As expected, Sprint has expanded their netbook/mobile broadband package program by offering the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 in three new areas – Indianapolis, Phoenix, and the Bay Area. The netbook is available at select Sprint Stores for $199.99 along with activation on a Sprint Mobile Broadband plan and a new two year agreement and after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate. The Mini is a 2.6 pounds netbook with a 10.1 inch LED backlit display, an Intel Atom Z520 processor, Windows Home XP, 1.3 megapixel webcam, 160GB hard drive, Intel integrated graphics, 5 in 1 media reader, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

You’ll need to sign up for Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Connection Plan which offers 5GB of data at $59.99 per month.

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Above is a demo Samsung netbook spotted by the folks of Akihabara News and utilizing a 7 inch AMOLED display created by the folks in the Samsung Mobile Display group. The 16:9 display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 with a brightness of 300 cd/m2 and an insane contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. Unfortunately given the price of AMOLED displays, it’s highly unlikely you’ll actually see one on a netbook anytime soon – at least not one the regular consumer could easily afford.

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Here’s an excerpt from the review:

“Another big disappointment for me is the lack of useful software out of the box. No word processor. No notepad. No file browser. Maybe I like tinkering with a portable too much, but to me those are all basic functions that I’ve come to expect with a netbook.”

and finally..

“While the company could correct the software letdowns, however, I’d still advise those with big hands to approach the D250-1613 with caution, or at least to test-drive it at a store first.”

Our advice to all of you out there? Unless you’re adventurous, stay away from this dual-booting netbook. The Android implementation is still too raw for most consumer usage and don’t get me started with the cramped keyboard. There’s plenty of better netbooks out there at reasonable prices.

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With Windows 7 launched, Lenovo is finally offering the ION-based IdeaPad S12 netbook for sale with prices starting at $599. The $599 model has the following specs

• Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
• NVIDIA ION with 256MB RAM
• 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 12.1 inch WXGA TFT 1280 x 800 resolution display
• Touchpad
• 250GB Hard Drive
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery
• Broadcom 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

The $699 model ups the memory to 3GB of RAM and the storage capacity to 320GB.  Both ION based S12 models are available in black only.

Remember that the S12 is also available in other configurations. The low end model for $429 consists of the VIA Nano ULV 2250 processor clocked at 1.3GHz coupled with the VIA Chrome 9 HC3 graphics while the mid-range model for $449 consists of an Intel Atom processor coupled with the Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics.

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Those of you waiting to pick up a customized Dell Inspiron Mini 10 or 10v netbook will be happy to hear that Dell has officially expanded the Dell Design Studio to now include those two netbook systems.

Originally announced a few weeks ago, Dell now allows customers to personalize the look of their Mini 10/10v with artwork based on:

• MLB Team Logos
• (PRODUCT) RED artwork
• Designs from popular designers and artists like Derek Welch and Korakit

You can read more about this by heading over to Direct2Dell and then checking out the Design Studio here.

Above is a snapshot of an NVIDIA Tegra-powered 8.9 inch smartbook designed by Mobinnova and manufactured by Foxconn Electronics.

DigiTimes claims the smartbook has already received orders from telecom providers in Europe and in North America and is expected to arrive before the end of the year.

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The HP 311-1037NR features:

• Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• 2GB of RAM
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 160GB Hard Drive
• 11.6 inch 1366 x 768 resolution LED backlit display
• NVIDIA ION graphics chipset
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, memory card reader, HDMI/VGA ports, Ethernet
• Six cell battery

The HP 110-1046NR features:

• Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• 1GB of RAM
• 160GB hard drive
• 10.1 inch display with 1024 x 576 resolution
• Windows XP Home

The HP 311-1037NR is available for $249.99 after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year mobile broadband contract with Verizon Wireless. The HP Mini 110-1046NR is available for $200 dollars after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate as well as a new two-year mobile broadband contract.

If you had to get a new subsidized netbook from Verizon, our votes on the 311 purely because of the larger display and the ION graphics..

Oh and it should also be noted that Verizon Wireless is now offering the Gateway LT2016u netbook for $119.99 after an online discount of $130 dollars and a new 2 year contract. Features of the LT2016u include:

• Intel Atom Processor N270
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB Hard Drive
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display with LED backlighting
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• Wi-Fi
• Media card reader with support for SD, MMC, RS–MMC, xD, MS & MS PRI cards
• 92 percent keyboard
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet
• 6 cell battery

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In another interesting twist, Intel is suggesting system vendors install Moblin as an OS for netbook systems (although Windows XP Home and Windows 7 are still allowed of course). Intel also recommends vendors shoot for suggested prices between $299 to $349 for these systems.

So is this really a big deal? For most consumers probably not, since most netbooks can be upgraded post-sale to 2GB of RAM anyhow. However, these restriction changes will allow vendors to pre-configure netbooks with 2GB of RAM instead of the standard 1GB of RAM making life far easier for consumers at the end of the day.

[Check it out via Maximum PC]

Although not very surprising, it looks like some Best Buy locations are already stocking the new Nokia Booklet 3G netbook in advance of the November 15th sale date. Best Buy should be taking pre-orders for the Booklet 3G which will go for $299 along with a new two year AT&T Data Connect Plan.

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