specifications:

1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom Processor
1GB DDR2 533MHz (1 DIMM)
Ubuntu 8.04 Linux with Custom Dell Interface (Includes Open Office)
8.9" 1024 x 600 WSVGA glossy LED backlit display
8GB miniPCI SSD card
Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics
802.11b/g Wi-Fi
4-in-1 Media card reader
1.3 Megapixel webcam, Dell Video Chat application, Dell Support Center
4-Cell 32Wh Li-ion battery (14.8V)
Size: 9.2" x 6.8" x 1.3" (including feet)
Weight: 2lb 5.5oz (with 4-cell battery), 2lb 11.6oz (with battery and AC adapter)
Price: $434 ($474 with Windows XP)

Build and Design

The design of the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is quite similar to other netbooks we've seen in recent months. The exterior is covered in glossy plastics with smooth lines, rounded edges, and a style that looks like it's trying to strike a balance between "fun" and "functional." The look is pretty basic, almost like a miniature version of the Inspiron 1525 notebook. Glossy plastic is found on the top of the screen cover as well as around the entire LCD and palm rests. Matte black plastic is used on the base of the netbook and on the keyboard. Overall, the look is quite nice, but the glossy LCD lid is a magnet for fingerprints and makes the new netbook look a little tarnished after just a few minutes of use.

the Mini 9 is much easier to upgrade than most netbooks currently on the market. Many of the netbooks we've seen to date require complex disassembly in order for you to get to the storage drive, system RAM, or wireless cards. Even worse, some other netbooks have slots for upgrades but no connections on the motherboard so it is impossible to upgrade them.


Dell engineers were wise enough to place all key upgradeable components in one area directly beneath a simple access panel that you can remove with a regular Phillips screwdriver after removing two screws. The Mini 9 uses standard notebook DDR2 RAM (800MHz underclocked to 533MHz), standard wireless mini cards, and a mini PCIe SSD card.