Dell releasing the Mini 12 netbook this week?
Last year, I started looking for a linux laptop and ended up just migrating my old Windows laptop over to Ubuntu Linux. Since my personal preference is for smaller sized laptops, I have also been keeping an eye on the new low-cost netbooks. Currently, I'm leaning toward the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with Ubuntu already installed. However, my personal sweet spot for a laptop seems to be in the 10 to 12 inch range.
Today, at Dell.com I came across reference to a yet to be released Inspiron Mini 12 (1210)! While there have been rumors circulating on the Web that Dell will be introducing a 12.1 inch Mini netbook or (and) E Slim, I don't think anyone has reported seeing actual references of the Inspiron Mini 12 at Dell.com. Until now! Perhaps we'll be seeing the Inspiron Mini 12 released this week or possibly next week? If the price is reasonable and Ubuntu is available, this Mini 12 will be my next notebook.
Update: Within the past couple hours the Mini 12's User Manual has been made available at Dell.com. Also, Engadget has picked up on this story with a link back to CMSReport.com! Our host server hasn't been tested with high volume traffic for a few months. I have a feeling the enthusiastic Engadget crowd is going to raise up the heat on the server...
Update 2: Basic specifications from the 1210 user manual shows that this netbook includes:
- the Intel Atom Z520 or Z530
- 1GB DDR2 RAM
- 10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth, WLAN, optional WWAN
- 12.1 inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution
- two full size Mini Card slots with stand-offs premounted for half size support
- 3-cell or 6-cell battery options
- Total Weight: 2.73 lbs (1.24 kg) with 3-cell battery and 3.06 lbs (1.39 kg) with 6-cell battery
Update 3: A number of other gadget sites have picked up on this post. Some of those sites include, MyDellMini, SlashGear, UMPC Portal (good tech article), I4U, Crunchgear, and Electronista. It's really too bad some of my content management posts don't get this kind of traffic!
Update 4: Looks like Dell may have removed the link for the manuals to the Dell Inspiron Mini 12 (1210). Due to copyright issues, it likely isn't in my best interest to post the manuals online. However, if you have a specific question regarding the Mini 12 and think the answer may be in the manual, feel free to ask via comments here
Update 5: As of Oct 22nd, no return of the manuals, but there is a BIOS A01 (Initial Release) available for the Mini 12.
Update 6: As of Oct 26, Dell announces the Mini 12 (via Engadget). Unfortunately, the Mini 12 is being released in Japan first before going global later in November. I posted a comment with the Japan spec options at Engadget as well as below. $600 USD...not bad and with Ubuntu Linux it should beat the price/convenience of a Macbook Air anyday.
Great Scoop
Great Scoop! Now let's see if the Mini 12 is actually released this week, next week, or while you're eating turkey (pun intended).
Question from a non-computer savvy person
I'm pretty basic with laptops, and am happy with my Dell Inspiron E1505. But it's getting older, and I'm looking for something more travel-friendly.
I basically use my laptop to check my email and facebook, type up homework, and store pictures from my digital camera (no fancy photo stuff. I just upload pictures and then put them online). Will Microsoft Office be able to run fine on the Mini 12 with Vista?
Also, I play solitaire. But that's about the extent to which I would use this laptop.
I'm just trying to make sure that it can meet my basic needs before I order.
Inspiron 13
MS Office should work on the Mini 12 with Vista...but at only 1GB RAM you're probably looking at things running rather sluggish. If you want to stick with Dell as well as Windows Vista, I would suggest taking a look at the Inspiron 13. For your purposes, you shouldn't need anything more than 2GB of RAM.
Wait?
Would it be a decent idea to wait for the mini 12 to come out with the option of Windows XP? Thanks also, for the suggestion for the Inspiron 13. I'm looking into it.
Windows XP or Linux
Personally, I would wait for the XP version. For myself, I'm waiting for the Ubuntu Linux version to come out (along with the price).
-Bryan
Size?
Does the manual list the dimensions?
Size Matters
Yes, it does.
Physical
Height 21 mm to 24 mm (0.83 in to 0.98 in)
Width 99 mm (11.8 in)
Depth 29 mm (9 in)
Weight (with 3-cell battery): Configurable to less than 1.24 kg (2.73 lbs)
Display Dimmensions
Height 163.2 mm (6.42 in)
Width 261.12 mm (10.28 in)
Diagonal 308 mm (12.1 in)
Dell has killed the link
As far as I can tell. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but the Dell link to the 1210 goes to a driver download page now. Piffle. Turkeys.
You're doing nothing wrong,
You're doing nothing wrong, Dell killed the link (as I mentioned a couple days ago in "Update 4").
Optical Drive?
Any mention of a built-in optical cd/dvd drive?
I would be surprised
I've yet to see a netbook w/ an optical drive... that's the trade off of small AND cheap.
No optical drive from what I
No optical drive from what I can tell.
hard drive
does it mention the size of the hard drive? I hope its more than 16GB like the 9
Hard Drive
It really, doesn't say in the specs. In the manual for the drive though, it would indicate that it is a hard drive and not SSD. I would suspect it is a decent size drive.
