The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 launches today – 8 a.m. Central – in the U.S., Japan and some European countries (check local listings). Starting price for the XP version – available now — is $399 USD. An Ubuntu Linux version will be available later, starting at $349 USD.
If you can wait until 6 a.m. Central tomorrow, Sept. 5, you’ll be able to get a Mini for only $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 laptop through 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 (U.S. only).
In case you’re new to the Internet and therefore unaware of the deafening advance buzz, allow me to introduce this compact, take-it-everywhere Internet companion. Purpose-built to keep teens, tweens, travelers and “Tweeters” connected, the Mini is optimized for that “30-minute connection” experience – blogging, surfing, e-mailing, chatting, viewing photos, videos and music – you get the idea.
With a starting weight of 2.28 lbs., digital nomads will value the Mini’s durable design, with sealed keyboard and reliable solid state drive (SSD) memory storage. A bright 8.9‑inch glossy LED display (1024×600) presents most Web pages with no left-right scrolling, and the keypads are large and easy to navigate. Standard built-in Wi-Fi means quick and easy wireless Internet access.
An optional built-in webcam, bundled with Dell Video Chat, makes it easy to stay in touch using video chat, recording and sending video e-mails, or even PC-to-PC phone calls around the world. DVC even supports four-way calling. The built-in Bluetooth option provides easy wireless connections to enabled accessories, like stereo headphones, mouse, printer, etc.
Extending the Mini experience, Dell teamed up with Box.net to offer exclusive Web-based file storage, access and sharing to Mini users, including a free Basic plan with 2GB of remote storage space, expandable to 25GB. The Mini will include a direct link to a Dell-exclusive home page on Box.net, providing users an easy way to add incremental online storage space.
If past is prelude, the kind readers of this blog will have a lot of additional questions about this much-anticipated arrival. Enjoy learning more about the Mini, and let us know what you think.
Update: And speaking of additional details, here’s a vlog that features Brian Pitstick, who was part of Dell’s product team tasked with making the Mini 9 a reality.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Great to finally see a launch! Will it be send out i Denmar/scandinavia too? If not today, can you say when??
September 4th, 2008 at 2:43 am
We don’t need japanese optimized keyboad and English keyboad is jast fine so release it now in Japan.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:45 am
When will it be available in Italy?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Sorry, your post already mentioning Japan.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Australia? Pretty please?
September 4th, 2008 at 3:09 am
[…] [Via Engadget|D2Dell] […]
September 4th, 2008 at 3:38 am
[…] 4: Direct2Dell — Dell’s official blog — says you can get the Mini for just with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330. Offer ends Tuesday, September 9th. Not […]
September 4th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Oh well… I was hoping for the $299 price.
No thanks Dell.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:18 am
I’ve ordered mine!!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:27 am
€399 on the Dell site in Ireland. Are you for real? I can get the Advent aka the Wind for €370, Acer Aspire one A150L for €306 or an ASUS 904HD for €343. Why would i spend all the extra cash for something so underspecced and overpriced?
September 4th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Declan,
I’m in Ireland too and totally agree with you. The price is ridiculous compared to the UK and US prices. It’s priced over €40 than the UK price! I saw the Advent in Dixons the other week and had a play around with it, the 10″ screen makes all the difference and it’s styling is fairly cool. And it comes with an 80Gb HDD!!
If this had a 10″ screen, 80Gb HDD and a dual core atom processor (all for the same price), I’d definitely get it but alas it doesn’t have any of those those things. When are dual core atoms coming out??
September 4th, 2008 at 5:16 am
I’m another disgusted Irish customer. I’m advising my girlfriend on buying a laptop at the moment and this kind of rip off from Dell really doesn’t make you too keen on buying anything from them.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:33 am
I’m sitting here typing on my Studio 15 that I bought less then a month ago. Any chance the $99 offer will be retroactive?
September 4th, 2008 at 6:14 am
[…] 4: Direct2Dell — Dell’s official blog — says you can get the Mini for just $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330. Offer ends Tuesday, September 9th. Not […]
September 4th, 2008 at 6:25 am
I ordered an XPS1330 that was shipped yesterday (ordered on the 28th of August), Im in Houston Texas. Is there any way that this will apply to the one that I just bought and havent even recieved yet????? Please say yes. Maybe if I refuse the package and reorder I can take advantage of the deal? I dont know, someone shed some light on my question.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Would be good if you could do an equivalent deal for purchasers of a Studio 15 in other countries (like the UK, hint, hint). Will be interesting to see the reviews.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Good grief, do we get to see anything besides a talking head???
