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Dell Unveils Inspiron 11z: Better Than Netbook?

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US | B 35 comments

Is this a better netbook than most netbooks?

We've heard for some time now that Intel's CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) chips would pave the way for thin and light, but affordable notebooks. Today Dell officially unveiled the Inspiron 11z, which appears to straddle the line between netbook and notebook.

Like some of the netbooks that also offer 11-inch screens, the Inspiron 11z is similarly affordably priced starting at $399. That sub-$400 cost will buy you the following:

  • Intel Celeron 723 processor (1.2GHz)
  • 2 GB memory
  • 250 GB hard Drive
  • Built in Wi-Fi, 1.3MP Webcam
  • 11.6-inch HD (1366x768) display
  • 28WHr battery with approximately 3 hours of battery life
  • Windows Vista Home Premium WITH free upgrade kit to Windows 7

With the cheaper and faster Inspiron 11z creeping into the Mini netbook territory, it suddenly makes sense now why Dell discontinued the Mini 12.

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Top Comments
  • 13 Hide
    cmmcnamara , August 18, 2009 10:12 PM
    Bah I've been wanting a netbook but I won't buy one until NVIDIA Ion versions start coming out.
  • 11 Hide
    Ramar , August 18, 2009 10:22 PM
    Three hours of battery life? No thanks.
  • 11 Hide
    cadder , August 18, 2009 10:15 PM
    Needs a dual core processor, a little more ram, and more battery.
Other Comments
    Display all 35 comments.
  • 13 Hide
    cmmcnamara , August 18, 2009 10:12 PM
    Bah I've been wanting a netbook but I won't buy one until NVIDIA Ion versions start coming out.
  • 11 Hide
    cadder , August 18, 2009 10:15 PM
    Needs a dual core processor, a little more ram, and more battery.
  • 0 Hide
    felipetga , August 18, 2009 10:20 PM
    I would get one with an atom 330 dualcore and 9400M chipset.
    Are there any interferences by Intel to sell atom with the ION platform??
  • 11 Hide
    Ramar , August 18, 2009 10:22 PM
    Three hours of battery life? No thanks.
  • 0 Hide
    Major7up , August 18, 2009 10:26 PM
    I might be able to get behind this but I'd have to see the full spec sheet.
  • 3 Hide
    IzzyCraft , August 18, 2009 10:39 PM
    RamarThree hours of battery life? No thanks.

    Seriously long bat life is suppose to be a backbone of netbooks.
  • 0 Hide
    tipoo , August 18, 2009 10:54 PM
    cadderNeeds a dual core processor, a little more ram, and more battery.



    Yeah, and throw in a 15 inch screen and a 7200 RPM hard drive...Oh wait, its not a netbook anymore.
  • 4 Hide
    sciggy , August 18, 2009 11:47 PM
    Higher resolution screens damn it! I can't believe that everyone is seriously ok with these low res lcds.
  • 0 Hide
    ebattleon , August 19, 2009 12:10 AM
    i am withholding my opinion until tom's gets their hands on it.
  • 0 Hide
    Ryun , August 19, 2009 12:12 AM
    The specs look pretty similar to the Gateway LT3103u I just picked up, though I got a 6-cell battery that lasts me a good 5 hours (whole notebook cost me $20 less too). Since that celeron is based on the core architecture it should make for a very capable notebook/netbook though a 6 cell is pretty much a must.
  • 0 Hide
    Shadow703793 , August 19, 2009 12:40 AM
    cadderNeeds a dual core processor, a little more ram, and more battery.

    The Celeron IS Dual Core:
    Quote:
    In addition, Intel also has dual-core Celeron Mobile processor 723 that is made using 45nm, works at 1.20GHz, sports 1MB cache and has 10W thermal envelope. The price of the chip is unknown.

    http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20081208163503_Intel_Quietly_Intros_Dual_Core_Celeron_M_Microprocessors.html
  • 0 Hide
    Shadow703793 , August 19, 2009 12:42 AM
    Please check your info before posting wrong info. (Yes, Im' talking about the Celeron 723.)
  • -1 Hide
    jivdis1x , August 19, 2009 12:53 AM
    the walmart cheap laptop deal for 348 blows that thing out of the water
  • -1 Hide
    Anonymous , August 19, 2009 3:31 AM
    Sorry, Shadow, but you are wrong: the 723 is single core.
    http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=36685&code=Intel%C2%AE+Celeron%C2%AE+M+Processor+ULV+723+%281M+Cache%2c+1.20+GHz%2c+800+MHz+FSB%29
  • -1 Hide
    tayb , August 19, 2009 4:03 AM
    cadderNeeds a dual core processor, a little more ram, and more battery.


    Yeah. Faster processor, more RAM, and better battery life. Wait, now we have a notebook. Seriously. A solution in search of a problem.
  • 0 Hide
    nitto555rchallenger , August 19, 2009 9:16 AM
    Down w/ Netbooks! Having netbooks only show the non-potential buyers of PC games.
  • -1 Hide
    anamaniac , August 19, 2009 9:46 AM
    tipooYeah, and throw in a 15 inch screen and a 7200 RPM hard drive...Oh wait, its not a netbook anymore.


    Yeah, but makes it a 17" WUXGA screen instead.
    Screw 10"+ netbooks. If I'm going to get something the size of a notebook, I want notebook specs...
  • -2 Hide
    liemfukliang , August 19, 2009 11:12 AM
    The Notebook Graphic Dilema:
    NVidia VGA for CUDA and faster and time bomb (aka defect chip)
    or
    ATI for slow but no CUDA (It has stream but beside Cyberlink, there is no company that currently able to use it).
  • 0 Hide
    grampsoldtimer , August 19, 2009 11:24 AM
    But, it's a Dell. Dell = under powered, over priced. I also can't believe my eyes when people post raves about a Celeron. I guess after 23 years of computers, one developes some bias.
  • 1 Hide
    Regulas , August 19, 2009 11:34 AM
    Not impressed Dell, No Ubuntu option to save me $50+ bucks either. Why should I pay for a Microbloat license if I don't want it on my netbook?
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