Two years ago no one knew what this netbook craze was all about. Today, they say that the trend towards netbook like laptops (laptops that are standard size aka 13-15″ but with netbook features) will ultimately demise these ultra portable computers that we love so much.

Truth of the matter is that netbooks are just getting started. Most computer users do two things with their laptops: check emails and surf the web. Most times all this is done from an Internet browser. Yes, they do listen to music and work on the odd document file but all those tasks can be handled by a netbook without out it going bezerk.

Add the small size and portability factor coupled with the low prices and you have a winning combination.

If you’re still sitting on the fence, go ahead and buy your netbook. It’s no fad. Happy shopping!

Netbooks are low priced portable computers by definition (see: What is a Netbook?). What’s cool is when there’s a good deal on one. This Dell Mini 9 netbook example is a pretty good price. Yes it’s a refurb but you remembered what I wrote about refurbished netbooks right? Don’t just sit there! Hurry along and see whether you can score the deal or not!

The trendy for luxury netbooks continues. This time it’s Dell with the Adamo netbook that was launched today at the CES 2009. There’s not much detail yet but all is known is that it’s ultra thin, 10″, has GPS and will probably be more expensive than the average netbook given that’s it’s a premium product. More details as Netbook Era gets them so stay tuned by subscribing to the RSS feed.

See: Dell shows ultra-thin laptop and 10-inch netbook at CES

This deal is actually appealing if you were already considering buying a Dell computer. The Mini netbook can be a mobile unit or a cool present to a loved one. For more, see: Dell Jumps into the $99 Netbook Game, Too (Sort Of)

"Netbooks" by Dell (from left), Asus, Acer, MSI and Lenovo. (By Rob Pegoraro -- The Washington Post)

This cool pic was taken from a Washing Post article on netbooks. It answers two questions: How little laptop is enough? And how few dollars will it cost you? 

If you’re sold on Dell netbooks and want to buy one, this guide will tell you where to purchase your desired mini laptop.

Buying Dell netbooks is relatively simple for a good reason: Dell sells its products including the netbook range directly to its customers via the telephone or its website. It does not matter where you are in the world (United States, Canada, UK, France, Australia and wherever you are). That’s on the Internet at Dell.com.

Offline aka in the real world, Dells has no stores like the Apple stores and so to shop for Dell netbooks, you have to go to the retailers that are authorized to sell Dell computers. You will come across some authorized stores that will try to sell you a Dell netbook but stay away. Yes, the price may be cheaper but what happens if your computer goes bust? You can’t take it to the retailer to fix because they cannot send it to Dell! But you may come across some stores that will offer their own warranties. (See: How to Find the Best and Cheapest Netbook Deals or our buying guide How to Buy a Netbook)

At this time of writing and if I am not mistaken, in the US (and most probably Canada), you can find Dell netbooks at Walmart, Best Buy and Staples if you are into offline shopping.

You can also find Dell netbooks online without going to Dell.com. You can for instance go eBay where you have individuals selling off their netbooks. In most cases, they will be used and sometimes you will find never opened boxes that probably “fell off the truck” and you can get them for a good deal. It’s a moral decision to make (buying suspicious stuff from eBay) and usually you usually are on your own when it comes to warranty.

If you head over to Amazon.com, you will see that there’s a small selection of Dell netbooks. That’s pretty normal because there aren’t many Dell netbook models anyway as I write this, there is only the Dell Mini 9 netbook. But you will also notice that Dell and not Amazon may sell these netbooks. That’s because anyone can sell stuff on Amazon including corporations just like people do on eBay. In that case, you’re better off going to Dell directly.

That’s about it. I can’t think of any other options. Sometimes you can find independent online or offline retailers who sell customized Dell netbooks. These computers will obviously be more expensive due to the extra touch. But if you really want a laptop that’s different from the one that comes out of the processing plant, this may be the way to go.

Are you aware of any other ways to score the best Dell netbook deals? Please share them in the section below. In the meantime, happy shopping!

“Dell is offering the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook for only $299; the normal price was $349 which means you will get an instant saving of $50.” - Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook

I was eventually going to write fully about this issue (I have mentioned it quickly in a previous article that I cannot locate) but now I don’t have to because the very nice people at Life Hacker Australia did a splendid job

“Dell and Vodafone have joined forces to sell the Inspiron Mini netbook like a phone, allowing you to purchase a 3G broadband-equipped device for a fixed monthly fee over 24 months. Is the future of computer purchasing, or just a good way of wasting money?”

Read more on: Is Paying On A Contract The Best Way To Get A 3G Netbook?

“Dell’s latest netbook blurs the line between these pint-sized portable PCs and their larger, more conventional cousins. The Inspiron Mini 12 has most of what we like about netbooks: a modest price tag (AU$749), light weight (1.2 kilograms) and most noticeably, a slim sylph-like profile that tapers from 2.5 centimetres to 1.8 centimetres at its thinnest.” - Review: Inspiron Mini 12

It’s amazing how the Australian media is on the $0 Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook case. Everyone is on the ball: Sydney Morning Herald, Smart House, The Australian, iTWire, Gizmodo Australia and many more that I don’t have the time to list.

In all fairness, it’s a world’s first so it’s normal that this concept is getting a lot of media attention. I just wonder how it’s going to play out. What happens if the user wants to upgrade after one year (the contract is two years if I remember correctly)?

Anyway, we’ll wait and see.

“Dell netbooks to be sold like mobile phone: this 3G netbook bundle offers the Inspiron Mini 9 at $0 upfront with 5GB of data for $70 (Australian dollars) per month over a two-year contract.” - SCOOP! Dell netbook to be sold for $0 like mobile phone

It was bound to happen. This marketing experiment conducted Down Under will surely be rolled out all over the world if it proves to be successful. So netbooks have gone the way of mobile phones making it hard on laptops (See:What’s The Future Like for Netbooks?) and surely making smartphone makers rather nervous.

Update 28/11/2009: A day later, it seems that a few operators may be joining the fray: Plus in Poland and Orange in Portugal so far.

“Some good and some bad news for fans of Dell’s netbook, the Mini 9 . We’ve just been told that for now there are no plans to introduce the 32GB SSD option that became available in Japan earlier this month and hit the States yesterday. But, just to ensure European customers don’t feel too left out, Dell will be throwing us the sweetener of a white colour option to add to the current black offering.” - Exclusive: White Dell Mini 9 is Europe bound

Update: the link to the above news report is broken.

Consider this competition by Vodafone UK in which you stand a chance to win a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook which is not a bad mininotebook! I assume that you have to be in the UK of course but rest assured that you will see competitions, offers and other sorts of promotions featuring free netbooks.