February 18, 2009 3:00 PM PST
Dell's Mini 10 Netbook debuting on...QVC?
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We've been waiting for a 10-inch version of the Dell Mini 9 Netbook (still one of the most popular product pages on all of CNET) for some time now, and after a sneak peek behind closed doors at CES, it's finally here. Sort of. Dell says:
The Mini 10 is scheduled to debut for advance orders (February 19) on QVC at 9 p.m. Eastern. A full Mini 10 overview is available at Dell.com, and the system will be available for purchase directly from Dell in the U.S. and other countries beginning February 26.
Yes, that's right--if you want to be among the first to preorder the Dell Mini 10 (which starts at $399), you'll have to tune in to QVC.
Here is a slide show showing off the system, and some of the available color options. Click through to read up on the relevant specs, direct from Dell.
Features available today on the Inspiron Mini 10 include:
- Sleek design and starting weight of only 2.86 pounds
- Roomy keyboard--92 percent of full size for comfort and ease of use
- Multitouch gesture touchpad--navigate the screen using simple movements to rotate, scroll, and zoom documents and photos
- 10.1-inch WSVGA "edge-to-edge" 16:9 wide-screen display
- HDMI output for enhanced entertainment connectivity
- Internal Wi-Fi
- Built-in Webcam
- Windows XP
- 1GB RAM standard and 160GB hard drive, providing ample capacity for mobile applications, content creation, and storage
- Expanded color palette options to express your personal style: Obsidian Black, Alpine White, Cherry Red, Promise Pink, Ice Blue, and Jade Green
- Fully featured QVC configuration includes free shipping, a 4GB SD memory card, and preloaded productivity software
- Available in the U.S. on Dell.com beginning February 26, with a starting price of $399
- Also available online in other countries beginning February 26
- Dell Remote Access is designed to link directly to home-based digital materials from any Web-connected device.
- Dell offers exclusive online file storage--ranging from a free basic plan with 2GB* of storage space to 100 GB--providing Inspiron Mini users with a simple way to manage their digital lives
Mini 10 optional features planned for later this year include:
- Internal digital TV tuner, HD resolution and external USB DVD player options for an optimized video entertainment experience
- Ubuntu and Vista operating systems
- Bluetooth
- WWAN
- Internal GPS
- 2GB RAM
- 120GB and 250GB hard drives
- Solid-state drives
- Popular Design Studio images to express personal style
New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan. 
Anyway, you don't really need an optical drive for that much when you're out and about and that's what these computers are for. My computer has an SSD and I can REALISTICALLY get 5-6 hours of use on one charge. I think it's silly that they're not making them all with SSDs.
I would also say that if you get one of any brand, you should immediately upgrade to 2GB RAM. It's really cheap to get RAM and the difference is monstrous.
The 1GB ram limitation that was originally part of the WinXP license requirements has already been waived by Microsoft. Depending on the chipset, some Minis (like the Mini 12) cannot accept more than 1GB of ram even if there is a free ram slot. I have read that the Poulsbo chipset has recently been recoded to allow more than 1GB of ram but that has not yet been released to the market.
The article says it's offered with XP.
xp is an aging OS and vista and win7 will offer better security
I couldn't imagine the price tag with all of those options enabled. Extra $50 for GPS, $15 for bluetooth, $50 for TV Tuner, $150 for SSD (very low estimate, I'm being nice), $40 for 2Gb ram. Talking about spending around $700 for a 10" under-powered pile of crap with a teeny tiny keyboard. I guess there is an idiot born every day.
Anyone know of a netbook with a backlit keyboard?
- by McCormick97 February 19, 2009 11:20 AM PST
- I guess I have more money AND sense? My credit card could be 50% and it wouldn't matter - the trick is not to carry a balance.
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(20 Comments)I just ordered a Mini 9 to make ditching my landline easier. Hooking it up in the kitchen next to the phone and going to run Skype. That way I don't need to go boot my PC every time I want to make a call, or leave it on all the time (Netbook with SSD = low power consumption). If you get a switcher from Belkin ($10 after rebate) you can still use your regular handsets with Skype.
We make a lot of distance and International calls, but going with Vonage or Comcast for unlimited distance is a waste of money. $3 a month for unlimited calls to landlines anywhere in the US, plus $390 for the netbook - it will pay for itself in less than a year. Most of my friends and family in the UK use Skype, so completely free to talk to them (via webcam if we want). We might keep a basic landline for 911 and incoming calls ($10 a month).