NetbookTech

WiMAX connectivity is now available as a configuration option for the Dell Inspiron Mini 10. Available as a $60 dollar upgrade to the Mini 10, the WiMAX support comes in the form of a internal combo mini-card supporting both WiMAX and Wi-Fi connectivity.

If you’re not sure about WiMAX coverage in your area, head over to clear.com’s website for more information. Yes, it’s sparse at this time in the U.S., but it’s expanding rapidly in Asia and Europe.

[Check it out via Direct2Dell]

For those of you who believe that nail polish colors rule, you’ll be thrilled to hear that Dell has added six new nail polish shades to the Inspiron Mini 10 netbook as part of a partnership with QPI. The six colors, all inspired by the city of Hong Kong, are Dim Sum Plum, Hot & Spicy, Jade is the New Black, Meet Me on the Star Ferry, Red My Fortune Cookie, and Suzi Says Feng Shui.

Dim Sum Plum:

Hot & Spicy:

Jade is the New Black:

Meet Me on the Star Ferry:

Suzi Says Feng Shui:

Dell is currently offering two mobile broadband/notebook deals – one with the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook and one with the Dell Inspiron 11z thin-and-light notebook. Both system bundles are for AT&T’s 3G DataConnect service with the Mini 10 priced at $99 dollars after an instant discount and a new 2 yr AT&T DataConnect 5GB plan. The Inspiron 11z is priced at $199 after an instant discount and a new 2 yr plan also.

As a refresher, specs for the Inspiron Mini 10 are:

• Intel Atom Z520 processor
• Windows XP Home
• 1GB RAM
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• 160GB HDD
• 10.1 inch LED backlit display
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Dell 1397 Half-Mini Wi-Fi card
• Built-in audio
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 3 cell battery
• 3 in 1 media card reader

while specs to the Inspiron 11z are:

• Intel Celeron 743 processor
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 2GB RAM
• Intel GMA 4500MHD
• 160GB HDD
• 11.6 inch HD WLED display
• Ethernet
• 802.11g Wi-Fi
• Built-in audio
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 3 cell lithium ion battery
• 3 in 1 media card reader

[Check it out]

Dell announces a new updated Inspiron Mini 10 netbook with support for the new Intel Atom N450 processor which integrates the memory controller and graphics core into the processor core. The updated Mini 10 features a sleeker chassis, ergonomic key caps for increased typing comfort, and a textured deck.

As with the original Inspiron Mini 10 product launch, the new Mini 10 will be available with several configuration options – many of which will not be initially available (honestly – it’s a bit annoying that Dell does this – roll out the product early before all the options are fully available). Features and specs for the updated Mini 10 include:

• 10.1 inch display with either 1024 x 600 resolution or 1366 x 768 resolution coming later on
• Built-in speakers with SRS Surround Sound
• Optional HDTV tuner
• Optional location-aware GPS configurations coming later
• Broadcom Crystal HD for smooth HD playback – coming in Q1 of 2010
• 802.11 b/g/ Wi-Fi
• Bluetooh and Mobile Broadband configuration options
• 1GB DDR2 memory
• 160GB or 250GB HDD
• Choice of 3 or 6 cell integrated battery with up to 9.5 hour battery life
• Choice of Windows 7 Starter (for $79.95), Windows XP Home or Ubuntu
• Weighs around 2.7 to 3 lbs with 3 cell battery. Weighs 3.1 lbs with 6 cell battery

[Check it out]

As expected, Sprint has expanded their netbook/mobile broadband package program by offering the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 in three new areas – Indianapolis, Phoenix, and the Bay Area. The netbook is available at select Sprint Stores for $199.99 along with activation on a Sprint Mobile Broadband plan and a new two year agreement and after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate. The Mini is a 2.6 pounds netbook with a 10.1 inch LED backlit display, an Intel Atom Z520 processor, Windows Home XP, 1.3 megapixel webcam, 160GB hard drive, Intel integrated graphics, 5 in 1 media reader, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

You’ll need to sign up for Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Connection Plan which offers 5GB of data at $59.99 per month.

Those of you waiting to pick up a customized Dell Inspiron Mini 10 or 10v netbook will be happy to hear that Dell has officially expanded the Dell Design Studio to now include those two netbook systems.

Originally announced a few weeks ago, Dell now allows customers to personalize the look of their Mini 10/10v with artwork based on:

• MLB Team Logos
• (PRODUCT) RED artwork
• Designs from popular designers and artists like Derek Welch and Korakit

You can read more about this by heading over to Direct2Dell and then checking out the Design Studio here.

Well it’s about time. Dell is finally offering a 2GB RAM option for the Inspiron Mini 10 as part of a new promotional offer running on their website here. For $429, you get a system with the following specs:

• Intel Atom Z530 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• 10.1 inch widescreen display
• 160GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD
• 28 WHr 3 cell battery
• 802.11g Wi-Fi card
• Intel GMA 500
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam

Also note – the GPS and digital TV receiver are not options for this configuration unfortunately. It’s a shame that you’re not getting a 6 cell battery for this price either.

[Check it out via Direct2Dell]

AT&T expanded their mobile broadband-enabled netbook product lineup today with the introduction of three netbook models – the Acer Aspire One, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, and the Lenovo S10. All three models will be available for purchase soon online at www.att.com while the Acer Aspire One will be available throughout stores nationwide. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and the Lenovo S10 will be available in several stores around the country.

Each netbook will be available for $199.99 after a mail-in rebate (AT&T Promotion Card) and a new two year service contract.

Here’s a quick rundown of specs on the three netbook models.

