Response to the Mini has been great – and we ARE shipping! In fact several customers are sharing how much they are enjoying their Minis … it’s a handbag PC, it’s a couch tater-tot, it’s great for blogging! We continue to ramp up production on both versions (XP and Ubuntu) and are definitely focused on getting them out the door to their new owners as quickly as possible.
Since the launch, the webcam option has proven to be very popular and current demand has exceeded supply. We are working on getting that fixed as quickly as possible. We appreciate your enthusiasm and more importantly your patience and want to apologize for any frustration any delays may have caused. You can check your order status on dell.com. The estimated ship date is the most up-to-date information available.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:20 am
you can find out a bit more than the website tells you about your order status by calling 1-800-915-3355 and keying in your order number.
If you ask about order status, you’ll find out what “stage” your order is in. It might show “In Production” on the website, but it might be at several stages within that status and be further or closer to being delivered to you than you expect.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=156489
“In Production” stages include:
Kitting
Build
Testing
Boxing
Shipping
Call the 800# with your order number to find out what stage your order is in. Read the post at the forum above to find out in GENERAL terms about how long some stages can take.
FWIW.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
When is the Dell Netbook Remix restore CD going to be made available to buy? I have been trying to purchase it from the parts department but they get really confused. How is it that the Windows restore CDs are available for free, but the Linux restore CDs aren’t? And why is Windows available for sale by itself but Linux is not? What is the deal here?
October 9th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I ordered my Mini9 on September 4th. Here it is, October 9th, and it STILL hasn’t shipped yet. The website shows it as “pending”. I did not order a webcam, so what gives? Near as I can tell, NOBODY who has ordered a Linux version has gotten their Mini9 yet, they’re ALL in the same boat I’m in.. Ramping up production of Linux units.. I’ll believe that when I see it. Put up or shut up..
October 9th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I am surprised and shocked that Dell has quit offering the webcam option on ANY Ubuntu build of the Mini9. Here I was sitting down getting ready to order and then after 30 minutes of clicking different configurations I find out that you have to be on the “right” page to even get a chance to pick the webcam and then you are FORCED to buy the windows build.
That, is just wrong. If the webcams and popular and in short supply then let economics decide by raising the cost of that option — but to just deny it to those who would rather have Ubuntu is not a happy thing.
So now instead of purchasing, here I am pondering over my other options again. It’s not like the economy is super good right now so jabbing a stick in the eye of your users is not the smartest move. I can rationalize $$ but not the Windowist leanings of Dell. Don’t you guys and gals get tired of MS telling you when to sit and when to fetch?
nonplussed,
Jeff
October 9th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Jeff,
Perhaps you misread. I read Anne’s message as saying that once the Mini-9s with Webcams are back into supply…you’ll be able to order a Mini 9 with Webcam. Once I see a Mini 9 with Ubuntu and Webcam available I’m making my purchase. Maybe by then, we’ll have some more choices in colors too. Ruby Red Mini 9…you will be mine.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:49 am
And yet still not in anyone’s hands.
All we’ve really seen from Dell on this is excuse after excuse as well as selective responses.
Check some of the earlier posts such as “We hear you loud and clear on the Mini 9″ when in fact, they did not.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am
My status was listed as shipped as of last night.
the eta to me is now listed as Monday.
the shipment time does fit in with the drive from sparks, NV to San Diego.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:34 am
1) Dell does not have the Ubuntu files set up to provide sound through the speakers. Had to edit the files to turn the speakers on. Headphones work properly, but they have missed this.
2) Still have not been able to get the supposed internal microphone to work in a Ubuntu Dell Mini with a webcam. Hey Dell… this is fairly important unless you like silent movies.
Guess that’s not too bad, but shows kinda bad quality control. Someone should have checked sound through the speakers and made sure that the mic worked with a web cam.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Regarding your observation on the Ubuntu verison of the Mini your expereince seems to be unique — we will be following up directly to get some additional infomration. Thanks for sharing.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I’m just wondering why the WinXP mini I ordered on 6 September shows that I’ll not be getting it until 11 November. Sure, I ordered the 1.3Mpx camera, but I would have thought that older orders would take precedence over newer ones when it comes to fulfillment. At the rate things are currently going, I wouldn’t be surprised if I received a sixth “your order has been delayed” message on 10 Nov.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Quick question for anyone with a Dell Mini 9!
I am thinking of ordering one tomorrow - but I *need* to know how much available VRAM (video memory) there is on this? I keep reading the (very strange) “8MB shared VRAM” listed & I keep thinking *can’t be!* the GMA950 should be able to pull 224MB VRAM off the main RAM… surely they haven’t capped the VRAM so low for some strange reason.
So, anyone out there at all…
*please* - how much video memory does your Dell Mini have?
October 16th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
@ Dell’s Ubunut Mini… Having trouble contacting you directly. If you are still having issue with you Mic please contact Dell Tech Support, and then if needed, submit your issue w/ Case # to the Unresolved Issues link found on support.dell.com.
@ Diddly …Regarding VRAM – the Mini starts with 8MB of fixed VRAM (pulled from shared memory) and I believe based on the Mini’s specifications it will scale up to 64MB. Given that its primary purpose in life is to handle web-based activities that should handle typical duties. There is a Intel Utility on the XP systems that tracks the amount of memory in use if anyone wants to offer a second opinion.
October 17th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Thanks for the quick response Anne. 64MB max shared VRAM sounds reasonable. I know it’s intended purpose is surfing/email/Office but I just had to make sure that it wasn’t capped at 8, because that really would have cut out alot of other uses. Thanks again, will order now.