Netbook showdown: The top 10 mini laptops rated

By Derek Chesterfield on 30 October 2009, 12:48pm

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Dell Inspiron Mini 10 £390

The Inspiron Mini 10 is available in a range of different configurations, but it's the top-end model, with the high-resolution screen and longer battery life, that's the most impressive of the bunch.

Design and usability

Variety is the spice of life, or so they say. Dell certainly offers you variety when it comes to choosing the finish for your Mini 10. It's available in a range of six colours, and you can even have it decked out in a design from graphic artist Tristan Eaton. The 1,366x768-pixel display is one of the netbook's best features, as it means you don't have to scroll around as much as usual when viewing Web pages. But, while the large keyboard is comfortable to use, we really aren't keen on the trackpad, as the way Dell has integrated the buttons into its surface makes it tricky to use.

Connectivity

The Mini 10 doesn't stray too far from the standard netbook template when it comes to the range of connections on offer. As well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, it also has an Ethernet port and a three-in-one card reader. But, whereas most netbooks are equipped with a VGA port, Dell has kitted this model out with an HDMI port instead. This is great when you want to connect it up to a flat-screen TV, as audio and video are carried over the same cable.

Performance and battery life

As the Mini uses the relatively new 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, you'd expect it to be a pretty decent performer, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. It has no problem with handling more challenging tasks, like playing full-screen iPlayer video. Unfortunately, the large, six-cell battery is rather ugly, and sticks out from the bottom of the netbook. Its performance isn't too shabby, though, lasting for 4 hours and 16 minutes in Battery Eater's Classic test.

Should I buy it?

The icky trackpad and ungainly battery pack take some getting used to, but, if you want a personalised netbook with a top-notch screen, the Mini 10 is definitely worth a look.

Read our full Dell Inspiron Mini 10 review