[michaelr]

After thinking abut if for several months, I've almost decided I want to get one for this purpose. I think Gizmodo's guide is the most detailed and helpful. I just have a few questions:

1. What is the best cheap external DVD drive to use for this?
2. Will any Leopard disk work? I have 10.5.0 (Got it on the first day.)
3. Is it always harmless to update?
4. Is there any irreversable damage that can be done?

Every bit of help is appreciated. Thanks!

[deadlyvirus]

1. I got a standard Hp one from Best Buy for 50 bucks. No frills, but gets the job done.
2. Yes
3. Not always, look at the 10.5.8 debacle
4. No

[michaelr]

Thank you. Are fixes generally released when issues like #3 occur?

[michaelr]

Also, I have two links to Dell's site for customizing the Mini 9. They both lead to the "Customize" screen. However, one is $30 less. It comes loaded with Ubuntu though. Will that make any difference? Thanks.

[Tommy3rd]

Originally Posted by michaelr

Also, I have two links to Dell's site for customizing the Mini 9. They both lead to the "Customize" screen. However, one is $30 less. It comes loaded with Ubuntu though. Will that make any difference? Thanks.

we've got smart people here that start working on issues as soon as it comes up. also, ubuntu doesn't make a difference. you'll be erasing it anyway.

[Dellicious_Leopard]

Originally Posted by Tommy3rd

we've got smart people here that start working on issues as soon as it comes up. also, ubuntu doesn't make a difference. you'll be erasing it anyway.

Cool... I got mine with ubuntu, 'cause I wanted to break from always taking windows products. I am pretty naive to computer software and hardware manipulations, but am willing to take a shot and take my chances.

I am now fully committed:

* my new retail Mac OSX 10.5.6 disc just arrived from Amazon today

* mini 9 due to arrive ~8/26

* Kingston ValueRam 2GB 667MHz DDR2 Non-ECC CL5 SODIMM coming monday

* RunCore 50mm Pro IV PCI-e PATA SSD coming ~8/28

* Belkin Anti-Static Wrist Band with Adjustable Grounding

Well, that last one might be super n00b geeky, but I am pretty excited about my first time trying something so technical with computers... and I want to have all the goodies ready.

The most important item though of course is the incredible wealth of information that this MyDellMini comunity has developed!!

The folks at this site have let me see what is possible in laptop world if I am willing to be patient, spend some money for quality software and hardware and educate myself: THANKS!!

I recently graduated from a pay as you go burner phone to a Palm Pre, and now this site will help me shift from a hand-me-down HP laptop to a customized Dellintosh: Completing my rebirth into the modern world?

Actually, its interesting, as the process has caused me to ask questions I never considered before... Like why the heck is apple software typically only factory installed on apple hardware!?!?! But you can get windows and that mysterious beast linux/unix on any old computer?

Well anyways, sorry to get so wordy. I figured its the beginners section here so why not?

Thanks again for the great forums and info here at MyDell Mini!! I see now the logic of paying for good extra RAMs and fast HD space. As well as getting quality software instead of DLing it somewhere.

I feel like I am taking my first steps toward independence from the yoke of big-tech companies' attempts to dictate how I experience technology... either these are first steps on a journey, or more like the first puffs of a new gateway drug!!

[steev182]

I bought an 8GB Mini 9 second hand this week and I'm really happy with it.

A failed BIOS update in Windows XP when I first bought it meant the money I had earmarked for an SDHC card or more RAM went to a USB Floppy drive and some disks.

Once that was done, I installed OSX using the Netbook-Installer method and it is SUPER EASY, the only problems I had were down to the small SSD, but after a lot of work with xslimmer, monolingual and Grand Perspective, I have a nicely running Macbook mini...

I would probably get a Runcore 32GB SSD when I have more money as that would give a decent amount of storage and no worries about running out of space. I would also get 2GB RAM, but at the moment, I always have 480MB or so free in RAM. I only have 1GB free on the SSD so it makes updates a bit difficult.

Other than that, it's great and what the MacBook should have been when it replaced the iBook.