Dell jumps into netbooks with $399 PC

September 4th, 2008, 6:17 am · 3 Comments · posted by Gadgetress

Dell Inspiron Mini in Alpine White 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. Dell Inspiron Mini in Obsidian Black

Images courtesy of Dell Past Gadgetress posts on netbooks:

Reader comments: We want this to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We expect people to differ -- judgment and opinion are subjective -- and we encourage free speech and the exchange of ideas. But you are participating in a community that is intended for all of our users and we prohibit profanity, vulgarity, racial, sexual and homophobic remarks, threats, harassment and personal attacks. Here's the full User Agreement. Thank you for making this a safe place worth preserving and sharing. Share this: The icons below make it easy to share this post with others. First icon e-mails a link.