Dell introduces 10in netbook
XP for now - Linux 'later in the year'
Dell has formally rolled out its latest Inspiron Mini netbook - the 10in model that popped up on shopping channel QVC a week or so back.
Dell's Inspiron Mini 10: out this week
Here in the UK, the Mini 10 will go on sale on Thursday, and while the company did reveal that it will offer a version of the machine with Linux pre-installed - Ubuntu 8.04, to be precise - it won't appear until "later this year".
Initially, then, the Mini 10 will be a Windows XP machine. The basic, £299 model has 1GB of memory, a 120GB SATA hard drive and a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 processor. It has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi.
Usual portage
Options include 802.11n wireless networking, Bluetooth, a 1.6GHz Z530 CPU and a 160GB hard drive. In addition to Linux, Dell said future optional extras will include on-board GPS, an built-in TV tuner, an HSDPA 3G module, a 250GB hard drive and 2GB of Ram.
The screen resolution is 1024 x 576 - 24 fewer pixels in the vertical than other netbooks provide, but designed to give it a movie friendly 16:9 aspect ratio. In the US, Dell said it'll offer an optional 720p-sized display, but it'll be interesting to see whether the on-board Intel GMA 500 graphics core is truly up to pumping out HD content.
Many colours
The Mini 10 will ships with a three-cell, 24Wh battery.
The 1.3kg unit packs in all the customary netbook features and will be available in a choice of colours: "Obsidian Black, Alpine White, Cherry Red, Pretty Pink, Ice Blue and Jade Green". ®
Review
Dell Inspiron Mini 9
COMMENTS
@Ubuntu 8.04
I don't buy the LTS idea; by 'later this year' it'll have lost most of the support advantage, possibly all of it. It could be that 8.04 is the only version they can get the GMA500 to work with though:
http://www.happyassassin.net/2009/01/30/intel-gma-500-poulsbo-graphics-on-linux-a-precise-and-comprehensive-summary-as-to-why-youre-screwed/
wtf gimme the 720p version!
10" = good.
576 verticle pixels = wtf are you doing?!
PAH! make the 720p version available in the uk.
also need at least 1.6ghz cpu..preferrably a 1.8 or something..
cheers,
bill
p.s. stuff and nonsense: http://www.eupeople.net/forum
WTF?
Dell want to charge £300 for their new netbook, when so many others can be had for £200? Well it must have some pretty exciting features I guess. So, what extras do you get for £100? 24 pixels less vertically on the screen resolution, and there's no other difference between this and the legion of other netbooks out there. Well done Dell!
I do like the idea of integrated 3G & GPS on netbooks though. More companies should offer these as options, or even as standard.
BTW, @ Stu - if you want a netbook with a decent keyboard, try the Acer Aspire One or (funnily enough) the original Dell Mini 9.
Dell marketing?
Get the Vostro A90 @ 199 + VAT. Can't see why notionally businesses get a better deal on netbooks (ok it's onbly got a .3Mp webcam but who cares....)
Usual portage?
How many other netbooks have HDMI as video out?
