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

Newegg has some really good deals on some right now ~ That read DVD's, etc! I will post links later this AM

Cin

 

I posted CD.

 

Hey Mo! How's all the tweaking coming along??
I'll have those pics of the tote for the I9, tonight!


Cin

 

Here's the one I bought. It's also a DVD burner. I works quite well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-External-Slim-DVD-RW-DVDRW-Drives-Burner-Writer_W0QQitemZ320337593876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item320337593876&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

Hey Mick!

That's a good deal and a nice one! Thanks for linking it for everyone!


Cin

 

Thanks for asking. I love this OS. I haven't been this excited about a MS OS since Windows 95. I tried Vista RC1 when it came out but it lasted only one week on my hard drive. UAC drove me crazy. So I have been running XP Pro ever since.

I am very satisfied with the various tweaks as it's stable and as fast or even faster than XP. I had forgotten about the Aero eye candy too.

My 2 gig chip o' RAM should be delivered today.

Looking forward to seeing your tote.

 

Great price! I didn't see that one when I looked. How long did it take to arrive? Just put my CD drive on Craig's List.

 

Yah, your lurvin yours, like I'm McLurvin mine!

Yes, the Aero eyecandy is very lovely!

Tote this evening for you! Let me know how that ram worked!

Cin

 

If you're willing to wait awhile, it's worth it. These are shipped out of Hong Kong, so it takes some time. I ordered mine on the thirteenth of January. It arrived this past Tuesday.

I was in no hurry. So, it was no big deal to me. If you need it quick, this isn't the way to go, though.

 

I'm in no hurry. My sleeve from Deal Extreme is on a slow boat from China. Actually the entire country shuts down a full week for Lunar New Year. At that price it'd be nice to have but not a must have. Will have to see if my CD drive sells on CL

 

i can't believe how much of a rip off the mini 9's are in the outlet! i want to purchase a netbook with my tax return but i can't justify spending $379 in the dell outlet on a refurbished machine while other brands like acer and EEE, who have gotten rave reviews, are only selling for $239-$269 for brand new machines.

are there really good e-coupons for the outlet mini 9's around? i'd like to stick with dell here, but not for that price! if anyone knows of any e-coupons or promo codes please PM me. thanks!

 

If you want the Dell, wait it out. There are, routinely, 20 percent off coupons released for outlet Minis. Just keep your eyes peeled on this thread. Once the codes are released, someone will post them.

That being said, you're right. There are better deals, for machines with higher specs, out there than the Dell. But, there's a lot to like about the I9.

It's super small and light, while maintaining a very usable keyboard. Also, the LCD is about as good as you'll find in a netbook, way better than anything in an Eee Pc.

Of course, I think the best deal going right now is for the Eee Pc 900ha. Check it out on Amazon. It's specced out and cheap.

 

Netbooks don't differ in specs too much. Most of the differences will be added features and whether or not the netbook uses SSD or HDD.

I looked at Acer, Asus, and Dell for my purchase. I specifically wanted a 9" netbook because I wanted the most mobile netbook I could find w/o sacrificing screen/resolution. The Asus and Dell are similar in size, but only the 901 has a bluetooth (a feature I wanted). The Acer models are larger (9" screen in a 10" body), and none of the current models have bluetooth. I also don't like the touch pad w/side buttons. I guess the side buttons wouldn't be too bad if they were larger like on the HP Minis.

I ended up ordering the Dell because I liked the build and look over the Asus. I built a base model with bluetooth and was just $300 after taxes (with EPP and DPA discounts). However, I may cancel my order and get a Asus Eee PC 901 if I receive one of those delay e-mails i've been reading about. Apparently there are still some orders placed in December that still haven't been shipped, but from what I read those builds were mostly the higher end specs (i.e. 64GB SSD).

 

The display is awesome on the Dell.

Did you order new or through the outlet? I went with "Previously Ordered New" and received it quickly. So I don't know how fast the new ones ship.

 

When I had mine built, it took about two weeks.

 

Thanks for the info! The codes will be posted in here?

Also, do you guys think it's worth it to spend $30 or $40 more bucks to get the 16GB? I was thinking that I'd not even bother spending it since I will only be using this netbook for internet and instant messaging. So aside from downloading firefox and instant messenger I won't be saving anything onto it. I won't be storing any music or pictures on it either. Thoughts?

 

Generally, when the codes get released, people around here are all over it. (Cin')

I'd buy the smaller drive from Dell, and upgrade down the road to an aftermarket drive. The ones Dell uses are pretty darn slow. If you're going to spend the money, you may as well spend it on a fast drive.

