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

WoOT! You got an awesome deal...and let me tell you how much you are going to love the RED! :yes: Congrat's!

VivaLaEnjoy.


Cin

 

No kidding, that's a nice deal. If I could have found one of those coupons a couple weeks ago, I'd have another I9.

 

Yeah..those were great deals... What would your color choice be if you were to?


Cin

 

Awesome deals! I'm jealous. How is Garnet?

 

I know superb deals.... Maybe, more coupons shall come out soon :yes:

Oh Garnet is goo..shes resting right now! LoL..I was working her hard earlier! All that net' surfin..does it everytime! hee hee

and, yours? how is it?


Cin

 

They are good net surfers for sure!! that's what I love about mine..
Ole red...

 

Indexing and system restore default off, donno bout compression i don't see it mentioned.
If it is compressed then compression has gotten far better then the last time i played with it, that was a disaster! As such i'm not inclined to muck with it. Thanks for the tips though, looking for the search indexing didn't occur to me.

 

Color really isn't a big deal to me. I'll take whatever I can get cheapest, as long as it's not pink.

 

My persistence paid off. I finally found a slim USB CD-RW on Craig's List for $10! I have a DVD burner on my desktop and don't plan on burning CDs on my M9 but it's an option. I am pretty much snowed in so I will pick it up tomorrow if the roads are better. I have downloaded Windows 7 and can't wait to install it on my mini.

 

Mick,

Sign up for emails from Dell. I posted the 20% coupon code on another site that I received in an email from them.

 

No...no pink! Next time I get my coupon code for the Outlet I will let you know!

That's pretty cool! Great find! I wish we were snowed in today...bah. We really should be the roads are horrid, as is the weather

Cin

 

Next up for mine is a battery meter program that'll estimate life left. I sent a link to one that the mydellmini people liked to myself, but i don't remember what it is now
I'll let y'all know what i think about it, how it works, etc.

I'm very curious to see how my refurb XP mini9 compares to the new dellbuntu flavor we got my gf's mom. It got around 4:10 for browsing, and 3:30ish for more intensive stuff (youtube, etc.).
Those were dellbuntu's estimates at least, i didn't actually browse for four hours, nor did i watch a three hour long youtube video



In case y'all're wondering (i love the word "y'all", it's a very useful word for an otherwise neglected section of english), my XP flavor doesn't estimate remaining battery life. It gives me a percentage that i can extrapolate from, but that takes actual work on my part


EDIT:
I'ma check the bios version, too.
It's pre-tracking as far as i can tell, which is fine with me. I don't really want it to call home and snitch on me every time i go online.
I browsed through the bios this morning and discovered that i have on/off options for bluetooth and WWAN, despite not having a bluetooth card (i want one, someone send me one free ), or even a WWAN connector. Didn't think to look for bios version though.

 

It's called Computrace. In BIOS A04 it's deactivated by default. Disabling it causes some .dlls to run and some other stuff which you can't delete. They load on every boot. So leave it as it is as you cannot change it after disabling it. A re-flash won't correct it either.

 

Why can't Dell be more specific on delivery dates? My new red mini has shipped but the delivery time is listed as Jan. 30-Feb. 3. I am hoping it comes on Friday.

I saw one on the outlet tonight that was the same price as the one I bought. No webcam though. I think the 20% off coupon isn't working anymore either but I bet they run another sale soon.

 

It's an A01 as it turns out, which is fine with me a think. Are there any really snazzy features in the newer ones?

Dell outlet's delivery date and tracking is terrible, neither has worked for either laptop i bought from the outlet (one i sent back the same day i got it as it wasn't configured how they said it was). I finally called them up and demanded a tracking number, after shuffling through three people i got someone who coughed one up.

The only new dell i've bought was some years ago, i don't remember any frustrations involving it, but it's entirely possible that i just forgot

If you're lucky it really has shipped, they said mine shipped the 19th but in reality all they did was print the tracking label, they actually gave it to fedex late on the 20th.

 

What???

Please expand on your above posts!


Cin

 

ecc ram is nasty

 

Ok! How is yours working for you?


