NetbookTech

One of the worst kept product secrets is finally official. Dell has finally announced the 12 inch Inspiron Mini 12 netbook. The system is making its first appearance in Japan with global availability starting in November. Prices are expected to start at under $600 dollars for the 12 inch netbook.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 features an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, your choice of either a 60GB or 80 GB HDD, built-in Bluetooth and 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, a 12.1 inch WXGA display, a built-in webcam, and Windows Vista Home Basic. It measures a mere 0.92 inches thick at its thinnest point and weighs only 2.72 lbs. Dell also announced that it will offer Windows XP and Ubuntu as alternative OS choices.

The full specifications are as follows:

• Intel Atom Processor Model Z520 running at 1.33 GHz or 1.6 GHz with 512KB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 12.1 TFT TrueLife WXGA (1280 x 800) display
• 60GB or 80GB SATA 4200RPM HDD
• 801.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Intel GMA 500
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 10/100 Ethernet
• VGA port
• 1 Line-out, 1 Mic-in
• 5-in-1 memory card reader with support for SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/MS Pro
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Measures 299 x 229 x 23.3-27.6 mm  (11.77 x 9.01 x 0.91 ~ 1.08 inches)
• Weighs 1.24kg (2.7 lbs)

My initial reactions”:

• The system looks pretty sweet in an all-black outer shell
• The 12 inch display has a better resolution than typical 9 or 10 inch displays
• The Atom processor is not the same as the N270 used in typical netbooks- this is a MID oriented Atom processor
• Windows Vista is OK but I think I’d still rather have XP
• Why release this initially in Japan???

[Check out the press release via Ubergizmo]

[Check out the Dell Japan product page]