Dell Freshens Up Its Mini 10 Netbook with Ubuntu

May 11, 2009

Dell now provides its 10" Mini 10 netbook with Ubuntu in the U.S. and Canada, with the rest of the world to follow shortly.

The Mini 10 netbook has been around with Windows XP for two months and now comes with Ubuntu at least in the U.S. and Canada, according to DELL-Anne C in Dell's community blog. The Ubuntu version costs $400, while the XP model is steeper at $500. The Linux version provides a further benefit: because the netbook isn't bound by Microsoft's requirements for Windows XP, the Mini 10 comes with a 32-GByte ($75) and even 64-GByte ($125) solid state disk (SSD) option. The 6-cell battery option ($30) gives the netbook an 8-hour battery life compared to the 3 hours or so for the standard battery, and a mid-range 3-cell option with 28 WHrs and just under 4 hours battery life is also available for $15. Last but not least, the Mini 10 provides an edge-to-edge HD display option ($35) at a 1366 x 768 resolution.

Dell Mini 10 with Ubuntu
Ubuntu as the operating system of choice on Dell Mini 10.

The Inspiron Minis run on the Ubuntu 8.04 Long Term Support (LTS) version, although Dell spiffed up the graphical interface somewhat and expanded the original 8.04 with NetworkManager. The Community blog page includes a short video on the Mini 10 from Doug Anson, Dell's Linux technology strategist.

Along with the built-in ATSC tuner, Dell promises that the Mini 10 will also make its appearance soon in Europe with a DVB-T tuner.

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Comments

  • @VS Dude

    You're such a microsoft shill. I saw you on Tectonic as well; peddling your drivel.

  • Mini 12 for the same price

    Last time I checked you could get the mini 12 for $400 with Ubuntu, much better screen resultion... just something to think about.

  • You mean more Ubuntu forum postings!

    Sorry to say but the truth is, if (and that's a big "if"blunk Ubuntu does get into more hands because of this and if (again, a big "if"blunk they decide not to return it, you're going to find a lot more irritated newbies in Ubuntu forums. So get ready for the deluge!

  • $100 difference?

    Looking at the dell site - the XP version costs the same as the Ubuntu version with the same specs for $400.

    In fact, the XP version comes with "Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year" whereas Ubuntu does not.

  • Hurray!

    Good news, more ubuntu users is allways good for the community...
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