Dell launches Inspiron 9 mini laptop
But no Linux version for now
Dell has launched the Inspiron Mini 9, as expected. Alas, it's not as cheap as previous rumours suggested.
The 1.04kg Mini 9 sports the 8.9in, 1024 x 600 display; 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor; 1GB of DDR 2 memory; Intel 945 chipset with GMA 950 graphics; trio of USB ports; VGA out; 802.11b/g Wi-Fi; Ethernet; and 1.3-megapixel webcam that are Small, Cheap Computer staples.
Dell's Inspiron Mini 9: not as cheap as many hoped
To that, Dell's added Bluetooth 2.0, and a choice of solid-state drives running from 4GB to 16GB.
Ubuntu 8.04 Linux is also an option, though going to Dell's specs page you'd assume that Windows XP was the only operating system you can have pre-installed.
Black and shiny
That said, the Linux versions are a "few weeks" away, while you have an XP model now.
Indeed, the only model currently available is a £279 unit with a 16GB SSD, XP and the above specifications. A £20 delivery charge takes the total price to £299.
The Linux version will cost £269 all in.
Dell didn't mention battery life - all it has said is that the 9 comes with "four-cell, 32Wh Li-Ion battery".
The SCC is available in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Austria today, and in Spain and Italy starting in October. There's no word yet on the US release.
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Photo Gallery
Next page: Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Photo Gallery
COMMENTS
Title
I think some people are forgetting this is a netbook, noy a fully fledged laptop
Its also silly to suggest nothing will run on it by the end of next year. Its a netbook!
Gonna Wait ...
I seem to remember an ElReg article from a week or two back talking about the new wave of 128 GB SSD devices that are just around the corner (October?).
My usage profile is perhaps a little different from others, I see this sort of device as a spare laptop to carry on the road (my existing machine is great - Toshiba M200 Tablet). Sometimes I dont have access to laptop power (on planes ... as I pay for the flight myself I dont do biz class). And my two batteries on the tosh are nearing the end of their useful life ... i.e. now down to around 2 hours on each. Which means on a trip to the West Coast I have 7 hours left to twiddle my thumbs.
A spare lappy like these mahines changes all of that.
So I bought an Asus 901 (£299 from e-buyer) before the current trip and loved it, although found the 12 GB a little restrictive. I dont want Unix (did that through the 80s and 90s), so to me an XP option makes a lot of sense coz I dont want to have to learn to administer another OS. But my 901 screen stopped working just as I upgraded the memory (probably something I did) and as I was leaving the country the next day for a month, I decided to send it back (thanks E-buyer for greate Cust Service). All my existing software worked ... I didnt need to learn Open Office, etc.
So on reflection (now that I have sent the 901 back), I can get by with another new battery for my Tosh (a new one gives me another 6 hours), and I will wait for something with a bigger internal form factor (128 GB SSD - yes please).
@Ben
Then there's that 6-cell battery you'll be needing....
£230 + £14 + Vista(!) + Cost of Battery = £300+ territory.
Small and cheap
HiVision MiniNote: Linux, MIPS CPU, 1GB Flash, 3xUSB, 800x480, SDHC-slot for $98.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKQbN6tpYXw
Balls
Just bought an aspire one, and while pleased with it, it looks like I may prefer the look of the Dell. But then I needed something by next friday, and there's always a new kid on the block (I just wish they'd aimed for back to school).
Anyway, I've got the HDD version of my aspire for £230 from PC World, have put on Vista absolutely no probs from USB, and am tomorrow adding an extra 1GB of ram that cost £14 from Crucial.
Going to be reasonably spec'd.
