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    Dell Refreshes Inspiron Mini 10

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Charles P. Jefferies, Dec 21, 2009.

  1. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Dell Refreshes Inspiron Mini 10
    [​IMG]
    Dell today announced it refreshed its Mini 10 netbook with a newer design and Intel Atom processor. New design features include a textured smudge-resistant palm rest and sculpted keys. The new Mini 10 also features the latest Intel Atom N450 processor. Up to 9.5 hours of battery life are possible with the optional 6-cell battery and mobility bundle. Other features include an optional HDTV tuner, GPS, Windows 7 starter, and up to a 250GB hard drive. It weighs three pounds with the 3-cell battery.

    The updated Mini 10 is expected to go on sale in early January starting at $299.

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
    Charles P. Jefferies, Dec 21, 2009
    #1
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    9.5 hours sounds a bit optimistic, but I'm liking the flush 6-cell battery :)

    Thanks, Charles.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 21, 2009
    #2
  3. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

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    The extra bit of laptop that sticks out behind the hinge looks better on the Adamo and Vostro.

    I guess that's Dell's new thing when it comes to design.
     
    Phinagle, Dec 21, 2009
    #3
  4. mamber-m

    mamber-m Notebook Enthusiast

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    How good is the Pineview family compared with the current generation of Atoms? Can the new Atoms-based netbooks compete against slower CULVs?

    I like the new design with respect to the battery better than the last one. I am more concerned about the touchpad. Can they finally pass the exam?
     
    mamber-m, Dec 21, 2009
    #4
  5. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    9.5 hours of batt' life nice. Is that perimeter/base of the rim on the backside of the netbook of a "whitish" color? I can't really tell. Do you think that will "scuff" up easily? I wonder why they didn't make that of a darker color. Maybe I'm being to fussy, I would rather have it black or of a darker color.

    Cin...
     
    Cin', Dec 21, 2009
    #5
  6. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    9.5 hours would be nice, seems to be quite a bit. I wonder under what conditions that is?
     
    atbnet, Dec 21, 2009
    #6
  7. coldmack

    coldmack Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would think 9.5 is out of power saving mode with screen brightness low and wifi off? I know Sony claims 7.5 hours out of the TT and I get 6.5 hours with balanced power profile and screen brightness at 38% and wifi on, optical drive off, and bt off. So, I could believe the 9.5 hours this gets. Then again I have heard TT owners getting over the 7.5 hour claim so if you really try it could be possible to get 10 hours out of the new Mini 10.
     
    coldmack, Dec 21, 2009
    #7
  8. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    This is the third iteration of the Mini 10. First there was the "original" Inspiron Mini 10, then they came out with the Mini 10v, and now this. :p
     
    Mastershroom, Dec 21, 2009
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  9. CitizenPanda

    CitizenPanda Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Pineview graphics still suck, slightly less than the GMA950.

    Seems fairly pointless as a single core upgrade.
     
    CitizenPanda, Dec 21, 2009
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  10. IKAS V

    IKAS V Notebook Prophet

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    At least it looks nice.
     
    IKAS V, Dec 22, 2009
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  11. nwpawe

    nwpawe Notebook Guru

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    I wonder if there is non-reflective screen option...
     
    nwpawe, Dec 22, 2009
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  12. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    Extremely unlikely. Dell's consumer lines all have glossy displays; only the business models have matte.
     
    Mastershroom, Dec 24, 2009
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  13. Serg

    Serg Nowhere - Everywhere

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    What are "sculpted keys"?
     
    Serg, Dec 24, 2009
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  14. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Those that have a slight indent in the middle where your finger is supposed to strike the keys, such as those on a Thinkpad keyboard. Non-sculpted keys are like those on a MBP's keyboard, with a flat surface on each key. Generally speaking, sculpted keys give a better feel when typing.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 24, 2009
    #14
  15. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I wish they would just ditch the touchpad and put in trackpoint instead. None of the netbooks have decent trackpads. Best one I've used so far is the Toshiba NB205 but even then I would prefer a trackpoint. Trackpoint just makes so much more sense given the less real estate on these things.
     
    lixuelai, Dec 25, 2009
    #15
  16. Xiphias

    Xiphias Notebook Evangelist

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    I would have to agree.
     
    Xiphias, Dec 25, 2009
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  17. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I agree, however, the vast majority of computer users out there are not fans of the TrackPoint. My classmates always ridicule me for using "1990s" input technology, using I beat them at Winter Bells using it :p

    Joking aside, I would like to see TrackPoints on netbooks, or at least actual buttons rather than the buttons-built-into-touchpads that are now on all the Dell netbooks. From using my brother's Mini 10v, I can say that that is one major flaw. I would much prefer HP's side-placement of the buttons.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 25, 2009
    #17
  18. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    netbook's touchpad is too small, Trackpoint or external usb mouse is more useful for such small area.
     
    lead_org, Dec 25, 2009
    #18
  19. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    My EEE 901 had an awesome touchpad, loved it so much.
     
    Jayayess1190, Dec 26, 2009
    #19
  20. coldmack

    coldmack Notebook Virtuoso

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    I never had an issue with the odd trackpad on my HP Mini 1000, and I came from a MBP at the time.
     
    coldmack, Dec 26, 2009
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  21. mamber-m

    mamber-m Notebook Enthusiast

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    I agree. That's why I am waiting eagerly Thinkpad X100e or Thinkpad Mini or whatever it will be called. I hope it is a big success, which makes other manufacturers think about adopting Trackpoint as well.
     
    mamber-m, Dec 27, 2009
    #21