On Monday, October 13, 2008, at about 12:00, DHL brought me an early Christmas present: An Inspiron 910, known as the Mini 9 (see http://tinyurl.com/4on8bv for information). This was the base Ubuntu package, to which I added extra memory, a bigger Solid State Drive, and a Web Camera. I had gotten the case for it (sold separately) earlier.
Mini 9 in Case
Now, obviously, I won’t leave it in the case all the time.
Opening the Case
The computer is about the length and width of a hard-back book. but not nearly so thick.
Press Start
And you’re ready to go.
Easy Desktop
There are 2 desktop configurations. This one with nice big buttons to select from categories, and the one that is most familiar to those using Ubuntu 8.04 – Hardy Heron.
I’ve already loaded it with some PDF files (novels) and a version of the background I use on my main computer. However, there are some excellent backgrounds already available. Of course, there are also some of the standard Ubuntu wallpapers. But really, creating a new wallpaper is really simple.
Those who use the Hardy on a regular computer WILL see some differences. A lot of the programs that are loaded by default aren’t there. This was done to minimize the footprint on the SSD. However, it does come with a re-branded Firefox, and the full OpenOffice.org and Sun Java. This would be an ideal machine not for just browsing the web but for actually doing homework, or writing up papers for work. And, as a friend mentioned to me, it would be much lighter and smaller than dragging around a full-size laptop computer.
Right now, I’m still in “play” mode, finding my way around, and getting used to a slightly smaller keyboard (one CAN touch-type on it. I can, and I have big hands and fat fingers). I do have one problem that I havent solved as of this date: for some reason it doesn’t want to connect to my wireless router. Ah, well. That’s what the Ubuntu community and LoCo team are for.
But it’s mine . . . ALL MINE . . . MINE, I SAY!!!! AH, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Harumph. Hmmm. Pardon me. Just a minor attack. I’ll go take my meds now. 
You’ll have to let us know about the performance. More benchmarks are cropping up that show that the purpose of the Atom is purely power efficient. It lags excessively behind the Core architecture and even the Via C7s. The SSD probably won’t help with speed, but it’ll be great for battery life.
By: Christoph Shipley on October 14, 2008
at 7:35 pm
Christoph,
Your point is good, but I wasn’t as worried about speed when I purchased it. The reason I bought it wasn’t for games or videos. Instead, I was more interested in having something with me that would allow me to demonstrate Ubuntu, and with which I could have fun in the off moments. Yes, it is slower than my Inspiron 530N Desktop, but not that much slower. Certainly not as slow as the P-III/750 that I moved up from when I got the 530N. The real purpose of the Mini 9 is to stay connected, and do those things I need to do when I’m away from my desktop.
By: tycheent on October 14, 2008
at 9:01 pm
How do they deal with the whole ‘no function keys’ thing?
I use them ALOT. Conkeror bindings and stuff.
By: TheGZeus on October 15, 2008
at 12:46 am
Glad to hear you ar eenjoying your new machine.
Is there any reinstallation or backup solution provided with the laptop? As well, does it play all the codecs out-of-the-box?
By: Andrew on October 15, 2008
at 3:23 am
TheGZeus,
On the left bottom row, just right of the key, is one marked Fn. The ASDFGHJKL: row has the blue markings for F1-F10. So, there’s a way to do it.
By: tycheent on October 15, 2008
at 4:12 am
Andrew,
I haven’t played with media, yet. That may be next on the list, but I’d really like to get the networking problem solved, first.
As to the backup and reinstallation problem, there is no CD or DVD drive on the Mini. There’s just no room. On the left side are 2 USB ports, the power input (did I mention that it comes with a power adapter?) and a memory card reader. On the right is another USB port, VGA output, Mic and Headphone, and Ethernet ports. Plus the thickness would pretty much preclude putting a drive in it. You’d have to run an external CD/DVD player. HOWEVER, it does come with the CDs for the drivers and an Ubuntu 8.04 LTS CD.
By: tycheent on October 15, 2008
at 4:19 am
Hi Craig.
I know there is no optical drive in the mini.
It is delivered with a customized version of Ubuntu – is the CD that you got the custom version? As well, what drivers are included? Windows drivers?
Dell has been known to include software backup solutions, which allow you to restore your computer to the factory state, instead of shipping reinstallation media. I was interested in knowing if they provided that sort of thing for the mini 9 with Ubuntu. You know, like “click here to create a bootable USB system restore” thing…
As for your networking woes, I had not used wireless in my house for over a year. When I had to use it again, I had forgotten than I had turned on “wireless isolation” on my router which prevents any device from associating with my router unless I specifically allow its MAC. It took me just under a week to “fix” the problem (I turned it off…)
Maybe you have a similar problem?