 

fourtyoneantz, u could just go for the 8g ssd and then use a 16gb sd card which can be bought for <$30. then u could store movies and music on it. you can play music, chat, and surf the web all at the same time with no stuttering. also, movies play fine too...i'm using media player classic instead of the windows program.

 

Thanks, tried it out, although i dont know where to re-enable the middle click (where you click both buttons to simulate middle click). I use it alot since i use multiple tabs with firefox/IE. Anyone else have this problem?

 

^^whoops, forgot to mention that because i never used it. the synaptics drivers don't have this feature. i'm pretty sure that this is the only thing that the synaptics drivers don't have.

 

It appears they have lowered the base price again. Its now listed at $249. I'm going to do the chat thing and see if they can adjust my price.

*Edit* The chat people won't assist because its already a pending order. I e-mailed my request so I guess I will see what happens.

 

Did you order online? Or, thru a rep?? If, thru a Rep, contact them and ask them what they can do for you.


Cin

 

That is a good idea. I probably wouldn't even need the extra 16GB, I would literally only use this for internet/IM. I just bought a brand new Studio 15 with loaded specs; I just figure a netbook would be really nice to take with me everywhere so I can always have access to internet and IM.

 

i just built a mini online just to see what the price would be. what's the point of a netbook if it costs you $450 in the end? for $50 more you can get a full size inspiron with much better specs. dell is out of control with this. it is annoying me so much, i keep thinking to myself, "where do they get off charging so much for this tiny little machine?" sure, they advertise the price as $249, but after building it so that it is comparable to other netbooks the price is above 400. then you need to add in tax and shipping. come on dell, get with the netbook game!

 

Why tie yourself down to Dell?

There are tons of great deals out there.

 

Yeah, I agree absolutely. But I like the simple and clean design of the Mini 9. I was considering the Acer as well, though.

I just found this coupon code that is good until 2/11: BV6WPSJC546J0H

It's $50 off a new Inspiron Mini I believe. BensBargains.net has the listing on the front page right now.

 

Next week there willl be more coupons for the outlet!

New Laptop Coupons

$200 off $799 Inspiron 1420 code $99$1P7MWZL401 [Exp 2/26]

20% off $899 Inspiron Laptops code 57BVVHT00GJ6FN [Exp 2/26]

$50 off Inspiron Mini 9 code BV6WPSJC546J0H [Exp 2/11]

20% off $1299 XPS M1330 code 0FM0DG663Q9KCW [Exp 2/28]

25% off $1699 XPS M1330 / M1530 code BBJ605JFHQLVVQ [Exp 2/28]

It may help?

Cin

 

It may not be too long before the I-10 comes out. I don't remember the 'target date' for shipping on it, but according to this post in the I-12 thread it seems the I-12 may get the axe! Wow!

So, I guess it depends on how the I-10 is received, would it be possible that the I-9 would be the next to go? Or is it a Dell 'keeper'?

 

I'm not cool enough to have my own rep. I work for a fairly large corporation that gets a discount for Dell through their EPP program, but I guess I'm still technically a Home/Home Office user.

I didn't get a response to my e-mail so I called into customer care. They couldn't adjust my order and said all they can do is cancel the order and have me place a new. It rolls off their tongue like they say it all day. To me this is a horrible practice or way to do things. Now if I decide I still want this I will have to wait that many more days. Its going to be hard not to re-order though due to the lower price.

As for the $50 coupon for the Mini 9, it doesn't work, or atleast it didn't last night. It says something about only be valid with a e-value code, and the code it gives you doesn't work.

 

New Egg Senior Customer Service Manager gave me a call at home yesterday to follow-up on a less than flattering review I left on a popular review site. This is the first complaint I've had w/them. I have been a customer of New Egg for many years and they know that. Anyway, we had a nice long chat and the manager refunded the cost of my 2GB of RAM and the shipping. But it gets better, I also got a fairly substantial store credit so I ordered a Midland All Hazards/Weather radio and a Transcend 16GB, Class 6 SD card. She covered the shipping and UPS one day shipping. I have a decent chunk of my store credit still available and there is no expiration date. The manager assigned herself as my account mgr. and gave me her direct line.

 

I can see why the 12's curtain is falling...they have never been very popular to start with. I am waiting patiently for the 10's to arrive to see the stuff it's strutting and of course the price. Sales may drop on the 9 but imo it's a keeper. I love my 9!

 

There should be a place for both the 9" and the 10", just like other one inch incremental screen sizes.

 

I went ahead and placed my new order based on the new price. A base model + Bluetooth with my EPP + DPA discount came out to $259 after taxes and free shipping. Thankfully, my estimated shipping date is only a day later than my original order. Already have 2GB RAM, and 16GB Runcore on the way. Now I just need a sleeve, and I should be all set.

 

Where I work, we have EPP also, and all my Dell purchases have been thru EPP.

