THE OFFICIAL: Dell Inspiron 9 (Mini I) Thread...

To those who have received your units, did it come with a dummy card for the SD slot? Most other laptops ship with one to help keep dirt and debris out of the slot. Mine was empty and I was just wondering.

 

Yes it did

 

Anybody using quickset on their mini?

 

Aaah! I see you finally received your I9..Congrat's to you!!!

Let us know how it is working out for you, once you get settled in with it!


Cin

 

Glad to see you got yours!

I'm on order #3, maybe this time Dell will get it right. I'm so mad at them I can't believe they called me and told me the second order had to be cancelled because the sales person put the items in incorrectly.

So it's been almost three weeks since I ordered these, and right now my ESD is three more weeks. Six weeks to get a mini? sucks.

 

OUCH! ouch... ...That's too bad, just because the sales person got the order incorrect! Maybe, you should call Dell and ask them to see what they can do to accommodate for your being inconvenienced

It has worked for some peep's in situations like these....


Cin

 

Hi everybody,
new here from Germany, I am acutally English, but have been living in Germany for about 15 years now. Just ordered my Dell Mini 9 on Friday the 26th of September and will be receiving it tomorrow (2nd October). I keep tracking the UPS number to see where it is ! Am looking forward to see UPS tomorrow, hopfully nice and early

 

Also, Dell shipped my Mini in a box you would expect to see on store shelves. It has pictures of the Mini on it, not at all like the plain brown cardboard box that we have been seeing in the unboxing videos. I will try and post some pics later tonight. I also noticed that the picture on the box shows the Mini with icons for Caps Lock, Num Lock, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. They are located on the top right above the keyboard (where the Mini logo is currently located). Looks like they would have had LEDS underneath them to alert the user when one of them was engaged/connected. It's definitely a picture of a prototype on the box.

 

Hello! Welcome to the I9 thread! That's exciting, congrat's on the impending arrival of your new I9!!!

Also, that's a really quick build and shipping of your I9, nice!

That's really cool! Can't wait to see the pics and stuff!

Cin

 

Ooh, lucky you! They must be getting them out quicker in Germany since I ordered on the same day in the UK and mine's still "in production". I wonder, though, if the Ubuntu ones are delayed a bit compared to the Windows ones.

I haven't seen anyone from the UK affected by the Acrobat 9 debacle, but then I don't think they're actually building any systems at all in Europe, they're just sending them out in one of two fixed configurations. Certainly there's no detailed parts list with Acrobat on it.

 

Here's a quick pic I took yesterday with my phone. You can't see the Mini's image on the box in this one, but you can see that it's not a plain cardboard box. I'll post a better pic of the other side of the box later tonight.

 

Same in Germany, just two types on offer, the top model with XP, bluetooth, 16Gb SSD, 1GB Ram, 1.3 mp webcam etc and the Linux version with 0,3 mp webcam, 8 GB SSD, 1GB Ram. I was very surprised at the speed as well, but I guess over here in Europe it's just a question of taking the pre-configured models off the shelf if they are in stock, maybe changing the keyboard for the countries layout. Mine is making it's journey from the Czech Republic....

 

Hey, Ytse...thanks for posting the picture & replying to the post

It's a nice box, actually~! It's what's on the inside that matters most!

Look foward to the other picture! Hows it going with your I9, so far?


Cin

 

I love it!! I'm still getting used to the keyboard, but other than that, this system is really nice. The quality of the build is very nice. For the time being I'm going to keep XP Home and boot into Ubuntu off a SD card when needed. I uninstalled some of the crapware and loaded a few programs like Firefox, Foxit Reader, WinRAR, KeyTweak, CDisplay, Media Player Classic, and some codecs. It plays all my MP3s and video files from my home server with no problems. The screen is gorgeous, I only hope Dell can fix the moving icons upon reboot with a BIOS update. The battery lasted me at least four hours, which is nice when your on the go. This is the perfect solution for me. I use it primarily for surfing the web, checking email and using RDP for my desktop and servers.

 

Now, that is great feedback! As, soon as it is availi' in red..I'm ordering..I just get a bit fussy..when I'm putting money into something...

Sounds like it's working just great!

Will you post some pic's other than the boxing later??? Please?

Thx,

Cin

 

I contacted Decal Girl to see if they were going to make skins available for the Dell Mini. The CSR said I was the first person to request them and he put Dell Mini on the request list for me. They already make skins for the Asus EEEPC. Everyone who wants a different color or design for their Dell Mini should check out www.decalgirl.com and request that they make one to fit the Mini. I have used there products in the past for my PSP and iPod and they are very high quality and not too expensive.

