Dell Mini 9 @ $279 w/ Ubuntu | 512MB RAM | 4GB SSD

[Shoryuken]

It looks like it's a week packed with Mini 9 deals.

Today we see the cheapest Mini 9 yet (for Canadians) at $279. It's pretty bare bones with Ubuntu, 512MB RAM, and the 4GB SSD. Sure, the Best Buy $299 and even the Dell Mini 9 XP $349 (now expired) from earlier in the week were better values, but they weren't $279!

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cadhs1&l=en&OC=NI9U_F_1E

The same configuration was sold for one day only by Dell USA for $199, but with the exchange rate heading against our favour again, I guess the inflated price shouldn't surprise us.

The good news is that, unlike any model that has Windows XP, you can upgrade it to 2GB RAM (cheap to do it yourself though) and even get an SSD up to 64MB. (Microsoft restricts XP Mini 9's to a max of 1GB RAM, 16GB SSD.)

[neo1973]

4GB SSD is the deal breaker for me otherwise I would get another one.

[monit88]

I woke up at 6, hoping it would be 1GB of RAM and 8GB SSD. I guess, I was asking too much for it. Out of curiousity, are there any coupons that can be used to reduce even further with upgraded options.

[zulu888]

Just ordered, exactly the type of Mini 9 deal I wanted. Added built in bluetooth and webcam.

[drool]

For 279 even with 4gigs its a good deal, you guys are just getting snobby http://**********************/s/happy.gif

[juched]

I ordered the $349 dell.ca deal last week with XP, 16GB and 1GB ram.

Would it be cheaper to get this one and upgrade the hard drive and ram myself? Where can you get SSD hard drives online for cheap?

Thanks!

[juched]

From crucial.com you can get the 32GB SSD for 79$ US and 2GB of ram for 25.99$US.

So, add on 105$US and you have a machine with 4 x the memory on both accounts.

[zegerman]

I'd be careful with buying SSD drives for the mini. I'm pretty sure the only one's that fit are RunCores made specifically for the mini and not any other random brand. Anyways, check out some forums (http://www.mydellmini.com) first before ordering an SSD upgrade.

[juched]

I'd be careful with buying SSD drives for the mini. I'm pretty sure the only one's that fit are RunCores made specifically for the mini and not any other random brand. Anyways, check out some forums (http://www.mydellmini.com) first before ordering an SSD upgrade.

Yes, those are exactly the forums I was looking at as well.

the crucial site actually lists the mini 9 and compatiblity, so it is pretty safe. I have not found this from any canada sites yet.

[ishagi]

I'd be careful with buying SSD drives for the mini. I'm pretty sure the only one's that fit are RunCores made specifically for the mini and not any other random brand. Anyways, check out some forums (http://www.mydellmini.com) first before ordering an SSD upgrade.

Yes, it has to be a mini PCI-e SSD. The Runcores are more expensive yet fast. The Crucial, SuperTalent and others are cheaper but very slow on writes. The stock Dell STEC SSD are "middle of the road". Do your research and buy the best drive for how you plan on using it.

Me? I ordered a 32G Runcore. (Back Ordered, of course, as they seem pretty popular right now). :(

[gizmo8]

Crucial sends it by FedEx and those bastards charges a $15 handling fees.

[^gUrU]

...
The good news is that, unlike any model that has Windows XP, you can upgrade it to 2GB RAM (cheap to do it yourself though) and even get an SSD up to 64MB. (Microsoft restricts XP Mini 9's to a max of 1GB RAM, 16GB SSD.)

The XP model you can upgrade 2GB, they just can't sell it (under terms of their MS XP Home license) with >1GB of ram... it's no matter, way cheaper to upgrade yourself then pay Dells premium (and it's a sinch)

[SAN66]

From crucial.com you can get the 32GB SSD for 79$ US and 2GB of ram for 25.99$US.

So, add on 105$US and you have a machine with 4 x the memory on both accounts.

With shipping, brokerage, etc its probably about the same price to just take the $120 upgrade to 32GB from dell. Upgrade the RAM yourself locally.

[zulu888]

With shipping, brokerage, etc its probably about the same price to just take the $120 upgrade to 32GB from dell. Upgrade the RAM yourself locally.

I don't think there is an option to upgrade to 32GB directly from Dell

[Shoryuken]

I don't think there is an option to upgrade to 32GB directly from Dell

you can. on the ubuntu models you can choose SSD sizes in 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 GB.

[vedia]

how many ram slots does this machine have?

