Foreword

Even if the NetBook market is a relatively new segment, as can be determined without further ADO, that the offer has now strongly differentiated. This applies at least to the pure weight of the available devices. Because since then surprisingly ASUS with its EeePC as a pioneer in this new and prestigious market go, a lot has been done. Many competitors have followed the example and have designed their own devices, bringing all of them certain advantages and disadvantages. Despite the many manufacturers and the mass of different products together with umpteen different names and categories offering to overlap all in all however – at least superficially – seems to be: small and power-saving as well as cheap and moderately fast – so one could currently describe the conventional NetBook (Sony’s VAIO P, which is at the same time substantially more expensive, once outside before calmly).

Whether there are also other differences, can be seen usually only at second glance. This circumstance makes the purchasing decision not necessarily easier, because if there are only a few differences, which are then individually relevant? For this reason should in this test with the Inspiron mini 9 Dell and the Asus EeePC 901 two equivalent at first candidates thoroughly examined and placed facing each other are. In addition to the conventional consideration together with rudimentary performance check wind, also mentioned to the usability check to the MSI for this in reference to the start of the NetBook computer base, coverage, as the two candidates in their daily lives have beaten.

Miscellaneous

Scope of delivery

Both the mini 9 as also the EeePC 901 fit as expected in lightweight packaging material, nearly identical accessories hidden in two boxes. In addition to the two devices even the inclined new owner before Moreover the associated power supply as well as support CD and the CD of the operating system. Apart from this mandatory content reveals the Dell product due to the missing and often included in the competition proper protective bag which, however, found at the ASUS counterparty. In addition, ASUS sets in a cloth for cleaning his product.

Overlooking pre-installed third-party software, both candidates have on a very low load. However, both devices with applications come therefore, which are not absolutely necessary: addition to the support software 9 is installed, at the mini by default the Yahoo Internet toolbar while the EeePC 901 mainly due to numerous ASUS software with a hopelessly overloaded Systray has to fight. Still applies: even if a self made, fresh installation always preferable, so can be losgearbeitet immediately with two candidates without further notice.

Facilities

The facilities of the two candidates offers no too much surprises as expected. Most likely falls within the eye that the EeePC 901, as well as the mini set 9 on a Flash memory solution. In the Windows XP version comes with the Dell device one 16 GB of large memory of STEC used, while ASUS on 12 GB from its own production sets. Otherwise, the NetBook lovers get components that typically fail for the segment: addition to an energy-efficient Atom N270 and ever a GByte memory set both manufacturer for integrated graphics solution on Intel GMA 950, small display, displayed by default on a 8, 9-inch 1024 x 600 pixel.

In terms of quality of the display, a first small difference that could be crucial but for some people a buyer is found: while the display of the tiny reflects 9 (TrueLife), it takes a non-glare display in the House with the EeePC 901.

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Also with a view to the other aspects relevant in terms of facilities, the candidates resemble, even if there are differences. So has the EeePC 901 with a better resolution webcam. This mini cuts off slightly better 9 under the heading “Cardreader”, while you exactly get the same facilities in terms of “Communication” and the USB ports. Sometimes the most important is because of these marginal differences in the warranty period, as ASUS offers here twice as much as a Dell (with an extension at Dell at an additional cost is possible).

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Page views of the test candidates

But how to spread the mentioned interfaces to the respective case? Here it can be first seen that both producers prejudice the front and back of the units, what stands out visually pleasant and in ensuring that the pages of the small package are fully equipped. So the mini offers a USB, as well as the VGA connector 9 on the right side next to the LAN port and the inputs for headphones/microphone. The EeePC has here two USB ports, the card reader and the VGA and power supply connector. The same interfaces exactly find 9 left on the side of the tiny while the EeePC there offers the LAN port, once USB, inputs for microphone/headphones.

Optics & processing

In terms of optics and processing, both candidates make a good impression. So both – of course rounded – top can be easily opened and offer a sufficient level of strength on top thanks to a hinge, so that a vibrating surface or the carry – not to anyway recommended-on the display are not a problem. Also can be pleasantly flush closed both devices, with this 9 commendably so exactly happens for the mini, that no keys are to see closed even at the closer look.

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Restrained but elegant – the design of the mini 9

All in all acts 9 the EeePC something massive and klobiger as the mini. The latter falls to its simple, but elegant design that works through a restrained design and color scheme (black/grey) very appealing and purposefully, at the same time. The massiveness of – white in our test – EeePC 901 occurs because the martial silver large hinges (see first image below) and the to be found under the display thickening her. The contrast is enhanced by the mentioned differences in the battery: in the mini 9 installed 4 cells ensure that rests the device in a line without this “stand out”. The latter is the case – which although negative, but positively affect at this point overlooking the runtimes with the 901 due to the larger 6-cell battery on the other hand.

