Inspiron Mini 9?

[Pam McLeod]

We have two of these Dell Mini 9's (XP and Ubuntu) at school and are about to purchase ~65 of the Linux version for a grant-funded netbook project for our 4th grade.

I have compared these to the Acer Aspire One and the ASUS EEE 901.  The Lenovo S10 wasn't out yet when I did my demos  The Dell's keyboard isn't quite as friendly as the Acer Aspire One, but the Dell still has one of the largest netbook keyboards around.  They made the regular alpha keys close to full-size, but shrunk the "border" keys and removed the top row of function keys.  I would guess that linux folks would have a harder time with the unusual placement of exterior (non-alpha) keys than "windows" folks, because they are accustomed to typing more.  For example, it drives me batty that the \ char on the Dell requires an alt+, but I've had several colleagues try our XP Dell and absolutely love it, because they never type in backslashes!

We selected the Dell for this grant project with 4th graders because we wanted Linux and
1. It has Ubuntu
2. It has a SSD, not HDD (a plus when working with kids, as well as very quiet)
3. It seems solid and well-built
4. Upgrades are easier than in some other models (good accessibility to the RAM/SSDs)
5. Fairly large keyboard and nice, bright screen.

I have used USB devices with the Dell Mini 9, and have also plugged in a Microsoft Wireless travel mouse (the one that comes in all of the colors) - it was seamless.  Installing some apps on some of these linux netbooks requires some workarounds because of the Atom processor (lpia?).

Once I switched to a netbook for travel, meetings, and taking work home - and this was just about a month ago - I would never go back to a full-sized laptop.  I am using the Acer Aspire One (XP) for my own travel/meeting laptop, but have not tried their Linux version.  I like the keyboard and the price point of the Acer, as well as the bright screen. But, it seems flimsy compared to the Dell and is noisy with its HDD, whereas the Dells are very quiet.  I have made different choices of netbook for myself than for our students ... we have different needs.

Pam McLeod
Director of Technology, Alton School District
(603) 875-0394 voice
(603) 875-0380 FAX
pmcleod at alton.k12.nh.us
________________________________________
From: gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org [gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org] On Behalf Of Mark Komarinski [mkomarinski at wayga.org]
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 10:21 PM
To: Greater NH Linux User Group
Subject: Inspiron Mini 9?

Does anyone have one of these wee beasts?  I'm headed to Hawaii for a
week in February and want to take something that's even smaller and
lighter than my Thinkpad X61 (which is already pretty small).  I'd like
to hear your thoughts.

I want to use it to:

- charge various USB devices (i.e. blackberry, ipod touch, etc.)
- upload photos from my camera to my home server
- IMAP for my mail, web browser for gmail
- remaining amused on the plane (or is that overly hopeful?)

-Mark
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