By: Andrew on October 15, 2008
at 4:54 am
Hi,
What case is it that you have for it?
Thx!
By: Alex on October 15, 2008
at 5:06 am
Andrew,
The disks that come with the Mini are both DVDs. One is the COMPLETE Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, not the Ubuntu Netbook Remix (which, I believe, is what is actually on the machine). If you search for “Ubuntu Remix”, you’ll come up with a number of hits, including places to download it. The other is Dell Drivers and Utilities. Considering what Dell did with the Inspiron 530N that I have (where the reinstallation was on the drive), it’s actually a Windows thing. However, I haven’t put it in the 530N to find out.
As for networking – It uses the Broadcom 4310 chip with the WL driver. My wife’s machine is wirelessed in and uses the Broadcom “Air Force One” chip, and I had a devil of a time getting it to connect. I really think it has to do with my own stupidity (I’m a perpetual n00bie) rather than a hardware/software problem. But yes, wireless IS enabled (or my wife would kill me). But thanks for the suggestion.
By: tycheent on October 15, 2008
at 5:23 am
Alex,
The carrying case I’ve got is called a T-Pack, made by Timbuk2. And it’s made to fit the Mini 9 and it’s power adapter. Manufacturer Part # 327-2-010. DELL part# A1766891 (and yes, it can be purchased through Dell). Had I gone far enough through the process I probably could have ordered it at the same time that I ordered the machine. But, not being familiar with their ordering process, I didn’t go beyond the icons that showed up on the page. (I know, stupid me. Hee hee) My wife pointed out where to find it in the order process, and we found a way to get to the individual page to order it separately. So, the case came in first, then set here looking forlorn and lonesome until the Mini 9 arrived. I swear I could hear it cheer. LOL. It’s a “soft-pack” type of case, with good padding, and fits the Mini 9 like a glove.
By: tycheent on October 15, 2008
at 5:37 am
Very tempting machine.
While videos weren’t a concern of yours,
I’m curious whether the Atom can handle Flash video sites like http://www.hulu.com/
Adobe doesn’t rate the Atom as meeting minimums for 480p, but how about just playing them non-fullscreen? They work fairly well on my antique 900 MHz/512MB running Ubuntu 804.1
By: Doug on October 15, 2008
at 8:45 am
Doug,
It isn’t that they aren’t a concern of mine. It’s just that I’ve got to get the network going before I concern myself with that. Though, I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t work. You may just have to buffer the whole thing before playing it. I used to do that with the old P-III/750 I had.
By: tycheent on October 15, 2008
at 8:54 am
Dell blog: ” Green Light for Ubuntu-Powered Inspiron Mini Shipments” at http://yourblog.direct2dell.com/2008/09/22/green-light-for-ubuntu-powered-inspiron-mini-shipments/
has a “vlog that features Doug Anson from Dell’s CTO team as he steps through some the features of the Dell custom interface. Doug was Dell’s lead who worked with Canonical to bring the Ubuntu interface for the Mini 9.”
I really like that menu item that allows the user to switch between the Ubuntu Notebook Remix/Dell custom interface and the standard Ubuntu desktop.
Most of the reviews seem to indicate that the Dell Mini’s “fit and finish” is higher than the competition. (Except, perhaps, the HP which is handicapped by running Vista on a Via.)
By: Doug on October 15, 2008
at 10:27 am
tycheent.. congratulations. I can honestly say, I am SUPER jealous. I placed my order two days ago for the same machine. Dell estimates it will take over a month before being shipped
how long did yours take from order to delivery?
anxious to hear about your wireless experience as it is an absolute requirement for me.
also, very anxous to hear about hulu.com type media as my little girl is a big fan…
derrek
By: derrek cooper on October 15, 2008
at 6:08 pm
Derrek,
I was told over a month’s wait. But it came sooner. Things may be speeding up, and I noticed on the Forums that a lot of people have gotten theirs.
I think the wireless problem is due to something that I did. I just need to find out what it was, and how to repair it.
As for the media, I can’t honestly tell you at this time.
By: tycheent on October 15, 2008
at 6:16 pm
I googled for the forum and stumbled across a pointer to a interesting post on how to dual boot XP and Hardy (minus Dell Remix customizations) — http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=943826
I can’t get any support from my ISP (%#@$ Verizon) because they don’t support Linux, so this interests me.
The popularity of the machine is a real plus because there are so many people doing interesting things with it.
By: Doug on October 16, 2008
at 4:10 am
[...] Craig Eddy: [...]
By: Ubuntu Podcast Episode #10 | Ubuntu Podcast on October 23, 2008
at 10:12 am