Dell has launched a customizable netbook that will prove to be readily marketable, a concept that most other netbooks do not offer. However, we wouldn’t expect any less from Dell – the master of build-to-order PCs. Most companies attempt to keep it simple and settle on one model, that is, with just a few options such as color and hard drive. But, the new Inspiron Mini 10 has a large variety of options that will allow users to build the best possible netbook – for themselves.
For $593, the Dell Mini 10 possesses a number of features that go above and beyond the netbook “standard”. For example, it comes equipped with a high resolution 1,366 by 768 display, a stylish lid design, an HDMI output, an edge-to-edge glass cover on the display, and a TV tuner. In addition, you can include built-in mobile broadband or a GPS, if you want to spend the extra money.
The price of the Dell Mini 10 is definitely on the high end at around $600, especially for a netbook. $600 is almost the price of an average laptop, and thus we can certainly think of better ways to spend that money. If you just can’t stop thinking about its wide, flat keys and the portability of the Mini 10, then it would be wise to go for the Mini 10v, which is cheaper at $299 and offers practically the same qualities.
Although it may not be as sleek as Asus netbooks or the HP Mini 5101, the Dell Mini 10 is modeled after the looks of the larger laptops of the Inspiron line. Its rounded corners and shiny surface is very much like its fellow Inspiron peers. HP made a smart decision in that sense, since first-time netbook consumers will be likely to be more attracted to the familiar feel of a traditional notebook. Thus, the transition from notebook to netbook will be less intimidating for the consumers.
The keyboard tray of the Dell Mini 10 is well used; the wide, flat keys that are placed edge-to-edge to each other are especially noteworthy. Dell’s previous 9 inch netbooks had a few missing keys, making faulty choices in spacial composition. However, the new Dell Mini 10 does not have the same problem, and important keys like the Shift, Ctrl, and Tab keys are almost full-size. The wrist rest is quite narrow, which makes it difficult for the system to extend past a certain point, making it hard to control. This kind of setup usually requires a longer, letterbox-type touch pad with its mouse buttons placed on the lower left and right corners of the pad. We all agree that this isn’t the best touch pad that we’ve dealt with, but it is better than that of HP’s Mini 110 (also has a long touch pad, with the mouse buttons on the far sides).
The Dell Mini 10’s display is probably its most impressive feature – a 10.1 inch wide-screen with a resolution of 1,366 x 768. Another version of the Mini 10 offers a more standard resolution of 1,024 x 600, if that’s what you want. At first, we were concerned that the high resolution would interfere in our ability to read text .However, we got used to reading the smaller text very quickly. Other netbooks such as the Sony Vaio W provide similar high resolution displays and we are hoping that it will soon become standard in the netbook world. Also, the edge-to-edge overlay is notable, but it does cause a slight glare, which will most likely annoy a handful of picky people.
Additionally, this is the first time that we’ve seen a HDMI port on a netbook, but it proved to be a useful idea. On the other hand, the TV tuner seems to be outdated and unnecessary. TV tuners are rarely connected to mainstream consumers since video streaming websites such as Hulu, Slingbox, and Netflix have gained such enormous popularity. The optional broadband modems can be purchased for $125 (Verizon Wireless or AT&T).
The Dell Mini 10 runs on Intel’s Atom Z530 processor, which is not typical of most netbooks in the market today. The typical CPU used by most netbooks is the N270 version. Both perform at the same speed of 1.6GHz, but the Z-series are known to overheat less frequently and specifically cater to handheld mobile Internet devices (MIDs). Our tests confirmed that that Dell Mini 10v’s Intel Atom N270 CPU is actually faster, perhaps because it was designed for solely netbooks in the first place.
However, that does not mean that the difference is in any way a problem for the Dell Mini 10 – it has the capability to handle such tasks as web surfing, using multimedia, and working on word documents, thus fulfilling the original purpose of the netbook.
On our video playback battery drain test, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 fared well at 5 hours and 40 minutes. It is no doubt an outstanding performance for such a low-power netbook, but it can be most likely accredited to its 6-cell battery. However, one downside is the bulkiness of the battery – it protrudes from the bottom of the netbook and interrupts the overall flow of the design. There is indeed an option for the 3-cell battery, if it’s bothersome enough to seek out a smaller size.
In addition, the Dell Mini 10 comes with an industry-standard, one year warranty that guarantees an online service called “remote diagnosis”. An additional two year warranty will cost you $40, which is pretty reasonable considering the length of time. The Dell website provides online support in the form of a 24/7 toll-free hotline, driver downloads, and web database.
Tech Specs (varies with customization)
RAM Included: 1GB
RAM Upgradable: 1 GB
Hard Drive Size: 160GB
Hard Drive Speed: 5,400rpm
Hard Drive Type: SATA Hard Drive
Display Size : 10.1
Native Resolution: 1024×576
Graphics Card: Intel GMA 500/64MB
Video Memory: 64MB
Wi-Fi: 802.11g
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
Ports (excluding USB): Ethernet; HDMI; Headphone; Microphone
USB Ports: 3
Card Slots / Readers: 3-1 card reader
Size: 10.3 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches
Weight: 2.6 pounds