September 4th, 2008 at 7:08 am
DELL 910:
3h battery life,
Underspecced ubuntu,
nearly 450$ price for a decent configuration,
and to top it off, not available in my location (Canada, 4 to 5h from New York, New York).
I’m buying an Aspire One ASAP. All this anticipation was fun while it lasted. Thanks Dell for reminding me why I usually don’t buy my gear on Dell.ca…
I guess in a way I gained something from all this hype: the rebate on the Aspire One that was applied on the netbook as a way to compete with the rumored 299$ price of the Dell 910 a couple of days ago…
September 4th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I was waiting to buy an Acer Aspire One, but no longer. Sorry Dell, but you can’t beat Acer’s price/features. An OPTIONAL webcam??? PUH-LEEZ!! And the Linux version will be available “later”. Could you be just a little more specific about how much later? And after tempting us with the pictures of the really cool red one, you give us black or white?? Strike 3, yer out.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:43 am
[…] via Dell Blog […]
September 4th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Very impressive, I’ve been waiting for these. Any chance one could get the 1GB version with Ubuntu, and not have to pay for the XP license? I think that would be a popular choice. I know I would MUCH prefer it.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:39 am
[…] Dell Mini 9 debuts, special offer for U.S. customers Published September 4, 2008 dell , gadgets , news Tags: 15, 9, dell, laptop, mini, netbook, notebook, studio “If you can wait until 6 a.m. Central tomorrow, Sept. 5, you’ll be able to get a Mini for only $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 laptop through 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 (U.S. only).” (link) […]
September 4th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I bought the Studio 15 too and love it. Wish I could get in of the $99 deal ~
Might be time to buy one and sell on eBay!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:57 am
$99 is quite a price!
http://www.grand-rapids-michigan-web-design.info/
September 4th, 2008 at 8:58 am
It the price and the features werent’ such a disappointment I would be pissed that it wasn’t available to Canada. As it stands you can keep it.
And Dell, please stop trying to rip off the Irish.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:20 am
[…] will be available for $99 with the purchase of select systems, like Studio […]
September 4th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Another Irish thumbs down. Just to put it in context. $399 is approximately €275, yet the euro price is €399. You’re kidding right?
September 4th, 2008 at 9:42 am
[…] one with XP. Also as expected Box.net is bundled in with the system. In a nutshell, Dell’s Mini (see Dell’s blog) looks like a lot of netbooks such as the Asus eeePC. Some […]
September 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
The Mini doesn’t have an optical drive. How are you supposed to load programs? It has USB ports but if you don’t have an external USB DVD/CD drive, it would seem you’re out of luck.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:02 am
[…] Today, Dell launched the much-anticipated Inspiron Mini 9 netbook (a.k.a. mini-note, ultra-note, or whatever we’re calling this category). Tomorrow, you’ll be able to score one for just with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530, or XPS M1330 notebook… […]
September 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am
[…] has launched a new netbook computer today that they are calling Dell Inspiron Mini. The laptop is a bare bones […]
September 4th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I JUST bought a Studio 15 days ago and missed out on this offer!
Any chance that I could get the same offer applied retroactively? I would totally pay $99 for a Mini 9 if given the chance, otherwise I’ll probably miss out on owning one.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I was wondering which model comes with the 99$ deal and if its customizable and how would it be charged if it IS customized.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
[…] here’s the catch, according to Dell’s official blog: If you can wait until 6 a.m. Central tomorrow, Sept. 5, you’ll be able to get a Mini for only […]
September 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I want to know how I’ll reinstall my OS. A Dell chat support agent told me there was no way to do so, since an optical drive isn’t included. I don’t want to be stuck with a brick if my OS is corrupted! I’m most interested in the Ubuntu edition, so this is a bummer.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Any news on the 12 inch version?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am
[…] Your Blog >> Without Further Ado, Meet your New Best Friend […]
September 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
pretty disappointing product asus eeepc is much more usefull than this mini 9 from dell
September 4th, 2008 at 11:06 am
According to Dell’s own press release (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2008/2008_09_04_rr_000?c=us&l=en&s=corp) this is supposed to be available in Canada today. When? Nothing on Dell.ca and the reps on the phone have no idea when or if it’s coming either, even though they have been telling customers up until yesterday that it will be available today.
