Dell Inspiron Mini 10 Review

Features:
General
ProcessorIntel Atom
Processor numberZ530
Processor speed1.6GHz
Motherboard chipsetIntel 945GM Memory/Storage
Amt of RAM1024 MB
Hard drive120 GB
Card ReaderSD, MMC, MS, MS Pro Connectivity
Ports3 x USB2.0; HDMI
BluetoothYes
InfraredNo
Ethernet10/100
Wireless LAN802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
WebcamYes Display
Graphics hardwareIntel GMA 950
Diagonal screen size10 inch
LCD technologyTransflective TFT (widescreen)
Screen resolution (max)1,024 x 600 Multimedia
RemoteNo
DVD/MP3 without bootupNo
TV tunerNo
Sound hardwareIntegrated audio; 2 x speakers Software
Operating systemWin XP Home

By Darius Chang, CNET Asia
Feb 24, 2009

Dell's strategy in the Netbook market has left some industry observers scratching their heads. Its first model, the Inspiron Mini 9, was a run-of-the-mill 8.9-inch Netbook which didn't break any conventions but fought on price. Its next model, the Mini 12, made a great leap, screen-wise, and was the first Atom-based machine to hit the 12-inch mark.

Out of the blue, the Round Rock company went back to a handier 10-inch form factor but, along with it, added a new twist. It is the first Netbook to incorporate an HDMI port (the Asus N10 also had one but was not positioned as a Netbook) as well as a host of optional features.

Upside: To be truly usable, a Netbook needs a good keyboard. We're glad to see that the Inspiron Mini 10 didn't disappoint in this respect. The keys are only 8 percent smaller than those found on normal keyboards and provide good tactile feel. The touchpad is also quite unique. Instead of dedicating an area, the two mouse buttons are hidden under the trackpad, which provides a much larger area for navigation. The only flip side is that those used to resting a finger on the mouse button while tracking with another will find the machine won't respond since it is not multitouch-enabled.

Where the Mini 10 truly shines is in its feature set. Not only are HSDPA, Bluetooth and Draft-N Wi-Fi radios provided out-of-the-box, but it's also equipped with an HDMI port. Though the Asus N10 was the first Atom-based machine to provide HDMI connectivity, it was not marketed as a Netbook unlike the Mini 10. Since we have only a prototype model on hand, we were unable to test the maximum output resolution via the HDMI port. But considering the integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics engine and Atom processor, we do not expect to stream high-definition video from this Netbook anytime soon.

This Inspiron Mini is also the first to offer a 16:9 aspect ratio 10-inch display. Like the HP Mini 1000, the screen comes with an overlay which gives it aesthetic appeal, but, in return, results in an excessively reflective surface which makes it hard to read outdoors.

The unit is tentatively priced at S$899 (US$601.62) which is quite reasonable considering other HSDPA-enabled Netbooks go for over S$1,000 (US$669.21). The unit is expected to launch in Asian markets in mid-March. Later in the year, features such as digital TV tuner, solid-state drive and GPS will be available as optional factory upgrades.

Downside: HDMI connectivity is a nice feature, but we would have liked it better if Dell had not given up the VGA port in return. Given that the Netbook is unlikely to be able to handle high-definition videos, the older and more common analog standard would have sufficed.

A Netbook is meant to be portable and we expect it to be carried around quite a bit. So when we saw the fingerprint magnet of a top cover, we rolled our eyes. Granted, the glossy black lid is great to look at initially, but unless you are willing to keep wiping the unit the surface will soon be marred by finger oils.

Outlook: Though the Mini 10 is reasonably priced for an HSDPA-enabled Netbook, considering the current economic climate, it's still quite a bit more costly compared with other 10-inch models. But if you can stomach the price, the Inspiron Mini 10 offers a comfortable typing experience and an above-average feature set.

Source:Cnet Asia