My Dell Inspiron Mini 9

I have had the IM9 for approximately a month now. I’ve been using it quite extensively to be able to write a fair review based on my usage.

Design

Despite having a an engineering background, I greatly appreciate good product designs. The IM9, IMHO, has a great design. I love the clean clamshell design. It’s comfortable to handle and to carry around. Plus, it’s quite a head-turner. However, the glossy white lid is quite a smudge magnet. Not a big issue to me though. I could always wipe the prints off using my shirt.

Weight

Having had a 2.4kg Inspiron 630m for almost 3 years, carrying this IM9 is heavenly. Weighing at slightly above the 1kg mark, the tiny machine feels really light. I carried the machine a few times to my meetings and the experience so far is very good. I recenty purchased a Golla carrying case and the IM9 fits in perfectly.

Keyboard

The keyboard on the IM9 is 88% smaller than the normal keyboard. This is the part where I had most difficulties with. I’m not (yet) a touch-typer, but I could type pretty well. They keyboard on the IM9 really needs getting used to. I’ve been using it for a month and I still mistype a lot. Well, I mistype a lot on a normal keyboard, but on the IM9, I make 30% more mistakes! haha. So, if you type a lot, better make sure you’re okay with the keyboard.

Screen Size

The 8.9″ screen is okay. It’s not too comfortable to work on for extended period, especially if you’re typing. It’s great for movies though.

Processing power

The IM9 hasn’t got the most powerful processor on a notebook by far, but it has ebough juice to run regular word processing softwares and web browsers. I could watch a 640 x 368 resolution divx movie and I’m happy with it. Some users has reported that photoshop and studio max runs fine on IM9, but i doubt so.I have yet to try them since i only have an 8GB SSD storage.

Storage

This one I’m not too happy with. 8GB is tiny especially when XP is hogging approximately 5GB of space.

Battery life

I have to say, I’m impressed by the battery life on this thing. On a full charge, I manage to watch one and a half hours worth of movie, with the WiFi turned on, only to spend about almost half the juice of the battery. I wonder how long would this machine would last should Dell release an extended-life battery.

Well, that’s about it. I’ve been putting this review on hold for a very long time, and now it’s done. It’s definitely not the best, but i hope it could shed some light on the matter for those who are interested in purchasing the IM9. I’d rate the IM9 3.5 out of 5. If you’re from Dell, please work on your keyboard design, buddy. Cheers!

SS

I Went InvisibleShield on my E71

…and decided to come back. Purchased the shield from a local bulk purchase for RM80. Received the package after a month of waiting and delayed putting it on for approximately 2 weeks. Finally, decided that I am good enough to install the shield, so i went all the way. Including the screen shield. I put it on at home, at my workstation, at night. The next day, the truth was revealed. Isuck at installing such stuff. To begin with, i didn’t use a lint free cloth. So, long story short, I peeled most of the shield off this morning. The screen shield is still intact, but am seriously planning to have it replaced. The lint under the shield is killing me!. I, however would prefer to have the rear shield on. It improves the grip, thus ergo my confidence while handling the otherwise drop-prone phone.

Why should you install the invisibleshield on your phone?
- It’s a real good scratch protector, unless of course you drop it. The shield protects from scratches, not dents.
- It improves grip real good.

Issues I have with it
- The shield takes away a little of the shiny glory of my E71. Not a big issue though.
- It turns your phone into a nightmare should you not careful while installing it.

That being said, if you decide to gat the IS, make sure your skills are good enough to install it. Otherwise, get someone else to do it for you.

Geek

I went to bed rather earlier than usual today. Dozed off while singging lullaby for the little one. I woke up at 3.30AM and remembered that I have yet to perform my Isya’ prayer and that I had to update my Nokia E71 firmware.

Aku seorang geek yang bertaqwa. ha ha ha

SS