a major player back the Netbook concept in a big way.

[logiotek]

I got a 16GB SLC SSD from MDD for my Mini and did some benchmarks under NTFS without compression. I am getting 23 MB/s sustained writes and 42 MB/s sustained reads after file system overhead. I also got a SanDisk Extreme III 16GB SDHC card as a cheaper alternative for high-performance storage expansion. This SanDisk card does 19 MB/s sustained writes and 23 MB/s sustained reads from Mini's built-in card reader and also formatted with NTFS. I set my Windows XP environmental TEMP folders to SanDisk card and the system is very smooth. MDD SLC 16GB SSD and SanDisk Extreme III 16GB SDHC card combination resulted in the most responsive computer system I ever owned, sadly it happened to be a netbook (I find it hilarious). I don't get any lockups or lag what so ever while multi-tasking. I do have 2GB RAM but who doesn't these days. With that said, I recommend you dishing out a little more money for higher quality parts unless of course you are happy with what you have. Oh and by the way MDD SLC SSD uses Samsung flash chips. For transferring to MDD SLC SSD from the stock STEC SSD without re-installing, I used Acronis TrueImage Home 2009. Whole procedure took about an hour with only half SSD filled. Upon booting with MDD SLC SSD Windows asked me to reactivate due to hardware changes. I had to call Microsoft automated voice line to reset my activation because I don't use stock XP Home from Dell, I use my copy of XP Pro. I hope this helps to those who are wondering about SLC SSDs. Regards.

[logiotek]

I got a 16GB SLC SSD from MDD for my Mini and did some benchmarks under NTFS without compression. I am getting 23 MB/s sustained writes and 42 MB/s sustained reads after file system overhead. I also got a SanDisk Extreme III 16GB SDHC card as a cheaper alternative for high-performance storage expansion. This SanDisk card does 19 MB/s sustained writes and 23 MB/s sustained reads from Mini's built-in card reader and also formatted with NTFS. I set my Windows XP environmental TEMP folders to SanDisk card and the system is very smooth. MDD SLC 16GB SSD and SanDisk Extreme III 16GB SDHC card combination resulted in the most responsive computer system I ever owned, sadly it happened to be a netbook (I find it hilarious). I don't get any lockups or lag what so ever while multi-tasking. I do have 2GB RAM but who doesn't these days. With that said, I recommend you dishing out a little more money for higher quality parts unless of course you are happy with what you have. Oh and by the way MDD SLC SSD uses Samsung flash chips. For transferring to MDD SLC SSD from the stock STEC SSD without re-installing, I used Acronis TrueImage Home 2009. Whole procedure took about an hour with only half SSD filled. Upon booting with MDD SLC SSD Windows asked me to reactivate due to hardware changes. I had to call Microsoft automated voice line to reset my activation because I don't use stock XP Home from Dell, I use my copy of XP Pro. I hope this helps to those who are wondering about SLC SSDs. Regards.

[logiotek]

No not after upgrading RAM, you don't need to reinstall anything. =)

[shimondc13]

I am really trying to figure this out between the Dell and Acer. I have an Inspiron 9400 17" and its great for home but too heavy to carry on subway, etc. I like Dell a lot. The Acer seems more powerful, but I really don't know. Logiotech's reviews are making me lean to the Dell, plus I can get a discount through my school.

How did you install the XP Pro OS? Did you have to buy it or for example, can I use the disk that came with my 9400?

Thanks for your help!!!

[logiotek]

You should be able to take an installation CD from your other Dell and install onto Mini. As long as it is actual Win XP Pro installation package and not some recovery thing that just images your other Dells original OS onto the drive - that might not work right. I bought my copy. Win XP Pro is a good investment anyway since it will be supported well into 201X. You will need an external USB optical drive though.

[jvanhare]

Well, my wife got me one for Christmas and it locked up 17 times in the first 2 hours, the LED light doesn't work to show the battery is charging, if it is at all. I spent 3 1/2 hours on line with 6 different people at Dell, all from India as near as I could tell, none of them would give me an RMA to send back a clearly defective item, although one did want to charge me a restocking fee. They wouldn't take it back without a technical support case number, which one of their supervisor's finally gave me grudgingly. All this and it is supposed to have an unconditional 21 day Satisfaction Guarantee. Then they transferred me to returns, and hung up on me. Then when I called back I was on hold for 45 minutes and no one from Returns ever picked up. I am going to write the President/CEO of Dell and ask him for my RMA, since he seems to be the only one authorized to give one out.

[jvanhare]

Well, my wife got me one for Christmas and it locked up 17 times in the first 2 hours, the LED light doesn't work to show the battery is charging, if it is at all. I spent 3 1/2 hours on line with 6 different people at Dell, all from India as near as I could tell, none of them would give me an RMA to send back a clearly defective item, although one did want to charge me a restocking fee. They wouldn't take it back without a technical support case number, which one of their supervisor's finally gave me grudgingly. All this and it is supposed to have an unconditional 21 day Satisfaction Guarantee. Then they transferred me to returns, and hung up on me. Then when I called back I was on hold for 45 minutes and no one from Returns ever picked up. I am going to write the President/CEO of Dell and ask him for my RMA, since he seems to be the only one authorized to give one out.