Dell's Mini 9 vanishes from retail site as red Studio XPS 16 returns (update: Mini 9 is on the outs)

We don't want to point fingers, but at the same time Dell's Studio XPS 16 red option suddenly returns -- now a "Merlot" instead of once-axed "Crimson" -- the Mini 9 conspicuously goes missing from the company's website. Coincidence? We think not. It's a regular murder mystery, and it looks like we have our prime suspect here, caught... erm, red-lidded. Catching the killer, though, won't bring it back, but at least its younger brother, the Vostro A90, still seems to alive and kicking.

Update: We just got off the phone with a Dell customer service rep who told us the same thing a handful of our tipsters heard: the Mini 9's being phased out, with its official "End of Life" possibly as soon as Monday. Shed a tear for our 2008 netbook of the year.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Read - Merlot red Studio XPS 16
Read - Dell.com search for "Mini 9"
Read - Refurbished Laptop stockroom

[stridermt2k Posted May 30th 2009 8:53AM]

Wow, no more Mini 9s.

I love mine, but there will doubtless be another awesome one around the corner.

(probably not from Dell this time though, sorry Mike.)

[(Unverified) Posted May 30th 2009 10:03AM]

The new Dell Latitude 2100 10" Netbook has an optional touch screen and looks like a nice alternative to the Mini 9, but does any one know if this one could be turned easily into a Hackintosh?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 8:46PM]

The Mini 9 is available again (for a limited time). Thru July 30, there is a $40 off deal, so you can pick one up for $199.