computer brain needed

[Superior Shine]

About to go get this - Dell Inspiron Mini 10" Netbook 160G HD, 10.1" LCD

All I need it for is my client management software, emails, skype, internet, and pics of clients cars.

Anybody have one? Have an opinion on this?

[Murr1525]

Re: computer brain needed

Is a mini going to be comfortable for you to use/type on, etc?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: computer brain needed

For what you're intending to use it for, the Dell should be more than enough to get the job done. For a small screen like that and if you have bad eyesight like me, do yourself a favor and download Zoomit.exe. Zoomit is an applet from Microsoft that allows you to blow up an image or text or anything else on your screen using a combo keystroke without losing pixel resolution. And it's free!

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: computer brain needed

Get a Mac!

[dave40co]

Re: computer brain needed

Get a Mac!

For so many reasons, GET A MAC!

[Superior Shine]

Re: computer brain needed

Thanks for chiming in fellas. The most important part of the reason I want something like this computer is portability.

It will be with me in the field so I can schedule customers.

[Solipsist]

Re: computer brain needed

Hi superior shine!

I have a Dell laptop, it's a studio laptop though not the mini.

With this laptop, what you've got to look at is the RAM, that stands for random access memory, and is what your computer uses when using any application. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer will work, so, say, you've got a photo up, then want to open another program, then have a timetable or something, this all uses RAM. It depends on how much "effort" these programs require, this might mean, (i don't know anything about your business, but you mentioned something about customers) you might be standing there tapping your foot while the computer takes it's time.

From what I can see, the RAM cannot be expanded, ie, you can't pay extra for more RAM, but i'd ask about it, because the more RAM the more happier you'll be!
Also, battery life, do you have a way to recharge the computer throughout the day? It says, it's only available with the 3 cell, this will not give you much time at all, I've got a nine cell on mine, and it only lasts about 4.5 hours (although, obviously, mine is a bigger computer so it requires more power).
It says on my dell site that 6 cell is available soon, if you can get a 6 cell, go for it, but keep in mind it will make the computer slightly heavier, but not that much.

Hope I've been some help, if you get a chance to reply, and give a run down on what programs you are most likely using, i know you gave a quick list, but something with a description of what kind of programs they are, it'll be easier to work out if that RAM will be sufficient.

[CieraSL]

Re: computer brain needed

For so many reasons, GET A MAC!

[RacerX88]

Re: computer brain needed

We have a Mini (WIN XP). My wife loves it. I have an Inspiron E1505.

[b00g2003]

Re: computer brain needed

Some things I would bring up is a lot of the mini's do not have a optical drive, and yes I know there are ways around it. Whenever one comes into my shop, we'll either move whatever we are trying install over with a flash drive, or open up a network share and just use the ROM drive of another a computer. But just be aware that it will not be as simple as throwing a CD into a netbook and loading it up.

I don't much care for typing on them either. To me, I would much rather look at a true notebook with like a 14.1" screen. You still have the portability, but you can install additional ram (Solipsist, couldn't agree more) and gain a LOT more features. To me, what you gain by going to a true notebook definitely beats the portability factor of a mini.

Another thing I would look at, as most Notebooks will now ship with some series of Dual Core CPU, where these mini's run an extremely small CPU's, mostly Intel's Atom series. Depending on the Apps you run, you could possibly face a resource problem.


I've had about every different laptop from every different manufacture (All pc, not a mac guy here), and at one point I looked at the mini for the service rigs at my shop, but I grab some of the 14.1" Lenovo Laptops with XP Pro (not a vista guy either) instead.

But back to the original point, With the cost being cheaper than a regualr notebook and if a netbook will do what you require, go for it.

[ceyko]

Re: computer brain needed

Although yall don't know me from anyone else, I'll have to echo b00g2003's opinion 100%.

The netbook has a purpose and portability is one of them.

Regular notebooks can provide the same functionality, just better performance and being able to use the device easier and see the screen better.

For work purposes I would get a small laptop/notebook as opposed to a netbook. A small one with less bells and whistles will still have great battery life, be portable and durable.

Above anything else, make sure what you buy is durable.

[xantonin]

Re: computer brain needed

Whatever you do, if you buy a Dell, make certain you buy their Complete Care coverage.

I've worked for Dell before, and they'll replace anything with that coverage if it incurs any accidental damage. It is especially useful for laptops since they're dropped often.

[ColonelCash]

Re: computer brain needed

Hey guys, I have a Mini 9 from Dell. I'm a computer guy and wish I would have chimed in earlier, but here is my $.02.

PROS:
- No fans, quiet and doesn't get very hot
- Small and very lightweight
- Boots in 25 seconds
- Clear screen, easy to read.
- SSD (solid state hard drive) that has no moving pieces.
- Very affordable
- 3+ hour battery life
- Has wireless, bluetooth and webcam options

CONS:
- Keyboard is small on the Mini 9, some buttons are moved and some are half the normal size. Not sure if this is fixed or not with the Mini 10.
- SSD hard drive is a very slow drive when writing. It reads fine, but writing is slow.
- SSD drives are expensive to replace, they have higher than normal failure rates because the drives writes to the same sectors over and over, they eventually wear out.
- NO CD DRIVE. You can add an external drive for cheap, but if you get a product with a CD, you will have a hard time loading it.
- Strange resolution settings, some programs won't run (like Canon software installer)

Compare this to a MAC is an apples (no pun intended) to oranges comparison. I paid $275 for my Dell Mini about 6 months back. Try to find a Mac for that much, you can't do it. Sure, it has some cons, but overall a decent machine and does what I need it to do (e-mail, surf from my bed / couch). If you are looking for a netbook, I'd look at the Asus brand as well, they have a similar PC that comes with a standard optical drive (easier to replace, faster).

Feel free to PM me specific questions.

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: computer brain needed

Zoomit is an applet from Microsoft that allows you to blow up an image or text or anything else on your screen using a combo keystroke without losing pixel resolution. And it's free!

Doesn't CTRL and the + key do the same thing? Already built into Windows. I don't see how any software can blow up .jpeg images without loss of resolution?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: computer brain needed

Doesn't CTRL and the + key do the same thing? Already built into Windows. I don't see how any software can blow up .jpeg images without loss of resolution?

Me neither, until I tried it. This little applet is awesome. I work part time for the NFL during the football season. My crew takes wide angle photos from both end zones so we can identify every player by jersey number on every snap of the ball. Although we sync our laptops and cameras with the game clock, some of the photos fail to sync or "marry-up" with the down and distance recorded into our application. So then I have to manually match them up by checking the play with where the ball is spotted on the yard marker in the photo. Before I found Zoomit, I was using the app you were talking about - the magnifyer included with windows - but that pixelated the image when I tried to increase the size of the image. Zoomit was like an answer to a prayer. I can magnify the image and not increase pixelation off the initial keystroke combo (CTRL + 1). It will pixelate if I try to adjust the size using my mouse scroll button, but I often don'tneed to do that.

Just try it. Completely free!