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    Question about the Inspiron Mini 9.

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by JohnByeBye, Jun 20, 2009.

  1. JohnByeBye

    JohnByeBye Notebook Evangelist

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    I was doing some reading on the Inspiron Mini 9 and I understand that it uses a solid state drive in the form of a PCI-e card. My question is, since the Mini 9 has three PCI-e slots, can you place an additional SSD in it? If you have the wireless LAN then the only other slot available is the Half mini. I did some browsing and there are Half mini SSD's available. If one had an 8GB SSD could they purchase a 32GB for an 8GB+32GB configuration? Thanks. :)
     
    JohnByeBye, Jun 20, 2009
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  2. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

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    IF theres one available you probably can.
     
    xxbadboys93, Jun 20, 2009
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  3. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    First of all, not every Mini 9 is equipped with 3 mini PCIe slots. Generally, the WWAN/3G mini PCIe slot is omitted if it isn't configured with 3G module from purchase.

    Second, it doesn't have half size mini PCIe slot. All slots are full height (for 51mm cards). But the term of half mini PCIe slot is sometime confusing. Wireless card manufacturer such as Intel refers PCIe mini card as 51mm long card and PCIe half mini card as 27mm long card. While SSD manufacturer such as Super Talent refers Mini PCIe card as 70mm long card used in Asus Eee PC notebooks and half Mini PCIe card as 51mm long card used in Mini 9.

    Last, Mini 9's SSD uses special communication channel that cannot be used in ordinary or the other mini PCI-e slots.

    So, Mini 9 is limited to use only 1 PCIe SSD. But at least up to 128GB SSD is currently available for Mini 9 from Super Talent using double-wide card, although this card can be used only in Mini 9 which is not configured with internal 3G module, as the double-wide SSD card is extended to the 3G module area.
     
    aidil, Jun 21, 2009
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  4. JohnByeBye

    JohnByeBye Notebook Evangelist

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    You certainly answered my question. Thanks. :D

    By half mini I meant a mini PCI card. Sorry for that. :p
     
    JohnByeBye, Jun 21, 2009
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  5. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    Don't worry, I understand the confusion about mini PCIe and half mini PCIe form factor as written above in my previous post. :)
     
    aidil, Jun 21, 2009
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