[smillermom]

Hi! I have ordered a 10v with: n270, 1.6ghz, 533mhzs fsb, 512 cache, 160 HD, 1 G memory, 6 cell battery. My question is, should I have spent the extra for the 10? I want to do notes on it and some browsing but have no desire to watch tv or movies on this. I had also heard that the Z520 processor does not drain the battery like the 270. Did I make a good purchase? I contacted Dell and got several versions of battery life from an hour to 3 with the 3 cell. I really did not want the extra bulk or weight from the 6. Thanks so much!!!

[holmes4]

The N270 is faster but the CPU and its supporting chipset draws more power than the Z530, which was designed for use in smaller form-factor devices. Either one will suit your purpose. The 10v is very similar in design to the Mini 9, which is wildly popular. Unlike the 10, the 10v has some user-expandability to it (more RAM, in particular). Theoretically, the 10's chipset is better suited for video than the one in the 10v.

I see in another post of yours that you're interested in running OS X. If that's the case, then the decision is made for you: 10v.

I think you'll be happy with the 10v. Welcome to the forum!

[smillermom]

Hi! Thanks! I did order one with a 6 cell battery today and have been back and forth to whether I wanted to cancel and get the 10 instead. Would I be able to take the 10v to my local computer guy to install more ram? Also, with the os, will it be able to run windows based also? I am sure these questions are silly to some, however, I am not that knowledgeable about mixing the 2 systems. I watched a video on you tube and feel comfortable that I can switch it myself.

[holmes4]

Re: Adding more RAM - yes, a computer store could do this, but it's a bit more annoying on the 10v than the 9 in that the motherboard has to be removed, which a store may not be willing to do. 1GB is probably adequate for your purposes.

Re: Windows programs - did you order it with Windows or Linux? If Windows, then it will, of course, run Windows programs. With Linux, many Windows programs can run if you install software called Wine.

Mac OS X is not supported by Dell. Experienced and adventuresome users can and have installed OS X on the Mini 10v - if you feel you're up to it, that's great, but it may not be as easy as it looks from watching a video. It is also possible to run Windows programs under OS X - there are a few different ways to do it. I'm not an OS X user myself, so I would suggest you follow up on that question in the Mac OS section of the forum.

[smillermom]

Hi! Thanks for you advice, I am so excited about getting this little machine. I have a 1420 laptop but it is too heavy to haul all the time. Amazing how a 5 pound machine can feel like a 50! I will wait to see the abilities of the mini, speed, response, etc. before I upgrade but it is good to know I can!!

[Davidlane]

on that question i just bought a new mini 10 or 10v. and i need to know which one i have.on the back it says dell mini 10 with a z250 1.33ghz 1 gig o mem its a im10-2895. can i run osx on it?

[zrtom]

Originally Posted by Davidlane

on that question i just bought a new mini 10 or 10v. and i need to know which one i have.on the back it says dell mini 10 with a z250 1.33ghz 1 gig o mem its a im10-2895. can i run osx on it?

That is a Mini 10 and, unfortunately, it won't run OSX.