10:47AM
The Netbook Experiment
This week I had the opportunity to spend a few days driving a Dell Mini 9 OS X enabled netbook. For the uninitiated, Netbooks are those tiny computers you see people pull out of their pockets in airports and places that sale lots of expensive coffee. Like the MacBook Air, these computers give up power for portability. Unlike the MacBook Air, these computers focus on small footprint over the Air's emphasis on thin.
Anyway, although you are not supposed to be able to run OS X on one, hackers have been doing it for awhile. There are plenty of online tutorials explaining how to do this and some enterprising folks are selling them online. So I was loaned a Dell Mini 9 and gave it a try. I really did.
The netbook phenomena is all about compromises. That starts with computing power. Most of them are based on the single core Intel Atom processor. This is fine for web browsing, e-mail, and word processing, but that is about it.
Additionally the footprint is so small that the manufacturers are required to scrunch the keyboard together. In the case of the Dell Mini 9, the keyboard is quite small. Typing on it, I experienced a noticeable slow down in typing speed and accuracy hit. More importantly, after using it for 45 minutes, I felt my hands cramping. There is a reason the only person pictured typing on one of these at Dell's site looks to be about ten years old.
The screen was equally inadequate. The backlight was nothing close to the LED screen on my MacBook Air. Likewise the screen resolution of 1024 x 600 runs out of pixels very quickly.
The build quality was also unsatisfactory. The plastic case was hardly rigid and the battery actually wiggled when I carried it.
Of course there were some good points about the Dell. It was my first experience with loading an OS from an SSD drive and I liked it. The read speeds were faster than my existing hard drive while the write speeds were a bit slower. The battery life was excellent and the variety of ports and connectors was nice.
This post ignores the question of whether it is legal to run OS X on non-Apple hardware. Apple certainly doesn't think so. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if you found upgrading these OS X netbooks to include additional steps and headaches.
Steve Jobs explained that Apple hasn't entered the netbook space because it refuses to make a computer that is "a piece of junk." Honestly, that was my impression of the Dell Mini 9. The small keyboard and screen got in the way of any productive computing. It isn't that much more money to just buy the low end MacBook or, if your budget is tight, a used MacBook. If you've already got a nice MacBook, I'd suggest that rather than buying an inadequate netbook, getting a theft and damage insurance policy on your existing Mac so you aren't so afraid to carry it around. I have one on my MacBook Air that costs me $100 a year and gets me a full replacement in the event of a catastrphe.
For the record, I get the point of netbooks. I understand they are not supposed to be the best computers. They are just supposed to be cheap and small and (for lack of a better term) disposable. I also get that it is entirely unfair to compare a Dell Mini 9 to an Apple laptop that is (at least) twice the cost. I know several Mac geeks and road warrior types who love their netbooks but in the end, I want no part of it. I think Apple will eventually get into the space but from an entirely different angle. Hopefully a tablet with a bluetooth keyboard. We'll see.
Reader Comments (49)
@Todd McCann:
I hope you didn't use your real name, or that your wife is as blind as her mother...
I bought an older 12" Powerbook G4 (1 ghz, 1 G of Ram) to have something small and portable. With Leopard installed, it felt quite sluggish and had a rough time doing the basics you'd do on a netbook. My Dell Mini 9 felt more responsive, had an as good / better viewing experience, and much better boot time, etc. Better still, the Powerbook got a Geekbench score of 451... the Dell mini - better than twice that at 919. For the ultra portable experience, I find the Dell Mini just fine.
This debate is interesting, but I prefer my Dell Mini over my MacBook for travel because of the size. I carry my iPods, large SLR camera, and the Mini in a backpack. My MacBook just doesn't fit. But around the house, the MacBook rules.
I'd love a 1024 x 768 minimum screen with a regular keyboard (even if not quite 100% in size). I don't think I could type very long on a touchscreen (my iPod touch gets difficult after a few minutes).
As a mac users since my SE/30 and an Apple shareholder, you have been too harsh. The big problems are the poor keyboard and the teeny trackpad (exacerbated by bad drivers). A better keyboard would mean changing the shape of the thing. A real computer designer like Apple could work this out. Maybe there are quality control problems since the build quality on mine is sturdy. The virtue of the thing is that it is so very small and light. The screen is small because of this. However the screen is big enough to do basic computing usefully. The thing for Apple to learn here is that small and cheap and adequate has a utility which is quite surprising. One of these done right by Apple would be a killer product. The MacBook Air is a great design that is overpriced and is too minimalist (no ethernet is INFURIATING). I hope Apple does make a MacBook Mini and not just a (loser) mediapad/overgrown iPhone.
I have a Acer netbook and love it. It is not a high power computer. It is intended to serve certain functions. I have it so I do not have to carry the weight. I do not have a Macbook Air because I do not want to spend $1600 on a crippled machine. $300 is the right price range. I can afford anything I want but I will not waste money. As far as them being Junk, Steve Jobs needs to clean up at home. My recent Imac has been in the shop 6 times in 6 months with different component failures. It is made in China just like all of the PCs. It may well be my last. I like the idea of putting OSX on a netbook. I may buy another one to try it on.