[Shoryuken]

how many ram slots does this machine have?
1, so if you want 2GB, you need a single 2GB DIMM

[cyclopes]

What SDHC cards are people using with these?

I see the Transcend 16gb Class 6 is on sale at Newegg (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208410&nm_mc=OTC-Pr1c3canadaCA&cm_mmc=OTC-Pr1c3canadaCA-_-Memory+(Flash+Memory)-_-Transcend-_-20208410)

[rivet]

I try to match the best buy model, I'll have to add $25 for white color, $30 for 1G ram, $30 for 8G SSD, in the end it is $65 more than the best buy model, and I lose a XP home license. I know ram upgrade is very cheap by yourself, but SSD upgrade is not cheap at all. It is a really good deal if you like the black color, want a base model and upgrade everything yourself and don't need XP license. But all I want is a best buy white model+webcam and there is just not an option here unless I pay way more:|

[Sushi Roll]

Yeah but the Best Buy model was 8 gigs. If you want to easily install things like OSX you want at least 16 gigs. For things like SSD it's way less hassle and less waiting for parts just upgrading through Dell instead of yourself and the price difference isn't that bad.

[zulu888]

well.. my est. ship date is March 30th, that's a long time...

[drool]

well.. my est. ship date is March 30th, that's a long time...

That's usually long, you'll probably get it faster.

[Rudy]

Today we see the cheapest Mini 9 yet (for Canadians) at $279. It's pretty bare bones with Ubuntu, 512MB RAM, and the 4GB SSD. Sure, the Best Buy $299 and even the Dell Mini 9 XP $349 (now expired) from earlier in the week were better values, but they weren't $279!


Isn't this pretty much the same as the best buy deal? http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10118293&catid=

[xaltair]

Isn't this pretty much the same as the best buy deal? http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10118293&catid=

Actually for $359 config from Dell you get the bluetooth as well, it has the 8gb ssd and the 1gb ram but the future shop deal doesn't have the bluetooth included while the dell option for $359 does. That's about the only difference.

[kennysze]

I think this deal suits those who want to upgrade ram, runcore ssd and use OSX by themselves

[Lone_Prodigy]

It's just a netbook: what are you possibly planning to do with it beyond surfing and word processing? :confused:

[Rudy]

It's just a netbook: what are you possibly planning to do with it beyond surfing and word processing? :confused:

listening to music and watching videos

[don_lee103]

listening to music and watching videos

eek.. 4GB is just not enough these days... I need the netbook with upgradeable 2.5" hard drive (MSI but they suck)

[Shoryuken]

listening to music and watching videos

you could always dump some of your media on an SD card... best buy is selling a 16gb one for $35 this week, so that's a cheap way to add some storage to a mini 9

[SAN66]

you could always dump some of your media on an SD card... best buy is selling a 16gb one for $35 this week, so that's a cheap way to add some storage to a mini 9

Or buy that 500GB passport that's on sale.

[lunaris]

warm

edit: nvm change in color + conversion rate from USD + SSD upgrade kills deal

[charsoxer]

279.00 +free shipping in Canada. Sorry for posting wrong link.

Right one is here:
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cadhs1&l=en&OC=NI9U_F_1E

[Harpua]

I'm new to netbook pricing, is this a good deal?
Is this a good netbook?
Why get a netbook (other than price) ?

[rjlavoie]

Or deck it out with

2GB DDR2 at 533MHz
64GB Solid State Drive
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 capability

For $569


Or even better, upgrade to the Mini 12

Intel®Atom®Processor Z520 (1.33GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache)
Ubuntu Linux version 8.04.1
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (onboard)
60GB PATA Hard Drive (4200 RPM
48WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell)
12.1" widescreen TrueLife® Display (1280x800)
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
Bluetooth 2.1 module via USB I/F with EDR

For $539

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cadhs1&l=en&OC=NI12U_F_1E

[shawn99]

are all mini variations ( mini 9, 10, 12) fanless? So it's always superquiet?

[discostupid]

just a note for people

the mini 9 has the N270 at 1.6 Ghz

the mini 10/12 have the Z520 at 1.33 Ghz

However the Z520 has lower TDP, and runs cooler on its chipset. Also the Z520 supports Hyperthreading and VT.
Unfortuantely the GMA 500 chipset on the mini 10/12 has little/no support in Ubuntu and OS X.

[Shoryuken]

For anyone who has ordered one of these recently, when was your order date and what's your estimated ship date?

Last I checked some people had to wait three weeks for their estimated ship date -- is that still the case?