You can get a Rep. to deal with whenever you place an order thru EPP. I've always used the same Rep, and he has worked with me on each sale..to give to give me the best deal that he can.

Now, it also stinks that Customer Care has treated you like this. There is always the Unresolved Issues form you can complete online. I always tell peep's to be sure to get a Case Number from every dealing you have with Customer Care. It's your backup, a record of what took place during that convo, etc.

When I had an issue with my I9, and it taking so long to get thru the build stage, I had a *dedicated* Rep, assigned to my case. He kept with me thru the process as to what was happening with my order. The issue was that the *keyboard* was on backorder from the manufacturer. In the end, all turned out well.

You actually got a good price on the I9, I think most peeps (as of late) having been getting for around that price..if not more at the Outet. But, your getting new.

That $50 coupon doesn't work or the outlet until next week, from what I'm hearing.

$259...is a great deal

Here is a sleeve I purchased and am using for my I9, and other member's on the forum have also purchased! Nevermind the size it states ~ it feels just right!
Wide 7" Shock Resistant Protective Carrying Bag for Asus Eee UMPC PC Laptops (Black)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14339

It's priced at $2.70 + free shipping. A great deal! I paid over $3.00 for mine when purchased. It's a great sleeve. Does the job it needs to do, to help protect the I9. The only drawback is shipping takes a bit longer. I believe I waited nearly 10 days to get mine. But, I ordered after I ordered my I9, so it all worked out.

Here are a few *thumbnailed* photos for you to check the sleeve:



Hope all of this, is of help to you!


Cin

 

FYI, I ordered my Dell Mini 9 from Costco.com online on Jan 21st, and it took 15 days from initial order to shipping out my Mini. It's coming by 2nd-day air FedEx and should be arriving today.

I went with Costco.com since they have a 90-day return policy on their laptops (they refund shipping also), and they also offered a 2-year on-site hardware warranty from Dell.

 

Nice! What are your specs & color?

Let us know how it's working for you!


Cin

 

Mo, that's just awesome! You got an *inside* person...

Ok..finally here is that tote for my I9 I got as a gift, I said I would show you:

You can see it fits my I9 very well, and theres room for the adapter and *extras*





Hope you like!

 

problem here, somtimes i cant zoom out enough see an entire program, like my antivirius... any ideas??

 

Oh my Cin...you got me on the change in avatar. I thought my mind had gone or missed a day or two. Nice bag. I use something similar...only one tote for me to. Works great with this little baby.

 

Yeah, I change my mind about things...a lot!

Thankx, it's a great tote! It fits over the shoulders just *right*

One tote is a good thing, prob's the best! My problem is..I have to many bags!

Cin

 

Cin', Thanks for posting the pics of you tote. Very nice! What's the title of that Anne Rice book I see in there? I'm a sling backpack kinda gal since I already had a small one free from Coke.

I finally received my Deal Extreme sleeve. It's a little more snug than I expected. I left my mini in the sleeve overnight to hopefully stretch it out a tad more. Does it stretch a bit more with time?

 

Mo! Thank's It's a small tote..but generous with the things I pack in it!

Ooh, good eye! That is indeed, a Anne Rice book! It's *Violins*. Have you read it? I have all of Anne's books..even the ones written under her Pseudo names! She's a great person, and even better a great author!

It does stretch yes. At first, it will seem *tight* to zip, but then it will loosen. Let me know how it's working for you!

Cin

 

I'm sorry Cin, but I missed somehow your tote, is great would you post a link again?
Thanks ,
Jane on her 1530

 

Hey Jane! No problem

Here you go!





Hope you like!


Cin

 

ok need some help, im trying to accept the adobe readers rights but the screen is too small i cant click accept. its near the bottom.

any ideas? i already moved the task bar bla bla bla all that stuff

 

Alternate TAB and ENTER?

Or, change the resolution to 1024 X 768. The screen should then pan down when you move your cursor down.

 

tried both of those... nothin
dang

 

I have not come across the problem you are having but there is a similar thread on mydellmini (in case you did not read it already): http://mydellmini.com/forum/small-screen-size-sometimes-a-problem-p27706.html

which suggests:
Alt + space, then hit m

You should then be able to move the window up with the cursor keys without the mouse hitting the top of screen.

Hopefully that will work...

 

did u guys see they have ubuntu's in the outlet with 2gb of ram and 64gb ssd's? a little more expensive ($389) but i would have bought one of those if i didn't already have one.

 

with adobe just hit the tab key and the left and right arrow key and hit enter after each one, you will get to the accept button after a couple of tried, i had to do that, it was very annoying.

i think maybe all i had to do was hit the right arrow key a couple of times before it finally took.