Tag: Mini 10

Posted on

Windows 7 performance on your next Netbook?

So I recently got a new Dell Mini 10 notebook. I had always planned to rebuild it on Windows 7 but before I did I thought I would take a benchmark test. Everyone thought that Windows 7 would be slower on a Netbook. The following test shows otherwise.

Turns out it was almost twice as fast.

Windows XP Windows 7

Total Performance Rating

99.1

172.2

I don’t have much to explain it. The only thoughts I have are that Windows 7 was designed to run on Netbooks. Also given that selling point they may have tweaked Windows 7 to run better on benchmark tests giving an inflated result. Also the XP benchmark was taken with all of the Dell preloaded software on it which could have been slowing the system down.

In any event, that should show everyone that if you are thinking of upgrading to Windows 7 but are worried about speed, you have nothing to worry about.

Test Name

Windows XP

Windows 7
CPU – Integer Math

17.7

21.6
CPU – Floating Point Math

81.5

94.9
CPU – Find Prime Numbers

54.4

65.0
CPU – Multimedia Instructions

0.9

1.1
CPU – Compression

618.7

708.3
CPU – Encryption

2.3

2.6
CPU – Physics

14.7

16.3
CPU – String Sorting

307.4

382.1
Graphics 2D – Solid Vectors

1.7

0.6
Graphics 2D – Transparent Vectors

1.0

0.7
Graphics 2D – Complex Vectors

31.2

17.2
Graphics 2D – Fonts and Text

18.4

21.8
Graphics 2D – Windows Interface

21.4

11.5
Graphics 2D – Image Filters

74.1

72.9
2D Graphics – Image Rendering

73.0

83.8
Graphics 3D – Simple

8.9

62.4
Graphics 3D – Medium

3.4

6.4
Graphics 3D – Complex

1.0

1.6
Memory – Allocate Small Block

681.2

682.1
Memory – Read Cached

626.8

715.5
Memory – Read Uncached

569.1

597.8
Memory – Write

559.6

616.5
Memory – Large RAM

75.2

76.1
Disk – Sequential Read

43.4

38.3
Disk – Sequential Write

47.0

43.3
Disk – Random Seek + RW

2.2

2.0
CPU Mark

254.2

305.2
2D Graphics Mark

139.8

87.3
Memory Mark

173.9

186.2
Disk Mark

334.7

302.1
3D Graphics Mark

9.1

31.4
Total Performance Rating

99.1

172.2


  • Dell Inspiron 1010
  • Inspiron 1010, Intel Atom Processor Z530, 1.6GHz, 533MHzFSB, 512K L2 Cache
  • 1GB RAM
  • 10.1 Inch High Definition Widescreen Display (1366×768)
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500
  • 160GB, 2.5inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
  • Genuine Windows XP Home Edition SP3
  • Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini Card
  • Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
  • 56WHr Lithium-Ion (larger batter)
Posted on

Dell Mini 10 Review


Dude I got a Dell! Thanks to my work I was able to get a Dell Mini 10 fully loaded for around $125. Because I was buying two other very expensive computers they were giving away a Mini for 50$. After I added extra features it ended up costing me $125.

Here are the quick specs.

  • Dell Inspiron 1010
  • Inspiron 1010, Intel Atom Processor Z530, 1.6GHz, 533MHzFSB, 512K L2 Cache
  • 1GB RAM
  • 10.1 Inch High Definition Widescreen Display (1366×768)
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500
  • 160GB, 2.5inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
  • Genuine Windows XP Home Edition SP3
  • Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini Card
  • Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
  • 56WHr Lithium-Ion (larger batter)

What is a Netbook?

A Netbook is simply a really small and low cost computer. Now if you are telling yourself that sounds really good, there is a catch. Its really slow by design. They should only be considered a good idea if all you do is browse the web and check your email. Even installing office on a Netbook may be too much for it to handle.

So how slow is it?

Well it seemed very sluggish but Dell had loaded a lot of junk software on it. It definitely could be used for the home research terminal. You know, looking up stuff on Google, keeping some recipes, that kind of thing.

Why the Dell Mini?

It was Dell because of the deal I got, however, I had my choice of the Dell 9, 10, or 12. There was two reasons why I picked the 10. First was that it’s a Netbook and the smaller the better. The only reason I didn’t pick the 9 was that it doesn’t have the function key row and the keys are too tiny for my fingers. The second reason was because it has an HDMI port.

What did I want it for?

My plan was to use it with a software called Boxee to watch Hulu and other internet TV. However the Video card (Intel GMA 500) just isn’t strong enough to stream video. Real bummer.

Other bad things?

Yeah the touch pad sucks, the buttons are built into it and because of that you keep moving the mouse by accident.


The bad video card really sucks, and the other downside is it’s the only Netbook in the world with non-removable memory. With most you can take out the 1GB stick and upgrade to 2GB.

What now?

Well its useless to me for what I really wanted it for but I got lucky. I found out they make a Dell Mini 1010v which ironically is cheaper and has a better video card (the Intel GMA 945) and can be upgraded to 2GB. The only downside? Can’t get the HD screen, but if my real goal is to hook it to the TV then I am cool with it. I will be returning this one and should have the new one next week.

Below is a comparison between the two.