ComputerWorld: Dell netbook arrives tomorrow - $399

[greggh]

http://blogs.computerworld.com/dells_ub ... s_tomorrow

According to this guy, the cheapest version will be $399. If that's true I don't see Dell selling too many of these. The Dell will cost more than Acer's Aspire One, be bulkier, uglier, have worse specs, for instance no webcam and only one card reader slot. It really all comes down to price, but if $399 is accurate, this is a really pathetic entrance into the netbook market for Dell.

[Patrick]

This article says it will be $349 for the Linux version:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-100 ... riesArea.0

[greggh]

Yup. It's more expensive than the $329 Acer Aspire One, has half the SSD space, and no webcam. The Dell does have a 4 cell battery compared to the Acer's 3 cell. But overall the Acer easily is the better value. Plus, the Aspire One looks much better IMO.

[Patrick]

And it's now available:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/pr ... ref=homepg

[eddie]

I might try this....

sturdy used briefcase or luggage $ 0
used lcd capable of 1024x768 or better $ 60
spare dell p3 mb and cpu $ 0
Spare ram $ 0
Spare laptop hd drive or usb stick $ 0
Spare full size wireless keyboard/mouse $ 0
Battery rechargeable $ 30
Charger spare parts $ 0
Dc-dc atx ps new $ 50
Linux $ 0
Blood sweat and tears labor $ 0
Misc parts $ 0
----------
home made portable $140
=======

[LinuxMint-4]

I might try this....

sturdy used briefcase or luggage $ 0
used lcd capable of 1024x768 or better $ 60
spare dell p3 mb and cpu $ 0
Spare ram $ 0
Spare laptop hd drive or usb stick $ 0
Spare full size wireless keyboard/mouse $ 0
Battery rechargeable $ 30
Charger spare parts $ 0
Dc-dc atx ps new $ 50
Linux $ 0
Blood sweat and tears labor $ 0
Misc parts $ 0
----------

home made portable $140
=======

Gateway Pentium laptop 500 Mhz ...256 MB Ram.... 20 gig hard drive with power supply and working battery E-bay $95 incl shipping

AddLogix Wireless G USB Adapter (Linux/Mac/Windows Compatible) $40 Micro Center

Ubuntu 8.04 Free

CD Media to burn Ubuntu on 12 cents

Installation and wireless setup Free

Spare laptop bag FREE


Poor man's Linux Netbook $135.12

[eddie]

http://feeds.theinquirer.net/c/554/f/71 ... tory01.htm

[jturning]

Buzz Out Loud today suggested that they might make a similar arrangement in the states and possibly give you the laptop free if you sign up for a data plan for a couple years. That would be a compelling offer, but still too rich for me. Especially since I get free wifi at McDonalds and Starbucks for being an AT&T DSL subscriber.

Bugz

[greggh]

Well, I may have to reconsider the Dell after all. Cnet just did a review and they found that the battery life for video playback was 3 hours and 21 minutes, That's a good hour longer than the 3 cell Aspire One. I guess that 1 extra cell makes a big difference.

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-in ... l?tag=rnav

The Mini 9 ran for 3 hours and 21 minutes on our video playback battery drain test, using the included 4-cell battery. That's second only to the 6-cell battery in the Asus Eee PC 901, and easily beats the Asus Aspire One and MSI Wind.

[Patrick]

I just got the latest Dell catalog and they have the Mini 9 on page 3. They list 3 different versions with Ubuntu as the OS on the first two. The "high end" model comes with WinXP, 1 gig of RAM and a better webcam. This is the first time I've ever seen Linux mentioned in any Dell publication. Baby steps. M$ must pay them handsomely to list "Dell recommends M$ Vista" on every damn page.