To make up for this you could extend that $99 deal north of the border!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:12 am
[…] Check out the Dell blog for their perspective […]
September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Just adding to the voices of discontent from IRELAND here.
399 Euro?! Give us a break!
I had waited so long & had expected 299 Euro. Also you deprive us of *any* color options (Black only) & *any* customisation options (XP with max specs only). Also not digging that 4 cell only.
Acer’s much better for price. Eees much better for specs. Either are better for options.
Bad Dell.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
[…] today introduced a new mini-notebook called Dell Inspiron Mini that weighs just over a kg, runs on Ubuntu Linux or […]
September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
[…] ultra-note, or whatever we’re calling this category). Tomorrow, you’ll be able to score one for just $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530, or XPS M1330 notebook… Sphere: Related Content Author Comments […]
September 4th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I was wanting one of these for school, but school started already. I went with a Thinkpad SL. To the comments above me, I wouldn’t consider a no-name like Asus, Wind, whatever, at any price.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:50 am
WHERE IS CANADA ?????????
The press release says US, Canada, Japan and select European countries…
September 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
ok someone is not with it for dell.ca… you can buy a mini 9 sleeve (http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Carrying_Cases/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&cs=cadhs1&sku=A2000216) but you cant buy the mini 9… go figure…
September 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
You have a mistake on your Dell Mini website. It says I can get the Mini with Ubuntu, or else “upgrade” to Windows XP. I’m not sure how swapping to an ancient, crippled OS is an “upgrade” to anything besides the price.
Quit being such cowards, Dell. You have such potential to endear yourselves to the Linux community but you keep screwing it up with mealy-mouthed hedges like this. Quit being afraid of Microsoft. Giving consumers a real choice will give you *more* leverage with Redmond, even if they threaten you in the short term.
The future of computing belongs to the likes of Google and Linux, not Microsoft. I would think that being in an industry with such small profit margins as yours would make you more eager to get rid of the Microsoft Tax once and for all.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Where does the deal show up? Is it a coupon code or does it show up during checkout?
September 4th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
RTFM lol just gotta wait till tomorrow.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Mr. Petsit, thanks for your clear speech.
I apologize for my rather harsh words in advance. I am a fan of Dell and I want Dell to be successful.
I think it would be best for you to focus on management than video presentations. You made this exciting product line appear as dull, boring, slow, unappealing as any other netbooks. Oh, also you had so much time-wasting filler like “umm”, “what I’m going to talk about is…” You could have used some professional help. If you rehearsed more, people could have literally saved so much time aggregately.
Mr. Petsit, please focus on what you do best.
If you have to do it again (I hope not), watch few of Steve Jobs’ and practice a little more. Or, maybe you could learn to deligate.
Thanks for your hard work.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Where’s the love of small business? Add the offer to the latitudes.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
[…] Mini 9 doesn’t appeal, how about picking up the netbook for just $99? That’s the latest deal on offer from the company, but as you’d expect there’s a catch: you can only take […]
September 4th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
What happened to the “Red” colored one. With only black or white available & a glossy screen I’m a no sale too.
Plus, I agree the hype was much more fun that the actual product.. Besides the base model being overpriced I cannot believe Dell also stuck with a freaking battery that only lasts for 3 hrs..!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
[…] I like it. Per Dell’s blog, you can add the new Inspiron Mini 9 netbook for $99 when you purchase one of three full-size, big […]
September 4th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
[…] Checkout: Without Further Ado, Meet Your New Best Friend […]
September 4th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
[…] [Direct2Dell] Posted September 4th, 2008 by admin This entry was posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 1:28 pm and is filed under Gadgets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. […]
September 4th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Every piece of equipment I’ve bought from Dell has worked perfectly; never needed support; and I could pick the features that were important to me. I’ve loved every Dell product I’ve ever owned. But I have to say, the horrendously poor communication plan for the Mini 9 has me wondering what the heck is going on down there in Texas.
After its existence was “accidentally” leaked by Mr. Dell himself, you’ve allowed completely false rumours to persist, and made no comment about the product when asked by media. Your reps were among those who where supplying false release information when called.
When a press release is made, the information is inaccurate. The Mini is not available in Canada today. We poor slobs have to wait another three days - information Dell reps didn’t even have until late in the day today.
