Dell Mini 9

Anyone use this netbook for photo storage when out in the field or on a long trip?

Even 16 GB isn't a lot of storage. Might want to look at one of the HDD-equipped Netbooks like the Acer Aspire One. Same size screen, same software mix, doesn't have the AT&T wireless modem but comes with a full 1 GB of RAM (upgradable, if you're ready to do some disassembly, to 1.5 GB) and 120 or 160 GB HDD. It also includes a webcam and 2x SDHC slots along with the 3x USB ports. They're currently around $300-$340 at MicroCenter.

If you go with the Dell, figure on using USB flash drives for your image storage - saves immensely on space and wall-warts (power bricks). I wouldn't rely on the netbook to supply enough power for even a 2.5" external HDD, too.

MSI Wind. Mine has 2GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD (upgrades). It also has a fantastic screen.

I have the samsung NC10... good screen, large hard drive(for a netbook), atom processor, I upgraded to 2G ram for ~$20, plenty of ports, and best of all... epic battery life. My only complaint is that the touchpad is a bit small, but I usualy use a small targus travel mouse anyway.

i have the asus 1002HA
great little netbook
not so much battery life tho..4-5 hours max
and has the cumbersome right shift key

ive played with the HP 10" netbook....and i really like the design of it
i think i like it better than the 1002HA
but it only had a 80gb hdd

Get one (netbook or mini laptop) with a hard drive and a proper OS and it will do a lot more for you at a very reasonable cost over the basic non hard drive units.

I bought the ASUS like SnipeR's and love it, but that right shift button makes me nuts sometimes. With 1GB Ram, it isn't bad. I bought an external DVD writer for it at Staples for $55 and a Passport from Costco. I never need the DVD drive except to install something or watch a movie. The portable HD is just smart. And get one of these Targus

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1233669​512&sr=8-1

very fast.

ASUS 1000HA netbook $300 after MIR ($50) (J&R) Free ship

http://www.jr.com …VWyICDg#product​TabRebates

Thanks for the link. I passed that onto a friend. That's dirt cheap for a netbook.

SnlpeR wrote in post #7243111
i have the asus 1002HA
great little netbook
not so much battery life tho..4-5 hours max
and has the cumbersome right shift key

ive played with the HP 10" netbook....and i really like the design of it
i think i like it better than the 1002HA
but it only had a 80gb hdd

i just bought the HP mini tonight and here's why......

-- 10" screen

-- 2.2 lbs!

-- "large" keys and mouse pad. i don't like hitting three keys at once .

-- nice screen

i wanted a small laptop to replace my current laptop as well as my epson p3000. i only use a laptop for internet when i'm out of town and to store and view pictures.

what i don't like about the HP mini ....

-- 60 gb HD. i'll either install a larger HD later or pick up external HD.

-- price $495 out the door. i figure i'm paying a premium for the feather weight and the user friendly interface.

-- 3-cell battery. again, light weight penalty but i can count on one hand the times i've used my laptop on battery.

so far i'm pretty impressed .

ed rader

Does anyone know if these Netbook computers use 1.8" HDD or the standard size 2.5" laptop HDD's? I'd like to pick up one of these to offload CF cards onto while traveling, but most of the one's I've seen come with 160GB hdd's.
I can pick up a 500GB 2.5" laptop HDD for about $95, but I don't think the 1.8" HDD's go up that high yet.

John_TX wrote in post #7325155
Does anyone know if these Netbook computers use 1.8" HDD or the standard size 2.5" laptop HDD's? I'd like to pick up one of these to offload CF cards onto while traveling, but most of the one's I've seen come with 160GB hdd's.
I can pick up a 500GB 2.5" laptop HDD for about $95, but I don't think the 1.8" HDD's go up that high yet.

hi john, it depends, i know the dell uses the smaller one while the msi wind uses the 2.5 sata drive, i think asus use both. you just need to review the details closely.

minhi wrote in post #7325196
hi john, it depends, i know the dell uses the smaller one while the msi wind uses the 2.5 sata drive, i think asus use both. you just need to review the details closely.

Thanks for the info, I'll look into those. I might just pick up a Dell Mini 9 w/8GB solid state drive and just carry around a tiny 2.5" external USB drive. For $299, it seems like a pretty economical package.
I've already got a couple IOGear ION external USB powered enclosures & they work well. I'll need to plug in a sandisk USB CF card reader anyways and they're both about the same size.

Dumb question, but would they be okay trying to view RAW files ? I was thinking of one for using when I go out taking pics ( and being a couch potato too ! ) but didn't want something that struggled with the bigger files.

xa-coupe wrote in post #7325570
Dumb question, but would they be okay trying to view RAW files ? I was thinking of one for using when I go out taking pics ( and being a couch potato too ! ) but didn't want something that struggled with the bigger files.

I think the general consensus is it's fast enough for viewing & minor editing, but my biggest concern is screen resolution! Also, most only come with 512MB (or 1GB of ram), so that might be a concern depending on what program(s) you were planning on using.

Almost all of the Netbook sized computers I've seen are 1024X600, even the ones with 10.2" screens. I can understand an 8" screen being that resolution but not a +10".

1024x600 would be fine for me if I simply used the laptop as a file-dump platform, but anything other that that, I would REALLY want 1024x768 at minimum. 1152x864, 1280x960 or 1280x1024 would be a dream! I know they put these lower resolution LCD's on these laptops b/c the screen is rather small & cost, but you can always increase the text font size with a higher resolution screen.

My current laptop w/14" screen (IBM T43) has a 1400x1050 screen and that is some serious screen real estate for this kind of stuff.

I'm hoping the next generation of these Netbook-style laptops come with better screens and maybe Intel's next generation Atom processor (that can use 2GB+ of ram).