Dell Announces The Inspiron Mini 12: The Netbook Everyone Wants for Christmas

Dell today introduced the latest addition to the Inspiron Mini family of "netbook" laptop computers: the Inspiron Mini 12. This ultraportable Internet companion promises to be at the top a many Christmas wish lists this year thanks to a solid combination of features and a low starting price. Like its counterpart the Inspiron Mini 9, the Mini 12 is ideal for anyone who surfs the Web, chats with friends or clients, blogs, streams content, or uploads photos to an online gallery. Thanks to a standard 12.1-inch WXGA (1280x800) display you can also enjoy online videos, music and games in ways that just aren't possible with smaller netbooks.

Why do we think this netbook might be the most compelling netbook of 2008? The answer is simple: The Inspiron Mini 12 features a standard 12.1-inch display, a larger keyboard than any other netbook, and is priced starting at less than $600.

Interesting features:

• With a starting weight of only 2.72 lbs. and only 0.92 inches thick at the front and 1.09 inches at the rear, the Inspiron Mini 12 rivals smaller netbooks in terms of weight and thickness.
• Windows Vista Home Basic, built-in webcam, all-new Intel Atom processors, 1GB of RAM and a choice of 60GB or 80GB hard drive, the big news here is that this netbook comes equipped with Vista and has the muscle to handle it.
• Built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless.
• Includes a standard 12.1­-inch WXGA display, offering the best screen size and resolution of any netbook to date.

Dell is also going one step further with the release of the Inspiron Mini 12 by providing a variety of services and add-on options to help customers make sure the Mini 12 is as easy to use as possible, including:

• Dell Support Center: Quickly access Dell service and support from an icon on your desktop that provides automated fixes, software upgrades and tools to help keep your system up-to-date and running efficiently.
• DellConnect Remote Assistance: Dell experts help diagnose and solve PC problems via an Internet connection (available only on Windows-based systems).
• DellDock software: First seen on the new Dell Studio notebooks, the DellDock is a useful tool designed to launch applications and adjust notebook settings without having to navigate complicated menus inside Windows.

The Inspiron Mini 12 is available initially only in Japan through Bic Camera, Kojima and Sofmap stores and other retail outlets. It will launch online globally by late November with configurations starting at less than $600 (U.S.). Ubuntu and Windows XP operating systems also will be available before the end of the year.

As a way to highlight the fact that the Inspiron Mini 12 is perfect for bloggers and "Tweeters" to stay connected, Dell will be releasing additional information about the Inspiron Mini 12 via Twitter. If you are on Twitter and would like to join the conversation about the Inspiron Mini 12, follow www.twitter.com/hashtags, type your comment and end your tweet with #mini12.