I do “get” the fact that you wanted to try to keep the entry price and size/weight down hence the XP over Vista, the smaller battery, no optical drive, specs that don’t hold up to the other netbooks available, etc. But if you’re going to announce the availability of Linux, then make it available at launch, or at least be very clear in your releases when these options will be available.
Why only release it in black and white? Dell has been able to offer products in a beautiful array of colours (as illustrated by the photos of the red one that were leaked) that would have made this Mini really eye catching. Will the colour selection eventually expand? And why in the world would you charge extra for white? It’s white for heaven’s sake…
Honestly, had you taken this bull by the horns and controlled the information better; been clear and upfront about release dates; and managed the expectations of your potential customers; you could have really come through this with a lot of respect and a whole audience willing to wait for your product.
All I have is frustration and disappointment. Is that really how you want your customers to feel?
September 4th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
[…] If you can wait until 6 a.m. Central tomorrow, Sept. 5, you’ll be able to get a Mini for only $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 laptop through 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 (U.S. only). ~ YourBlog […]
September 4th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
There is nothing unique about the Mini 9 vs. other 8.9″ Atom-based netbooks other than the “Dell” logo and that it uses Ubuntu instead of some other Linux distro. All the features implied in the video as being unique to the Mini 9 (small size, 8.9″ screen, SSD storage, free cloud storage, easy-mode interface) have already been implemented in existing products by Asus and others. The only truly unique feature that was mentioned in the leaked Dell presentation from June, Blacktop, is a no-show in the released product. This instant-on feature would have made the Mini 9 a truly a standout product (and worth the few extra dollars over the Aspire one) vs. yet another me-too Eee PC wannabe.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
[…] – Dell blog) If you like this post, please share it with […]
September 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Wow, I’ve been waiting for this for months and I’ve got to say, I’m underwhelmed.
$449 for XP, 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 16GB HD, no webcam and plain old black??
Walmart.com is selling Acer Aspire Ones with XP, the same processor, same amount of RAM, 120GB hard drives, and webcams for $399, AND they’re BLUE.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10238325
Where is the pretty red shell from Michael Dell’s prototype? Where is the low price? I thought you were going to release something better than anything on the market, but this is just average.
I hope a lower price and more colors are coming in the near future.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
[…] Today, Dell launched the much-anticipated Inspiron Mini 9 netbook (a.k.a. mini-note, ultra-note, or whatever we’re calling this category). Tomorrow, you’ll be able to score one for just $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530, or XPS M1330 notebook… […]
September 4th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Why isn’t it available in Canada!?!? I need this for lectures (which have already started!) Acer Aspire one it is…
September 4th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
As usual Canada gets left high and dry. If we have to wait a day (hopefully friday) and we get the $99 deal, then I’ll be just as pleased, because that is a great idea for people who are already getting a full fledged laptop but perhaps want a little one, or a gift for someone.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
[…] systems, I have to believe that they’ll perform at a decent speed which means faster SSD. The Direct2Dell blog says that the Mini 9 has a starting weight of 2.28-pounds which is lighter than many others in this space, but when I hear “starting weight”, I […]
September 4th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
How about retroactively offering the $99 deal to customers like me who previously bought the XPS 1330 or 1530 with the Nvidia 8400GSM graphics, so that when our GPU melts down, at least we’ll have SOMETHING to work on.
And I’m not joking.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
.
A netbook should have a builtin 3G support for both linux and XP
It doesnt even address the security risk of losing your netbook and compromising valuable information.
.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Are the keys full size? When’s the half price model coming out? Available at BestBuy?
September 5th, 2008 at 2:56 am
Great, another US-centric offer. I don’t suppose Dell, the global company, will consider making this offer available in other parts of the global economy in which it operates?!?
September 5th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Another from ireland here, seems we are getting screwed again . No options stupid price , but even after this I was going to buy but to see the deal that the states get and we dont ,there is no way I am buying. It is ridiculous seeing that the factory is 2 miles away and we dont get the really good deals…….
September 5th, 2008 at 5:33 am
I’m usually pretty critical of most things Dell does, but this is a knockout. Cheap as dirt, but it still has Atom and some pretty sexy styling. Spartacus approves.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:40 am
@Frank Fitz
I just heard on the radio this morning that they may be closing their plant in Ireland, maybe we’ll start to get some decent deals from Dell when they’re shipping them in from India.
Dell are looking for a €120 premium in Ireland compared to America. Disgusting. I’m never buying Dell again.
September 5th, 2008 at 6: