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    Mini 9 - Need Help Deciding Operating System

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by NoteBooks4Ever, Jan 23, 2009.

  1. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    Hello, I am in a bit of a tango in the head over which OS I should pick for my Mini 9 - Windows XP SP3 OR Linux? Only 1GB maximum is available to the XP system while 2GB max is available to Linux.

    Pros and Cons and ANY input about if the trackpad is good as well as the speakers and videos of the OS. Help!
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Jan 23, 2009
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  2. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    What apps will you be installing, and what will you be using the mini for?

    In any case 1 GB of RAM is plenty for Windows XP, and Linux.
     
    booboo12, Jan 23, 2009
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  3. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    HP Photosmart drivers for my printer, not much else... but I would never know until I use it more... I may be going to ITT Tech college and would need something very useful and versatile.
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Jan 23, 2009
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  4. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    Go with XP then, that way you can be sure that whatever apps you need at school will work.

    You can also get some Office 07 programs to install using CodeWeavers CrossOver Office for Ubuntu, and I've gotten my HP Photosmart to work in Ubuntu, but I don't know what your future needs might be. You might need to use Windows for something, and it'll be nice that you have it.

    Ricky :)
     
    booboo12, Jan 23, 2009
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  5. dougjr

    dougjr Notebook Consultant

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    Why would 1 GB me the max for xp. Im pretty sure the dell mini can go up to 2gb with xp.
     
    dougjr, Jan 23, 2009
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  6. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    XP...since I'm used to working with it, I got that on my Mini 9.

    I can always install Linux, when I feel comfy enough to do it! ;)


    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Jan 23, 2009
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  7. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    You can just buy the ram elsewhere and put it in (I think). It probably only has one slot though. Although you should be ok with 1 gb.

    Anyway... do you need to run Windows programs or not? If you're ok with open-source stuff like Firefox and OpenOffice.org... then I'd go Linux. If you need Windows compatibility, then get Windows.
     
    swarmer, Jan 23, 2009
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  8. dougjr

    dougjr Notebook Consultant

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    Yea, I thought you could grab a 2 gig stick and throw it in. Personally I would upgrade the SSD in it to something like 32 or 64 gb then dual boot XP Linux or tri boot XP, W7, and linux.

    _Doug
     
    dougjr, Jan 23, 2009
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  9. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    It's the max available from Dell because of Microsoft's strict rules for Windows XP installed on ULCPC's (netbooks)

    Their restrictions are also why the Dell Mini 12 was saddled with Vista (screen size) and why the Vaio P has Vista (screen resolution)
     
    booboo12, Jan 24, 2009
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  10. dougjr

    dougjr Notebook Consultant

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    You can get the Mini 12 with Vista, XP, or Unbuntu. I think dell just initial decided to offer it with vista, not sure why tho.
     
    dougjr, Jan 24, 2009
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  11. mick4394

    mick4394 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a Mini 9 with Ubuntu and I really enjoy it. However, I'm not trying to do anything outside of the intended purpose of a netbook. Basically, I surf the net on my I9.

    I believe you should get the XP machine. Reason being, it sounds like you're going to need some flexibility, particularly for school. There's a good chance, if you're going to technical school, you're going to be using some software, and there's a good chance that software will be Windows software.

    BTW, the speakers and trackpad on the Mini 9 are both excellent. The trackpad and buttons are both very responsive and large. I wouldn't say the speakers are high quality, but they are very loud, which is the best you can hope for in a netbook.
     
    mick4394, Jan 25, 2009
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  12. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Even with only 1gb of ram, you won't get near to maxing it out for any application that I can think of using.

    For compatability I agree with mick4394 ,
    Go for the xp :)




    Alex
     
    Alex, Feb 7, 2009
    #12