I believe Dell is in a unique situation to actually make something like this work. Here’s the opportunity:

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 in a business setting.

I’ve been pondering this idea for a while now and have come to the conclusion that it really could work if they could market the idea properly. As with any good marketing campaign you first have to set up a problem, false or not. The following are some problems.

• Laptops are heavy
• Laptops are expensive
• Laptops are too big
• Laptops are too slow to boot up
• Laptops carry too much proprietary company data
• Laptops are easy to break (and loose all that data)
• Not everyone can have a laptop

The solution is the Dell Inspiron Mini 9. Or maybe they should rebrand it to a Latitude Thin Client, because this is my idea. Marry the Ubuntu OS and a 4GB solid state disk to an install that focuses on Citrix and/or Remote Desktop access. These UMPCs could be so cheap that some companies could easily afford to purchase one for every person, purchase one for every seat in a conference room (don’t lug that laptop!), or have dozens available in break room areas for people who otherwise don’t have access to a computer while at work.

It solves all our problems as above:

• Laptops are heavy, but the Inspiron Mini 9 is light enough to take anywhere.
• Laptops are expensive, but the Inspiron Mini 9 is cheap and easily replaceable.
• Laptops are too big, but the Inspiron Mini 9 can fit in your luggage as an afterthought.
• Laptops are too slow to boot up, but the Inspiron Mini 9 with its paired down operating system can be up and ready in seconds and can connect to your existing desktop session where all your important software is already running – no need to wait for Outlook to open and download email.
• Laptops carry too much proprietary company data, but the Inspiron Mini 9 carries nothing but address and connection information that is useless without a user’s authentication.
• Laptops are easy to break and loose all that data, but the Inspiron Mini 9 has a solid state disk that is tough enough to withstand a drop while powered up, and if you somehow do manage to break it all your data is safe on your desktop in your office.
• Not everyone can have a laptop, but everyone can own an Inspiron Mini 9 enabling 24 hour connectivity from home for all employees.

I’m sure there are other ideas for this too and that I’ve only scratched the surface of what could be done with this. I’m sure someone at Dell has already thought this through and decided that either it wouldn’t work or that they don’t want it to work. From their perspective, an equal profit margin is better on a $1000 laptop than it is on one at $300. Assuming the profit margins are equal, which is probably not valid, they would at a minimum have to sell more than 3 Inspiron Mini 9’s for every lost Latitude laptop sale. Still, if some company gets this idea first it could have a similar impact but without the Inspiron Mini 9 sales for Dell.

The Latitude would still be useful, but would be reserved for executives and people who really do need to work while away from connectivity. I see the UMPC providing new connectivity more than replacing laptops where they are already useful.

I just watched the video over on Gadgetspot of Dell’s new UMPC being unboxed. It looks like less packing than Dell normally uses, which is a good thing, and I think due to the fact that they aren’t offering any options with the Mini like an external monitor, docking stand, etc. Things that would normally require more room in a standard box. The other thing I was concerned with is how long it took to boot up Windows XP the first time. I know what the performance of the Atom processor should be like since I have a MSI Wind barebones that I built, (more on that later), and this was quite disappointing.

Anyway, I still wish I had one to test hands on. As I have mentioned before, I believe these could have use in the enterprise, and I would really like to replace my wife’s Inspiron 8600 with one as well. At any rate, with that little piece of video and the lousy performance I have no intention of running out to buy one just yet.

There is a MSI Wind review over on Laptop Magazine. I am excited about these small form factor laptops, mainly due to their low price and inclusion of Linux. The thing that strikes me the most about the MSI Wind is that it is using SUSE Linux for the Linux flavor. Now, it isn’t just the OpenSUSE version but it is based on the Enterprise (presumably desktop or SLED) release. I would infer that this means it will have support from Novell as well – something lacking on many other attempts. Of course, some Linux zealots will be upset about SUSE, however any Linux zealot worth his zeal will have no trouble installing his favorite flavor of Linux over SUSE.

The strength of these platforms in the business environment is a somewhat unknown factor. If we can get a VPN and remote desktop working though, and I see no reason why we’d have a problem, they would make excellent road warrior companions. At much less than half the price of the laptops we normally send out, this is more cost effective and will hopefully require less maintenance.

It is still too early to tell how much these will influence the business environment, however I suspect that they will be more popular than most people think – especially among people who need a high powered workstation at work rather than a laptop.

The Dell Inspiron Mini is the the latest to jump into the UMPC fray. I’m excited about Dell because the company I work for will only buy Dell and this means that possibly we can get one of these to try it out. If I do happen to get my hands on one I will definitely write about it here. The big disappointment here is the price. All indications were that it was going to be a little cheaper than it ended up being. I spec’d out the Ubuntu version next to the XP version and Ubuntu is more expensive if all other options are equal. Go figure. Makes me wonder how much Microsoft pays these people. Of course I’m sure it would be easy enough to reload the XP Home laptop with Ubuntu. With my eppbuy cart I’m showing a difference of $25. A free operating system costs more than a commercial one. Got to love it.