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Hinge and lid views

The ASUS as well as the Dell model must be respected on a considerate approach, since both with piano-black lid equipped (see pictures above) and are therefore prone to dirt and fingerprints.

Weight & dimensions

Also with a view to the size and weight the two opponents are similar. So the EeePC 901, as well as the Inspiron weigh mini 9 net around 1.1 kilograms, with the larger battery when the former approximately 220 grams weigh brings, while the smaller 4-cell battery of the mini 9 180 grams weighs.

In the size no large differences are also determine. These fall out as follows: 225 x 175 x 42 (EeePC 901), 234 x 173 x 34 (mini 9, each W). It must be noted, that always the maximum was measured, which means that the easy processes due to the larger battery EeePC only at the highest point is 175 mm high.

Performance

So far, the differences between the two test candidates fall out marginally. To offer the EeePC 901, as well as the Inspiron mini 9 a nearly identical facilities and also in terms of optics and processing as well as the size dimensions the two devices are available after objectively looking at nothing. Below, the results of a basic check of performance should be presented.

First, the Netbooks with PC mark 05 were abused. Even if the application can cause problems in principle due to the non-standard resolution, it was possible to have passed the tests without complications. To our surprise, the values with approximately 1390 (EeePC 901) fell and 1440 (mini 9) something out weaker than in the segment actually usual (often in the range of 1500). The difference is however so low that it is indeed measurable, but felt under no circumstances. Saying: the slightly lower score is not on when working with the two devices at all. Instead, you get the performance-based standard NetBook fare in both cases.

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SSD performance check

Actual weaknesses revealed, however, in the course of assessing the performance of the built-up SSDs: know the STEC SSD as well as the ASUS limited to convince. While the mini 9 (STEC) Although can offer attractive reading rates of at least up to 70 MB / s, the write rates with maximum of 7 MB / s are for the technology rather underground climes. In the latter respect, the EeePC with write rates of up to 11 MB / s seems a better choice – for it is read here with maximum of 32 MB / s. All in all it is in the built-up SSDs so not dream components; However, are likely to fall lower rates in the context of the activities associated with the use of classical NetBook in the weight.

Also of interest was the heat. To get here a few benchmarks, the small tool HW was sought immediately after the run of PC mark 05 monitor.

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Development of temperature

Although the values are all acceptable fields, but must be noted that the fan of EeePC 901 was to hear clearly. Instead of constant 800 RPM (see image above) including appropriate noise completely passively cooled mini remained 9, however, due to the missing fan pleasantly quietly – and on top of that thanks to an obviously sophisticated system comparatively cool. Because the mini 9 after the benchmark still at temperatures around 30 degrees, the system was immediately processed with prime95. The above screenshot was created after 10 minutes maximum heat tests, and reveals that Dell has done 9 work whole in terms of heat and noise (da fanless) with the mini. Of fairness and completeness sake should but at this point be mentioned, that has the Dell NetBook in certain situations with an unpleasant singing to fight, as it already from some ‘ other notebook series of the manufacturer (for example from the first generations of the Vostro 1500, now in the years series) is known. Whether it is a – Fortunately most rarely – specific problem of our motions, or whether a general phenomenon has been described here, is unfortunately not easy to say.

For the actual usefulness in everyday mobile, of course also the battery life is important. To ensure level playing field, the terms have been identified always starting from the following settings:

• All system devices to
• Exceptions: Bluetooth, webcam
• Display brightness to 50 %
• WiFi on and connected
• Sound on

To determine of the battery, the battery Eater tool came 05 Pro version 2.70 to use. This irritates the performance of the test device from a classic test and disabled all recharging it. Because the standard user hardly consistently completely can keep his device, should be noted that the “classic” result therefore provides insight, how long last the mobile device in an above-average demanding conditions. Moreover, the application provides the ability to perform a “idle” test. Because the actual battery performance varies depending on the user behavior, the mean value obtained from two tests as a good benchmark for how long you can work with the test candidates on the road actually can serve.

The slightly larger battery narrowed a bit, the impression of EeePC 901 in the category “Optics and processing” so it represents a clear advantage with a view to the runtime so important for Netbooks. With the above “classic”- and “idle” values is part of the device, which as for the maturity to absolute luxury. Also the mini 9 does not have to hide in this regard: equipped with a smaller, lighter 4-cell battery, it bringeth to pass with time between two and a half and three and a half hours excellent values, which in this battery class people like search.