Acer Aspire One:

• Weighs 2.53 lbs
• Intel Atom processor
• Windows XP Home
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• Stereo speakers
• Built-in webcam
• Wi-Fi

Dell Inspiron Mini 10:

• Weighs 2.86 lbs
• Windows XP Home
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• Built-in webcam
• Intel GMA graphics
• Wi-Fi

Lenovo IdeaPad S10:

• Measures less than 1 inch thin and weighs 2.63 lbs
• Wi-Fi
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Windows XP Home
• Built-in webcam
• VeriFace facial recognition technology
• Multi-touch touchpad

AT&T also announces three new AT&T ConnecTech services specifically for netbook customers – with prices ranging from $99 dollars for remote online support to $199 for in-home technical support. Check out the AT&T press release for more information.

[Check it out]

The official press release for the new Dell Inspiron Mini 10 hit the wires this morning – following up the Direct2Dell blog posting yesterday. As mentioned earlier this morning, the Mini 10 is available now for pre-order over at QVC and will be available for purchase directly from Dell in the U.S. and other countries starting on Feb. 26th.

I was initially thrown off as to why Dell would make the Mini 10 available for pre-order first on QVC but after a little bit of sleep, it all makes sense. Netbooks as a market segment have been a hit with women, teens, and kids, and QVC is the perfect outlet for Dell to attract these kinds of sales.

As a reminder, here’s what you need to know about the Inspiron Mini 10’s feature set:

• Starting weight of 2.86 lbs
• Intel Atom Z520 at 1.33 GHz or Intel Atom Z530 at 1.6 GHz
• Intel Poulsbo US15Wgraphics chipset
• Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 500
• 92 percent keyboard size
• Multi-touch gestures touchpad – navigate the screen using simple movements to rotate, scroll, and zoom
• 10.1 inch WSVGA edge to edge 16:9 aspect ratio display (1024×576)
• HDMI output
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Built-in webcam
• Windows XP OS
• 1GB RAM standard
• 160GB HDD
• Stereo speakers
• 3 cell 24WHr Li-Ion battery
• Available in Obsidian Black, Alpine White, Cherry Red, Promise Pink, Ice Blue and Jade Green.
• Dell online storage options – free plan comes with 2GB of space to paid plans with up to 100GB of space
• Measures 10.28 x 7.19 x 1.12~1.25 inches

Optional features and accessories coming to the Mini 10 include:

• Internal digital TV tuner
• External USB DVD player
• Ubuntu and Windows Vista options
• Bluetooth
• WWAN support
• Internal GPS
• 2GB RAM
• 250GB HDD
• Solid State Drives
• Design Studio images

Let’s be clear – the Mini 10 is certainly not the cheapest 10 inch netbook out on the market.. yet it holds some interesting potential. Given the number of planned enhancements to the Mini 10, this could be the platform to watch over time. Yet knowing there are several planned enhancements and accessories, it’s hard to recommend someone to go out and pre-order this system right now. If I had my way, I’d hold out for the larger resolution panel (which will be 1366 x 768) and the larger 2GB of memory – especially when Windows 7 is ready for prime-time.

In the meantime, you can read a hands-on look at the Inspiron Mini 10 over at PC Magazine. Here’s a snippet from the article:

“At launch, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 isn’t the cheapest netbook on the block, as it will be priced at $549 — and this is the standard configuration. With future add-ons, tricking out this netbook might make the Asus eeePC 1000HE and the Acer Aspire One (10-inch) look like charity handouts. But this is Dell, company known for its infamous coupons and aggressive deals. The amount of technology that they could potentially pack into this netbook will make others take notice—and respond. Look for companies like ASUS and HP to intensify the netbook wars upon news of Dell’s latest netbook darling.”

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Those of you waiting for the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook will be happy to hear that the system is finally here .. sort of. Starting today, Dell will be taking pre-orders from customers in the U.S. through QVC. That’s right. QVC. Availability on Dell.com for U.S. customers will then begin on February 26th with units shipping in March.

Having said that, here’s what you need to know about the new Mini 10:

• Color wise, the Mini 10 will come standard in Obsidian Black but will also be available in Alpine White, Promise Pink, Cherry Red, Ice Blue and Jade Green
• Starting price for the Mini 10 will be $399 (which also explains why the Mini 9 has been undergoing price cuts recently)
• The 10 will utilize Atom Z processors – you can pick either the Atom Z520 or Atom Z530
• 92 percent keyboard
• 10.1 inch edge to edge glass LED display
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Built-in HDMI port (Yes.. an HDMI port!)
• 3 USB ports, Ethernet jack
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• 3 cell 24Whr battery
• 160GB 5400 HDD
• 4 in 1 memory card reader
• 1 line out, 1 mic-in

According to this blog post on Direct2Dell, the Inspiron Mini 10 will initially be available with 1GB fixed RAM (this means it’s NOT upgradeable unfortunately), Windows XP, and a 10.1 inch 16:9 display with a max of 1024 x 768 resolution (though the default resolution is 1024 x 576).

Coming down the line, Dell will be offering options such as Ubuntu 8.04, a higher resolution 720p panel, a built-in digital TV tuner, Bluetooth, integrated GPS, and mobile broadband.

The model available for pre-order at QVC is selling for $559 and features the 1.6GHz Z530 processor, 10.1 display 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Intel GMA 500, and 3 cell battery.

In many ways, Dell is a bit late to the game with the Mini 10 when it comes to the 10 inch netbook market (although you could argue Acer was also late to release a 10 inch netbook).  While I appreciate an HDMI output, I’d gladly trade that up for a higher capacity battery (the Dell post claims the 3 cell battery provides 3 hours of battery life), a higher resolution panel, and support for more than 1GB of memory.

[Check it out via CNET]