Dell Inspiron Mini 10 HD

Dell brings high-definition 10-inch netbook in a cheap

The Mini 10 HD Dell offers an HD display and a chip decompression stream high definition

The promissing

After testing the first version of the Mini 1012We wanted to experience the latest that has some small adjustments configuration. The netbook assembler is a small machine quite pleasant to use and which we had left a good impression. So when we saw that the brand offered a slab on its HD 10.1 “screen (as Sony’s W21) For an unbeatable price, we wanted to see what was going on.

The reality

Quick reminder for those who do not know the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 (codenamed 1012). This netbook is distinguished by its ergonomics and design. Indeed, the manufacturer offers its usual color covers but the rest of the chassis is black and white. The 10.1 “screen is slightly offset towards the front of the camera that can visually shocking. However, this feature can not be too open the screen and keep a good visual comfort.

Once opened, this mini PC that lets us see the keyboard – not chiclet- Which occupies the space correctly, but also its touchpad. The latter type is multipoint, as we noted in our first test, the efforts in this regard by Dell are pretty significant to be noticed. So the buttons are merged in the touch region but are much less sensitive than before, and after a few minutes of usage, the various tips related to multipoint (rotation, zooming, scrolling) are mastered to perfection.

Mini 10 while HD

We said in the introduction, the big news on that proposed by Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is the slab HD. The resolution of that is 1366 by 768 pixels (like the Sony W21) and offers an excellent user comfort: no need to scroll horizontally to view Web pages in full. We measured a contrast ratio of 876:1, which provides real black, and a brightness of 262 cd / m²Ideal for a good color rendering.

The integrated graphics on the Atom N450 (GMA 3150) is capable of playing video in 720p with the help of the processor. To unload the processor tasks of decompressing video, Dell has also added a Broadcom chip Crystal HD. This chip operates a data link PCI-Express. Thus, the doors open to the Full HD this little PC and 720p content is as fluid a DivX and does not hog resources. But do not expect to operate the 1080 via HDMI because the latter is curiously absent subscribers. Bad!

Dell netbook standards compliant

Microsoft and Intel are that the mini PC Low cost maintain consistency both hardware than software. Thus, we find the Atom N450, the gigabyte of memory but the car increases – at last – the hard drive capacity to 250GB (cons 160 on the first version of the Mini 10). In contrast, the Wi-Fi module this does not always support the standard n. But, however, Bluetooth is the game! Strange choices than those made by Dell …

The battery supplied is a six-cell model, perfectly integrated into the chassis and providing a range of more than six hours, making this netbook among the most autonomous models we have tested since the beginning of the year (the record being held by the Samsung N210 with 6:45 minutes). The charger, small, is little more bulky than a mobile phone, like the latest models of Packard Bell, Acer and Dell. Although convenient for transport!

Last but more than respectable, the silence of the machine over, the noise does not exceed 32.9 dB, but in return, the machine is relatively warm: 43.2 ° C (maximum) under the chassis and 32.3 ° C (maximum) on the wrist.

To acquire the reference that we tested, you must enter the following code E-Ref in the appropriate fields on the site of Dell (April 2010): DMFR5-N00S1006.

The conclusion of review

A netbook needs to be compact: the Mini 10 HD is. It also should be light, so: 1.37 kg. More importantly, it must be affordable … it is too: 299 euros (29 euros postage)! We are far from 450 euros requested by netbook Eco Sony also offers an HD panel. The Broadcom chip HD is an excellent idea but we regret the lack of HDMI to watch on an external display, and the lack of Wi-Fi n. Four stars then.