 

Oh that's a good idea..It would be cool to see the *skins* availi' for the I9

I bet they start rolling the designs out soon, as more requests come in



Cin

 

So neat that you finally got yours. My re-order is still showing in the build stage. I was overanxious before. Now I'm just obsessive!

Has anyone tried Skinit.com or Schtickers.com? I kind of wanted to customize mine.

 

Well, hopefully it won't be much longer ....I know some peep's who have used Skinit.com and they have faired well with the results on their lappys


Cin

 

What is the difference between both 1.3 mp webcam and 0.3 mp webcam ?
Does it really just 0.3 megapixel ???

 

The difference would be 1.0 Megapixel.

 

Hmm. I love comming back to this thread to learn more stuff about the Inspiron mini. I love using mine although I primarily use my desktop and inspiron 1501. The **** Mini has a better build quality then this 1501 lol. They need to start making all of there laptops like that. Its really nice though. Now I learned I can upgrade to a bigger SSD so I want to get that 64GB SSD when it comes out and boot windows XP on that. Upgrade my RAM on the unit. I have an external HD but that harddrive is almost as big as the laptop haha. But yeah, the little netbook is really nice and typing on it aint so bad once you get used to it. People put first impressions down as a bad thing sometimes and thats not good. People need to get used to new things.

I have a blackberry curve and talk about little keys? heh, within a day I was used to using it though. CIN, I know your excited for when the Red one comes out. But to be honest, the black one is really nice also. I can already see whats gonna happen.....They will release more colors and then have bigger SSDs with more RAM in them for a cheaper price then expected. Thats how they get us early birds that always jump in on it lol

 

I personally cant think of the reasoning for downgrading the webcam on the ubuntu versions, perhaps the lack of msn messenger? Skype is still available though!

 

What do you consider crap wear? So I could ditch it! Thanks

 

Hey thar!
Nice to hear that your enjoying your I9 as well!

I know, I am really excited for the red ~ once it comes out it will compliment my 1530 nicely LOL

I have heard that the I9 in black is a nice color, also! But if things roll out like they should, I would think they would have more colors out soon enough!

And, indeed it may come w/a bigger SSD & RAM, but we won't know until those changes (if any), are brought forward!

I would've been one of those early birds..if it would've been offered in more color options!


Cin

 

Good to see most people getting their new I9s. Mine was supposed to have been delivered yesterday, but DHL seems to have lost the package. In theory they are currently searching for it. Bummer. :-( Can't wait to get my hands on it. Just hope it's not really lost for good and I have to reorder.

 

How do you reset it to the Original factory settings?
I could do it with Vista and F keys but unsure how with this
machine and smaller keyboard.
Thank you for any help.
Jane

 

Okay here are a couple of pics of the box. The second is a closeup of the icons that didn't make it to final production. They are in the spot where the Mini logo is currently located.

 

Wacky...interesting pics. Somewhat false advertising in a way.

 

I removed McCaffee AntiVirus, Adobe Reader (I use Foxit instead), and Wireless Selector. I also removed most things from starting with Windows. There were a couple of other applications I removed, but I cannot remember.

 

Now that Ubuntu is an option for all models, can anyone post the Windows XP drivers somewhere? Dell doesn't have them all on their support site.

 

I just saw this on MyDellMini forum and it works:

The drivers do appear on the website, but only seven show when you first go in. If you select another category such as "video", then go back to the "all" category, 19 files appear.

 

Well, sad news. I ordered one Monday after I got a sale email from Dell but the ESD was the end of October. It took me almost 40 minutes and five "customer service" reps to cancel today - they offered me a discount on the price but couldn't do anything about the ESD so that one goes into the Strays & Orphans category.

 

Every time I restart my computer, the resolution reverts to the lowest resolution. Anyone know a fix?

 

Just a little update for those who may be experiencing something similar. DHL is now saying they have the box my computer shipped in, but no computer. Talk about sucks. Of course Dell says I still have to wait 48 hours after the computer should have arrived before they can reprocess the order and build a replacement. They say their order system enforces the 48 hours. So, they won't even take any action until Friday. The only potential silver lining is the replacement should be given a high priority and should be built and delivered in 8 days. I'll believe that when I see it.

 

I honestly believe there is no such thing as dell expediting anything...

 

Wow, I'm surprised that those were used, if they didnt make production!
But it was nice of you to share with us all!
How's it going with it?

Awwww That stinks...sorry this happened to you....Well maybe someday the Strays and Orphans category...will turn into an actual *adoption category* for youze!

