Video: 128GB SSD slotted into Dell's Inspiron Mini 9

Considering just how cheap Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 gets on occasion, there's practically no doubt that the SSD portion of this mod will run you more than the computer itself. For those wild and wacky DIYers who couldn't honestly care less, jkkmobile has put together a video (along with a gallery of images) showing exactly how the process works. For what it's worth, we're told that the whole ordeal was a simple matter, but you can judge for yourself after jumping past the break and mashing play.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:30PM]

I would have thought it would be as simple as remove old SSD, install new SSD...

[Mick Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:40PM]

it is. but the 128's are longer then the ones the mini9 use

[Chuuchdizzle Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:42PM]

you'd think.

this just raises the question of why dell decided to use this type of drive, besides the fact that it's the only company(that i know of) that uses half-mini pcie as an ssd, it also limits the size and speed of the ssd.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:45PM]

Actually it's not even miniPCIe - it's using the miniPCIe slot as a physical connection, but running SATA through it hence 90% of normal miniPCIe SSDs don't work :(

I didn't notice it was longer :P

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 9:10PM]

"I didn't notice it was longer :P~~ "

Thats what she said

[OneLove Posted Apr 7th 2009 9:55AM]

In Soviet Russia ssd slots you!

[anexanhume Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:41PM]

If someone is willing to go through the trouble, it looks like a great hack, especially if you want good performance out of XP or OSX. And considering you're harming a 200 dollar computer at worst, it's not the scariest thing in the world.

[Chuuchdizzle Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:43PM]

the ssd is pricier than the dell though, so you wanna be careful not to hurt the ssd, or both seeing as a combined estimate is ~500USD.

[Matchoo5050 Posted Apr 6th 2009 8:55PM]

The Dell takes only a PATA bus PCI-e SSD

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 9:17PM]

I just ordered a 32gb PATA SSD for my almost 8 year old Inspiron 8000... I hope it arrives before spinning HDD #3 dies...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 9:07PM]

hey couple questions
is an ssd significantly better than an hdd cuz i don't use that much room and am planning on getting a small 32/64gb ssd for my laptop.
also how are the prices?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 9:33PM]

i can imagine this guy saying "I VANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOOOD."

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2009 6:06AM]

I noticed the RunCore logo in the article's picture. Before everyone salivates over these drives, may want to check out some user experiences with RunCore's "quality" at:

http://myhpmini.com/forum/the-new-runcore-ssd-s-t163.html

[Matchoo5050 Posted Apr 7th 2009 8:54AM]

Take some time to read before you post..

That is not the same drive and if you read you will notice Runcore is fixing all the 1.8" drives and the vendor is sending 25% refunds, a T-Shirt or a full refund to all people effected by the connector issue.

Matt

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2009 10:59PM]

It's like installing a six speed BMW transmission on a Kia. It's worth it if you have a decent computer that you want to invest some money into.

[JeffM Posted Apr 6th 2009 11:45PM]

Hmmm- I'd argue it is more like installing a 100 gallon gas tank in a Kia. If that Kia gets you from point A to B- why not have it store more fuel for convenience?

If he was installing 16GB of RAM or a high-end video card I'd fully agree with your analogy.

[LondonConsultant Posted Apr 7th 2009 5:31AM]

Hmmm- I'd argue that a gas tank shouldn't cost more than the new car. The cheapest 128GB Mini PCI-e SSDs are over £300...

[Matchoo5050 Posted Apr 7th 2009 8:46AM]

Hmm and I would argue that the Dell Mini 9 is to Asus EEEPC is to Acer Apire One as is Ford Focus to Mistubishi Lancer to Subaru Impreza.

The computer is literally 4-5 times as fast as stock and 20% faster than if you used the Normal Runcore 50MM PCI-e upgrade. Imagine if you could make a cheap Ford 4-5 times as fast and faster than a Ferrari? Wouldn't it be worth it even if it was the same price as the car?

Also you don't have to use the 128GB upgrade the Runcore 64GB is only $189.99 on eBay and these go down to 16GB.

Food for thought

Matt

[neonpolaris Posted Apr 7th 2009 9:25AM]

So the Dell Mini 9 uses PATA over miniPCI-E, and the EeePC uses SATA over miniPCI-E?

Is there a miniPCI-E SSD that will work with *any* miniPCI-E slot an *any* laptop, and is also NOT USB based?

I thought I only had to worry about the dimensions. I've got a Dell Inspiron 1520, with two unused slots. I'd love one of these to boot an alternate OS to. I suppose a USB based card would work, but also be bottlenecked by the USB, right?

[Matchoo5050 Posted Apr 7th 2009 11:34AM]

Unfortunately no there is not a way to hook it into that slot only because there is no SATA or PATA bus going to it only USB. The Dell Mini 9 offers only a PATA bus to its Mini PCI-e Port. The Asus EEEPC 900A that are going on ebay for pocket change (they have Linux on them but you can upgrade to and OS if you have a copy) it can be upgraded even further because they have a SATA and PATA bus going to the PCI-e port with a Runcore SATA PCI-e you can get very fast #'s around 125/90 read write speed. It makes the computer fast enough to run pretty much anything on. A Multitaskers dream Netbook and the Dell Mini 9 is not far behind. If you have ever seen Jkk he is never far from his 900A with the Runcore SATA PCI-e SSD in it.