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

You were actually able to game on your I9 efficiently??

Wowsa! I would've never thought of doing something like that!


Cin

 

Thanks , here is a good link to wallpapers if you don't already have it:
http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper_beta/downloads/date/any/

For the Powertoy's, I am just using TweakUI and Cleartype tuner right now

MyDellMini Forums has a game thread here:
Windows: http://mydellmini.com/forum/gaming-f15.html

Linux: http://mydellmini.com/forum/gaming-f28.html

 

Hey thanks! Interfacelift is an awesome site for wallpapers, etc.

I've found a few other site, I really like too for the Mini 9. And, they recognize your screen resolution also! This one has some fantastic wallpapers: www.wallcoo.com
You can switch the language on the site to *English* at the top!
I'm still playing around a bit, with the Powertoys!

Thanks, for the other linky's also!

Cin

 

I was even able to play World of Warcraft on it. All the settings turned down and running from an external hard drive since the install was too big for my 16GB SSD.

 

Dang! That's pretty awesome! I'm waiting for my External HD to arrive, along with my External DVD and a few other things!


Cin

 

A bunch of really good info here. Cin, which HD and DVD did you order if you don't mind me asking.

 

This won't replace an external HD but I just got this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220370 and it is pretty fast. I have an 20gig iTunes library file that is now mobile between all of my computers:

Price is back up now, I only paid 109.99 after rebate.

 

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145172

Sure: here is the HD: (more for my 1530)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817334008

External DVD: (looks like its no longer availi') sorry....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...C-DealNews&cm_mmc=AFC-DealNews-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

That's really not so bad of a deal..and I'm sure its pretty fast! Nice!

Cin

 

I haven't had a need for DVD drive yet but I am hoping my Xbox HD-DVD drive will work if I ever want to re-install XP. I don't see why it wouldn't work but anyone know for sure?

 

I know I'm going to need one for applicable uses, etc.

As for using your Xbox HD-DVD drive, you will need an enclosure in order to do that.



Cin

 

Just checked Dell Outlet this AM, and they have 77 I-9's, all 8gb drives at $379. I never could snag a 16gb a couple days ago when that 20% coupon was valid. I was refreshing every couple minutes and as soon as one 16gb appeared it was gone before I could get it in the cart.

But there'll be more. I'm a cheapskate so I'm waiting for another Dell deal on the I-9 before I buy one.

 

I got the i/o magic slim drive that was offered in the mini build. It seems to work great if you connect it after booting the mini, otherwise the mini doesn't seem to reconize it. Hmm, might be a problem if I have to boot from the external to reload the os.

 

I don't blame you. Just hang in there..you'll snag one soon I'm sure.

 

The Xbox HD-DVD should work as long as you get the drivers for it.

 

So then I probably won't be able to boot from it?

 

No worries..I'm sure there will be another coupon around fairly soon. That's the thing with Dell, the coupons are *ever-changing*. Still, $379 is an awesome deal!


Cin

 

It was bothering me not knowing if it would work if I needed it so I plugged it in really quick. Ubuntu recognized it without any issues. Also I was able to boot from it, no problems.

 

Great..glad it worked for you! Did you ever consider dual booting?


Cin.

 

I hadn't really considered it. 16GB isn't much to work with for dual booting, plus Ubuntu does everything I need for now.

 

That's cool...I'm keeping XP for now. Until I feel comfy to do anything with Ubuntu, etcl


Cin

 

That's strange. It's working great now.

 

That's good. I would have sent it back if it didn't work well enough to boot from a disc.

 

The easiest, safest way to try linux would be with something like this: http://shop.canonical.com/product_info.php?products_id=292&osCsid=8a18cf01801f07e6c642e4eb171a272b

The FAQ explains a bit about it: http://shop.canonical.com/USB_Key_Letter.pdf

You just plug it in and run Ubuntu without changing anything on your Mini. When you take the key out, the machine reverts to being a Windows machine with nothing changed. Since nothing on the SSD is changed and linux is run from memory/the USB drive performance is very slow.

I've never bothered using/making a USB drive like this. I've always used the CD equivalent: I've run quite a few linux distros like this and never had a problem.

I'd try it out on an old machine first, but this should be safe enough.

 

If you download the Ubuntu 8.10 ISO, create a LiveCD, then boot from it, it actually has an option now to create a bootable USB drive which could be used with a mini (same thing as the link Nankuru posted). That is actually how I ended up installing Ubuntu.

 

Here you go: Check this link that erwallie posted in the tech bargains thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=338865

They are $259 at the outlet right now...check it out, and if you find one...grab it!

Thank you for the info!

This is very helpful for me and others!


Cin

 

I love the DVD external drive I got for my mini. It is really necessary
for me to have one.

 

Hey Jane! All working good for you and the I9??