Oh my! So, they have the *box*, what the heck happened to the computer??? And, Dell won't do a thing for 48 hours??? Hmmmm why even use tracking labels? Or a company like DHL, if they both can't communicate properly with each other on what happened.....

This stuff gets me *feisty*...I mean so, theres a box, no computer ~ and essentially, someone could be using it right now!!!

It seems that Dell would talk to DHL and write up a loss report, and then let you the *customer* get a new computer rebuilt vs. waiting 48 hours!!!!

It's not Dells money..you paid Dell for your I9...and somewhere in between something happened with DHL...

I guess its good that after waiting 2 whole days..that your replacement is going to be given *top priority*...and delivered another 8 days out...

It's too bad..that you are the one being put thru this....


Cin

 

Let me give you guys a heads up here. I work for Dell. This is how things are done with laptops if you live in the US. They are not building anything here. No kitting, building nothing is done in the US. They are assembled in China, Malaysia or Singapore. 25,000 or so laptops come to the US on a cargo plane at a time. They go to Nashville, TN (that is where mine came from) or to Round Rock, TX or Reno, NV or North Carolina. These places have merge centers where they take the config you ordered and then they send it out to you. That is how it works. Any comments or debate? Fire away.

 

That's pretty much how I understood it working. Much more efficient for Dell to have computers built on demand. Keeps the cost down and along with the over head. Why house products when you can have a vendor build them for you and then ship to your facility for final packaging and delivery. I live close to Nashville so I always benefit by getting my product usually next day even if ground shipping was chosen.

Now if my mini would only be built and shipped all would be well.

 

I agree. If I had a nickel for every time that guy in India said 'expedite'....

 

any comments or debate, fire away? Wow. why so pissy?

Thanks for the super secret insight there....

my comments or debate don't have to do with the way they make the laptops. I've known for years that's how the laptops are made. Made in Malaysia, boxing stage is when they are on the way here to be distributed, etc.. everybody knows the process....

the issues we are having are the issues with the idiot that put acrobat 9.0 on the web page that built our laptops, and then manufacturing being too stupid to correct it in build, but rather our orders have to be canceled. Then we wait at the end of the line all over again. And in my case, the sales person that re-entered my order after that first dell screw-up entered it wrong, and THAT order got canceled. Now I'm sitting here three weeks later, with a three week wait left on two simple laptops that everyone else who ordered after me are getting in the mail right now.... all the while the guy in bangalore or pune, or gurgoan or wherever they are is telling me he's going to expedite my order, but so far it hasn't gone any faster than any other order.

You work for dell? Get me my laptops and I'll be impressed.

debate that... fire away.

 

Dell does expedite sort of. What that means is that they send you another persons order and then that person gets bumped. Its like cutting some one in line.

 

Thanks for the thoughts Cin'.

If I understand them correctly, DHL is reporting the computer stolen and has already sent a report to Dell. At this point the ball is definitely in Dell's court. Really sucks that out of all the things that could have been stolen, someone chose my mini.

 

hmmm..... what configuration did you get? Maybe it's being re-packaged and 'expedited' to me!!!!!



j/k... that does suck! I think you and I have the worst luck getting a mini.

 

You'll have to use the discs they send or install through a USB drive. The hard drive is not large enough for a restore partition.

 

Anyone have any idea how you could about putting the install on a flash, SD card?

 

Something like this

http://www.eeeguides.com/2007/11/installing-windows-xp-from-usb-thumb.html

 

OH it definitely does stink..major stinkage there...and why did it have to happen to you? I mean you waited long enough for it....

Well, I would hope that they will get it together and make you satisfied, not *them*

Just my thoughts...and I have strong thoughts on this, as you can't already tell! I just believe very strongly in *good customer service*, and what *Can be done to make the Customer happy*

Ok to lighten it up....The thieve(s) that stole your I9, painted it *red* and are going to send it to me!

Sorry, cmarcho!!!! hee heheh hehehe :tongue: :laugh:

I'm kidding.


Cin

 

Just got mine from eBay for $281 after Live cash back.

Plan on getting a 2GB memory module, creating a 256MB RAM disk for temp files, disabling the page file etc.

Already set up my nLite installation

 

Hey. I saw a guy make a youtube video and was talking about there being no microphone on the system. I dont know if this was discussed but there is indeed a built in microphone. Its the tiny little hole on the curved part of the very front of the mini in front of the mouse track. If you already knew Im sorry for the post. Just wanted to post it for people that didnt know. It works very well also! Now the video chat feature isnt pointless lol