Dell posted a blog entry titled “Dell’s Mini 10 Packs a Punch“, but this punch is the punch of a 2 year old. Don’t get me wrong, some 2 year old’s can punch very decently for their age, but that’s nothing compared to a grown man, not to mention a professional boxer. Dell is a respectable company in the computer industry, well know for its customization (in fact that was why Michael Dell founded the company). Which is why it baffles me that they are releasing the Mini 10 like this.
If you read over their blog entry, you will see that it is the official announcement of the Mini 10. Awesome, right? Not so fast… They are releasing the Mini 10, but you have a total of ZERO (0) upgrade options. Even the RAM is fixed “which means it will not be upgradeable”. Please, this is no $250 sweet netbook — this is a cheap piece of shit that costs $400.
Do you want Linux on it? Not available initially.
Do you want an SSD? Not available initially.
Do you want GPS, Bluetooth, TV Tuner, or Mobile broadband? Not available initially.
Do you want upgraded RAM? Not available initially.
Catching the theme here? So the next logical question is “When will it be?”. Which is exactly what I asked. Here’s the response I got from Lionel Menchaca, Dell’s Chief Blogger:
ShakataGaNai: Thanks for your comment and for your patience. I tried to provide a good overview of the kind of options that will ultimately be available on the Mini 10. I will provide updates to this post as new information is available.
Does that answer your question? Cause I know it doesn’t answer mine. I don’t give a flying fruitcake if it is available for free with 24kt gold coating, eventually. I want to know WHEN. Might as well rename it from the “Dell Inspiron Mini 10” to the “Dell Inspiron Not Available 10”.
My answer to Dell’s jerking around of it’s customers? I went and bought an ASUS Eee PC 1000. It’s got: 1.6 Ghz Atom, 10.2″ 1024×600 Screen, 40GB SSD, 1GB RAM (Upgradeable), Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, Webcam & 5+ Hr battery life. That’s everything I want, except 2GB of RAM, and more, for less than the “Not Available 10”. It cost me only $387 from Amazon, and it will be here Monday. So next week, stay tuned for a review.