Dell's Inspiron Mini 10 netbook gets a fresh new look and longer battery life to go along with technology enhancements and easy connectivity capabilities. Updates to the Mini 10 include optional high definition entertainment bundles that deliver rich, smooth playback of streaming HD video in addition to Web surfing, email, listening to music and sharing user-generated content in real time.

The new design with 10.1-inch display includes a textured, smudge-resistant palm rest, sculpted keys and, for the Inspiron Mini 10 mobility bundle, extended-life battery offering up to 9.5 hours1 of operation. The Mini 10 can be personalized with a broad range of optional colors or hundreds of optional custom artwork designs available in the Dell Design Studio.

The Inspiron Mini 10 will be offered with options including HD display, Broadcom Crystal HD media accelerator, surround sound capability, built in HDTV tuner, or built-in Wi-Fi location enabled GPS that provides people with real time information to nearby restaurants, landmarks, maps and entertainment.

Built-in wireless connectivity provides easy, quick access to the Internet and e-mail. Some models feature Bluetooth and Mobile Broadband communications.

Highlights

• New Intel Atom N450 processor at 1.66 GHz
• 10.1-inch display with standard (1024x600) or High Definition (1366x768) display available in coming weeks
• Built-in speakers with available SRS Surround sound
• HDTV tuner and location-aware GPS configurations available in coming weeks 
• Bundles with Broadcom Crystal HD for smooth HD playback coming in Q1
• Built-in 802.11 b/g wireless with available Bluetooth and Mobile Broadband
• 1GB4 DDR2 memory at 800MHz
• 160GB5 or 250GB hard disk drive storage
• Choice of 3 or 6-cell integrated battery with up to 9.5 hours1 of battery life (Inspiron Mini 10 mobility bundle only). 
• Choice of Windows 7 Starter or Windows XP Home, Ubuntu operating system option available in the coming weeks
• Lightweight: Starting at about 2.75 - 3.1 pounds6 with a 3-cell battery

Prices start at $299USD or $499AUD.

By Anthony Caruana