Can Dell cast a spell? Maxing the Mini 10

Payton H. Wilmott, Gleaner Writer

In these times of financial hardship, persons are always seeking deals. This week, I intend to answer the burning question on everbody's mind: Is the Dell Mini 10 that Claro's offering any good?

What is it?

The Dell Mini 10 is not a notebook. This is one major statement I have to get out there before I continue this review. Most will ask, if it's not a notebook, then what is it?

Well, the Dell Mini 10 is a netbooks, which is quite different from a notebook. The netbook is a small portable computing device, similar to a notebook, and is great for surfing the Web and checking emails.

What differentiates a netbook from a notebook is its physical size and computing power. A netbook typically has a small display, ranging from seven to 10 inches. It weighs less than three pounds, and supports a keyboard that is 75-80 per cent the size of a standard keyboard.

Netbooks have built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB ports and slots for flash memory cards. To keep the devices small and compact, netbooks are not fitted with a CD or DVD drive, and most use solid-state disks (SSD) for storage.

Performance

If you are seeking a powerhouse of a machine, look elsewhere. What they do well, however, is give you the ability to do basic computing functions on the go.

If you look under the shell of the Dell Mini 10, you'll see it uses a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 Silverthrone Processor, which is designed for small laptops. The standard system is configured with 1GB RAM to run Windows XP. It has no problem with multitasking: for example, you can simultaneously download from the Internet, play music in Windows Media Player and write a document in Microsoft Word.

What is Claro giving me?

Apart from the standalone DELL Mini 10 netbook, Claro also offers numerous payment plans. The one-payment plan that stands out is the $7,000 deposit, and $3,500 (plus tax) monthly payment. This payment plan gives you unlimited 3G Internet with this netbook anywhere, anytime, wirelessly.

target market

Netbooks are geared towards persons who like to travel light but need most of the features a standard notebook has, either to complete work on the go, or finish urgent assignments. So if you are the type of person who doesn't care much about having a DVD burner in your device, this device is down your alley.

Email feedback to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com. The product mentioned in this article was provided courtesy of Royale Computers and Accessories; telephone 906-1067, 906-1068 or 754-5048.