Follow us on TwitterI’ve made the process of selecting my new netbooks a long, drawn out process so that I could share what I learned.
Here is what I posted earlier:
I dropped my briefcase containing my notebook and netbook while traveling. Shortly thereafter, my netbook became dysfunctional. So I need a new netbook.
In Part 1, I defined my needs and wants. Then I decided which netbooks were possibilities.
In Part 2, I investigated the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and decided that was out.
In Part 3, I looked at the Dell Inspiron Mini 12 and decided it was definitely in.
In Part 4, I inspected the 10″ version of the HP Mini 1000 and I liked that, too.
So now it is time to make a final selection.
Specifications
First off, let’s compare the specs.
| Comparison of Specifications | ||
| HP Mini 1000 | Dell Inspiron Mini 12 | |
| Display | 10.2” – 1024 x 576 | 12.1” – 1280 x 800 |
| CPU | 1.6 GHz Atom N270 | 1.33 GHz Atom Z520 |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 950 | Intel GMA500 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR2 | 1 GB DDR2 |
| Storage | 16 GB Solid State Drive | 40 GB Hard Drive |
| Camera | None | None |
| Wireless | 802.11b/g | 801.11b/g |
| Bluetooth | None | Bluetooth 2.1 |
| Battery | 3-Cell | 3-Cell |
| OS | HP Mobile internet (Mi) Linux | Ubuntu Linux |
| Weight | 2.45 lbs. | 2.72 lbs. |
| Dimensions | 10.3 x 6.56 x 0.99 inches | 11.77 x 9.02 x 0.92 inches |
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Prices
Next, let’s take a look at the prices for the Final Two.
| Dell Inspiron Mini 12 40GB 3-Cell XP | ||
 | 12.1" Display (1280x800), 1.33 GHz Intel Atom Z520 Processor, Intel GMA500, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, 3-cell battery, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition | |
| HP Mini Mi 10.1" 16GB 1GB RAM Linux | ||
 | 10.1" Display (1024x576), Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz Processor, 1.0 GB RAM, 16 GB Solid State Drive, 3-Cell Battery, Linux | |
So the Dell Mini 12 is about $100 more than the HP Mini 1000.
To be fair, I went to Dell’s and HP’s sites (Using the Go! buttons above) and custom configured each with the options I wanted.
For the Dell, I upgraded the CPU to the Z530 and the battery to the 6-cell version. I also chose the white color (+$40) but only because, if the cost was over $499, I could use coupon code 4TZ9XWDLSKXZSM and get %10 off. This all totaled $467.10.
For the HP Mini 1000, I added Bluetooth and a six-cell battery. The total was $399.00.
My Decision
In the end the decision was easy.
The larger display, with way-better resolution on the Dell made this a no-brainer. The fact that this came without extra drain on the battery was icing on the cake.
Decision made. I placed my order. Estimated delivery date: May 8th. (Damn! Why so long?)
