Dell E Rumored at $299

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/07/15/dell.e.due.august.for.299/' target='_blank'>http://www.electronista.com/article...august.for.299/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The upcoming Dell E mini notebook may finaly make its appearance next month and may be one of the least expensive, claim alleged insiders. The 8.9-inch portable will have the same 1.6GHz Atom processor, Linux, and flag storage storage of many similar devices but will purportedly sell in August for just $299, or $80 less than the Acer Aspire One that has held the price crown in the class for just a matter of weeks. The most recent leak suggests Dell will reach the low price through a model known as the E Classic, which will have just 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and Linux; the more popular model will likely be the more expensive E Video with doubled RAM, storage, and a built-in webcam."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1216168995.usr10.jpg" border="1" alt="" /></p><p>Well unless this baby sprouts some warts, I think I'll be picking one up to replace my Eee.&nbsp; Since the specs are equal to or better than the Eee in every way, I imagine it will outperform it as well as have a much better screen.&nbsp; It is really all down to the Linux distro then end up with and how well they optimize it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Jason Dunn]

This is shaping up to be a really nice product on paper...here's hoping in real life it looks/runs just as good!

[Macguy59]

Very intriguing. Vista option?

[Jason Dunn]

Very intriguing. Vista option?

I'm sure there will be a Vista option...but not much details yet.

[Macguy59]

I'm sure there will be a Vista option...but not much details yet.

As one of the goofy 80's movie characters would say . . . More input !

[Jason Dunn]

As one of the goofy 80's movie characters would say . . . More input !

Well, I emailed my Dell PR contact today asking for some details, and maybe a review unit, so I'll see what I can do for you. :)

[onlydarksets]

Are these types of laptops locked down, or can you easily wipe them clean and then install whatever OS you want on them?

[Jason Dunn]

Are these types of laptops locked down, or can you easily wipe them clean and then install whatever OS you want on them?

They should be completely open and able to accept any OS.

[Felix Torres]

Are these types of laptops locked down, or can you easily wipe them clean and then install whatever OS you want on them?

So far, the vendors are providing XP drivers either on disk or online so a lot of folks are buying the Linux versions (which usually have larger storage capacity) and installing custom versions of Windows.
Other OSes (Linux, BSD, MacOS) also install, subject to the usual caveats: its up to you to find the drivers and make it work.:)

Now, whether DELL will or won't follow those practices...
<shrug>
We'll just have to wait-n-see...

[onlydarksets]

So far, the vendors are providing XP drivers either on disk or online so a lot of folks are buying the Linux versions (which usually have larger storage capacity) and installing custom versions of Windows.
Other OSes (Linux, BSD, MacOS) also install, subject to the usual caveats: its up to you to find the drivers and make it work.:)

Now, whether DELL will or won't follow those practices...
<shrug>
We'll just have to wait-n-see...
Good to know, thanks!
</shrug>

[txa1265]

It will be interesting to see how all of these shape up ... I love my HP2133 but am always looking for cool new toys ;)