Get me some DELL – Guide to Dell Netbooks
Of all netbook manufacturers, Dell has by far the best marketing team, with the Dell Minis coming packaged as specialty bundles. For instance, you have the sports bundle which comes with a TV tuner and the travel bundle which comes with GPS.
Here’s a look at pros and cons of the different bundles available:
Travel Bundle
The one with the GPS and turn by turn navigation, this Mini 10 starts at $400. Yeah that’s more than most Asus netbooks, but which Asus do you know comes with GPS? Exactly. Being a Dell Mini, the travel bundle is available in a delicacy of colors: pink, blue, green and purple. This Mini 10 is a bit outdated with Windows XP and while it doesn’t come with the latest Intel N450 processor, it does pack in a 1.6GHz power efficient Z530 processor. Also has a 6 cell battery (yay!). Other specs are unimpressive at all – 1GB RAM and160GB HDD… YAWN* that’s so 2009!
Bottomline: A decent netbook. If you’re a traveler and are smitten by the built in GPS and can’t wait to take this netbook everywhere, it’s a good pick. Dell promises good quality making it the kind of netbook you can carry around without fear of it snapping in half.
Fast Track Bundle
The one that sells the most and is the easiest to assemble and ship out, this Mini 10 is the cheapest and starts at $250. It comes with basic customization – with no options to change colors sadly. Specs are unimpressive at 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Windows XP, 1.6GHz N270 processor, Intel GMA 950, primitive 1024×600 resolution, and THIS IS THE KILLER IN A BAD BAD WAY, a three cell battery.
Bottomline: You totally get what you’re paying for with this netbook. Which on the other hand is a very cheap and decent sturdy netbook if you’re looking for something wicked cheap and aren’t at all concerned about having the best performance.
Sports Fan Bundle
I wish I had written about this before the Superbowl (Geaux Saints). Starting at $400, these Dell Minis come with a TV tuner making them perfect for streaming TV no matter where you are. Specs are insignificant with 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Windows XP and 1024×600 resolution, save for the 1.6GHz Z530 processor, Intel GMA 500 graphics and the six cell battery.
Bottomline: great for sports fanatics as the title suggests.
Design Studio Bundle
This one’s the happening one! Comes with Windows 7 Starter and the latest 1.66GHz N450 processor from Intel. Other specs include standard 1GB RAM, spacious 250GB HDD, a 6cell battery which you absolutely will find handy, good connectivity with Bluetooth 2.1 in addition to 802.11 g. Also comes with 2GB online backup which is pretty cool, very useful since you’ll be cloud computing non stop with this biddy. Prices may go up if you choose a special design, but it comes with the already cool “red my fortune cookie” swirly lid. Starts at a decent $380.
Bottomline- this one’s the one to get if you want to stay on top of tech trends. Get it.
Kids Bundle – Nickelodeon Edition
At $330, you’re getting a netbook with the basic spec set up, a fancy Slimed! Nickelodeon lid and extra safety features: Nickelodeon Entertainment Interface, Educational Whyville Web Portal, LoJack anti-theft and McAfee Security Software. Yep this is in the slime green 
Standard specs = 1GB RAM, 160GBHDD, Windows XP, 1.6GHz N270 processor and a piddly 3 cell battery.
Bottomline: kids will love this, and it does everything they need… unless they’re planning on becoming the next Bill Gates.
Make a Difference Bundle
The last of the bundles, this Mini 10 comes at $350 and spreads the cause of cancer. $5 of your purchase goes straight to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. If you want to change up your cause, you can swap to the Project Red color and $5 will go to fight AIDS in Africa. This netbook comes with the latest specs (you’re keeping with the times not only with the social good but also with the technology goods): Windows 7 Starter and Intel N450 processor. Also comes with 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD and a 6 cell battery.
Bottomline: This bundle gives you the best package for your price (if you’re not looking for the fancies of GPS and a TV tuner that is)! Defintely a good buy, especially since you can support the cause of RED-AIDS or PINK-CANCER with this one.
And there you have it. Really wished one of these came with a high 1366×768 resolution. Especially the Sports Fan Bundle. Oh well. You can scope these out in depth at the Dell Bundles Page.
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Filed under: Dell Mini