Dell Mini 10 gets multi-touch; Adamo teased

Dell today at a press conference at CES revealed the Inspiron Mini 10 (not yet pictured), its third netbook. While only slightly larger than the Mini 9, the new portable is more advanced than either the smaller model or the Mini 12, including through its display. The namesake 10-inch screen is sharper than on other netbooks and produces a 720p (1280x720) resolution closer to full-size notebooks. The system also incorporates a multi-touch trackpad that not only helps with scrolling and zooming but also the ability to jump to a home screen or automatically scroll the contents of a page.

Typing is also made easier through an edge-to-edge keyboard that expands the overall size of the keys, Dell says.

The Mini 10 is also promised as the most powerful netbook of the collection and should have built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and 3G cellular access for networking as well as GPS navigation and TV tuning. A 1.6GHz Atom will translate over from the Mini 9.

Other specifications and launch details aren't available for the system.

The company today also provided an early teaser for the Adamo, showing the ultra-thin notebook for the first time at the conference (pictured here). While consciously avoiding mentioning any characteristics of the system itself, a brief in-person appearance by the system confirms a very slim but non-tapered design that shares the same black-and-silver look of the Studio XPS. It appears to confirm rumors that Dell's conscious goal to outmatch the MacBook Air through an extremely thin LCD and is described as part of a new line that would emphasize "precision craftsmanship;" an Adamo XPS with performance parts is a possibility, the company says.

Despite acknowledging the system, however, Dell contradicts the earlier leaks and now says the ultraportable won't ship until sometime in the first half of 2009. Rumors that themselves have had accurate info have previously suggested the system would launch in February, suggesting a possible delay. A Dell spokesman at the event denies this and simply says it wants to give customers a "peek" ahead of an announcement.

Separately, Dell has also launched a special deal for the Mini 9 that drops the price of a normally $449 configuration with built-in 3G down to $99. The deal requires signing a two-year, $60 per month data plan but gives the Windows-based model both cellular access anywhere in AT&T's coverage but also free access to the company's Wi-Fi hotspots at Starbucks and elsewhere.