“You don’t need to invent anything, you just have to do traditional research where you look at history and then compliment that with scientific research where you’re trying to do something new. That can lead to a lot in the business and technology sectors these days” – Bill Buxton
A chat with Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton, Part I
There has been some buzz for quite long around the Dell mini netbooks. Even more now when Dell has launched the new Dell mini 10″ with tons of new features and at a decent price.
I had the chance to test one of these babies. Paid $289 for a Dell mini 8.9″ at BestBuy (Canada).
Quick Review:
Pros:
- Aesthetics: These “little creatures” are unbelievable nice. The finish and details are top notch
- The screen is one of the best. I could say that they are at an Apple level. No dead pixels or defects whatsoever. The view angles are really good.
- The netbook is super quiet. You cannot even tell if it’s on.
- The ones I got came with XP. They were white (only top cover)
- Boot up was super fast
- Wireless, SD and USB slots work flawless.
- VGA and Ethernet ports
- Everything works under OSX from the beginning.
- All packaging was perfectly designed.
- It is “really” a mini Dell (mini laptop from dell)
- Traditional Trackpad (buttons at the bottom)
Cons:
- No Webcam (these is supposed to be standard now)
- 8Gb SSD is insufficient. If you want to install Windows 7 or OSX, you will need to spent some time figuring it out. IT is not as straight forward as it should be.
- No HDD led. Sometimes, you don’t know if it is doing something
- Battery tops 3 hours max (4 cells)
- Keyboard is not as good as HP or Asus.
- Some glare outdoors – bearable.
That pretty much sums it all. Hope it helps on your decision.
Detailed Specs from Dell:
Processors
- Intel® AtomTM Processor (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Operating System
- Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3
Memory
- Up to 1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
Chipset
- Intel® 945PM / GS Express Chipset
Graphics
- Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950
LCD Display
- Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
Audio and Speakers
- One external speaker
Hard Drives
- Up to 16GB configured with a Solid State drive.
Optical Drives
- None
Ports
- USB 2.0 (3)
- Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
- 15-pin VGA video connector
- Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 mic-in)
- 4-in-1 Media Card Reader
- AC adapter connector
Power
- 4-cell 32WHr Li-Ion Battery
Camera
- Optional 0.3MP or 1.3MP webcams
Wireless
- 802.11g mini-card
Bluetooth Options:
- Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card
Ports, Slots, Chassis
- USB 2.0 (3)
- Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
- 15-pin VGA video connector
- Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
- 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
- AC adapter connector Dimensions & Weight
- Width: 9.13″ (232mm)
- Height: 1.07″ (16.8mm) front / 1.25″ (31.7mm) back
- Depth: 6.77″ (172mm)
- Weight: Starting weight of 2.28 lbs. (1.035 kg)3(8.9″ display, 4 cell battery). Weights will vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability.
UPDATE!
EA just got FIFA 09 site Live. Not too much information there but it should be flooded eventually
Enjoy!
Here’s over a minute-and-a-half-lasting gameplay video of EA Sports’ upcoming FIFA 09, to be released this October as per usual. The video originally appeared courtesy of France’s PSM3 magazine, but was cut-through with interview and talk, full of information that flooded the internet a couple weeks back. Here’s only the shakycam, but nevertheless first gameplay moments as recorded by PSM3.
N4G.com : FIFA 09 debut gameplay video
Canadians will be subject to a new list of dos and don’ts when it comes to sharing electronic property if legislation proposed by the federal Conservatives passes in Parliament
(Source: CTV.ca)
Under the proposed legislation, the following would be legal:
- Making a backup copy of legally acquired music, digital books or photos to an iPod or computers — unless the files are digitally locked
- Recording a TV or radio using a digital device, in order to view it later — but not to be stored in a library of recordings
Under the proposed legislation, the following would be illegal:
- Peer-to-peer file sharing such as with BitTorrent software
- Downloading any copyrighted material without permission
- Making material available for others to download
- Circumventing digital locks put on music or software by manufacturers
- Recording television shows and movies for inclusion in personal libraries or collections
- Ripping DVDs to their iPod Video if a digital lock has been put in place to prevent the change of format
- Posting copyright-protected work onto a website such as Facebook or YouTube
- Sale of devices to enable hacking
UPDATE!
EA just got FIFA 09 site Live. Not too much information there but it should be flooded eventually
Enjoy!
————–
In the begining of the Euro 2008, Eurogamer Portugal has posted some new FIFA 09 Screenshots. Check them out…
- Improved physics system. FIFA 09 has an improved physics system which affects both players and the football itself allowing for beautiful, powerful and deveastating shots and unprecedented levels of realism during a match.
- Improved animation system. The brilliant animation system seen in FIFA 08 is improved upon to include hundreds of new animations for players that further add to the simulation feel of the game.
- New player faces. 3D player modelling is vastly improved and now offers unbelievable similarities to the real life counterparts.
- Increased response times and game speed. Player response times have been increased to increase the flow of the game as in real life, while game speed has been tweaked from FIFA 08.
