Dell confirms Inspiron 910 netbook arriving this week

Dell's Inspiron 910 / Mini Inspiron hasn't exactly been a secret since we first heard about it back in April, but it sounds like this baby bump is about to go from open secret to bouncing bundle of joy -- Dell just confirmed to InformationWeek that the netbook is scheduled to arrive later this week. That's all we know right now -- Dell reps called those earlier specs we'd heard "pretty much rumor and speculation" -- but we'll go out on a limb and say we wouldn't expect anything less than an 8.9-inch screen and 1.6GHz Atom in there. Sorry if we killed the surprise, guys -- but remember, you can still wow us with the price tag.

[Thanks, AC]

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 7:59PM]

It's old news. Engadget already covered these days ago.

But what i'm curious about is that -- does anyone notice the difference between the basically two versions of leaked pictures?

Above the keyboard, what do we have?

1) A power and a square-shaped four-key console thingy on the right? (just like in this blog entry's pic)

2) OR just a power? (as in previous spy shots)

[jdripper Posted Sep 3rd 2008 5:20AM]

> the keyboard is missing a lot of keys
Yeah, like F11 which is essential when using Firefox on a netbook.
It's a pain to use the menus rather than a one touch key.

[0megapartcle Posted Sep 2nd 2008 8:00PM]

You really have to wonder what the Dell folks were smoking when they came up with that keyboard. Yes, certain keys can be sacrificed, and as radical the move of completely removing the function key row is, I could even live with that. But they moved or removed practically every single key aside from the 26 letters.

Too much guys. I would rather have all the keys be a little smaller, and have the main punctuation keys be closer to their default location, than the current monstrosity.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 8:01PM]

Wait, please tell me that keyboard isn't final!

I've been waiting for this forever, but I can't imagine typing on that incredibly odd alignment (not to mention the lack of brackets and quotes).

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 8:03PM]

Is that seriously the final keyboard? Why are the keys aligned so... terribly?

[sinjinn Posted Sep 2nd 2008 8:33PM]

for $299 thats what you get

[zuke Posted Sep 2nd 2008 8:08PM]

If this is actually $299, I'm in for one!

I'd get an Acer One if the trackpad buttons weren't on the left/right side vs. the bottom.

[Ridgecity Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:06PM]

I got one, and don't see that as a problem, maybe it would be if you have big hands, but the acer would be too small anyways...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 8:24PM]

I'm also looking for easy upgradability in Dell's netbook.
Those already on the market offers limited upgrade options, e.g. single ram slot, and feasibility as you have to open the back.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:09PM]

I was really looking forward to the Mini Inspiron until...

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?c=us&dl=false&l=en&s=gen&treeid=55EA87E6ED238BF3E040AE0AB7E12FB1&doclang=en&cs=

HAHA - I hope this is confined to the pre-release stock...

[Darryl Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:24PM]

Is there finally going to be a mini laptop that has a fast(er) SSD but doesn't cost $600? And more than 4 GB flash? I need to be able to run windows if I get one, I'm cheap, and I don't want no nanokeyboard.

[nzomatrix Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:27PM]

Hopefully this Dell rep is official spokesperson and not one of the customer service reps who have been giving widely different dates for release.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:46PM]

no function keys is a deal breaker for me. i launch programs using alt+f2 all the time, my most common way of closing windows is with alt+f4, on my laptop fn+f(x) provides an easy way of controlling volume and brightness, turning off wireless, and putting the computer to sleep. i'm not going to bother learning a whole slew of new keyboard shortcuts for one computer so, well done dell! you just saved me a bit of money.

[bobsmith Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:54PM]

alt+F2 becomes alt+Fn+s

alt+F4 becomes alt+Fn+f

What's the big deal? I would rather type those keys in because they are closer to the home row. Having to look at the keyboard to make sure i click the right function key is a hassle. They move around on every keyboard anyways.

[pakkman781 Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:46PM]

I just sold my Eee about a month ago. Maybe come Christmas time this will succeed it :) I wonder how well it runs OS X :P

[dratun Posted Sep 3rd 2008 1:50AM]

ok, what is your solution if you have to use the F11 or F12 keys?

[ethana2 Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:54PM]

It's going to ship with an Ubuntu Netbook edition option. I may consider getting one for my mom if it's not too costly..
..but as for me, I'm happy with my Inspiron 1420n, even though the XPS line is looking REALLY good these days.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 10:59PM]

Hey!!!!!
I spotted support docs for the Inspiron 910 on Dell's Web Site this evening. They were not there yesterday! Just type "Inspiron 910" on Dell's Main Page and you will see "Keyboard, LED, Optical Drive Support Notes". These are only a few days old according to their timestamps...!!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 11:24PM]

Ubuntu version would be $349
Windows XP version is $389

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2008 11:26PM]

I will stick with my mac..........

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 2:21AM]

I'm sure that everyone cares about how awesome your crappy mac is, but this is a discussion about Netbooks not a discussion about how much you love Steve Jobs.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 1:36AM]

When will Dell hire a decent designer?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 2:58AM]

I could not wait for Dell's masterpiece so I went ahead and purchased a blue AspireOne. I absolutely love it and the touchpad with the vertical buttons do not bother me at all. This is a fantastic computer and the $349.99 I paid for it at BestBuy on their national ad last week for the 1GB/120GB made my purchase even sweeter. I am using the AspireOne right now and since I received it last week, I have used it every day, it has now replaced my four year old Dell Inspiron 700m which weighs a heavy 4.3 pounds!

Also, I love the keyboard on my AspireOne because it does not affect my typing speed whatsoever. All in all, I am very happy with my decision and I could return the computer without any penalty, but the Dell had better be incredible before I would even consider doing that. By the way, my Verizon USB727 with the EVDO RevA technology is fantastic on the AspireOne...I used it on a 500 mile Amtrak trip yesterday and it was quite amazing...the UCLA-Tennessee game on my SlingBox went off without a hitch.

I love this this technology! These "netbooks" will be this holiday season's great purchases for family computers...that is certainly my prediction!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 3:23AM]

Is that just for North America or is it for the UK too. They should release it in the UK first since we always pay 50% more than everyone else for our technology!

(my old laptop is also bricked and I can't afford a full-scale one!)

Is the 10" model available immediately too...? 8.9 is ok, but I'd like a 10" one.

Questions Questions

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 8:01AM]

UK & European release information here:

http://www.matt-helps.com/dell_inspiron_910_mini_subnotebook_uk

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 10:50PM]

"and it has no cdrom."

Thank god. Basically the only time I use a cdrom drive is when I install Windows. It annoys me that they do not make a better effort to make generic modules for the cdorm port to accept other devices on laptops.

[jrinco11 Posted Sep 25th 2008 10:00AM]

finally got mine the other night, and wrote a bit about it here for anyone who's intersted -- http://www.jrin.net/2008_09_25/dell-inspiron-mini-9-usage-review

it's basically on par with the acer aspire one (though I like the acer better) -- the dell has a bit better battery life, better webcam in low light conditions, but the keyboard layout kinda sucks (the moved the apostrophe/double quote down by the space bar...)