Testing out the Dell Mini 9

I am typing this on a Dell mini 9.

The Dell Mini 9 is a Dell netbook (netbook= inexpensive, small, basic laptop, used mainly for accessing the web). As the name implies, this is the 9 inch version. There is also a 12 inch version, and I believe there is a 10 inch version with updated hardware on the way. This netbook starts at $299 (With 4GB of storage and Ubuntu). The model I am using has 16gb, is running Windows XP, and has the optional built-in webcam. I believe is cost around $550.

It seems that netbooks are hot right now. Many manufacturers are producing a netbook model. As a sign of the mainstream marketing push for these types of devices, there is a large endcap display built around the eee pc netbook at Target. There was also a story on TechCrunch yeserday about data revealing the growing netbook sales.

I have heard data cited repeatedly that says students who have laptops tend not to bring them to class because they are too heavy, and the battery doesn't last long enough. Netbooks are smaller, lighter, and they tend to have longer battery life. So here is the question: will more students come to PSU with these small netbooks? If they do, will they be more likely to take them to class? If we see more students using some kind of web-enabled device (netbook, smartphone, laptop), how can we take advantage of this to improve teaching and learning?

The first step is getting a netbook in hand and using it to understand what the experience is like.

Here is what I installed so far:

• firefox with foxmarks extension (for bookmarks sync. This is now the fourth computer I use on a regular basis. Have all my web apps lined up really helps)
• Thunderbird for psu email with IMAP
• Evernote
• VPN client for getting on the PSU wireless network.
• chrome (I haven't really used this yet)
• iTunes (I figure I'll try out iTunes U)

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should test out with this? I am going to start taking the mini to meetings instead of my normal laptop to help me become more familiar with it.

Basically, I see this device as a firefox terminal, even though a few key cloud enabled apps (evernote, thunderbird) are making the experience smoother. I do find the trappings of windows XP do kind of get in the way. Although I am not used to XP, so maybe I would say this no matter what manner of computer I was using.

How was typing on this? So far, It has been painful. I mean physically painful. The small keyboard is forcing my fingers to move in what I consider unnautral ways. Plus, I am constantly hitting the up arrow instead of the shift key and the apostrophe is in a non-standard location. Both of these add to my difficulty.

I am going to continue to use this netbook, and see how it goes. I'll be sharing more observations in the near future.