Cin

 

I am a hard core bargain hunter and I get lots of e-mails about sales, etc. This one also looked like a good deal for anyone looking for an SDHC card for their Mini - 16GB class 6 for $23.99, free shipping.

http://www.supermediastore.com/pqi-...HotPriceMEY&emc=el&m=638189&l=15&v=41ac474dab

 

Yes, I'm a huge bargain hunter too. I am always checking my fav' deal sites!

Nice deal you found, and will be helpful to someone!

Thanks!

Cin

 

Just saw yout post and was able to delete mine.

 

Current BIOS Version A04
1.Resolve the error message can't show after setting supervisor password and then using asset.com to delete service tag.
2.Resolve rotation setting with external LCD after resume from S3
3.Computrace support.
4.Display switch (Fn+8) on DOS mode (LCD ->CRT ->LCD )
5.Desktop icon position can't be fixed after PC re-boot
6.Display can't keep on extend mode after press Fn+8 to switch.
7. Battery performance improvement.

Your desktop icons will stay put on the right side, middle...wherever. The Windows start-up is now proper screen resolution. A03 addressed a lot more. You can go straight to A04. Be careful and turn off all programs like anti-virus and be plugged into AC power. There is a way to do it safely from a USB thumb drive and DOS. Search mydellmini.com for details. I am in no way responsible for what happens, just answering your question.

 

I wasn't aware of that so I was putting off upgrading. Just did it using the program that creates a bootable USB drive since I am running Ubuntu, worked great. I'll have to use it more on battery to see if I really do notice any improvement in battery performance.

 

Cool beans. For one thing the battery is now recognized correctly.

 

OOooo!
Most of that is on the meh side of things, but longer battery life sounds tasty.
Batterbar program says i get about 4:19 browsing with firefox, or about 5:00 chatting via trillian(aim). Not bad at all
Even more would be fun though.

If/when i upgrade it'll definitely be via dos bootable USB thing, no way i'm chancing the windows upgrader, i've read enough about it, don't need to experience it personally!

 

Wow, I just received the $200 red Dell mini I ordered earlier in the week. The red color is STUNNING! Much better than the photos. Now I wish my fancier mini was red instead of snow color! I should have been more patient before Xmas--I cancelled a fancy red one due to shipping delays.

Anyway ,Linux works great! I put in 1 GB ram and I'm going to get a larger SSD down the road. The unit looks and functions like brand new. You'd never know it was refurbished. The one and only issue is that the battery is a little loose--I may call Dell and ask for a replacement battery.

At any rate, people at my work loved looking at the mini and can't believe you can get a fully functional laptop for $200. This is why I love Dell!

 

Congrats! My battery seemed a little loose too. Dell wanted me to send it back. I stood my ground as they insisted it was the base. I said in troubleshooting you start with the easiest to do first and don't use a hammer. They finally agreed to send a new battery and shipping label. When I got the new battery I waited for it to get to room temperature before installing it. It seemed less loose and pulling the one lock tab that retracts worked better than pushing it in and getting it to "click" into place. Does this make sense? I may add a bit if electrical tape if it bugs me.

Congrats again!

 

Awesome, AG! That Red is a *fantastic color* and a mighyt little netbook to boot!

If the batt' is loose, yes, call Dell ~ and have them replace! They are so good about things like that. (They just replaced my 9Cell on my 1530 after it had been out of warranty for almost 2 weeks) ~ for free!~

Enjoy!


Cin

 

Looks like there are some new colours on the way!!

The good folks at Dell have just sent me the latest brochure and the Mini 9 is now available in green and blue.... Which is nice!

They're also offerring red and all the other colours and patterns available in the US in the UK for the first time: http://configure.euro.dell.com/dell...en&m_30=181177&oc=N02M0903&rbc=N02M0903&s=dhs

The website and brochure describe the blue as midnight and ice respectively so they haven't quite got their act together. Red still looks best.

 

Blue sounds cool, i like blue.

They should make camo flavors, woodland and urban
I bet the urban would sell decently too.


I've been playing a fun time travel puzzle flash game on my mini, when there are a lot of things moving the frame rate gets rather low(no surprise there) and the batterybar time left gauge goes down by 30% or so (from 1:28 to :59)
Good old horribly inefficient flash!

