[AndrewG]

Real nice site here. I want a small netbook computer for a trip in April (CA & HI) to take journal notes, upload camera images, GPS, maybe web searching, hopefully no much email.
I liked the info I found on the mini 10 and then chatted with the Dell sales agent. She suggested that for the same $399 I could get an 11z with GPS. So which would be best?
Is the size or weight so different?
Should I upgrade from Celeron to Pentium chip (at +$75) to save battery life?
Will I be able to go on 6 hr car or air trip without any charging? Dell has no air/auto cable that I could find.
Anybody have comments on the GPS?
Any good sites to buy besides Dell?
Any suggestions. Thanks!

[holmes4]

I have to say that I have never understood the appeal of GPS built in to a netbook or notebook, especially if you intend to use it for navigation while driving. A Bluetooth GPS receiver you can sit on the dash makes more sense to me.

For the purpose you describe, I'd suggest the new Mini 10 (Inspiron 1012). The battery will last much longer and it will do all of what you're asking. It is lightweight and compact. You won't get 6 hours out of the 11z, I'm pretty sure. You can buy air/auto adapters from other companies such as Kensington.

[AndrewG]

Thanks, Steve. I was trying to reach for things to do with the mini to justify getting it! I have a Garmin GPS which serves me well but is just another thing to drag on vacation.

I will look into the 1010.

I really would rather have XP operating system instead of WIN 7. Anyway to set up a partition with XP on one partition??

-- Andy

[holmes4]

Not 1010 - I said 1012. If you really want XP you can install it, but please give Win7 a try - I think it is much better. You may want to upgrade to Home Premium from Starter, though.

You can get inexpensive GPS receivers that connect with USB or Bluetooth and work with mapping software. But a netbook isn't a good substitute for a dedicated GPS device for the driver.

[AndrewG]

Steve --Yeah I noticed it was 1012 not 1010 after I sent last message. I am confused by all the different models! Could not find the difference between a Mini 10 and an Inspiron Mini 1012. I decided that I probably ought to try WIN 7 and that it should be at least Home Premium. Glad to know I can put on XP if I need to. Now I'm wondering if I need to go with Dell or whether Asus (recommended by friend) or Toshiba (available at local Staples) would be way to go. Decisions!!!
Thanks.
Andy

[holmes4]

The Inspiron 1012 is the NEW Mini 10 - the one with the Intel Atom N450. The old Mini 10 had the Atom Z530, and there is also the Mini 10v with the Atom N270 (or 280)! It can get confusing.

Here you'll find a lot of Dell fans. The Dell models are more suitable to modifications and upgrades. Asus is very popular as well, but upgrades are harder. I have not heard so many good things about Toshiba.

[mko]

Dear Holmes,

I am also interested in 1012 but here, in Malaysia, there is no option for us to upgrade the display to 1024 x 768 (at least for the time being).

Therefore, I am inclined to get a 1010 with a 6 cell battery (6-7 hours battery life should be good enough for me). However, I noticed that 1010 RAM could not be upgraded to 2GB.

Are you still recommending 1012 over 1010 in this situation? Is the overall 1012 performance will outweigh the advantage of having the larger 1010 display?

Appreciate any feedback.

[rrfranczak3]

actually the 1010 with 1gb runs pretty nice, I have Win 7 ultimate running on mine with Aero and its pretty quick, not saying I would mind the 2gb option if Dell ever decides to start selling the daughter board but 1gb runs ok, you will like the HD screen though it does make a nice difference...or you could just wait until the HD screen is available for the 1012..not sure when that will be though..but it should be soon, the 1012 has been out since January and they said there would be more options by spring which is like.... now.....so maybe just wait...its your call

[mko]

Originally Posted by rrfranczak3

actually the 1010 with 1gb runs pretty nice, I have Win 7 ultimate running on mine with Aero and its pretty quick, not saying I would mind the 2gb option if Dell ever decides to start selling the daughter board but 1gb runs ok, you will like the HD screen though it does make a nice difference...or you could just wait until the HD screen is available for the 1012..not sure when that will be though..but it should be soon, the 1012 has been out since January and they said there would be more options by spring which is like.... now.....so maybe just wait...its your call

Thank you for the reply. I will go ahead and place an order for 1010. Once the 1012 is available with the HD screen, I will get it too and pass the 1010 down to my daughter...