Comments on: First look: Dell Mini 10

By: Russell

Russell — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:18:08 +0000

It’s just another example of companies deliberately avoiding making the perfect machine, because each product cannot step on the toes of another in its range.

Dell knows what their best trackpad design is – so fit that on all their machines. They know people will want a long battery life – so make that possible. They know people will want a good screen. And the latest draft-n wireless capabilities. So put them all on the machine – every manufacturer should – it’s called progress. Indeed I would add an extra gig of ram to the 1gig standard too.

It’s the same with MACs. Unless you pay an absolute fortune, you will not get a great all-round machine in comparison to a PC. Their graphics, for instance, are always lacking, without any good reason. And their RAM is usually low. Yet MACs are supposed to be great reliable machines. So why don’t they just up the RAM and graphics capability so they properly compete – are indeed truly top of the range?

By: Zuhair

Zuhair — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:37:36 +0000

I got a netbook around 6 months ago, the Acer Aspire One. I’ve got to say, its pretty neat, I love the design, and the keyboard is easy to get used to . The battery life is terrible, as it only lasts for 2hrs. I think everyone is now waiting for that netbook with a CD/DVD drive!

By: fergus

fergus — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:45:21 +0000

Well we are pretty much in agreement there, but if it’s not able to play HD video, then as a Netbook the primary purpose is surely the web, and 1280 is enough for a browser to show a full width web page and say bookmarks in the sidebar. What would you need the 1366 width for other than HD video? same for the HDMI.

As a reasonably well informed consumer (well I think so) I am bemused at how such large corporations like Dell and MS (with Vista ) can get things so badly wrong. Why ship a product that is obviously flawed, then spend millions on PR to regain credibility. Just building the right product in the first place must be cheaper surely.

I may be pre-empting the review though, perhaps it has some redeeming features, looks nice anyway.

By: Not him

Not him — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:57:35 +0000

it seems to me like utter idiocy for them to send out a netbook with that screen resolution. It will give the netbook a bad name, where for £15 more they could just have fitted it, and put it in the price. should be an optional downgrade, perhaps?

By: fergus

fergus — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:30:17 +0000

I still can’t find the spec that I want in a netbook, and I had high hopes this might be it. Sadly it seems that Dell has badly veered off track. The downgraded processor and graphics leaves me scratching my head, I mean WHY. The standard screen resolution is pointless, (and PC Pro adversely commented on the Lenovo for having that screen resolution), still the upgrade is cheap enough but if it can’t play HD video what’s the point?, I would rather have a 1280 x 800 screen as an option.

The trackpad and buttons are just simply plain stupid as is the omission of wireless N and that silly 3 cell battery. Oh dear I feel like I’m having another Vista moment.

Apart from that it’s perfect although I would like the option of XP Pro rather than Home. Shame really as I would purchase the “Right” Netbook right now, oh well lets hope the new Samsungs will be closer to the spec that I want. This netbook seems carp (rearrange). I’m really surprised at Dell missing the mark so badly.

By: Mike Jennings

Mike Jennings — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:57:09 +0000

Thanks for clarification, Stuart – I’ve corrected the article to reflect this.

By: Stuart Combellack

Stuart Combellack — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:06:41 +0000

The Z520 and Z530 processors used in Dell Mini 10’s are not dual-core. They do Hyper Threading. (http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupId=35463)