We’ve been slowly bringing you news on Dell’s mini laptop that’s been all over the ‘net. There just wasn’t that much to talk about - until now. Dell is flipping the netbook market on its head with the Inspiron Mini 9, a $399 laptop with a 1024×600 LED-backlit screen. SSD storage will be standard with 4, 8 and 16GB options. Battery life is around three hours and you even get Windows XP. Want Linux? Shed $50 off the price tag for Ubuntu.
We’ve all seen Dell’s E mini notebook that’s piss small with an 8.9-inch screen but details haven’t emerged aside from specs - until today. Rumor has it that the Dell E is going to ship sometime in August for - wait for it - an astonishing $299. At that price, you’d expect a terrible system but you’ll find decent specs like a 1.8GHz Atom CPU, Linux. On the downside? 4GB of storage, only 512MB of RAM and Linux.
If the specs don’t suit you, fear not: Dell is coming out with a few models, including a premium model that supposedly has a built-in webcam, 1GB of RAM and other features. Either way, if Dell debuts a $299 sub-notebook next month, don’t expect to find them in stock after launch day.
Still wary about using the new Windows Vista operating system, users have been moaning and bitching to Dell about how they wish they could still get Windows XP installed on their pre-packed PC’s. Dell has answered their prayers by reissuing XP installed computers back into their products.
The consumer backlash has caused Dell to offer the option of Windows XP on four of its Inspiron notebook models and two Dimension PC’s. Though if you live out of the U.S., tough luck, you’ll have to install it yourself. — Andrew Dobrow
Dell has confirmed rumors that they will be offering desktop and notebook PC’s pre-installed with the Linux operating system. Details are still hazy on what models will be integrated into the Linux plan and to which Linux distribution will be available for installation, but those details are promised to be cleared up in the coming weeks.
No word yet on whether the Linux installed computers will be cheaper then the Windows installed PC’s, but since many Linux distributions are based on open source and free software, we imagine the price would show as fit. Contrary to Vista, Linux also come with pre-loaded package installers with many free applications. — Andrew Dobrow
Linux is pickup up pace. Apple Macs are picking up even quicker. Maybe its people’s increasing frustration with the obstacles presented by Windows. It doesn’t really matter why, right now Microsoft had better deliver with Vista in a few days.
With some odd timing, Dell has started to ship mainstream desktops without Windows preinstalled. Not only does this save the consumer a few bucks, but you now can choose to install Linux to the pre-formatted hard drive without dealing with getting rid of Windows first.
These desktops are set up with a base configuration of an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (C521N) or 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 (C521N)processor, 512MB RAM (C521N) or 1GB RAM (E521N), 250GB hard drive, and a choice of a Radeon X1300 (C521N) or a GeForce 7300LE (C521N) for graphics. They start at $624. Check Dell out next week to jump on this nice option from a major PC seller. — Nik Gomez
Dell ships mainstream desktops Windows-free [Electronista]
