Dell Inspiron Mini 9: Tiny Laptop, Big Potential?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the Dell Inspiron Mini 9, a small laptop or netbook, and its suitability for running P3 software, particularly in the context of use by Pampered Chef consultants during shows. Participants share their experiences and opinions regarding the device's capabilities, limitations, and personal preferences.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal, Opinion-based, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses interest in the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and questions its ability to handle P3.
  • Another participant shares their experience that while their husband likes the netbook, they find it hard to use due to smaller keys.
  • Several users mention the limited hard drive space (16GB) and memory, which may restrict the ability to store additional programs and data.
  • One participant inquires about the meaning of "traditional drives" and whether extra memory can be purchased for the netbook.
  • Another participant explains that while extra RAM can be added, the hard drive space remains limited, making it challenging to use for multiple purposes.
  • One user notes that their 12" Dell laptop works well for shows and handles P3, while another mentions their ACER laptop has served them well through many shows.
  • One participant highlights the portability of netbooks but cautions that some models may not meet the requirements for running P3 effectively.
  • Another participant shares their positive experience with an Asus 10" netbook, noting it meets most requirements for P3 and is useful for daily tasks.
  • One user mentions the importance of researching specifications before purchasing a netbook, as some have more memory than others.
  • Another participant discusses the need for a higher-end mini netbook to effectively run P3 and suggests checking the size of P3 data files.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the suitability of netbooks for running P3, with some participants expressing concerns about limitations while others share positive experiences. No clear consensus emerges regarding the overall effectiveness of netbooks for this purpose.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences with various laptop models, focusing on their use in the context of Pampered Chef shows and the specific requirements for running P3 software.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering a netbook for business use, particularly those interested in running P3 software during shows, may find the shared experiences and insights relevant.

dannyzmom
dannyzmom
Gold Member
Messages
9,271
Anyone have one of these? Apparently they are really small laptops?
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Laptop / Netbook
Can they handle P3?
I think I want one!!
 
Re: Netbooks??My husband has one...He likes it. I find it hard to use. They keys are smaller so I have a hard time typing on it.
You are a little limited on memory, harddrive space and you don't have any traditional drives.It can probably handle P3 if you get XP on it. He has Ubuntu on his.
 
Re: Netbooks??Oh, don't forget, the HD is only about 16GB with XP on it...not room to store too much...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Re: Netbooks??Ok...and in English what does all that mean? LOL
What are "traditional drives?"
Can extra memory be purchased for it?
 
Re: Netbooks??Janet means that the hard drive is very small, so there's not a lot of room for additional programs and data, like P3. Especially if you have a lot of data in P3 from lots of shows.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Re: Netbooks??So you're saying I couldn't get a netbook to use for my shows? Or could I get more memory for it so i could use it for my shows - i have done over 400 shows so far...
 
Re: Netbooks??You can get some extra RAM for it, but only up to a point. HD space is very limited and you wouldn't want to lug an extra USB hard drive. It is possible that you could still keep P3 on there and your data. I"ll check sizes of files on mine later today.Just warning you that P3 is about all you'd have on there. If you wanted it for dual purposes, it'd be kind of tough.By "traditional drives", yes, I was referring to a CD rom, DVD, floppy drive. The chassis isn't made to hold those things internally.I've got to run - breakfast and church so I'll be back this evening...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Re: Netbooks??All I have on my current laptop is AOL, PP, ie, and Word...that's all I need for a laptop - everything else is on my desktop -- could a NetBook handle all that (but P3 instead of PP?)
 
Re: Netbooks??Carolyn...I have a 12" Dell laptop that I take shows...it works fabulously and is very portable. It handles P3 and assorted games.....LOL!
My only complaint...and it is a silly one, is that I prefer a 10 key. I "could" buy one and bring it to shows as well but it really isn't necessary.
 
Re: Netbooks??Carolyn, it sounds like you are in good hands (all the other posts) which is good because it is all Greek to me.
I have a ACER laptop that I take to my shows, I'm tax-figuring challenged LOL. I love my laptop and hope you enjoy whatever route you take.

PS Good girl for doing your homework before purchasing!!
 
Re: Netbooks??my laptop finally died this morning it has been giving me a little trouble and this morning when I went to enter my show for the afternoon it wouldn't turn onI'm taking our son's to my show and he & DH are researching new ones now, that is one they were asking me if I wanted
 
Re: Netbooks??I too have an ACER - It has served me well through 3 years and 700 shows. Not to big - fits in the front pocket of the large PC rolling bag. Great to use in case my home computer fails .
 
Re: Netbooks??
erinyourpclady said:
Carolyn...I have a 12" Dell laptop that I take shows...it works fabulously and is very portable. It handles P3 and assorted games.....LOL!
My only complaint...and it is a silly one, is that I prefer a 10 key. I "could" buy one and bring it to shows as well but it really isn't necessary.
Click to expand...

Your complaint isn't silly. I bought a 17" JUST for the 10 key :) and I am so happy I did. I LOVE IT! It's a little big for shows, but it actually just forced me to downsize the amount of product I take to a reasonable amount. I love that I can set up fully within a 1/2 hour now!! I've NEVER been able to do that b/c too much product took more trips to the car and set up time.

The netbooks are fun, but limited. I may do it for shows eventually too. I love that you can literally "throw" it in your purse. Just make sure it's the right kind. Some do not have enough to run P3 and mostly are for the internet.
 
Re: Netbooks??I have a 17" with the 10 keypad on it and never use it. DH got the laptop for me - I WANTED a smaller, lighter one - lol. My next one will be as small as I can get. I want to be able to use: P3, word, excel, internet, and email. Oh, and I'd like to be able to have pictures too if possible but I could do that on the desktop... The good think is my current laptop is only one year old so who knows what will be out there when I need another.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Re: Netbooks??I referring to NETBOOKS, not laptops - click on the link in my first post and you'll see what I am talking about.
 
Re: Netbooks??I have a netbook and I love it!! I have the Asus 10". It meets most of the preferred requirements for P3 I think there are two categories were it exceeds the minimum but doesn't fully meet the preferred requirements.

I have not uploaded P3 yet. Since there isn't a CD drive you have to upload P3 from the web. I will start taking mine to shows this month. I just got it last month.

I use it daily for easy access to email, CS, and facebook. It makes it easier at home and on the run to have access to the net. Once P3 is loaded I will have my contacts with me at all times. My kids are in preschool and have a couple activities a week. Now I can sit at the coffee house and do work when I have a brief moment.

Do your research some have more memory than others. Don't buy for name recognition. I searched for a while and am very happy with my purchase. It does take a little while to get used to the keys, but it isn't too bad. I only have trouble with the right shift key and the sensitivity of the touch pad. I move the curser a lot with my palm!

I did post info about P3 and netbooks before. It has more specifications. Hope that helps you! Good luck. Let me know if there is anything else you need. I am going to upload P3 soon. I will update you afterwards.
 
Re: Netbooks??OK, P3 can run on 2GB but 10GB is recommended. The Dell only comes with the 16GB max, much of which will be taken up with the operating system. (That is the HD).I think you could do it if you use it for P3 and internet access only. You can double-check the size of your P3 data files to be sure.You'd have to get the higher end of these mini netbooks though if you want to do it.For shows though, I think you will really enjoy having such a small system.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Dell Inspiron Mini 9?

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 features an Intel Atom processor, a 9-inch display, and options for 1GB or 2GB of RAM. It typically comes with a solid-state drive (SSD) for storage, offering capacities of 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB. The laptop runs on Windows XP or Ubuntu Linux, making it lightweight and suitable for basic tasks.

What is the battery life of the Dell Inspiron Mini 9?

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 generally offers a battery life of around 3 to 4 hours, depending on usage and settings. This makes it suitable for light tasks such as web browsing and document editing, but users should be mindful of battery management for extended use.

Is the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 suitable for gaming?

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is not designed for gaming. Its Intel Atom processor and limited RAM make it suitable for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing, but it lacks the graphics capabilities and processing power required for modern gaming.

Can the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 be upgraded?

Upgrading the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is somewhat limited. While users can upgrade the RAM to a maximum of 2GB, the SSD storage is not easily replaceable due to the design. Therefore, potential buyers should consider their storage needs before purchasing.

What are the advantages of using a Dell Inspiron Mini 9?

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is highly portable, making it ideal for users who need a lightweight laptop for on-the-go use. Its small size and solid-state drive contribute to quick boot times and efficient performance for basic tasks. Additionally, its affordability makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

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