[morewood11]

Just purchased a 1010 off of ebay, still waiting for it to arrive...was looking through the forums for stuff to do to it when it arrives....

does it make a noticable differece to just upgrade the card and not the screen? was possibly looking at using the mini and the hdmi output to play videos to my tv

[djs_dad]

Originally Posted by morewood11

Just purchased a 1010 off of ebay, still waiting for it to arrive...was looking through the forums for stuff to do to it when it arrives....

does it make a noticable differece to just upgrade the card and not the screen? was possibly looking at using the mini and the hdmi output to play videos to my tv

Welcome, yes absolutely a difference without the new screen.

You don't need a new screen to take advantage of the broadcom hardware decoding. Click the links to the vids below to see it in action with and without the broadcom card.

1080P with Broadcom (click to see vid)

1080P without Broadcom (click to see vid)

But, the new screen is more crisp, and has more real-estate, making it much much more useable - less scrolling. The text and everything will be smaller and sharper. It depends on the state of your vision, you may or may not like things smaller.

[JPC]

I installed Windows 8 Pro on my tower computer and a Start Menu replacement on the desktop to avoid the whole "Metro" interface. There are some visible improvement in Windows 8 buts most of the improvements are under the hood. If you drop the whole Metro interface then Windows 8 is really Windows 7 with a significant service pack update, say "Windows 7.5"

I like the improvements in Windows 8, so I installed it on my Dell 1018 netbook.

I purchased the Windows 8 Pro upgrade download from Microsoft, then created installation media by opting for the ISO file and then burning it to disc (using the DVD writer mentioned in a previous post). Then, after backing up things, I used the DVD to install the Windows 8 Pro. It is a 32 bit version. The process was straightforward and I had no problems with drivers.

So is it worth the cost of the upgrade? I do believe my Dell is a bit more responsive and quicker with Windows 8. It has faster recover from sleep and boot times. But I think you'll be fine keeping Windows 7. If you are yearning for a performance upgrade, you could put your money towards a solid state drive instead. (Then again, Windows 8 has improved support for solid state drives...)

Microsoft offers the Windows Media Center as an optional item in Windows 8 Pro (free until Jan 31 2013) and I installed that with the key supplied in the email. The Media Center supports playback of DVD movies (but not Blu-ray). Note that DVD playback is through the Media Center with the Media Center controls. This is different from the Media PLAYER that comes with Windows 7 and 8.

At this point I am not clear if the Media Center takes advantage of the Broadcom Crystal HD decoder card for DVD playback in the Media Center. I haven't seen the DTS info indicator change from red to green, and it is difficult to switch back and forth from the Media Center to the desktop. Perhaps someone else has some insight.

[djs_dad]

Thanks for the update on Windows 8 JPC!

I am also running Windows 8, and like you said, the sleep and boot-up time is significantly faster. I have gotten use to the new Metro interface so all is well.

Back on the Broadcom card, I am still SO GLAD I did this mod. This netbook has gone from being paper weight to being on-the-go every time we leave the house. It's quite nice! The higher resolution LCD does wonders too.

Like I said, anyone on the fence should really jump in.

[pistacik]

Nice work, guys. I did the same upgrades. RAM, screen (mentioned in other thread) and recently I also added Crystal HD. Perfect playback under Windows, not so nice under Linux (Mint 13). 720p is fine, 1080p seems too much.

One question, though: Did anybody made any use of second mini pci express slot? I am thinking of harvesting connector from pci-express-to-mini-pci-express card, soldering it to my mini and try to install wifi card back. Original card may not work, but usb sticks with adapter should...

[djs_dad]

Originally Posted by pistacik

Nice work, guys. I did the same upgrades. RAM, screen (mentioned in other thread) and recently I also added Crystal HD. Perfect playback under Windows, not so nice under Linux (Mint 13). 720p is fine, 1080p seems too much.

One question, though: Did anybody made any use of second mini pci express slot? I am thinking of harvesting connector from pci-express-to-mini-pci-express card, soldering it to my mini and try to install wifi card back. Original card may not work, but usb sticks with adapter should...

Do you mean soldering into this slot?



That would be awesome to retain the WLAN card..

I think you would be the first if you pull it off. Definitely interested to hear more of your plan.

[holmes4]

My recollection is that people tried that with the Mini 9 and it didn't work.

[pistacik]

Originally Posted by djs_dad

Do you mean soldering into this slot?
That would be awesome to retain the WLAN card..
I think you would be the first if you pull it off. Definitely interested to hear more of your plan.

Yes, exactly.

---------- Post added at 09:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 AM ----------

Originally Posted by holmes4

My recollection is that people tried that with the Mini 9 and it didn't work.

What about guy, who used usb traces of unsoldered pci express slot to installl USB GPS stick into his mini 9? (he had to get 5V from elsewhere).

And then the guy who found a way to nable pci express on his 10v here> www.mydellmini.com/forum/dell-mini-10v/26977-10v-wwan-pci-e-slot-added-successfully.html (I can not PM him yet, due to forum rules...)

So 1018 will be similar, right?

[JPC]

The challenge is in soldering the connector. I purchased a connector/header and then decided against the modification. The two rows of connections requiring soldering are small and very closely spaced. The opportunity for disaster seemed larger than the benefit. Create one unseen short and who knows what can happen.

[pistacik]

Well, you have to know your soldering/reflow skills/equipment best yourself. I will report in case I progess.