Dell Mini 10v or 1Tb portable hdd

[Grindon]

I need some opinions on what I should purchase for Christmas.

1) dell mini 10v

2) 1tb WD portable hdd

What I want to do is further my knowledge in the Linux (fedora) environment and have windows 7 too. So for the netbook be able to dual boot, or for the 1tb Portable hdd be able to boot xp (there is a way, takes a bit of editing though) and also Linux (fedora).

I have heard of putting the mac OS on the dell mini but I'm not allowed to talk about that *hackintosh*. (I think, by the forum rules)

 

[Machin3]

It really depends on which is going to be more use to you. If you need the extra space then get the hard drive but if you need to be on a computer when your away or something along those lines then get the Dell.

 

[ganzey]

lets see, a dell 10v is about $300 and a 1tb external is about $70. i would get the dell and then save up for the hdd. you can dual or even triple boot a netbook, just partition the hard drive into three sections, and put an os on each.

 

[Grindon]

O.k.

well the portable hard drive is actually a bit more than $70. Its more of a portable not external HDD, here is the link.

(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Dig...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259663877&sr=1-1)

Now, I dont need the space (already have a 400gb external HDD) but really want to be able choose multiple OS's on the go.

Although the Dell 10v seems attractive I am unsure as to how much I would use it - Cant use in lessons at school and already have a docked dell inspiron 6000 laptop at home of which i use as my main computer and on the go.

I want to try out different OS's but my past experience last summer trying to partition my Laptops HDD than succesfully installing Fedora, only then did i realise what a MBR was - darn GRUB!
From there i tried to get windows back but screwed up so bad that the whole hard disk lost its format and neither os would work. (luckily i had a disk image at home on my External HDD - Thank you Acronis True Image)

I have a few ideas of how I would get linux and mac os's onto a dell mini 10v, but i dont just want mac os on the dell but windows 7 and fedora/ubuntu as well - thus adding to the complexity (I think) of the situation.

As with the 1TB passport I want xp and fedora/ubuntu to run off it. Anyone any ideas which would be easier to pull of - tri boot Dell or Dual boot WD 1TB.
I understand it will be slightly slower to run a OS of a portable HDD however I really like the idea of being able to take my computer anywhere in my pocket.

Grrr, I'm so stuck between choosing one or the other!!

 

[The_Other_One]

If I got a Dell mini, I'd go for the regular 10 or try to find another with a good "Z" series processor and HDMI out. I think the Mini 10 has a fairly low-speed processor, but there are some others with better processors more suited for video playback. I say this because my little Acer (essentially identical to all other N2x0 based Netbooks) really struggles with most any videos. The Z processors apparently also use a chipset that's a bit better suited for HD playback. That or some that have more dedicated GPUs...

Though the real decision is up to you. These are two completely different items. Personally, I'd use the Netbook over the hard drive, but you may require much more storage than I do.

 

[Grindon]

I need the dell Mini 10v for the macintosh OS possibility, does the dell mini 10 do the same?

Again space isnt an issue, I just need to get into some perspective the amount of use I would get out of either one.

Dell Mini 10v

Pros:

- Able take anywhere I go
- Able to Dual/Tri boot
- Able to try out Windows 7!
- Generally more entertaining

Cons:

- Need to be careful = more chance of breaking than portable hdd
- Need a power supply after a while
- Need a case (more money) to try and protect it
- I already have a laptop - is there any real need?
- More expensive than alternative

1Tb WD passport

Pros:

- Fairly small, easy to take around - not as much of a breaking hazard
- Ability to dual boot (xp and linux)
- No power supply needed = usb connected
- Ability for my computer to be in my pocket sounds awesome
- Massive space for anything i want
- Already have a fairly good idea on how i will do it
- Cheaper than alternative

Cons:

- Cant have Mac OS or windows 7 on it
- Only works on computers that are able to boot of usb drive
- Os may be slower than off internal drive - especially through usb 2.0
- Not as entertaing when i open it.

 

[The_Other_One]

Netbooks are more like PDAs. They can run standard x86 software, but they are tremendously slower than your typical laptop. Check my Acer's SuperPi score If you really want something just to try out Windows 7, I'd suggest getting yourself a copy and loading it on your computers. Netbook's really aren't designed to handle it, and most I've seen come with the starter edition (I beleive it lacks Aero...I know the demo Acer at Walmart didn't have Aero)

You probably can't boot off a USB hard drive. Maybe with Linux, but I seriously doubt you'll be able to with Windows. Or...are you looking at an eSATA drive? Also, netbooks typically use 2.5" drives (I'm sure the Acer does, I beleive most others do too...) You could even get a 500GB drive for the netbook Not quite a TB, but tons of storage.

 

[Grindon]

You probably can't boot off a USB hard drive. Maybe with Linux, but I seriously doubt you'll be able to with Windows.

I have decided to go with the WD 1tb Hard drive and am going to attempt to place xp onto it as a OS - By following this guide.

http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176

If that doesnt work (fingers crosed it will) I am quite confident that linux will, and then if everything just fails on me (ohh what a brilliant christams that will be...) then at least I can store backups, music and everything else on there.