Dell Mini 5: we have it (update: new pics and video!)
By Richard Lai 
posted February 11th 2010 1:53PM
posted February 11th 2010 1:53PM
Update: We've just added a bunch of new pics!
Update 2: And now we have a quick video after the break. You're welcome.
Update 3: Our review is up!
@gargle
Time to upgrade from pockets to a man-purse. Been carrying one for many years now, and I can't go back. 5" and my murse - life is good!
@retread Im not going to buy this thing. It's to bulky. Why would I want something that's only slight bigger than the iPhone screen!
@GreenOrc
Huh? You're contradicting yourself. On the one hand you say it's too bulky, then on the other hand you say that it's not big enough. So which is it?
@GreenOrc this thing has double the screen space of the iphone screen, higher PPI aswell
@retread I would wear cargo pants and shorts if necessary. Seriously, this thing is borderline. A 5" screen would be awesome, but I would like to know exactly the dimensions of the whole unit. I would actually go cut a piece of wood to the same size and shape to see if I could stand carrying it in my pocket. Can't find them listed anywhere. Anyone got the straight dope?
@retread
its pretty big, but not that big.... seems usable.
But where are the specs?
Come on Engadget, help me out.
@retread It's called a Satchel. Indiana Jones carries one.
@retread
this phone looks fucking sick, did anyone notice that task bar on top of the screen??? although it will still have nothing on my pre... that's a pretty cool way of handling multitasking... the main thing keeping me with my pre is the card system... and while I do plan on sticking with webos... I might have to reconcider and look a little bit more into this phone :-), the closer phones get to functioning like a pc, the better :-) great job dell now lets hope the phone delivers on performance
@corylulu the only specs that are known are the Snapdragon proc.(same as Nexus One) and it's running android (obviously) and it's 5"
@retread
Loose fit Levi's work pretty good. The pockets are oversized and I will buy three new pair to go with my new 5" Dell Smartphone errrrrr tablet or whatever we call it. I want one, reminds me of the Dell Axim days but better.
I have a question: IS IT A PHONE? It has 3G, will it make calls and receive texts???
@viper24 Annnd I watched the video. It is a phone. And will be mine.
@corylulu
Calculated the size at about 77 x 147 x 10 mm.
Just an approximation, but it should tell you whether it fits in your pants ^^
@retread that screen size definitely warrants some sort of getting used to, it looks like it may be worth it!
I [like] WM6.5, but this device may be the one to switch me over to android!
Oh. I just want to be clear. I am not trying to stir trouble. Rather I am really interested in this device and I was sort of expecting Engadget to be a wealth of information now that you have one in your hands. So I was a bit surprised and disappointed that no previews/reviews have surfaced since you posted this.
@Anatidae That's because we're working on it! We take time on our reviews.
@Anatidae
I'm sure it's safe to say, "it's coming". If they had it by the end of the day, I would be surprised. I'm sure though that we won't see something until tomorrow or even until the next week because these guys have lives, it's teh weekend and it's time to wild-out! Also there are a lot of questions so they could be taking their time to try and answer as many as possible.
@Plazmic Flame You da man!
@retread Check out sev/scottevest, they have outerwear with pockets big enough for a netbook/kindle (and separate pockets for just about everything else).
@retread
Shaq: "Finnaly a phone that fits in my hands"
@PexCorrh
Call it what you like, it will still make you look like a dork still unsure about his sexual identity.
and its coming to AT&T ... nice
@anansie
Hopefully it's not $1100, this is meant for MAN HANDS.
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Dude-its-Michael-Dell-with-the-Dell-Mini-5-article-a_9261.html
@anansie Woow look at those cratches on the back cover... looks like Engadget were given the LeftBehind :(
@anansie
what???? looks like the same 30pin connector as apple's! can it work with my existing ipod dock??
@dark star
Has anyone noticed it lacks any branding on the front?
No Dell logo or AT&T logo
(surprised by dell logo cause Dell Mini 3 had it on the front)
I haven't really been following this so maybe the answer is obvious but is this a phone? Or is it like a mini netbook you can use as a MID "off contract?"
@elefant There were reports that it does support voice calls and texting. However, I don't believe there were official announcements to that effect. It would be smarter for Dell to market this as a MID with phone functions, than a phone, IMO.
@elefant
honestly, i wouldn't get this unless it worked well as a phone.
and on that note, how is the voice quality?
@elefant based on prior posts, it looks like it's coming to AT&T and does support calls, I think DELL does not want to call it phone because it does 10000 things and one of them is calling.
@elefant I guess, if it has a Voice call feature, then it should be bound by all possible AT &T Voice plan restraints, isnt it ?
@chandi
Does it matter that in the pictures it seems to show some type of cellular connection? (full bars, too!)
@Mr Oos I played with one of these last week at some market research thing. It definitely has a phone on it. But it still feels a bit of a big phone.
@jb909
Thanks for confirming. I also somehow remember Dell making a statement about it a couple months ago regarding it's ability to make calls. As for the size, it's definitely bigger than anything we're used to, but so was the iPhone and numerous other devices. I think our pockets can handle it ;)
@Mr Oos
It doesn't seem overly huge, but my Droid is already having a bit of a time in the pocket of my jeans when it comes time to fish it out. It still fits in there comfortably though but if I'm sitting down forget about it. This looks like it may be a little tougher, plus I'd rather avoid the whole "Is that a Dell Mini 5 in your pocket or are you just glad the Saints won the Super Bowl" thing.
@Deadly SideFX It is big, yeah, but so desirable. Of all the stuff we played with; that was the dvice I wanted to leave with. Watching videos on it was unbelievable - think its just a change of mindset if you want an all in one...
@Jimbojones
So does my Droid and its called a phone.
@elefant Yeah, Engadget - phone or not?
I find it really strange that the people who have these aren't directly addressing that - it seems like a really important question...
@jb909
Oh I'm not saying it isn't drool worthy, just that it would require adjustment. I'd happily make the adjustment if this thing can do what they claim. I love new tech, especially good tech.
Does it blend?
@andymac lol Gz saying that and getting upranked, and not downranked like on all the other posts :)
@geekthree must be my lucky day
@andymac
"must be my lucky day"
The irony would be if that last comment got down-ranked into oblivion.
@andymac I know everyone was thinking it the second they saw the article, first thing i did was search for the word blend
@andymac
lmfao!
"Comment".. Up Ranked
"Joy".. Down Ranked
Curious to see how this does, too bad its running 1.6, these guys really need to get with the times.
@gandhisfist no no no! I'm tired of people bashing headsets because of the OS they release with. 1.6 is the most stable Android release, and it's been around long enough for manufacturers to integrate PROPERLY. I don't want 2.1 if they are going to rush through it and release a buggy device (Moto Droid). I say release on 1.6 and take you time to create a good stable update.
@swaggtech Buggy? Really?
@swaggtech Moto Droid is buggy? It's about as buggy as any other device that I've ever used...
note: not buggy.
@swaggtech
I'm sorry but what is buggy with the Droid? Running 2.0.1 and there is not a bug in the core system. Sure some of the 3rd party apps like better keyboard and open home have some bugs but 2.0 and 2.1 are just as stable as 1.6