[ls3mach]

FAQ:

Buy from the Outlet. The prices start as low as $199.00 and go up. This is a $100 savings from new and comes with the same warranty options and return period. Factor in a 20% off coupon that pop-up rather frequently and you can easily get a Dell Mini 9 for less than $200 with tax and shipping.

When concerning yourself with specs. A few things to note:

• RAM is less than $20 shipped for 2GB, which is the maximum capacity. ANYONE can change the RAM. 1GB is even cheaper which is adequate for most users. Any DDR2 533MHz – 800MHz SODIMM will work. The speed is irrelevant the system will not run more than 533MHz and will not accept larger than 2GB. Don't argue it is a limitation of the chipset. You may or may not see a noticeable increase in speed with a lower CAS rating. I doubt you will on these systems as the RAM is nowhere near the limiting factor. Do you own homework if you think spending more for a lower CAS will help.
• SSD is a snap to swap out too. 4 screws, no major dissembling. If you have the chance to buy a 16GB STEC SSD for cheap from Dell get it. I sold my 2 STEC 16GB drives on Ebay for $90 and $84. I then spent a few bucks and got a faster 32GB Runcore. Alternatively I could have pocketed a few dollars and bought the faster 16GB Runcore.
• Regarding the web cam. I think it SUCKS big time. I got the 1.3MP camera just because I wanted it. I have tried it and the only way I could even consider using it was in a very bright room. If you just have to have it all fine get it, as it requires you to completely take apart your mini if you choose to buy it later. You get a microphone built in regardless so it doesn't effect voice chat.
• Bluetooth. If you need it you need it. It isn't too bad to add later though, and is less than $30 from Dell, so this is up in the air. If you need it and can buy it from the Outlet without spending more than $30 definitely get it. If you have to add other specs you don't need and it ends up costing more than 30 clams, pass and add it yourself.
• Color is a big one for everyone. White and black are the cheapest in the outlet. It is $20 more for a specific color in the Outlet. Shells are $30, but require you to completely take apart your mini. I swapped my case because I wanted a different color than the other 10 machines I have ordered. Just preference on this, the case swap can be done in less than an hour by someone competent, but it takes patience not to break anything.
• What operating system should you choose? I buy all mine with Ubuntu if I can, to save money. I use Windows though as I am too lazy to learn the ins and outs of Unix. Windows XP Pro is my favorite. It uses less than 2GB HDD space if done properly and just works VERY well. I have tried Windows 7 and it has a lot of things I don't care for, but it runs well on this machine. I have not installed Vista as I don't care for the operating system. It will run on this machine, but I don't know how well. Read about it yourself. Ubuntu runs just fine on these machines even with 512MB or RAM. OS is a personal choice. I have unlimited copies of XP and it runs great on this machine. Since most don't have access to free copies of XP you might be better off buying XP if that is the OS you intend on using. FYI Windows 7 is free right now to BETA testers.
• WWAN. If you need this, good luck. This is probably going to be your limiting factor. If you don't know what it is, you don't need it. This is the hardest option to come by in the Outlet. Shop wisely.
• Scratch and Dent, Certified Refurb, Previously Ordered New? Get whichever is cheapest. All chasis parts can be replaced and if it is too much damage then you can send it back. I have only read one post where someone got one that was beat up and they didn't order a scratch and dent.

Tutorials:

• How to dissemble your Dell Mini 9 (includes photos).
• Installing Windows 7 on a Dell Mini using Windows XP. This is my tutorial. I tried for hours to follow on-line tutorials to install Windows 7. None of them worked and most failed to mention you had to have a Windows Vista computer or a Windows 7 computer to do it properly. Well here is how you do it
• Adding Infrared to your Mini 9
• Adding a HD light to your Mini 9
• Add internal GPS to your Mini 9
• Adding bluetooth or webcam to your Mini 9
• Installing Windows XP using a USB Flash Drive

Useful Links:

• Dell Mini 9 Part Numbers

Performance and Maintenence Tips:

• Defragmenting an SSD is not benificial to performance

[WolfKeeper]

Originally Posted by ls3mach

[*]Installing Windows 7 on a Dell Mini using Windows XP. This is my tutorial. I tried for hours to follow on-line tutorials to install Windows 7. None of them worked and most failed to mention you had to have a Windows Vista computer or a Windows 7 computer to do it properly. Well here is how you do it[/list]

Wrong. You can install Windows 7 without Vista or Windows 7. Copy the Beta DVD contents to a bootable external USB drive and use GParted (search Google, you can find a live ISO to run it from) to mark the partition bootable.

[ls3mach]

Originally Posted by WolfKeeper

Wrong. You can install Windows 7 without Vista or Windows 7. Copy the Beta DVD contents to a bootable external USB drive and use GParted (search Google, you can find a live ISO to run it from) to mark the partition bootable.

I don't think I said it wasn't possible. In fact I posted an easy tutorial with all the required components. No googling required. I said I followed MANY tutorials almost all of which failed to mention you needed Windows 7 or Vista on the machine. The issue is the bootsect won't work properly. I even posted links to get the Win7 ISO. Geeze man. Just trying to make things user friendly.

[Manutd10]

This should be a sticky....It has a lot of good information in one spot and it's all easy to read. Also your write looking for a mini with wwan card isnt easy. I'm still each day for another week or i will buy a brand new mini.

[ls3mach]

Originally Posted by Manutd10

This should be a sticky....It has a lot of good information in one spot and it's all easy to read. Also your write looking for a mini with wwan card isnt easy. I'm still each day for another week or i will buy a brand new mini.

Thanks. Hopefully I am not too condecending. I know there are some other tutorials that need to be added, hopefully some of the other members will chime in with some support.

[jej.514]

Maybe this, or something like it, could go in the Wiki once that is up under "Mini Buying FAQ's" or some such. The threads that cover some of these topics seem to keep popping up as they are common questions.

Kudos!

Jeff

[Doobiewah]

Nice post, OP! I've been scrounging around for another mini and your post has reminded me of some helpful hints that I've thought about in the past but never put in one place. Kudos!

[bunjin]

Is 3mach,
Very well done!
This should be very helpful, esp. for new members and others new to mini 9.

[doggyworld]

Here's what I did to try speed up my Windows XP mini:

* Removed Pagefile
* Uncompressed HD
* Setup a Ramdisk if you have enough ram and have all temporary files like Firefox cache point to it

Removing the pagefile and setting up the ramdisk should speed things up since there will be less writing to the slow SSD.

[Soba Noodles]

I'm not sure if this helps much with the SSD, but I set the Virtual Memory down to zero, rebooted, and defragged.
Then set it back up to the recommended amount.

Still in the process of streamlining here.