Cin

 

Yes so far so good. I was checking both of them cuz I didn't get to my mom's to give her snowball, and snowball is just a little faster and I'm not sure why. So I think I'll switch the ram around see if that's it...
It's odd.
How's yours?

 

Oh that's good to hear! LOL..Do you think you may be keeping Snowball?

That's odd..are they both the same OS??

Mine's working out just great! I really enjoy it. Works great at the bookstore, library, coffeshop, at friends & family etc...Well everywhere!


Cin

 

You know I'd love to keep snowball I love them both . Red and white...
They both are the same OS. And they are different.
Snowball is 16gb as the red one is but it shows more space available and for the life of me I can't figure that out.

Mine works everywhere as well. That's what I love about it.

The 1530 is awesome as well...

 

Hey everyone,
anybody got a picture of a black mini with an invisible shield applied? Im thinking about picking one up for my black mini since i figured scratches would be more visible on a black case compared to the white one. I haven't seen pictures of the shield installed on a mini (only posts saying they ordered one). Thinking about picking one up while the 50% off coupon is working and want to see how it looks like.

 

I just ordered a Mini!
Intel,Tablet,AtomDual Core
Dual In-line Memory Module,1GB,800MHZ,DDR2,1GBIT
Solid State Drive,16GB
Obsidian Black
XP Home

Ordered from outlet as "previously ordered new" for $329 so I opted for 2nd day shipping and got a Logitech Nano mouse. The whole thing with taxes, shipping and mouse came out to $405.42.
Sub-Total : $329.00
Shipping : $12
Tax : $14.40
Order Total : $355.40+ $50.02 with taxes & shipping.

How'd I do?

Edit: I am wondering if I should go with Alpine White instead as all of the reviews mention how easy it is to get smudges and fingerprints all over. What are folks using to wipe the lids with?

 

It would be very hard to take a photo of any item with invisible shield because it's.............invisible!

 

Mine is black and the smudges wipe off very easily with just a soft cloth. One should not get any scratches if they carry them in a sleeve etc. IMO I would be afraid to put an invisible shield on mine after reading how you install them. Water and pressing out air bubbles is not my cup of tea not to mention trying to remove one of these.

 

Invisible Shields are really easy to install. I was a skeptic, too, until I tried it myself. At this point, Zagg is the first place I go for protecting my devices.

I know, the water sounds scary. However, the water is what makes the installation a breeze. It's way easier to deal with the water than the, usual, air bubbles.

 

Thanks. I have a few lint free cloths by 3M. I also have a bottle of Screen Kleen.

 

Well, I tried that coupon code this afternoon and it wouldn't take it. I tried to do a search for another one, but the only Inspiron I saw with 20% off in the outlet was for Inspirons $1099 and over.

 

Sorry. I got it from another forum. PM and I will send you the link. I will delete my post on it.

 

No PM link in your profile.

 

I checked and I have to have more post counts. Either 10 or 15, the FAQ had both numbers.

 

So true! I just wanted to see if they had any texture or anything. I thought i read that they have an "orange peel" look, so i was wondering if you could tell if you had one installed due to the texture. I went ahead and ordered one. Seems like how it ends up looking is up to the installer. Will report back when i get it.

 

I don't even want to think what it would look like if I tried it..

 

There is a definite texture to the Invisible Shield. It does have a bit of the "orange peeling" going on. However, they are a lot smoother than they used to be.

Maybe I'll shoot some pics of some of my shielded devices later. There really shouldn't be a problem getting it to photograph. You can definitely see an invisible shield when installed.

Here. Check out Jenn's (of Pocketables) Shift with the Invisible Shield. This will give you a great rundown of the process.

http://www.pocketables.net/2008/05/review-htc-shif.html

 

Grats on your purchase. That's not bad at all for that price.

 

Thanks so much. Not great, but I think I did alright. $329 for "Previously Ordered New".

I just sort of glanced at the prices again at the Outlet and it looks like there are only refurbs with 16 SSD, 1G & XP left for $349. I didn't want to take a chance with "cosmetic damage" on a refurb.

I can't believe I'm this excited to get this. I am crossing my fingers that mine arrives Monday in perfect condition.

 

I know, but isn't it fun? Don't worry your's will have all 10 fingers and toes.

 

Thanks Pickles. I have been reading way too many forums and there are some pretty bad horror stories these little guys arriving broken. Of course most people don't post when their minis arrive issue-free.

Btw, does Dell include the CD/DVD to restore Windows?

 

Yup, a Windows XP disc was included with mine.

 

I wonder if windows beta 7 would work on this computer..

 

My mini came in yesterday, I'm very pleased with everything except the scroll function on the touchpad, its WAY too sensitive (If I even touch it it will scroll down several pages).

I've got the linux and 512MB of ram now, but a 2GB stick is on it's way and I'm going to install a stripped down version of Windows XP.

Overall I'm pleased but the I9 might go back if anymore information about the mini 10 comes out within my 21 day return window.