On-the-go access to data and social media just got a little easier with the launch this week by Dell and HP of new mini "netbooks". These devices are are smaller than traditional laptop/notebook computers, but much larger than "ultaportable" PCs, smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). As such, they provide additional options to consumers who have need for easy internet and email access, but also need a (relatively) light and highly portable device.

On Tuesday, Dell announced its new Inspiron Mini 12, a bigger brother to the company's Mini 9. According to Dell, the Mini 12 is oriented to online chatting, uploading photos, surfing the Web and downloading music, according to Dell. The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 features a 12.1 inch display, built-in webcam, 1GB of RAM and a choice of 60 GB or 80 GB HDD, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Windows Vista Home Basic. The Mini 12 is rather slim at 0.92-1.09 inches and at 2.72 lbs it is also pretty light. Currently it is available only in Japan, but will be available worldwide in November of this year. For more details, see: http://www.nytimes.com/external/idg/2008/10/28/28idg-Dell-unveils-sl.html

For its part, HP today announced the launch of its HP Mini 1000 line of netbooks, comprising 3 models, which according to the company provide "a simplified Internet experience in a sleek, ultra-portable design." Each Mini 1000 measures less than 1-inch thick, weighs a little more than 2 pounds, and has a keyboard that is 92 percent the size of a standard notebook PC keyboard. All come with a BrightView widescreen Infinity display (1,024 x 600 resolution) with flush glass and LED backlight, and built-in webcam and microphone.

According to the manufacturer, the HP Mini 1000s address "the needs of Internet-centric consumers, mobile professionals, always-on social media enthusiasts and fashion-forward women." For more details go to: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/081029xa.html

These new offerings from Dell and HP come on the heels of new netbooks by Acer and Lenovo. In June Acer launched its Aspire One mini-laptop and Lenovo's new IdeaPad S10 just became available to consumers.

According to ComputerWorld "Mini-laptops, increasingly known as netbooks, are relatively inexpensive, small-form-factor notebooks designed for basic applications, such as Web surfing, e-mailing and word processing. They're designed to use less power than traditional PCs and laptops and aren't robust enough for serious power users or gamers."

These new netbooks seem to offer additional good alternatives for portable wireless connectivity, but the news and blog sites seem skeptical of the level of demand for these devices. Does the current wave of new netbooks represent a market that is overly fragmented and confusing? Or, is there a place for devices of all sizes and shapes?