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Dell enters netbook market with Mini 9

04.09.2008
It’s official – 2009 is the year of the netbook and Dell has got in on the act with a rather spiffy looking number – the Inspiron Mini 9, which sports a sleek, piano-black finish.

The Mini 9 is Dell’s first go at the netbook, following hot on the heels of the Asus EEE, Lenovo’s IdeaPad, Medion Akoya and the HP Mini-Note, amongst others.

The one thing all these netbooks have in common is, of course, how small they are and how much functionality is packed into a tiny machine that is ideal for both business user and student alike.

Dell’s Mini 9 offering runs on Windows XP and uses the Intel Atom processor. Behind the diminutive 8.9-inch screen lies a 16GB solid state drive, 1.3-megapixel webcam and integrated 3G card, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Unlike the slim and beautiful Apple MacBook Air, the Dell Mini 9 has a luxurious 3 USB 2.0 connections and a 3-in-1 media card reader. So for €399, you will get a lightweight 2.28lbs of connectivity and productivity on the go.

Dell has labelled the Mini ‘your new best friend’ and many might be inclined to agree, especially with the inclusion of Windows XP instead of Vista. Even better, Dell will also be offering a version running on the Ubuntu operating system in a few weeks’ time.

By Marie Boran

Pictured: mini but mighty, the new Dell Inspiron Mini 9