Minimount for Netbooks stands apart in a crowded space. It is the only hard shell netbook case that is custom fit for each netbook model. This makes life very tough for the rugged, little mini. As the world turns and netbooks speed by in a blistering race, the Minimount must keep pace. We do our best! All of this is to say, we appreciate your patience. There are eleven new ones on the way. Many of the newer netbook models sport 11 in. screens with full size keyboards. Some even have Celeron or other dual core processors for full-size power. Check ‘em out! Our new hard shell case models are on now order. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive product release announcements. Our best estimate, the new models should be online and ready to go near the end of February.
Minimount fits like a glove. Not only is the size and shape specific to every new netbook, we put the holes where they belong. There are slots for every accessible port. The Minimount hinge opens and closes with your netbook inside. This means the hinge axis is carefully aligned to match the netbook it supports. 3-cells, 6-cells, even 9-cells, netbook battery specifications can vary tremendously, even within a particular model designation. We strive to fit the most popular sizes. Be careful to consider the battery style before you buy. Some of the larger sizes don’t always fit Minimount. Sure, you can always buy a replacement battery if you get in a jam, but who wants to shell out extra clams.
Hang in there. The new models will be on the way before you know it. It’s definitely worth the wait for the most rugged and functional hard shell netbook case on earth. While you wait, send us a message. We promise not to pepper you with e-mail. We love hearing about your needs and all the clever ways there are to Mount a Mini. Do let us know if you have any questions whatsoever.
Oh yeah, here’s the new list:
- Acer Aspire 1410, 11in screen
- Acer One D250,
- Acer O751, 11in
- Dell Inspiron 11z, 11in screen
- Asus Eee 1005H
- HP Mini 110 series
- HP Mini 311, 11in screen
- Lenovo S10-2
- Lenovo S12, 12in screen
- Samsung N130 / N140
- Toshiba NB205
The Panasonic Toughbook is the gold standard for rugged laptop computers. It’s a fantastic product, that‘s for sure. Some models that have heaters to allow operation in freezing cold. Others are nearly waterproof for use in inclement weather. A few have screens bright enough to use in direct sunlight. Nearly all of them offer some form of hard drive dampening to provide shock protection to this critical component. The cost of this all this protection is high. The comparatively large size and weight can also be an issue in many tight settings..
The MINIMOUNT offers a value oriented alternative in a very small package. The humble Netbook, when enclosed in a light weight, aluminum jacket cushioned by foam pads, becomes a viable tool for many situations. The soft compressible foam pads effectively isolate the entire Netbook from vibrations and mild impacts. By custom forming an aluminum sheet to conform to each model, the often fragile Netbook exterior is protected in a compact and very efficient manner. The exterior hinge elements operate with the computer and add significant strength to the often vulnerable Netbook hinge while in use.
Make no mistake, the MINIMOUNT is not a Toughbook. We have not undergone certified industry testing for shock certification. Such testing is out of reach for a value oriented product that supports as many different models as we do. We are not looking for military contracts. This is a common sense solution for those who can not justify the size or expense of more sophisticated options in non-critical applications. It is not every forklift operator who really needs a Toughbook mounted onboard. The same person, however, might be able to make good use a Netbook safely mounted and connected to useful information at a fraction of the cost. The range of mounting options and compact size make it possible to put computers in environments that would otherwise be impractical.
Enough of the sales pitch. The MINIMOUNT is simply an option. If you want a Toughbook for all that it offers, a MINIMOUNT may not work for you. But, if what you really need is to put a basic computer with mount to work in a space constrained location or vehicle, give it a try.
Mounting Netbooks in vehicles has never been easier. The MINIMOUNT Hardshell Case eliminates bulky trays, awkward clips, and Velcro straps. The Quick Plate mounting attachment makes it really simple for you to take the Netbook in and out of the vehicle on the fly. Mount it only when you need it.
Here’s the part that is a little tougher… deciding which mounting kit alternative makes the most sense. We offer three very different mounting arms for vehicles.
