A previous Dell netbook, the Latitude 2100, was said to be aimed at the K-12 market, featuring a rubberized casing available in primary colors -- "School Bus Gold," "Chalkboard Black," "Ball Field Green," "Blue Ribbon," and "Schoolhouse Red." But that model, which also targets enterprise customers, is apparently designed primarily to gladden the hearts of schools' IT administrators, not the children themselves.

In contrast, the new Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is Dell's first product that [is] focused on kids," according to "chief blogger" Lionel Menchaca. The netbook is technically identical to the previously released Inspiron Mini 10V -- see later in this story for details -- but is offered in three different Nickelodeon-inspired designs, SPongeBob, iCarly, or Green Slime (pictured below).

Dell's Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition
(Click to enlarge)

According to Menchaca, Dell worked with Stardock Systems Inc. to create matching Windows skins for each design. For example, on the Green Slime version of the netbook, the start menu "oozes slime," and there's also customized wallpaper, icons, and a special Windows Media Player skin. The interface also provides dynamically-updated content via "dedicated Dell landing zones" on the desktop, plus a "Just for You" widget that lets kids easily select content from the Nickelodeon website, says Dell.

The Inspiron Mini 10v

Customized software and case designs apart, the Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is based on Dell's previously released Mini 10v, as we noted above. The Mini 10v, introduced in May, is a $300 netbook that includes a 10-inch display, Intel Atom processor, and a 120GB or 160GB hard disk drive.

Unlike the similar Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook announced in February, which starts at $350, or Dell's earlier Mini 12 model, the Mini 10v uses the 1.6Ghz Atom N270 processor typically found on netbooks. With the Mini 10 (pictured below, at right) and recently discontinued Mini 12, Dell had turned to Intel's Z5xx, more typically associated with MIDs (mobile internet devices).

Dell's HD-ready Mini 10 (Click for details)

The N270 lacks the Z5xx-series' 720p HD video capability. Consequently, the Mini 10v also lacks the Mini 10's integrated HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) port and optional TV tuner.

Although the screen is the same size, the Mini 10v does not offer an edge-to-edge display like the Mini 10, and its resolution tops out at 1024 x 576 pixels instead of the Mini 10's optional 720P display, which supports 1366 x 768 resolution. Otherwise the two netbooks are almost identical.

The Mini 10v offers 1GB of RAM, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, a memory card reader, three USB ports, and audio I/O. While the standard version of the netbook is offered with either Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux 8.04, the Nickelodeon Edition comes only with Windows XP.



The standard edition of Dell's Inspiron Mini 10v
(Click on either to enlarge)
Features and specifications previously listed by Dell for its Inspiron Mini 10v, and updated by us to reflect the Nickelodeon Edition color choices, include the following:

• Processor -- Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz)
  
• Memory -- 1GB of RAM (soldered-in, not expandable)
  
• Display -- 10.1-inch display with 1024 x 576 resolution
  
• Camera -- 1.3 megapixel webcam
  
• Storage -- 120GB or 160GB HDD; 8GB or 16GB SDD
  
• Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet port
  
• Wireless:
  • 802.11g or 802.11a/g/n wireless networking
    
  • Bluetooth 2.1 (optional)
• Audio/Video I/O -- VGA out; headphone out; mic in
  
• 3 x USB
• Expansion:
  • SD/SDHC/MMC/MS card reader
    
  • 2 x PCI Mini card slots (occupied by WiFi and Bluetooth cards)
• Dimensions -- 10.26 x 7.19 x 1.11 inches (261 x 182 x 28.33mm)
  
• Weight -- 2.6 pounds (1.2kg) with three-cell battery
  
• Colors:
  • SpongeBob
    
  • iCarly
    
  • Green Slime
    

Further information

According to Dell, the Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition will go on sale in October, either direct from Dell or at Walmart stores. Pricing was not announced.

Lionel Menchaca's blog entry on the device may be found here.

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