Dell is joining the burgeoning ranks of firms that are offering ‘cut-down’ laptops, termed netbooks. These are aimed at the developing world as well as general consumers. The laptop was shown at the All Things Digital Conference by Michael Dell. Michael Dell termed it as the ideal device for the next billion internet users, according to the official Dell blog. Dell will soon release other specifications and pricing for its first netbook.

A number of companies are likely to enter the netbook market in 2008.

The market for the netbook is being driven in part by the success of the Asus Eee PC, the One Laptop per Child programme and the availability of chips made by firms such as Intel and Via, designed for low power consumption, low-cost devices.

Hewlett-Packard has just announced a cut-down laptop that will be powered by Via’s processors. Acer is also entering the market.

Over 3.6 million netbooks that cost less than $500 are expected to be sold in 2008.
Asus believes that it will sell close to two million of its Eee PCs that cost between $299 and $549, in the first half of this year.