Dell Mini 12 drops to $399, comes with Linux
Wow, the Dell Mini 12 has dropped to $399(black)! If you want Red, White, or Pink, it’s an extra $30.
I discussed the pros and cons of this product here, but I think this price makes this the best NetBook deal on the market. The Mini 12 has a more energy efficient Poulsbo graphics chipset which also has much better video processing capability than the Intel 945GSE you get on most NetBooks. For this price, I was almost tempted to buy one even though I don’t even need it.
Granted, this price only comes with a 3-cell battery but at least it isn’t the bulky 6-cell. Xavier from Notebooks.com explained to me that the 6-cell battery is bulky because slim batteries are much more expensive. Still, the battery life should be alright with a Poulsbo chipset and probably just north of 3 hours at best.
The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 is not expandable. You can’t add memory to it.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/dell-inspiron-mini-12.aspx?page=2
Look under "Hardware Limitations".
Bummer. With 2GB you could do something with it.
Atom supports 64 bit and the motherboards often support 4GB or more.
For Linux, XP, or Windows 7, you don’t need anything more than 1GB anyhow.
It does have the Intel® US15W chipset, which supports 2GB. (Dell makes it hard to link)
However, the memory is soldered onto the "2-in-1 Processor and Memory Board".
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1210/en/sm/cpu.htm#wp1084976
Ah ok, it’s soldered in memory, that explains it.
Still, I maintain that 1GB is just fine for Windows XP or Windows 7. The processor is limited too but it is fine if you understand the limitations of the NetBook.
I started out on networked Z80 microcomputers.
Still.
I think considering the limitation of the CPU, the memory limitation is well balanced. Besides, the limitation on NetBooks has forced Microsoft to see the light on the need for a streamlined Windows Operating System. That is a good thing for ALL of us regardless of whether we use a NetBook or not.
nt
2GB is what Intel publishes officially for US15W. Since then people have been running 4GB on it with the ability to fully address it. It’s like Intel® GL960, a GM965 being spec’ed to run only 533FSB and 2GB max. yet with the correct BIOS the maximum is 1066FSB and 3GB.
And 2GB is enough for a low-powered device as you won’t be running something crazy like Photoshop or any advanced programs needing more than 1GB (~840MB for Vista x64 with SuperFetch off).
Thinkness as 1.09″ is too much IMO.
nt
Meh, no Windows, no purchase, sorry. I dual boot to Linux on one of my machines, that’s more than enough for me and I hardly ever use it.
If it can play back the video, one of these might be good for triage on 720p video shot with a digital camera or the Flip Mino HD. I know you don’t like the quality of AVCHD video, and it isn’t full 1080p with all the bells and whstles, but the Mini 12 has a big enough screen for it. It would make a lightweight setup for vacations. As Jerry Pournelle says, the camera or computer or whatever that you have with you is the one you will use.
That’s why I find the soldered on memory disappointing.