[LibbyLA]

Haven't posted in months, but after programming several hours on my Mini 9 today, I just had to share a few thoughts about this fantastic little computer.

I bought my Mini 9 from the outlet the end of October 2008. Upgraded to 2 GB RAM, 32 GB Runcore, US International keyboard, Win XP Pro. Running SAS (a statistical program that began on the mainframe back in the 1970s), MS Office 2007, Acrobat Pro, and other business software.

Used it as my only computer for 10 days in April. Created several professionally formatted Word docs that included screen captures (Snag-It!). I'm accustomed to a full-page portrait screen so working on those Word docs was a bit challenging, but not because of Mini's performance.

Took it to NC recently. Used it on the plane (cigar tube w/seats, guy in front of me had his seat back reclined, no room for anything bigger than the Mini 9, but my tray table still had room for paperwork beside the Mini). Worked with some SAS data sets, some fairly large (well over 100,000 observations.) Got a wireless signal outside the airport in the parking lot, outside a barracks at Ft. Bragg, so was able to check work e-mail while I was out and about. Wouldn't have been willing to carry anything larger.

Today, I tested, reworked, and retested a SAS program that was original written to run on a mainframe. Reads and processes 76,016 observations with 26 variables. Runs in just a few seconds on Mini with the data set on an SDHC card. I spent several productive hours working with SAS today. Sure, a larger screen would be nice, but I'm constantly amazed at what a workhorse this little baby is.

Mini 9 may be tiny, but it's definitely NOT a toy (unless you want it to be).

LibbyLA

[deb22]

I agree...Awesome little machine....

[grungysquash]

Agree - my is used as my main work unit, runs on external 24 inch 1900x 1080 display - and external keyboard.

Runs office 2007 - and is a slave to excel, word, powerpoint & outlook. love it's portability also has the WLAN so when I travel I just buy a prepaid sim slot it in and I have access to all work needs through VPN client. Only issue is a smaller HDD I have the 64gig runcore & 2 gig ram.

[danmanx]

Although I don't use it for any work related programs, the fact that the Mini can handle a vast array of Windows programs throughout the years is pretty damn impressive. Mine runs emulators that can run pretty much everything from around 2002 and down in gaming history. Slight problems do exist but most are inconsequential.

You could take the entire site of wikipedia (WikiTaxi) and run it on the Mini as well or use it as a mobile GPS with bluetooth or USB if you preferred to do so. It's a great pleasure to have such a handy device at my fingertips. At night it becomes my relaxation device, playing peggle + streaming audio over shoutcast to fall asleep too and then shut down. It is also my station for writing silly short stories of little interest to anyone except myself.

[tismon]

I have to say that although some may say that threads like these don't add any value to a forum (not sure if any are around), I have to disagree.
I just bought a new mini direct from dell when they had the EPP discounts a little over a week ago and although I don't have it yet , I've begun to second-guess my decision since I'm not a professional anything (yet). I'm just a college student with a very tight budget. So to hear how useful and exceptional this device is is very reassuring to hear.

Thank you.

[cubedweller]

Originally Posted by tismon

I have to say that although some may say that threads like these don't add any value to a forum (not sure if any are around), I have to disagree.
I just bought a new mini direct from dell when they had the EPP discounts a little over a week ago and although I don't have it yet , I've begun to second-guess my decision since I'm not a professional anything (yet). I'm just a college student with a very tight budget. So to hear how useful and exceptional this device is is very reassuring to hear.

Thank you.

I use the mini9 daily for studying. My MacBook Pro hasn't left the house since I received my mini9. Whenever I leave the house the mini9 is with me and has worked flawlessly. For school work it's absolutely perfect. I use it for essays and video lectures primarily...and of course procrastinating on the internet It's extremely light -- most of my books weigh more than the mini9, so it's extremely easy to carry around. There's no moving parts so it's dependable and durable.

If you're on a tight budget and don't have extremely high expectations
(e.g. media center replacement) the mini is a great choice and for $199 you can't really go wrong.

EDIT: Also, I had to take my MacBook Pro in for repairs and am currently using the mini9 connected to a 20inch LCD with a keyboard and mouse and aside from the video capabilities, I can hardly tell I'm working from the mini9. Fantastic little machine.