So here's my first blog from my new Dell Mini 9 netbook. I must say that I have decided to run OS X instead of the default Korean version of windows XP that came on this little computer. I wanted to take a few moments to post about my experiences in the past 3 or 4 days.

I was excited to see (before I received the computer as a gift) that the mini 9 is one of the easiest computers to load OS X onto. There are many ways to do this all laid out for you on the osx86 forum and on the mydellmini site. Of course I chose to go with the full purchased* retail version of leopard for my install. I used 2 usb thumb drives and my Macbook Pro to create download and create the necessary files. While I thought about going through everything step by step, there are plenty of sites that detail how to do this. What I would like to say about the process: Very simple. The longest point of the entire process is copying the leopard dvd to a 8gb thumb drive. After that, there's no patching or fuddling around needed.. just downloading a small file and you're off and running with leopard in about 40 mins. TOTAL.

Experience. As an avid computer user not just personally but also professionally, I found carrying my 15" Macbook Pro a bit tedious to say the least. I've owned a 13" Macbook, and that was a bit more pleasant. The primary challenge however is: when does size affect portability. Let me rephrase it this way... How often and at what point do you decide to leave your computer at home because of its size? Often for a 15" laptop. I also have an iPhone that I would use instead, however for any extended computing, that obviously is not very practical.

The mini 9: It's about the size of an average paperback book, which makes throwing it in a backpack or just carrying it in your hand quite easy to do. The 3 hour battery life is pretty good and I have no problem between charges. The biggest challenge to the mini is the limited size of the flash hard drive.. Using the 8gb hard drive with my basic programs install leaves me with about 500mb free. Not much extra space, but I've also popped in a 4gb sd card for extra storage. And because I subscribe to MobileMe, and use other great programs like Simplify Media, I'm okay keeping my Dell fairly bare. But there is yet another solution: Dell has taken care of this with newer models sporting 32gb... you can also order 32gb for about $115 and self install is a snap.

The challenge that I see many people having is the Dell Mini is NOT designed to be anyone's primary computer. It barely makes good as a secondary computer.. but if you're looking for super portable full computer power (minus the drive) the Mini takes the cake. I know I haven't tried any of the other netbooks, but I'd imagine that the general impression would be the same.

Biggest problems: Being 6'2" 190lbs w/ a bmi of 24.4 (which puts me at borderline over weight I just found out) the mini keyboard is a bit of a hassle... I'm getting used to it.. but I do find my borderline over weight fingers hitting multiple keys on occasion, or my borderline over weight palms skimming the trackpad and find my curser up 4 lines. The size of the screen: 9" while in some contexts might be considered more than adequate, take some getting used to as well... and those of you moving from 17" laptops or 20"+ monitors... it'll seem like someone someone tore off a corner of your monitor and slapped a keyboard on it...

In conclusion: No a netbook is not a good primary computer... and I'd slap you if you tried. But if you find yourself constantly saying "damn, I wish I had a computer and I wish mine wasn't so heavy" or even if you don't find yourself saying that.. the base netbook, for $350-ish (depending on options) is a great little start. Again the challenge for many people is the fact that they're going to find themselves demanding 15" Macbook Pro performance from their Mini.. and if you can keep reminding yourself that this is a netbook... you'll be in love.

Another practical note: I just looked at this standard size coffee table at starbucks and noticed... wow.. I have a lot of extra space. Normally my Macbook Pro would cover most of the table... Hmm another plus..

It's pretty amazing how time flies by. It's already 2009... So much has happened this past year. One this that hasn't happened much is blogging. I've spent time away from blogger trying to figure out why it is I blog, why it is I write. And on December 29th I figured it out. I was sitting in Starbucks (which is where you'll most often find me) and was looking through posts from the past two years.. Wow, it's amazing how blogs can mark time for us. This time last year we had just finished up the road trip, battled a blizzard outside of Seattle and won, and Elliott began considering moving to Korea. Blogging is a great way to keep track of our memories, at least for me. This next year will be pretty amazing. There are so many things to work on, so many things to start, and many things to continue and improve.

This is a great place to track it all.

2009
Law school starts this year...
I leave Korea this year...
I turn 28 this year...
The US gets its first minority president this year...
I will study harder than I've ever studied this year...
I will work more hours then I knew existed this year...
I will make my parents proud this year...
I will be a better friend this year..
I will be a better brother and son this year...
I will make new friends this year...
I will sacrifice for old friends this year...
I will give more this year...
I will hurt more this year...
I will live more this year...
I will seek more this year...

Here's to 2009.