minis

It's a mega-mini--Dell's Inspiron Mini 12

We first got a glimpse of Dell's 12-inch take on the Netbook behind closed doors a few months ago. After that, it kind of vanished from our radar screens, only to pop up Sunday, in an announcement that the system is making its debut in Japan.

It's an interesting hybrid of the ultraportable and Netbook formats, combining a 12-inch laptop chassis with the basic heart of a Netbook, namely the Intel Atom CPU. Most Netbooks have a 9- or 10-inch display, so the jump to 12 inches makes for a very different experience. Less portable, to be sure, … Read more

90: The electric Mini is here. Sort of.

GM and Chrysler talks get intense, electric Mini's are on the way, Toyota will bring a new tiny car to the U.S., and we hit the road in the 2009 Acura RL. Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Electric RUF Porsche 911

• Wacky Fiat eco: Drive

• Toyota iQ headed our way

• Audi to go standard with HD Radio

• Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid review

CNET News Daily Podcast: XP comes to the XO

It was initially announced almost a year ago, but the first version of the XO from the One Laptop Per Child program will soon begin shipping to governments that order it for their country's schoolchildren. CNET News' Ina Fried got to do a side-by-side comparison of the original Linux-flavored XO and the new Windows XP variety.

Also in today's podcast: exploring the real story on the Mac Mini, Yahoo cancels Messenger for Vista, and Oprah endorses the Kindle.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

The XO laptop gets a Windows makeover

Will Kindle sales spike because of 'Oprah effect'?… Read more

Mac Mini: I'm not dead, yet

Apple's Mac Mini might be getting a reprieve after all.

A few days after Gizmodo reported that European retailers believed the Mac Mini was heading for the exits, AppleInsider says the smallest and cheapest Mac hasn't left the building. Apparently a number of casinos in Las Vegas use Mac Minis to help run the ever-present security cameras in that city, and those customers believe that an update is around the corner.

One Las Vegas-based source who runs a collocation service based on the Mac Mini told AppleInsider that there are about 10,000 Mac Minis in use in … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: Will there be an Android invasion?

Many people looking at the tech industry are worried about a repeat of the first Internet bubble burst. But several indicators suggest this time around might not be so brutal.

Shoppers willing to do a little haggling are finding some sweet deals at consumer electronics stores. The Mac Mini may be on its way out. And reporter Kara Tsuboi and mobile phone reviewer Nicole Lee talk about what to expect from the T-Mobile G1, which goes on sale in San Francisco Tuesday evening.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Tech may not shed so many jobs this time… Read more

Wither Mac Mini?

After relegating it to the hinterlands of its Mac lineup for years, Apple might be finally ready to put the Mac Mini to sleep.

That's what Gizmodo thinks, having talked to two European retailers who say they can no longer order the $599 box from Apple. It's possible Apple could be getting ready to simply update the internal hardware in the Mac Mini, which has languished for quite a while with outdated chips, but Gizmodo reports that the retailers have been told that this is the end of the line.

The Mac Mini was an experiment in affordability and minimalism … Read more

A refurbished Canon HD camcorder for $450

As the old saying goes, good prices come to those who wait. Back in March, I talked up the Canon HV20, a high-definition camcorder that seemed like a bargain at $699. Well, now you can scoop one up for just $449.77 shipped from Vann's. The only catch: They're refurbished units.

If you're still shooting in standard-definition, do yourself a favor and upgrade to an HD camcorder such as this one. The difference is just jaw-dropping. The HV20 stumbles a bit in low-light environments, at least according to CNET's review, but that's true of most … Read more

Get an Acer Aspire One Netbook for $309, shipped

Though not quite as cheap as the Asus Eee PC from a couple weeks ago, the Acer Aspire One is one of the top-rated Netbooks (there's a contradiction in terms), and you can get it for just $309 shipped--no rebates required. Hey, they gotta do something to unload these lemons, right?

I kid, I kid. While I still don't see the appeal of a PC with a tiny screen, tiny keyboard, tiny amount of storage, mediocre battery life, and limited video-playback capabilities, at least the prices are starting to get more attractive.

This particular model comes with … Read more

Mini E pure electric car revealed

Mini just revealed the Mini E on Friday, scheduled to be revealed at the 2008 LA Auto Show. The E stands for electric, as the major difference between this and the standard Mini is the all-electric drivetrain. The Mini E will be produced in a limited quantity of 500-1000 units and leased to customers in a few major cities.

The Mini E's 204 horsepower electric motor also puts out 162 pound-feet of torque with juice being supplied by advanced lithium ion battery tech. Charge time is expected to be about 8 hours with a range of about 150 miles … Read more