Unboxing the Dell Inspiron Mini 10

[Jason Dunn]

<p>Today the courier delivered a box I was looking forward to opening: this is an unboxing and first impressions video of the <a href="http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-10?c=ca&amp;cs=cadhs1&amp;l=en&amp;ref=lthp&amp;s=dhs" target="_blank">Dell Inspiron Mini 10</a>, a new netbook model that Dell has just released. As configured from Dell Canada, it cost me $559 CAD. The same configuration on Dell.com as of March 19th costs $504 USD. This Mini 10 is cherry red in colour, uses the Intel Atom Z530 (1.6 Ghz) CPU, has 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, uses Windows XP SP3, has a 10.1 inch 16:9 aspect ratio screen (1024 x 576 resolution), a 160 GB 5400 RPM 2.5 inch hard drive, a 1.3 megapixel Webcam, a 802.11g WiFi card, and is powered by a 3-cell 24 WHr battery.</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="600" height="365" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tyvU7NhyPS4&amp;hd=1" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="365" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tyvU7NhyPS4&amp;hd=1" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;"></embed></object></p><p>I mention in the review that one of the issues right off the bat with the Dell Mini 10 is the cost: I can order an <a href="http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX23752(ME).aspx" target="_blank">Acer Aspire One in ruby red</a>, today, for $459.99 CAD, a full $100 less expensive than the Dell Mini 10. The Acer Aspire one comes with 160 GB of storage, 1 GB of RAM, and uses a slightly older CPU - the Intel Atom N270 - but it's the same clock speed as the newer Z530 that the Dell uses. Surprisingly, the Acer also comes with a 6-cell battery. The build quality on the Dell Mini 10 is excellent, but $100 better? That's the question. I'll let you know once I get a chance to use it more - watch for my full video review a couple of weeks from now!</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.</em></p><p><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>

[cmusciano]

My Mini 10 arrived on Tuesday (in red, too!) and I really like it, with a few caveats:


The shiny surface and screen is not very compatible with my naturally oily Italian skin :) Lots of wiping and polishing will be needed by the compulsive Mini 10 owners
The touchpad mouse is annoying. The buttons are integrated into the touch surface, so attempts at dragging are almost impossible. There is an odd double-tap drag mode that I'm still getting used to. Nonetheless, you will need a good travel mouse, in a matching color.
I ordered mine with Bluetooth but it came without it. An annoyance but not worth sending it back over. My travel mouse uses Bluetooth, so I can kill two problems with one fix.

Other than that, very nice, solid device. I'll be traveling for a week next month and plan to use this device exclusively while on the road.

One last bit: I run WMWifiRouter on my Samsung Epix, so my Mini can get on the net anywhere my phone can. Should be fun in airports and such!

[Jason Dunn]

The touchpad mouse is annoying. The buttons are integrated into the touch surface, so attempts at dragging are almost impossible. There is an odd double-tap drag mode that I'm still getting used to.

Yeah, that's something I noticed right away too. With other laptops, I typically rest my fingers on the buttons when hovering over the mouse pad - I can't do that with this netbook, and that's pretty irritating at first. I don't see what Dell did as being advantageous - I got used to the buttons being on the left/right really quickly on other netbooks.

I ordered mine with Bluetooth but it came without it. An annoyance but not worth sending it back over.

Funny you should say that - my Mini 10 came without Bluetooth either, and I'm baffled because I SWORE that I checked off that box, yet on my receipt it doesn't say Bluetooth anywhere...so either on day one Dell Canada wasn't offering Bluetooth, or I just forgot to check the box. Kind of odd either way. :confused:

[cmusciano]

Funny you should say that - my Mini 10 came without Bluetooth either, and I'm baffled because I SWORE that I checked off that box, yet on my receipt it doesn't say Bluetooth anywhere...so either on day one Dell Canada wasn't offering Bluetooth, or I just forgot to check the box. Kind of odd either way. :confused:

I'd swear I checked it too. I never order anything without Bluetooth. Same thing here, though, receipt doesn't show it. Hmmm... an anti-Bluetooth conspiracy?