Dell has just posted an update that should take care of the annoying partition error in Ubuntu Inspiron Mini 9s that would cause systems with 8GB or 16GB storage to only have 4GB of formatted disk space. Run the update manager, install the patch, restart your system and voila, you have all the space you paid for. [Direct2Dell]
A 12-inch version of the Inspiron Mini, which sounds a lot like the still-not-available mystery product we saw at Tesco last month, has popped up on Dell’s website, which could mean a very soon release date. The user manuals, troubleshooting documents and tech guides for the Inspiron Mini 12 were hidden in the company’s product support pages.
The first time a mini-notebook is loaded with OS X, like any right of passage, it’s a major event. And now the Inspiron Mini 9 has become a man, or at least an honorary Apple fanboy. Loaded with a slipstreamed version of OSX in a manner similar to the MSI Wind, the wireless card, Ethernet and sound didn’t work initially but were fixed after the download of a few additional files.
We love Iron Man and really have nothing bad to say about the guy. But we were surprised to hear that customers who are personalising their Dell’s Inspiron, Studio or XPS will have the options to bump up the RAM, upgrade the video card and then preload Iron Man (in standard definition) with some extras for $US20.
Even though Vodafone is gleefully selling Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 with built-in 3G, it turns out that Mini 9s sold in the US actually don’t possess latent 3G powers like that annoying kid on Heroes. A solid source close to the matter told us that while every Mini 9 uses the same motherboard with a port for integrated mobile broadband (’cause it’s cheaper than using two versions), the mini 9s sold so far in the US don’t have the antenna or radio for 3G. However, they will by the end of the year, with Dell’s usual range of mobile broadband options.
According to BGR, The 8.9″ Aspire One netbook is expected to be available with integrated 3G starting this November in Taiwan. The upgrade will cost an additional US$95 over the standard model, but there is no word on when we might see a similar bundle arriving in the States. However, integrated 3G was always part of the plan, so with any luck we won’t have to wait too long. On a related note, jkOnTheRun spotted a Japanese newspaper flyer that appears to offer a similar bundle with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and the HP 2133 along with a US$370 subsidy when users sign up for a two-year 3G plan with Emobile. [BGR and jkOnTheRun]
The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 has been released in Australia as well as the US. I’ve been waiting to try and find out whether or not we’ll get a similar deal to the US$99 offer the US is getting, but it’s getting late in the day now, so I figured I’d fill you in on what I know now.
The netbook will set you back $599. Dell will begin shipping on September 10, but is available to order now. At launch it will be available in black, with more colours coming in the future. 16GB worth of flash storage, 1GB RAM and Windows XP SP3 keep the Mini 9 running, while Bluetooth, 802.11b/g keep you connected. There’s no word on a Linux version.
There’s also no word on whether an Australian mobile network is planning on subsidising the mini-lappy for its HSDPA connectivity, but here’s hoping.
[Dell]
When Michael Dell mentioned yesterday that he thinks telcos will subsidise netbooks to sell integrated 3G services, he wasn’t quite talking out of his ass—an unmentioned feature of the Inspiron Mini 9 is an integrated 3G card. The first carrier to sell the Mini with 3G is Vodafone in the UK. No carrier announcements in the US yet, but since it’s HSDPA (assumedly, because Vodafone UK is, and they aren’t letting you pick your 3G card) AT&T would pretty much be your only option here. Pretty nice trick up your sleeve, Dell. [PC Mag, Pocket Lint]
Until 6AM September 9th, according to Dell’s own blog, if you buy a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 machine from Dell, you can buy an Inspiron Mini 9 for a suitable mini price of US$99. It’s a mini bargain. AU: Not sure if this will follow through to the AU site, but I don’t think it will, somehow…
The way Dell introduced the Inspiron Mini 9 was pretty inspired, so it’s almost been depressing watching the steady stream of leaks deflate it into a now familiar device, even though it’s only being released today. As leaked, inside is an Intel Atom Diamondville processor and it has a 1024×600 LED-backlit screen with 4, 8 and 16GB SSD options (plus you get 2GB free online storage at Box.Net) and about three hours of battery life. Only the Windows XP version is available now for US$399, in black or white—the US$349 Ubuntu flavour, along with the rest of the six-colour rainbow are a few weeks away. galleryPost('inspironmini9', 3, '');
