Good e-book platform? New Dell mini notebook said to be launched this Tuesday
The scuttlebutt is that the Dell will launch the Dell E mini notebook on Tuesday. So says the Eee PC blog.
Supposedly the low-end Inspiron model will go for $299. As written up by Liliputing earlier this year, the new Dell minis will offer these specs:
- 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU
- Intel 945 Express/GMA950 graphics
- 1GB RAM
- 8.9 inch 1240 x 600 pixel display
- 8GB SSD [Elsewhere I've read 4GB]
- Windows XP or Linux [Might be just Linux]
- 3 USB ports
- 802.11b/g
- Ethernet
- 32 Wh battery
- Card reader
- Black, white and red colors
So what do you think of the 1240 x 600 pixel display? At first glance it would seem to be rather competitive with specs for the OLPC XO-1 machine with the backlight in use. But as you can see from Wikipedia’s XO-1 writeup, all kinds of variables enter the picture.
When I did own an XO-1, I tended to use the backlight. The contrast in the nonbacklight mode wasn’t sufficient for me, at least when the XO-1 was used inside. But with the backlight the viewing was indeed a treat. Can’t wait to see what the Dell looks like with FBReader.
Also of interest is that the linux version of the Dell E is "instant on." My XO-1 took a minute or so to boot up.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I don’t know. Unless there’s something I’m not seeing in that picture, and it has a way to fold around and become a tablet, I’m not sure how good an ebook reader it would make in terms of form factor. I would want to be able to hold it in one hand.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Chris, I agree with you about the superiority of tablets for e-booking. But ergonomically, a small tablet will be less of a hassle than a large one.
Of course, let’s hope that, like OLPC, Dell eventually does do a convertible model.
Alas, the OLPC comes with so many performance tradeoffs that it might be worth it to investigate the Dell if, say, you want to do newspaper reading as well as e-book reading.
Thanks,
David
August 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Caution is indicated, however. My Eee PC makes a nice ebook reader, but inside only. The screen completely washes out when you take it into the sunlight. I had hoped to use it for some GPS work in my car, but it washes out there, also.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Excellent point, Paul, but I do most of my e-reading inside, where a good LCD would probably be bright enough. Thanks. David
August 10th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I will be getting one of these shortly after launch, and will post my impressions.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Brian, we can’t wait. Looking forward to a detailed writeup of the Dell mini if you have time. If you want, you can email it to me and I’ll post it in the main part of the blog. Accompanying photos would be great if your schedule allows.
Thanks,
David