Gear Deal: ‘Hackintosh Ready’ Dell Mini 9 Close-out Sale!

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Gear Deal: ‘Hackintosh Ready’ Dell Mini 9 Close-out Sale!

Posted on 24 July 2009 by Michael Anderson

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Have you been reading Jessica’s Dell Mini 9 Hackintosh articles? Even if you are already a netbook owner, it just might make you want one … I know that has been the effect on me! Well, as we know Dell has killed the Mini 9, but alas there is still hope – they are having a $199 close-out sale!

Until they are gone, get the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 for $199, which is $40 off regular price! Shipping is $8.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Laptop specs:
Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache), 8.9″ LED display (1024X600), Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950, Ubuntu Linux version 8.04.1, 1GB SDRAM, 4GB Solid State Drive, 802.11g Mini-Card, Integrated 0.3M Pixel Webcam, 32 WHr 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, 1Yr Warranty
Note: Operating system is Ubuntu Linux version 8.04.1 and not Vista or XP

Note: this version only comes with a (tiny) 4GB Solid State Drive for the $199 price. When you go to the ‘configurator’ you get the following options:

4GB Solid State Drive [Included in Price]
8GB Solid State Drive [add $35]
(Most Popular Customer Upgrade)
16GB Solid State Drive [add $75]
(Dell Recommended)

Source (and image): CheapSitingyBargains.com through Gizmodo

This post was written by:

Michael Anderson - who has written 2377 posts on Gear Diary.

I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!

Contact the author

http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson
So with the SSD updates I added you are getting to ~$275. Also, note that Jessica did her article with a 2GB RAM upgrade (not available through Dell) and a 32GB SSD (also no longer available through Dell). Anyone who has run OS X on 1GB will tell you … hit your favorite memory retailer to get the added 1GB stick!
http://www.dailytechdiva.com Jessica Fritsche
Yeah, I would definitely recommend either the 16GB from Dell or an aftermarket SSD from Runcore if you are interested in Hackintoshing a Mini 9. 4GB is obviously out, and 8GB will be too small to truly fit the OS+programs comfortably (though it CAN be done! It’s just a hassle).
My 2GB upgrade was just a 2GB stick I ordered from NewEgg for about $18…totally worth the money to go from 512MB (which was the stock RAM when I ordered) to 2GB! The great thing about the Mini 9 is that it is very easily upgraded–all components such as RAM, SSD drive, Wifi card, etc. are accessible by unscrewing the bottom panel. I wish they’d kept that going with the Mini 10/10v. The RAM is apparently soldered in to the Mini 10! Ugh.
http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson
Another thing that deserves mention – this comes with Ubuntu Linux, if you want to install OS X you will need to buy a copy from someplace like NewEgg or Amazon.
Drew Guttadore
Hmm.. Ready to throw my Mini 9 into the fire! My Runcore 64g SSD died on me this week on an international trip! Mini 9 ok for doing light stuff, but carrying a Mac Air now..
http://www.dailytechdiva.com Jessica Fritsche
That stinks, Drew…and is not my experience with the Mini 9 at all! I have the Dell stock SSD, not a RunCore, and I can do everything but edit video on mine. I use Photoshop, Flash, watch videos, do tons of writing…it is my go-to machine 95% of the time!
Carly Z
If you buy a 3rd party SSD, check out this: http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/mac-os-x-guides/6452-how-load-os-x-directly-onto-runcore-mac.html
Looks pretty simple!
rwaldo
CNet News has this “Starting July 26 (this coming Sunday), Wal-Mart will begin selling a $298 Compaq Presario notebook (CQ60-419WM) with the following specifications: a 15.6-inch display, 3GB of memory, a 160GB hard-disk drive, a CD-DVD drive, and Windows Vista pre-loaded. The laptop will use a 2.10 GHz AMD Sempron SI-42 processor and Nvidia GeForce 8200M graphics.”
That is a considerably better device than the mini at practically the same price. Unless someone MUST have SMALL, the $199 + $75 + $18 price of the mini is not a good deal at all.
http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson
Very good point rwaldo – another article looks at overall pricing trends:
“Windows notebook ASP was $520, or $569 when removing all those nasty, margin-sucking netbooks”
These things are making it harder for consumers to differentiate – for general use most folks want a bigger screen than 9-10″, I know I do! But I absolutely love my Lenovo s10 for what it does!