Wait, What? Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Packs Integrated 3G?

General

Of all the details that Dell could have omitted from the launch of its Inspiron Mini 9, we would think that one of the mini-notebook’s most distinguishing features might have made it to the table. According to Dell spokeswoman Anne Camden, Dell’s new tiny dancer is packing an integrated 3G card. Talk about easter eggs! While there isn’t much detail to be found from Dell, the fact that Vodaphone has already announced that it will be offering the Mini 9 leads us to believe that we’re talking about a tri-band card here. Presumably it will play nicely in Europe and here in the US we’re going to assume that it’s packing 850 MHz for use on AT&T’s high-speed networks. Considering you can now pick up a unit for as little as $99, the story just keeps getting better as far as we’re concerned. Dell is likely in talks right now with a certain US carrier (the reason for Dell’s silence perhaps) and it will be interesting to see what comes of it. Of note, Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 is said to have a battery life in the three-hour range with no mention of 3G. We can only imagine what will happen when users start streaming video and whatnot over 3G. Ouch.

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27 Comments
  • The Word Was On The Street (Oasis)

    Truly clueless Backbeat. Didn’t I see you mopping floors at the mall? After all, a wrench would be too technical for you. Keep taking the pills.

  • sue

    My dell mini 9 (received the beginning of this month, October 2008) came without a connector on the motherboard for the 3G card; all the traces are there and the mounting holes but they took the connector off completely. If it didn’t cost me a hundred dollars restocking fee I’d consider sending it back, they emasculated the motherboard, even if the 3G stuff isn’t going to materialize the modders were already salivating over what else could have been plugged into that slot (like another SSD) and Dell could have gotten sales off those upgrades if I’d been given the choice I would have coughed up another fifty for a motherboard with the connector still on it. Overall I like the machine and the battery life isn’t bad but there should be a real latch on it and not just the hinge and they should also have the 12v adapters out. Future upgrades are a touch screen and a bigger ssd (mydigitaldiscount.com has the bigger ones already I’m sure the price will come down soon). I’m using mine to run gps software in the car, once I can find a touch screen mod (they’re already out for the ASUS) this box will be absolutely perfect for that application.

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