Vodafone to offer 3G-equipped Inspiron Mini 9

It's still not quite a standard offering from cellphone carriers, but it looks like the 3G-equipped netbook is fast headed in that direction, with Vodafone now following T-Mobile's Eee-centric lead by offering a mobile broadband-friendly version of Dell's brand new Inspiron Mini 9. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing or country availability just yet (that's promised in the "coming weeks"), but the 3G-equipped Mini 9 will apparently be available by the end of the month, and the deal is exclusive for Europe, so it looks like any other European carriers interested in hopping on this particular bandwagon will have to make do with one of the other 9,000 netbooks currently on the market.

[Via Xataka]

[220v @ Sep 4th 2008 12:55PM]

Maybe this is their chance to go to five-year contract subsidies...

[Dopefish @ Sep 4th 2008 3:33PM]

In the UK they give away full laptops not just netbooks for free with 2yr or 18month contracts:

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/commerce/servlet/gben-server-PageServer?article=MAIN.UK.INTERNET.TRADEWIRELESS.IMAGES1.LAPTOPS

[Flashpoint @ Sep 4th 2008 12:57PM]

I'd like to see HP, Dell and Sony offer built in broadband wireless more often. This way, for people new to computers, they could get the internet immediately delivered to their new device.

Alot of consumers don't knwo the difference between broadband wireless and wifi. If more companies took the route AOL did, and offer internet signup right out the box for ibroadband wireless , I'm sure they'd get alot of customers.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 1:03PM]

"ibroadband wireless"?

[StalematE @ Sep 4th 2008 12:58PM]

yes, but can it play doom... ok i'll stop

[Reader @ Sep 4th 2008 4:39PM]

You spam Engadget, I sign up all your E-mail for spam.

[phanbouy @ Sep 4th 2008 4:51PM]

all your email are belong to Reader

[bob sakamano @ Sep 4th 2008 1:01PM]

does the 9000 include those released by asus? i would assume the number is much higher

[Ryan @ Sep 4th 2008 2:08PM]

IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAND!

[phanbouy @ Sep 4th 2008 4:52PM]

TIMMEH!

[Homeboy @ Sep 4th 2008 1:28PM]

Still not interested. 4GB capacity and 512MB RAM is just unacceptable.

[nano @ Sep 5th 2008 10:54AM]

I´m agree with Homeboy 4GB capacity and 512MB RAM is just unacceptable. We wait so long Dell

[cmj2405 @ Sep 4th 2008 3:10PM]

In the UK, it seems the base spec is actually the 1gb RAM with 16gb SSD, but it's only available in black

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 4th 2008 2:38PM]

Then you can do one of two things.

1) Upgrade it yourself.
2) Upgrade it on Dell's site when you order it.

It's really hard, I know, but at least then it would be acceptable to you.

[Phoenix @ Sep 4th 2008 4:35PM]

Any colour you want, so long as it's black

[micrypt @ Sep 4th 2008 5:31PM]

@cmj2405 : which reminds me...where are all those shiny colours from the leaked images??

......£299......Dell...Why?

[kjb434 @ Sep 4th 2008 1:31PM]

So we finally see the true reason for all of these UMPC's: It's to create new devices for mobile phone carriers.

The concept of Wi-Fi as it currently exist will never be a nationwide or worldwide network.

High speed wireless will have to be delivered through wireless phone/data carriers. Having a computer that has a spot to slap a SIM card or could simple log onto a GSM network with other validation without a proprietary carrier card installed is the sweet spot.

Think about how cheap UMPC's are, they can be a crap load cheaper with a contract set up through a carrier. Businesses can issue laptops much easier through a carrier than their own IT departments.

Expect to see all slightly capable UMPC's to begin featuring GMS connectivity (sorry CDMA unless Verizon/Sprint get involved) and eventually setting exclusivity deals with carriers.

[kjb434 @ Sep 4th 2008 1:32PM]

That last GMS should be GSM.....

[kranrev @ Sep 4th 2008 2:09PM]

This is becoming a pretty common tactic here in Europe. In Italy, TIM offers an eee and a 3G modem as part of a bundle for service. Sign a two year contract and pay 29 euro a month for a computer and internet.

Its funny how the technology has brought us right back to the 'People PC' business model.