[Lightstalkers] Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sat, 02 May 2009 09:20:55 +0000

So everybody's talking about installing Mac OS X on the lovely $250, 2 lbs. Dell Mini 9 netbook computer.... It comes with a 16 GB solid-state harddrive... question, and nobody seems to have answered this (or, at least I couldn't find the answer) on the dell mini forum...: Can you run Photoshop CS3 on this? Photo Mechanic? Microsoft Word? Skype? these are pretty much the only programs i would need to install...any experiences? this could be the best lightweight travel computer yet, for Mac users?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:33:46 +0000

Check out the hackintosh and insanely mac forums. Often have list of compatible machines there. There s another big bunch of os x on pc heads that name escapes me- quick google will find them and they ll defo know. Let up know how you get on- very interested in this:)

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:19:59 +0000

I run those apps on a 16gb sandisk cruzer but I leave lightroom on the mini for back-up. otherwise it rox. Important leason though is that one can deal with the small screen but it really helps to get a mouse. (Which I have never needed before on any other lap top.)

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:01:10 +0000

I know Bill Putnam is running Lightroom just fine on his Dell netbook, but on a PC platform. So there is plenty of capacity. Don't know what else if anything he has crammed into it.

And wouldn't you want to include a Web browser on it?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:40:12 +0000

oh yes, of course, Neal, Firefox. and the OS X comes with Safari as part of the system package, no? doesn't running the apps off of an external drive like the sandisk cruzer slow them down, a lot? wouldn't it make more sense to spend $100 and install a bigger (32 GB) SSD into the computer itself?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:51:43 +0000

btw, neal, you see i'm not completely a luddite. did you get some 620 film to try in your french camera?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:00:22 +0000

You're no Luddite! I know that...you just cleverly bridge good old tech with new. The 620 film from B&H is sitting in my mailbox..I just have to pick it up.

Can't help you with the speed issue as the netbook I bought (Acer) has an internal drive with a whopping 144 GB. It's not solid state, but it seems to work fine. But I don't think it scored as well on the OS X compatibility index as the Dell.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:40:59 +0000

Im running LR 2.2 and a FTP program (the name escapes me) and dump to an external hard drive. It zips along great. Dumped 12 gb of cards in 15 minutes during my last trip. However, alas, I am on XP. I have other issues with the netbooks. Due to their lack o' CD drive you can't run re-installs if the OS is having issues. Like mine is now. Other than that, Alan, its a great little rig.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:42:28 +0000

how do you do re-installs then?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:26:06 +0000

despite being a hard core mac user, i just got an acer aspire 8.9 inch netbook with 160gb hard drive. barring the annoyance of windows XP, it's a swell little machine for traveling light...along with a 250 external g-mini hard drive (formatted for both pc and mac), it's an ideal setup. will test it in the field in a few weeks. all my imaging software is mac, so i had to download gimp instead of CS...and will try to download/work with a trial version of LR2. wi-fi plus built-in camera allows skype et al.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:26:22 +0000

Dunno. I am still sorting that out.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:18:28 +0000

can't you run installs off of an external CD/DVD drive and/or hard drive? And the whole point for hardcore Mac users is that the Dell Mini 9 is FULLY compatible with Mac OS X....according to the internets... but none of y'all on Lightstalkers have done this yet? I'm surprised. I thought that everyone's already running OS X on their Dells...while I determine how many minutes my Tri-X should be pushed in D-76!

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:07:25 +0000

hahaha ill never go mac. unless im forced to. you can run the reinstalls off an external cd drive, sure, but i dont have one right now. its all good. i downloaded LR and the FTP from the internet. im sure you can do the same with others. now go count those minutes. i need to get back to my fricking quadratic factoring.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:01:52 +0000

So does that mean that if you buy a netbook you will also need to have an external CD drive to hand the day you need to reinstall your system? Do they come with installation CDs?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:32:15 +0000

I have installed programs on my netbook (which has two USB ports) by copying them from the CD in my CD/DVD drive on my laptop onto my 8 GB thumb drive, then from the thumb drive into the netbook. I also get some programs from the internet, such as Firefox, Open Office and Thunderbird, all surprisingly good and relatively compact freeware programs.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:26:46 +0000

boot processing unit plus compatibles http://efi-x.com/index.php?language=english

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:08:13 +0000

I have seen OS X working fully on one of those little dells. the interwebs speak truth. the analogy was made to an airbook, so I'm not sure how good it is for production.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:29:53 +0000

Tim Cook of Apple says no to Mac on netbooks, but... http://www.macuser.co.uk/news/251739/apple-no-to-ldquojunkyrdquo-netbooks.html

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:38:35 +0000

okay, interwebs speak truth and lies. Hello 1984. Alan, I say go for it. Just keep asking around to make sure you can pull off the projection work you need. If the concern is OS X portability for a good price, I have every reason to believe the Dell will do the job.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:51:37 +0000

OK, Ida, I'm going for it. If it doesn't work perfectly it's entirely your fault :)

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:56:49 +0000

I knew you'd jump at the opportunity to blame me for all technological failures. I guess now is a bad time to let you know about my Fluxus tendencies... but you probably guessed that much already. ;)

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:40:19 +0000

OK, I went for it! I got a Dell Mini 9, loaded with Mac OS X. pumped up ram to max. of 2 GB. HD is 16 GB, which is plenty of room for Photoshop CS3 (just PS, not the whole suite), Photo Mechanic, Skype, and Microsoft Word. All functions seem to be working fine. The computer is 2 lbs., very light. Definitely a BIG increase in mobility!