Wow...quite the discussion you've stirred David.
My only addition would be to suggest that not all netbooks are the same. I have an MSI Wind, but previously had tried the original Asus EEE. It had a 7" screen but shares the same form factor as their newer 9" models. From my experience, the 10" netbooks offer a much more usuable keyboard size than the 9" (or less) netbooks.
I would not use the Wind as a primary computer, but it is fantastic for certain uses. I took it on a weeklong trip a few months ago and it was perfect for travel. The one shortcoming is the touchpad, which is a far cry from the touchpad on my MacBook Pro.
I still use (and fix and sell) old Apple iBooks. They aren't quite as snappy or as compact as these netbooks, but the full size keyboard and 12" screen make up for that. The 12" form factor is the perfect balance of portability and everyday useablity. They are roughly the same price. I personally won't be jumping on this netbook bandwagon, but to each his own
After borrowing a mini 9 with OS X for a few days and generally liking it, I ended up buying a refurb MacBook Air for a thousand bucks. Yes, it's twice the cost of a netbook (factoring in a retail Leopard DVD purchase). Both the MBA and netbooks are compromises, not intended to be main computers, and likely will be obsolete sooner than later. For my work/travel needs, though, the MBA was the better option for writing, some web programming & graphic design, and music composition. Unless I misunderstood the stats, the MBA's 1.6 Core 2 Duo is much more powerful than the 1.6 Atom processor found in most netbooks. Anyway, all our needs, space, cash and time vary. I'm glad the netbook opition is out there. I'll probably get one in a couple of years when they get even better.
Wow, a whole lot of you just sound like self-important a-holes who just don't get it...
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With the exception of a Dell Mini 9 that I bought recently (and that I am using right now) I've been computing solely on Mac hardware for the last decade.
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Personally speaking I find the build quality on the Mini 9 to be more than adequate. The plastic body is solidly built, easy to crack open to improve the RAM or add a larger SSD, and the size is perfect for throwing into a bag or purse for light computing on the go.
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From the way you describe it I wonder if the unit you used was defective, particularly when it comes to the battery. The battery in my unit is held solidly in place and doesn't budge even with repeated prodding.
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Sure, the keyboard is a little small and the key layout is a bit questionable, and the screen is a little dim and a little smaller than I'd like, but as far as I'm concerned it's a fair exchange for the almost-pocketable size of the Mini 9.
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I can afford a Mac. In fact I own several and I like them a lot. But until Apple comes out with an ultra-mini PC I'm more than happy with my Dell Mini 9.
In defense of a netbook:
I am not an apologist. When I was considering buying a netbook, one of the reasons that I used was: "It will be like an insurance policy for my macbook." I already take my macbook everywhere, and it will be a relief to take a computer that is 2.3lb or so, and costs as much as 2 years of macbook insurance policy. I bought the cheapest dell netbook possible, at $200. Also, I already had a keyboard (this one in case you wonder: http://is.gd/x2Gm- (thats a tinyurl with a preview)). Unlike the prevailing opinion here, I had no illusions that my netbook would be a full computer, I didn't put OSX on it, and I didn't expect it to do everything my other computer can do. I would say that this failure is a case of over-high expectations.
This was actually a good write as you expressed why YOU didnt like it, and you managed to keep things in perspective and acknowledge that the netbook does have its uses. You also indirectly acknowledged that most people that explore the hackintosh option are doing so because of the ridiculously priced Apple products. Obviously my netbook is not my daily driver, and it has its issues, but overall for 300$, and my needs, I couldnt be more happy with its performance.
hi, nice article. i agree with you on the points you bring up. my brother just backpacked through india with an MSI Wind hackintosh/hackb00k because of the size/weight factor, but after his month of travels, he found it very disappointing and wasn't impressed at all. he felt it wasn't worth the effort to bring that computer along. (5 years ago I backpacked through india with 12" ibook G4 and it was great..was able to blog and write and do photos, etc).
so then i decided to keep the msi wind around as a "house computer" that's just sort of around and available for quick little tasks...like an appliance...e.g. look at something real quick online, follow a recipe on it, etc. none of us in the household enjoyed using the computer so it has just sat there, doing nothing.
before everyone who is a netbook fan gets up in arms about this, i'm not saying the computer isn't functional. it's just not a pleasure to use. sure, you *can* get used to it, but since we already have a bunch of other laptops in the house, we don't see the need.
with the MSI, the build quality is not that great, and the most annoying part of using the computer is how hard it is to press the mouse button.
Interesting article and comments. I think it boils down to expectations and usage. Netbooks are popular because #1 - they are inexpensive; #2 - very portable; and #3 useful for light computing tasks. Most think light computing is web, email, word processing.
Dave (the author) wanted to use the light, cheap Mini 9 for word processing... but was frustrated by the cramped keyboard and tiny trackpad. As a power user, he also wanted to use the System Pref panes that don't fit the screen... so the Mini 9 didn't meet his expectations for the intended use.
