Another mini computer is on the way. This time, it’s from PC biggie Dell, which plans to announce the Inspiron Mini 9 today (pictured on right).

Dell follows many of the other big-name PC brands. Acer, HP and Lenovo already have their own netbooks, all of which came out earlier this summer. And, of course, nearly a dozen smaller computer companies have launched a netbook this year.

Still missing from the tiny notebook revoloution are Apple, Gateway and Toshiba, the latter two are based in Orange County.So far, though, Gateway officials have told me it has no plans to add a netbook.

Toshiba offered a vague response to the same question:  It “offers a unique growth opportunity that should be thoughtfully considered,” said Jeff Barney, Toshiba’s vice president and general manager, told me in last month’s story, “Netbooks everywhere. Do people really want them?”

As for Apple, the rumors continue.

Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9  appears to be in the mid-size range of netbook computer (check out my growing list of netbooks at “Mini computers you may have missed“). It has an 8.9-inch LED display, weighs 2.28 pounds, and includes a solid-state drive.

Few details were available before the release date, but it does have Wi-Fi. Bluetooth and a webcam will cost extra. Two colors are available: Obsidian Black and Alpine White.It’s $399 if you want Windows XP on it. Coming in the next few weeks, Dell plans to release a netbook with its own operating system, starting at $349.

Images courtesy of Dell Past Gadgetress posts on netbooks:

• Acer cuts price of its 2-month old ‘netbook’ PC
• Will crazy colors spur interest in new netbooks?
• Another PC company to launch cheap ‘netbook’
• Mini PCs you may have missed
• Netbooks everywhere! Do consumers really want them?

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