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:17:33 +0000

Yeah, Alan! You are the guiding light!

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:04:43 +0000

Very interesting... Keep us updated.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:14:09 +0000

i looked at the instructions how to install mac osx unto my acer one...but i don't have the technical knowhow to duplicate what Alan did with his machine. congrats! at least i know it's do-able.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:25:43 +0000

i didn't actually do it myself, i found a student here in NY who is doing the labor of installing. I thought it was well worth the additional $50 or $75 to pay for somebody else to do this, rather than muck around myself. i did maximize the RAM myself, this was easy and cost $25.00. see: http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/12/17/osx-netbook-compatib.html the Dell Mini 9 is the absolute most compatible. I don't know enough about computers to know why, but such is the wisdom of the internets. see: http://www.mydellmini.com for all the info specifically on the Dell Mini 9. Most of it is way over my head but it will be very helpful to those of you in the know. Further comments on usage: The small keyboard, trackpad, and clicker take a bit of getting used to. But i imagine i'll get better and using it, especially once i go on a trip when it's my only computer. The screen is surprisingly nice. Colors and photographs look great when opened in Photoshop or Photo Mechanic. One problem is the Adobe Camera RAW requires a larger minimum screen size than the Mini 9, so the bottom is cut off, depriving you of a lot of the controls. Anybody have any idea how to work around this? Is there another program I can use other than CS3 to open these Canon 5d RAW files? The tiny speakers definitely do not provide great sound quality. But Skype, iChat, and iTunes all work perfectly. Hooking up my 250 GB Lacie portable drive to it works fine. Keep all your image files off of the tiny 16 GB drive. Only apps in that. Next step: anybody use the Pacific Image 3650u scanner? Obviously slugging the Nikon 5000 along makes absolutely no sense. But what about that Pacific Image machine? It's light, small.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:01:44 +0000

alan, read this and you will be happy to lug the nikon around: http://reviews.cnet.com/scanners/pacific-image-primefilm-3650u/4505-3136_7-30865367.html

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:45:53 +0000

"Is there another program I can use other than CS3 to open these Canon 5d RAW files?" There's obviously Canon's DPP (but I'm sure you knew that). I reckon that Raw Developer from Iridient Digital is really good: solower to use than some of the competition but it produces beautiful files that I don't think I can get elsewhere. Very good highlight recovery possibilities.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:12:38 +0000

no, what is Canon DPP? I bought my 5d used without any of the CDs that might come with it in the box... and Raw Developer costs $125...too much!

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:46:50 +0000

DPP is Canon's raw developing software that's on one of the cds you didn't get. Free with the camera. There's some things it doesn't do (I still haven't worked out how to do highlight and shadow recovery well) and some things it does really well: recognizing and then correcting the distortion and vignetting of your lenses, for example. If you know another photographer who shoots Canon you could borrow their cd perhaps...

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:03:29 +0000

Alan I may have missed this but Lightroom 2.0 will open the 5DmkII files. Also, just get out your #3safelight filter and develop your black & white by inspection.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:13:43 +0000

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/12/17/osx-netbook-compatib.html This is the most up to date info on the OP. Our techs have tested the Dell Mini 9 with Leopard, the comment: "works fine not as fast as a real mac but not a dog like, PowerBook G4 speed" wait, is that a haiku?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 07:49:20 +0000

exactly right. that has been my experience so far. but you're not expecting it to be as fast as a real Mac, are you? these are not meant to be anybody's main computer, rather, it's a travel machine. no new scanner for me, at least not at this moment. instead I went out and got a Canon G10, put my 28mm finder on it, and figure that this will give me a down-and-dirty rapid transmission capability on travels when i'll travel light just with the netbook, the G10, the film Leicas and thus will just have to bring that film back to base.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 12:43:06 +0000

FWIW, the Atom Intel processor running XP II Home in my Acer Aspire One is pretty slow as well.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 12:48:52 +0000

I have a fundamental, quasi-legal question. How do you get the OSX system for your Dell netbook?

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 13:08:01 +0000

um... BUY it? lol! http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC094Z/A?mco=NDcwMDM2NQ oh yeah, you tole me i had to beehave messef.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 13:49:02 +0000

Careful, or you'll have to go back into the corner, put on that hat and sit on that stool again!

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:10:03 +0000

oh actually the Apple deal is that it's TECHnically only for Apple hardware, but they're not enforcing it, and looking like they're going to go more lax on the language in pretty short order. Gossip is that Apple is coming out with their own netbook soon, so that may change... who knows.

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:15:27 +0000

deets here from my tech boyz http://i.gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-9-into-the-ultimate-os-x-netbook

Re: Anybody using Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9?

Sat, 02 May 2009 09:20:55 +0000

Yes, people I know who ought to be in the know (or close to people in the know or who ought to be in he know -- how's that for mystery!) have strongly hinted there will be some kind of Apple netbook. But nobody will venture even a hint as to when.