Daily test

Even if it was that the two candidates largely similar in the everyday check, great emphasis was placed also in this test on it, more often most practical to use the devices. The findings of this action are largely with those who could be acquired within the framework of the wind test. So the factor of “Mobility” the EeePC 901, and the mini represents 9 a great plus point, where is the even smaller dimension is clearly noticeable. Who is carrying a data field for the purpose of writing so often, will have his pleasure with the two competitors.

With a view to more standard activities such as reading and surfing on the device, just described portability due to small dimensions brings a first disadvantages. Due to the resolution (1024 x 600), in particular reading of longer texts is not recommended, because here is a high Scrollaufwand. Even if both devices have relatively generously sized touchpad (multi-touch to ASUS) Fortunately, the EeePC falls here on negative 901 particularly cumbersome with two keys, because they make crawling some text files in addition. Refraining from various bars in the browser and other applications therefore appears all in all both as advisable.

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Keyboard layouts

The design of the keyboard layout is of course also subject to the constraints of small size. This is manifested both in the mini 9 as also for the EeePC 901 in only 1.2 cm wide letter keys, which can be found on a room of 21 x 15 cm, makes what an effective 10-finger typing almost impossible. However two different approaches can be found in the practical use of the existing land: while one finds a complete layout with the EeePC, in which important buttons less than be a little, omitted Dell mini 9 completely on the range of F-keys and powered slightly larger main keys for it. At this point, the better certificate can be issued to the EeePC 901 to careful practice exam because real existing F-keys are far more comfortable than the much more complicated access through a combination of FN, as it is necessary for the mini 9. Apart from that, both keyboards can convince ordinary single point but fortunately.

Most recently, it was mentioned that both test candidates on VGA output made a good figure. Connected to a Samsung T220, provided both the mini 9 as also the EeePC 901 in the highest native resolution of 1680 x 1050, after some adjustments a sharp, full color image.

Conclusion

The largest finding that can be gained from this test, has not necessarily directly to do with the two test candidates. Instead the foregoing shows as an example, that is a very identical structure of supply in the NetBook market. This has historical reasons so to speak. After Asus was so surprisingly successful start in a little noticed and then suddenly all the more important segment, most had to follow as quickly as possible of the competition, with is near that the success model was widely copied and improved in detail in the ideal case. For this reason may transmitted be them, that – apart from some exotic exceptions – most of the current Netbooks as could be exchanged with the here tested devices, without having the differences would make great otherwise.

And so it is not surprising that the concrete conclusion than EeePC 901 vs. Inspiron mini 9 with a reference to individual desires begins to. Because where are performance, facilities and price so similar, a clear decision can be taken on a serious basis not readily. Instead needed just in such a situation the individual weighing useful against each other is the quite found advantages and disadvantages. On a closer inspection of the two devices quite a few strengths and weaknesses have can be that although generally not very weighty in the individual case, but quite decisive herauskristallisiert.

This starts with little things like the display structure, at the friends of non-glare variants the EeePC-and TrueLife lovers mini 9 are likely to favor. Differences could be found also on design: the ASUS device does not least due to a larger battery rather clunky mini shines 9 with an elegant design. Whereas the performance of both devices is nearly identical, just rather negatively described battery of EeePC 901 at run time is positively reflected. If you prefer working on a silent set, however, is with the Fanless system of the mini 9 his joy provided that the (really rare) identified singing is not the rule.

Apart from that wind must be noted at this point and in the light of the findings from the daily test with the MSI, that the use of Netbooks, according to the user personality always represents an ideal solution. For temporary work, writing email and browsing 9 and the EeePC is 901 ordinary, highly mobile companion including the mini. Who is looking for an effective desktop or notebook replacement however, should be for a concentrated, longer works to connect additional external devices (monitor, keyboard/mouse).

Is fundamental for a NetBook decided, so must be assured that it brings good equipment in the House with the two presented here test candidates. Therefore also the price can be at the end of in addition to the mentioned differences in detail decisive, with Asus here has the nose in front. Which is currently in the ideal case for around 290 euros to have EeePC 901 plus shipping. The mini 9 costs 349 euros plus 29 euro in the XP version, however, shipping. Who is only 8 GB of large SSD can support with Ubuntu and one, is likely the slightly cheaper with 299 Linux alternative of the mini 9 enjoy, while theoretically subsequently also XP could be installed.