NONE of the CONFIGS below have In-built webcam or Bluetooth. If you need these options, prices will vary as they will be a special order
Config 1: 4GB SSD, 512MB RAM, OS: Ubuntu Linux - $170 - limited quantities.
General Questions about the Dell Mini:
1.) Whats the warranty and condition?
These are refurbished or "previously Ordered new" laptops. They are tested by Dell (twice) to be work as new. They even have a FULL 1 Year Warranty thru Dell.
2.) How old are they?
They are usually less than a week old - I buy, upgrade, install OS of your choice and sell. So they are as good as new.
3.) How much do they cost new?
Please check the Dell website for latest pricing. I know that I sell them at a great price and OS X on it makes it sweeter. I could give you my ebay reference if you like!
4.) Do you ship?
Yes, I do. Payment via paypal and shipping to confirmed address only.
5.) What SSD upgrades do you offer? What Brand.
8GB, 16Gb, 32 GB only. They are either stock Dell SSDs (STEC) or Super Talent. No, they are not the overpriced Runcores (why? I just said it - over priced. Heard of Monster Cables?!)
Mac OS X on the Mini - related FAQs:
1.) How well does OS X Leopard run on the Mini?
2) How much free disk space is left with OS X installed?
OS X 10.5.6 takes up approximately 6GB - no printer drivers and additional language translations have been removed.
4.)What if i have an issue with the OS?? how are they going to help with if its a MAC OS?
Sorry, Dell will not help you with Mac OS :) OS X is officially not supported on anything else than their $1000+ Macbooks. But you will find plenty of help online.
5.) Are there any issues with the hardware?
Everything works on the Dell mini - Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth (internal and external), Audio, Speakers, Sleep and TWO-Finger Scrolling too! The issue with the rare freeze on a restart also seems to have been resolved - I have not had a freeze on restart in the last 2+ weeks. This was mainly caused due to the internal bluetooth - so I dont sell any configs with in-built bluetooth.
6.) Can you apply the software updates from the website?
Yes! When you get the laptop, it has the latest kernel 10.5.6. Software updates are fine too. But MAJOR OS updates may / may not work. So always backup using the Time Machine to an external USB. 10.5.7 works - if you need this updated, i can do it for $25 additional. You can do this yourself - its very easy.
7.) Is this a legal copy or pirated or the "slip-streamed" one?
I install using my legal FULL retail copy DVD to do the install. I wont be providing you a license and you need to have your own license. But, even having your own retail license does not make this legal - since its against Apple's TOS to install OS X on anything other than their $1000+ macbooks or macs.
The version installed can apply the software updates. But any major OS updates - there is no guarantee and the fact that you are using a retail copy does not matter.
The slip-streamed install is half-baked and outdated.
8.) Can you dual boot into OS X and Windows? Or with Linux.
Yes, you can dual boot into OS X and Windows or OS X and Linux I can set this up for $50 additional. And for the brave enough, you can with a bit of hacking, triple boot too - OS X, Linux and Windows XP on the same machine.
Look at the last page, there is a way to get it working fine.
1. I powered down and rebooted into safe mode (basically hit "-" and the enter "-x")
2. This brought me to the safe mode of the desktop
3. I ran theDellEI 1.2a5 with the settings for :
"reinstall Chameleon 2.0RC1...."
"Reinstall Dell Mini 9 extensions"
"Hide DellEFI files"
4. Hit Install and follow through till it rebooted
5. It was all good after that..
OPTION 3:
Unable to boot into safe mode: Look here: http://dellefi.mechdrew.com/
