Dell Inspiron Mini 10 Available for Pre-Order

The latest netbook release from Dell, the Inspiron Mini 10, has popped up for pre-order on the QVC.com website to reveal all of the specs, pricing and shipping dates. The Inspiron Mini 10 was first revealed at CES in Las Vegas where Dell made it clear this netbook offering would be a little more special specs wise than the existing Mini 9 and Mini 12. Here are the notable specs on the Mini 10 being offered via QVC at the moment:

• Processor: Intel Atom Z530 processor 1.60GHz
• Storage: 160GB HD
• Memory: 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• Graphics: Intel GMA 500
• Colors: 6 options - Blue, Green, Pink, Red, White, Black
• Weight: 2.6lbs
• Screen: 10.1-inch display, 1024 x 576 resolution (SVGA), LED backlit
• Wireless: 802.11g
• Web Camera: 1.3MP built-in
• Ports: 3 USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet, 3-in-1 media card reader
• Warranty: 1-year
• Audio: SRS sound enhancement software included
• OS: Windows XP Home Edition
• Price: $559
• Ship date: March 20

Apparently QVC will be putting this on the TV air waves tomorrow evening to start selling to the masses at that time. Dell should be launching a product information area on their site this week too, but you won't be able to order via Dell.com until February 26th. When it pops up on Dell.com the Mini 10 will start at $399 with a 1.2GHz Atom processor, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HD.

For those that were excited by the promise of a higher resolution screen on the Mini 10, you'll have to wait until later on in March or April for the WXGA 1366 x 768 option to be available. Other higher end offerings such as integrated digital TV tuner, integrated broadband and GPS will also become available as Spring arrives.

One very notable feature that we'll be excited to test is the new touchpad implementation. Dell has (without intending to we assume) taken a page from the recent aluminum body Apple MacBook release by integrating the mouse buttons into the touchpad at the bottom so it "rocks" at the base of the touchpad and allows you to register clicks that way. The touchpad also offers unique touch features such as placing your hand flat on it as a shortcut for minimizing all windows to get to the desktop. The Mini 10 keyboard also appears to be much more user friendly for those with larger sized fingers. Key placement will be very similar to your average keyboard and key size also standard. The test will then be how firm the keys are and if the travel is good, all of which we will put to the test in an upcoming review.