Compare Prices : Dell Inspiron Mini 12 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: A netbook that wants to be a notebook

Verdict: The large screen and comfortable keyboard mean that doing an entire day's work on Dell's Inspiron Mini 12 netbook won't cause any undue strain. But the poor battery life could prove prohibitive for business users.

Review summary: Mini notebooks get bigger

Verdict: This low-cost alternative to the Macbook Air is light and portable, but has enough power for web, email and office tasks

Review summary: Mini notebooks get bigger

Pros: Very easily portable ; looks good ; easy to use

Cons: Doesn't run Windows programs ; keyboard isn't great

Verdict: This low-cost alternative to the Macbook Air is light and portable, but has enough power for web, email and office tasks

Review summary: Dell pushes the netbook envelope to the limit with the Mini 12, a 12-inch ultraportable laptop that uses low-power components and open-source software to reduce costs. It's thin, light and simple, but it's underpowered and could do with a better battery

Pros: Lightweight chassis ; large mouse trackpad

Cons: Clunky keyboard ; Ubuntu version is sloooow

Verdict: The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 might appeal if you want a netbook with a slightly larger display than normal. We'd think twice about buying the Ubuntu version, though -- it's simply too slow. The Vista model is quicker, but we can think of other netbooks ...

Review summary: Do extra screen inches sweeten the package?

Pros: Lightweight, thin, good usability, price

Cons: Larger than average size for a netbook, unexceptional screen resolution, hard drive capacity

Verdict: An oversized but surprisingly portable netbook with a great screen and good quality. It still won't replace your main laptop however