I'm a long-time Mac-user... my expectations and usage are mostly basic stuff that netbooks and a Mini 9 hackb00k could handle - web and email...but I think I'd hate the tiny screen. My household has 6 Macs in daily use - all PPC, all >5 years old. The G4s (eMac, Cube, Quicksilver and Sawtooth) run Leopard, the G3 iBooks (300MHz Clamshell and 12" 800MHz icebook) run Tiger. The 800x600 screen of my daughter's Clamshell iBook drives me crazy. My 800MHz iBook has a full-sized keyboard and 1024x768 screen and fills all the needs of a netbook for me... but I also don't watch videos, etc.
My Cube is old, but souped-up (800MHz, 2G RAM, 160GB HDD, GeForce 6200 video) and does all the basics fine... iDVD requires some patience, but I'm old-school and am accustomed to overnight renders. Sure, I'd love a newer, faster Mac or a tiny hackb00k, but what I have works fine for now. Like I said - expectations and usage.
IT just amazes me that those who say netbooks are no good because of small screen, tiny keyboard, etc., are the same people who gleefully squint at iPhones and type away on those infernal touch screen keyboards.
Netbooks CLEARLY have a place in the computing universe. If you want something light to take with you, to check your mail, do a little light browsing or document creation, they're perfectly fine, I'd think.
If Apple doesn't want to play in the space, well, fine. But as n AAPL shareholder, I think they're needlessly writing off the most rapidly growing space in computer technology. They could find a way, as they always do, of building a better mousetrap. The usual formula of 50 percent more "bling" for 75-100 percent price premium would seem to apply here.
Anyway, its been fun, but beaten to death. Enjoy whatever you buy/use for your light mobility needs.
Cheers
Kenny in NJ
I do not know about a dell mini, but my home built intel core i7 is running 10.5.6 and it blows anything Mac makes for twice as much out of the water. And I dont give a darn about apple care b.s. To replace my motherboard takes 30 minutes and cost $125.
@Scot - "For approximately $350 you get a machine with not one but two cores." Which machine would that be? The Mini 9 has a single core Atom in it, and sadly everything I've read suggests that Intel won't allow any manufacturer to put a dual core Atom in a laptop (they're intended for set-top boxes, I take it).
Its interesting. The author of "The Netbook Experiment" reminds me of a old story of a frog sitting on the bottom of a well and look up and lament the universe is such a small place therefore proclaim "I've seen it all". I think "Netbook" is a fast growing section of the laptop market and if the author's experiment is to be believed there will be a lot of red faces not to mention red ink within the computer manufacturing industry. Like any "NEW" product type indeed any product it always subject to product improvement/correction and market vagaries. If the product is no good the market would not be able to sustain it. It's a pity, a Mini can never out-run a Ferrari (therefore the engineering must be no good!!!) - always living in hope of course. BTW I'm a life long Apple user from OS9 to OSX.
@Bill I don't agree. I was careful in the original posting to say if it works for you, then great. However, I didn't work for me. With the emergence of very powerful handheld devices, I think netbooks are going to be niche product at best.
If a netbook fits your needs, get one. If not, don't. Disparaging users who buy netbooks as being poor or clueless is just immature fanboy-izm. Netbooks have a very useful niche among frequent travelers who don't want the heft (and liability) of a shiny, pricey, Macbook theft-magnet. Being cheap, nigh disposable, is an advantage if you're visiting 3rd world countries for extended periods, blogging and emailing from a guesthouse in SE Asia, killing time waiting for an airport connection, etc.
I wonder how many of the detractors here actually travel, I mean really travel, with their Macbook Pros and Airs. Not a weekend car trip or lugging your computer bag from car-to-office and back, nor a quick run to the local coffee shop to pose with the other aspiring writers and hipsters, but really walking all day with your laptop in a backpack, travelling for weeks or months in areas with spotty internet access and frequent brownouts and blackouts. In these conditions a cheap, sub-3lb netbook is indeed very handy.
When I'm home I'll enjoy my 24" iMac, I have no desire to stress about a $2K MBP being in my bag when I'm on the road.
Peace y'all.
I've never disparaged NetBook users. I've actually gone out of my way to explain the benefits of them. My point is the cramped keyboard and screen are deal breakers for me.
Netbooks are those tiny computers you see people pull out of their pockets in airports and places that sale lots of expensive coffee.
I think netbooks are just a fad. As mobile devices like the iPhone and T-Mobile G1 get more and more powerful, does the world really need a crippled device like a 9" netbook? I get more functionality out of the iPhone and G1 than I ever did with the netbook.
Small netbooks with 9 or 10 inch screens are really too tiny for convenient typing and reading from the screen. I'm going to buy a 12-inch ASUS netbook in a week or so. I've already tested it, and it's more of a laptop, just smaller. So you shouldn't judge all netbooks by just the small ones
The problem w/ my Dell Mini hackintosh is audio -- it doesn't work. Neither in or out. Otherwise, works fine. And it's small, light and easily carried, with full functionality for computing tasks. (Something phones and tablets don't have.)