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Dell Jumps on Cheap Notebook Trend

Caters to emerging low-cost high-mobility market

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Cheap, small notebooks look like the next big thing. Dell today announced it was jumping into the burgeoning segment, which doesn’t quite have a name yet—some call them netbooks, others mini-notebooks, still others ultramobile PCs or UMPCs. Dell’s machine will start at $399, and sport a wee 8.9-inch screen, the Wall Street Journal reports.

On the price scale, Dell’s offering falls between the category’s best-known device, Asustek Computer’s Eee, which retails for $299, and rival Hewlett-Packard’s $499 Mini-Note. “The bottom line is that we are going to enter the market with products that are smaller and lighter and address more mobile users in a very cost-effective way,” said a Dell spokeswoman.

Christine Wright of Hewlett Packard Company holds a new class of miniaturized HP laptops called netbooks in San Francisco, Thursday, April 3, 2008.  Dell says its new notebook will be similar.
Christine Wright of Hewlett Packard Company holds a new class of miniaturized HP laptops called "netbooks" in San Francisco, Thursday, April 3, 2008. Dell says its new notebook will be similar.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Michael Dell, chairman and founder of Dell Inc., speaks during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
Michael Dell, chairman and founder of Dell Inc., speaks during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Dell's first fully rugged notebook, the Latitude XFR D630.
Dell's first fully rugged notebook, the Latitude XFR D630.   (AP Photo)
A Dell computer is seen on display at the Dell booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 9, 2008.  Dell is expected to release quarterly earnings Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008.
A Dell computer is seen on display at the Dell booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 9, 2008. Dell is expected to release quarterly earnings Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Dell Inspirons are seen in this file photo. Dell intends to release a new small computer for mobile customers soon, this time at a very low price point.
Dell Inspirons are seen in this file photo. Dell intends to release a new small computer for mobile customers soon, this time at a very low price point.   (AP Photo)
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