Dell axes consumer netbooks

Hardware giant calls time on consumer netbook sales

Dell's recent product-killing spree appears to have claimed another victim in the form of its Inspiron Mini line of consumer netbooks.

According to a report on technology news site The Verge, the hardware giant is no longer making the device, and will not release any new versions to coincide with the launch of Intel's netbook-focused Cedar Trail chip.

Speaking to the site, Alison Gardner, Dell's marketing director, explained: "Thin and powerful is where it is at for us."

In a further statement to ChannelWeb, the vendor added: "Dell remains committed to the convertible tablet space, and other unique experiences. However, we have no plans to introduce any new products in the netbook category."

News of its consumer netbook cull comes less than two weeks after it emerged that Dell had canned its 7in Streak tablet PC in the US. Earlier in the year, the 5" version of the device was also axed.

Dave Stevinson, director at laptop distributor VIP Computers, said he was unsurprised by the move.

"Dell was never a major player in netbooks, because the market was always dominated by Samsung, Acer, Asus and HP," he said.

"Dell will need to seriously invest its resources in the Ultrabook sector and aggressively gain some market share before the launch of Windows 8 and Intel's Ivy Bridge, because that will open up the category to many more competitors."