Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook Unboxing and First Impressions

[Jason Dunn]

<p>This is an unboxing and first impressions video of the <a href="http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=us&amp;cs=19&amp;l=en&amp;s=dhs" target="_blank">Dell Inspiron Mini 9</a>, Dell's first step into the world of low-cost netbooks. The Mini 9 that I ordered has Windows XP, a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CPU, 16 GB solid-state flash storage, 1 GB of RAM, a 4 cell battery, and an 8.9 inch at 1024 x 600 resolution. The Linux-based versions start at $349 USD, and the XP-based versions start at $399. If you get the XP-based version with every option, it's about $480 USD. Check out the video below, and watch for my review to follow shortly.</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="600" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AC_5zZ7SfNI&amp;fmt=18" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AC_5zZ7SfNI&amp;fmt=18"></embed></object></p><p>Please <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC_5zZ7SfNI" target="_blank">rate the video</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ThoughtsMedia" target="_blank">subscribe to our channel</a>. Thanks for your support!</p><p><em>Jason Dunn owns and operates <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Inc.</a>, a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys <a href="http://photos.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">photography</a>, mobile devices, <a href="http://www.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">blogging</a>, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog. He's still searching for the ultimate netbook.</em></p><p><em></em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p><strong>Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Review Team</a>! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Then click here for more information.</a></strong></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p>

[David Tucker]

Watched this from my Mini 9 ;) I find I use it more than my desktop since I enjoy not always being at my desk. I got mine in white and I'm very happy with the decision. You can't see fingerprints on mine at all!

[Darius Wey]

Nice unboxing. :)

The SD slot is indeed SDHC-capable. I've read reports of 32GB cards working without a hitch.

I'm in the market for a netbook at the moment, and a couple of factors that have me leaning toward this one is the upgradability of both the RAM and the SSD, and that it looks good, too - minus the fingerprints on black, of course.

[Macguy59]

Jason. I appreciate the effort you put into making your readers aware of new products. That said most of your videos are about the "unboxing" (way past cliche now) . I know you mention in your videos an actual hands on will be coming in part 2 . . . but the part 2's are few and far between. I'm probably in the minority, but I could do with less fluff and more substance.

[Jason Dunn]

I know you mention in your videos an actual hands on will be coming in part 2 . . . but the part 2's are few and far between. I'm probably in the minority, but I could do with less fluff and more substance.

I'm not entirely sure how to respond to someone who's calling my content "fluff". If your intention was to insult me, you've done that. I work hard on everything that I create, and using a word like fluff demeans that work. If you don't like my unboxing and first impressions videos, don't watch them. I realize they're not for everyone - if you don't care about my opinions regarding the ports, size, weight, features, price, and included accessories, don't press play.

Regarding the Mini 9, I shot part one and part two on the same day. The review video is already uploaded and will be published on Monday or Tuesday. I tried to do it all in one video (because there's nothing really to unbox), but it was simply too rushed and I had to re-shoot it as two videos.

Lastly, regarding "part 2's" being "few and far between", what are you basing that on? It seems like I have to defend myself here, so I will. I'm looking at my list of YouTube videos, and looking back at the videos I've done this year:

MSI Wind Unboxing: no review because it was the wrong colour so I returned it - I explained that in the video, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that there wasn't a review of that unit. I had to wait a while to get the one I wanted, but now I have it and will shoot a video of it.

HTC S640 Unboxing: the review was published in written Q&A form on Smartphone Thoughts last month.

Dell Studio Hybrid Unboxing: I published a three part deep-dive review.

MWg Zinc II Unboxing: a review video was published.

T-Mobile Shadow Unboxing: I didn't publish a seperate review video, largely because at 2 minutes 30 seconds into the video the phone was powering up and I spent a good portion of the video talking about the phone in a powered up state. I never did use the phone extensively, and honestly it didn't hold much interest for me, so I never published a review video. It also wasn't new, with many reviews of the Shadow having already being published.

HTC Touch Cruise Unboxing: similar to the above. I spent a while talking about the device powered up, walking through the TouchFlo interface, included applications, etc. Let's keep in mind that many of the "reviews" from other sites of phones are only a few minutes long, so if I spend 5 minutes talking about a phone in a powered up state, that pretty much IS a review.

HP 2133 Mini Note Unboxing: a review video was published.

HP tx2051 Laptop Unboxing: unfortunately I had to ship this unit back because it was defective. HP sent me another one...and it was defective too. :(Several months passed, and HP sent me a tx2500. I was under the impression that I had it for an extended review period, so I wasn't in a rush to shoot a video of it...and they've asked for it back as of last Friday. So I'll probably

Samsung Q1 Ultra Unboxing: a review video was published.

iPAQ 100 Unboxing: a review video was published.

So in looking at that list, yeah, I'm not at 100% when it comes to doing reviews - but with the majority of my unboxings having matching reviews, your statement is false.

[Macguy59]

No Jason my intention was not to insult you. Apologies if I did. The fact that I'm interested in your hands on segments should tell you something. When I say "fluff" I'm talking about unboxings in general and not yours specifically. Apple fans are among the worst about those.

[Jason Dunn]

No Jason my intention was not to insult you. Apologies if I did.

I accept your apology. I will continue to strive to make my videos as "fluff free" as possible.

[justjesse11]

Jason, just thought you might like this link about HD videos on youtube http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10104182-2.html

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, just thought you might like this link about HD videos on youtube http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10104182-2.html

Well now...THAT'S interesting because there's a 16:9 aspect ratio player there, which is the first time I've ever seen that on YouTube. Hrmm...! Thanks for the info.