- The Manfrotto Magic Arm
- RAM Pod I Gooseneck
- HD RAM Surface Kit with screw base
The Manfrotto Magic Arm is very adaptable. This means you can position the MINIMOUNT exactly where you want it. You can fold it out of the way of passengers. Face it towards rear seats. Place it low to the seat and out of view. There are many ways to use this versatile accessory. It attaches via the passenger seat rail bolt. There will be about that in another topic. Assuming the mounting bolt attaches securely into the frame of the vehicle, the arm itself is very rigid. However, if the attachment point flexes, the arm can move around quite a bit while the vehicle is in motion. For this reason, we recommend that the MINIMOUNT with Netbook be removed from the arm or stowed down securely while the vehicle is in motion. The need for this varies by vehicle and road conditions. Results can be difficult to predict in advance of installation. Nonetheless, in the right situation, the Magic Arm kit is fantastic. Very easy to use and extremely versatile.
The RAM Mount Pod I arm is quite simply a value oriented option. Very inexpensive and easy to install. Again, it bolts into place using the standard bolt at the front seat rail. Make sure your vehicle has an assessable seat rail bolt before purchase. The limitations of the Pod I arm are two-fold. One, the arm itself consists of an aluminum rod that can be formed a shape that fits your vehicle placing the MINIMOUNT where you want. It is not designed to be easily moved around to different positions. Find a position that works and leave it there. the rod can be cut to a shorter length easily if that helps in finding the best position. The arm is also designed to stay in place. A set screw secures the arm to the base bracket and should not be removed and replaced frequently. Secondly, since the arm is only semi-rigid the MINIMOUNT will bounce around more than other alternatives. It should be removed from the arm using the Quick Plate or RAM ball while the vehicle is in motion.
The Heavy Duty RAM Surface Kit is by far the strongest and most secure vehicle mounting arm we offer. It can be easily combined with the HD Extension Kit for longer reach applications. The catch is that this mount requires drilling and bolting through the vehicle floor, drive hump or other mounting fixture (like a roll bar). Each application is different and the installer must be responsible for assessing the location and means of attachment. The mounting base is very strong and adaptable. RAM sells other ball bases that can also be substituted if required. Once attached in a good location, the arm and extensions are strong very easy to use. The rubber coated balls and clamping arms provide a high degree of dampening and can even be used in rough duty off-road applications. This kit is perfect for 4×4’s, fork lifts, farm equipment and any utility vehicle which can tolerate the bolt on nature of the installation,
There you have it. Feel free to contact us directly with questions about your specific needs. Keep in mind, we have only limited knowledge of individual vehicle models so we may not be able to help with that aspect. We will be happy to assist where we can provide useful information. We are also happy to accept returns on kits that don’t meet your needs provided they are returned in “new” condition with all parts and packaging intact.
Using a computer in the car (never while driving!) is all about compromise. Chances are smaller is better. In fact, vehicle use is one of only a few places, like airplanes, where having a really small footprint makes a huge difference. Space is at a premium. Chances are the type of work you will be doing doesn’t demand a big screen. I go for small, even 9″ models work really well in a car. I also find that a matte finish screen is easier to see in bright light conditions. Being less reflective means glare is less of a problem. Also, think about power. For some, access to a power inverted may be OK, but it’s more stuff to take along and set up. Some Netbooks actually operate on 12 volts. Others have 12v adaptors available.
What about hard drives? Well, if you are traveling on rough roads or expect to be tossing the computer around, that hard drive could fail. Consider SSD. While Solid State Drives are more expensive and way smaller than a typical hard drive, they are much less prone to shock related failure. It’s difficult to know how vulnerable a given Netbook is to hard drive failure. The MINIMOUNT Hardshell Netbook Case comes with internal foam padding that is designed to absorb vibrations and impact shock to a lesser extent. Nonetheless, if hard drive failure (loss of data) is a real concern consider the SSD alternative and use a USB drive or network connection to manage bulky files like music, photos and video. Since many Netbook brands do not offer SSD alternative, you may need to make other compromises if this is an important feature. For example, Dell offers a wide selection of SSD alternatives, but does not offer matte finish screens at this time. Personally, I don’t keep data on the Netbook anyway.
Connectivity? Hands down, go for a 3G / Wi-Fi device. Most major cell phone carriers are offering these small hub devices for prices very similar to a 3G / USB adaptor. No dongle, no wires. You can keep it stashed and use the computer anywhere within range, use it with multiple computers. I love it!
Bottom line? Go for small. Go for 3G. Think about data loss in the event of a crash.
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