( http://www.weebls-stuff.com/peepls/files/85.swf if any of you want to try it. I'm on level 7, my brother (who sent it to me) is on 20.)

 

Nan! Thanks for the information!

Yeah...I think Cherry Red is still the best color!

But more color choices for peep's is a good thing!


Cin

 

Ok..thought maybe someone might find use of this..it's for 3-5 day shipping on what Dell considers *select* Mini's!!!!

Here is the coupon code: PD7RM$QB$KC8B?
Valid thru 2/6/09.

Sometimes, if you call and speak with a Rep, you can get them to *bump* you to Next Day shipping Just a FYI!


Cin

 

havent checked this thread in a while since i started school (the mini 9 is great for killing time before class starts!)

It took me about an hour and a half to install all the pieces of the invisible shield. I would say an hour was spent on the outer shell. I stuck it on first and then i peel it back halfway (split near the middle dell logo) and worked toward the outside from the center. I like the way it turned out, and it should keep my mini scratch free for a while since i dont have a sleeve yet

 

Wowsa..so nearly 2.5 hours! You have more patience then I would have had doing something like that!

Glad it's working for you...and good to have you around again!

Here is a good sleeve for the Mini 9, I have it..and I think a few other I9 owner's do:
@dealextreme.com
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14339

It's $2.70..The price keeps coming down on it w/free shipping!! I paid $3.68 for it!

Here are a few photo's of my I9 in it!


and,





Cin

 

I ordered my sleeve 10 days ago. Bad timing as the Chinese Lunar New Year lasts a week & the whole country shuts down. Hopefully I will get it soon.

 

Hope you do to! Did you see it came down in price!


Cin

 

Just got mine (Friday) from Vodafone for free


white, 1GB Ram, 8GB SSD, 0,3 webcam, 802.11b/g, 3G Mobile Broadband Module, 2.1 Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (x3), VGA output, Ethernet 10/100 (RJ-45), Memory Card reader (SD, SDHC, MMC, MS), Windows XP, 4-cell, 2200AH battery.

We got only 2 color options Black / White so i got the white
(got pic next to iphone)


But...
Something is not going well with the 3G module, so Monday is going back to dell

 

Hello all,
My mini came a couple of days ago and have some basic issues.
1. Anyway to see batt life left?
2. Loose battery, seems like everyone is just calling dell.
3. Can you replace the outer skin?? not just with 3m stuff but a replacement skin.

thanks

 

Mine with bios A01 and XP did not show battery life remaining, i downloaded a program that puts a much more detailed battery info doodad on the task bar, i like it better anyway
My battery has a little bit of play in it, about what i'd expect for a clip based system.

You should be able to buy new case parts, yes.

 

I think they get mapped to fn+j/k or something like that (in the newer bios?).
Depends on what you mean by seamless

 

The White looks nice next to your phone..Too bad your having problems with the 3G. Are you getting a replacement or repair???

If the Vodaphone works for you, and you got it for free..that's a decent deal!

Cin

 

They get mapped to Z and X.

 

I am sure it will be a repair,
In Greece vodafone gives it for free with a 2 year contract 10BG/month at 39€

While i was sure that my mini will go to service anyway, i flashed my bios in windows without any problems (i know that was a stupid thing to do...)

 

Huh?

 

has anyone seen the 8cell batteries on ebay???

 

Nope Though, I might take gander just to check them out!


Cin

 

does any one else have a space bar that doesnt quite work properly.
the only way i can guarentee that i get spaces between the words i type is if i purposely hit the very front of the bar by the 'c,v,b,n,m' letters
as i typethis right now the space bar feels like it is tipping over as i push it down instead if the bar moving straight up and down.
VERY annoying

 

How long have you had your I9 for? When I first started typing on mine, a few of the keys were somewhat *sticky* ~ including the space bar.

But after constant typing on it for about a day..things fell into place with the keyboard, and now it's all good.

I can understand this being an annoyance for you. Does the spacebar feel loose at all for you? Or, is it a really *hard tap*

Cin

 

Quick question... For everyone who upgraded from 1 to 2gb of ram, was there a noticable gain in performance???????

 

There is a thread about the 8 cell batteries on mydellmini.com, apparently they are classic chinese cheap, they work, but only charge if you plug the laptop in while it's turned off.