Dell Inspiron 1210 MINI 12
So I talked to my special dell Rep and he says it will not be a Solid state Drive.
It will be a regular SATA drive and a nice size like 60GB-80GB.
Also will have an Optical drive. CDRW/DVD or DVDRW. 12" screen of course.
Should be very nice and prices at around $499.00-$599.00
It will be before Turkey DAY.
HAVE FUN!!~!!!
The mini9 is way too small.
Dude, I'm hoping that your
Dude, I'm hoping that your source is credible because I'm all over it if true!
Dude I am all over it to.
Dude I am all over it to. Keep checking the website. My rep could only tell me so much. I am buying one to. Have a great holiday!!
Is that Optical drive
Is that Optical drive internal or external? I'm not seeing a mention of it in the user manual/service manual.
I was told it would be
I was told it would be internal. The mini 9 was too small for one and that is what is going to make this mini12 better. Good luck to ya.
Brian
Mini 12 hard disk - 1.8"
1.8" is not a regular (2.5") SATA drive.
http://www.engadget.com/photos/dell-e-an...
Mini 12 hard disk - 1.8"
It is going to be a SATA drive. Now if that is a 2.5" or a 1.8" I don't know. Good luck to ya. I am going to find out more on Monday and will post it here. CHEERS!!!!
According to APCMag: Unlike
According to APCMag:
Specs/Options of Mini 12 per Dell Japan
Specs for the Dell Inspiron Mini 12 from the Japanese Site (using Babelfish...so some issues in translation)
CPU
The Intel ® Atom TM processor Z520 (1.33GHz and 512KB L2 cash, 533MHz FSB)
The Intel ® Atom TM processor Z530 (1.6GHz and 512KB L2 cash, 533MHz FSB)
OS
Windows Vista® Home Basic SP 132 bit proper edition (Japanese edition)
Memory
1GB DDR2-SDRAM memory
Chip set
The Intel ® system controller Hub US15W
Graphics
The Intel ® GMA500
Liquid crystal display
12.1 inch TFT TrueLife TM WXGA glossy liquid crystal display (1280x800)
Audio & speaker
HD audio conformity, monaural speaker (1W x1)
Built-in microphone x1 (analog)
Hard disk
60GB/80GB HDD (4200 revolutions)
Optical drive
It is not
* As for this product the recovery media is attached, but because optical drive is not loaded onto the system, when constituting it is necessary selection to receive external drive, or to prepare optical drive with customer himself. With the drive where the customer is prepared concerning OS recovery when it cannot support, because it is, please acknowledge.
Port and slot
USB 2.0 x3
Ethernet port (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX and RJ-45)
VGA port (15pin)
Audio jack (Line-out x1 and Mic-in x1)
5-in-1 media card reader (SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/MS Pro)
AC adapter connector
Power source battery
30W AC adapter
3 cell lithium ion batteries (drive time: Maximum of 3 hour 32 minutes)
Web camera
1,300,000 pixel web camera
Wireless
802.11b/g built-in wireless LAN module built-in Bluetooth module (V2.1+EDR)
With glossy display and a
With glossy display and a price of 999$ the netbook suddenly becomes very uninteresting.
Vista & 1 Gig Max?
I can't see how these will sell loaded w/ Vista.
I'm all over one when they release it configured w/ XP.
Brian....can you get us a XP date?
My understanding is that XP
My understanding is that XP and Ubuntu are in a December/January time frame. It makes you wonder if they're trying to push Vista for the holiday season.
I'm still going back and forth between Dell's Mini 9 and Mini 12.
Dell MINI specs and release date
I am back:
Thanks Bryan for the specs from the Japanese website. Dell released it first in Japan. The United States is next.
I talked to my Sales REP once again and here it some more info:
The Dell MINI 12 MODEL: 1210 will be available on:
Towards the end of the first week of November.
Should be priced at about $549.00- 599.00. VISTA preloaded.
Windows XP & Ubuntu towards Christmas.
With 1GB and a 4200RPM drive for VISTA?? I might wait for XP
Cheers!!!!
Release date
Any update on the release date? I am tempted to get the Lenovo s10, but the 1024x600 screen is putting me off... Dell has got the 1280x800 screen that I want, but the wait is killing me!
I thought it would be the
I thought it would be the first few weeks in Nov. For sure before Thanksgiving. I heard the Lenova has a very loud clicky trackpad buttons. LG X110 Netbook will have 3G Wireless card. Surf anywhere. Also Samsung NC10 will be a very nice one to. Dell will have the largest screen at 12". Anything less than 10" LCD is too small.
Good luck.
Mini 12 Available
Dell's Inspiron Mini 12 was made available today: http://www.dell.com/content/products/pro...
Currently only available with Vista.
Great!!
Thank you!!!
I will order one, I want the 80GB one, but it says that it comes with a 6 cells battery... would that cause the battery to go out of the laptop in every direction? I wouls certainly hate that.
Ordered...
I ordered one, it said expected shipping date is 4th of December.
Curious that it comes with a bluetooth USB module and not an internal one and it is not optional.
NETBOOK.....G-LAN,WLAN-N
NETBOOK.....G-LAN,WLAN-N