Dell launches Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon for kids

Bangalore: Dell has launched Slime netbooks for Kids in partnership with Nickelodeon and Numedeon. Named as Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon edition, it is based on low end and slimmed down version of the currently available Dell Mini 10 netbook. The netbook is not a toy for kids as it is packed with Nickelodeon-branded wallpaper, icons and web portals. It is bundled with security software from McAfee and also has an icon which links to Whyville.net, an educationally oriented virtual world created by Numedeon mainly for eight-to-15-year-olds. The Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition will come in green Slime design, with additional designs based on programs such as SpongeBob SquarePants and iCarly. The netbook has a 10.1' display, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, wireless internet access and an external DVD drive. The netbook will run on Windows XP but there are plans to make them available on Linux as well. These notebooks are made targeting the school market. According to Betanews, the local school board in the city of Portland in Maine is planning to buy 2,200 Dell netbooks for high-school students, at a total cost of $1.1 million, in place of the originally planned but more costly Apple iBooks. So the prospect for Dell Nickelodeon netbook looks bright. But there are other companies like Intel (classmate) and Disney Asus netbooks which are already in the school netbook space. Dell has not touched the aspect of durability so far, which might be the biggest concern of parents. The price of the netbook is not disclosed and it is expected to hit Dell's online store and Wal-Mart stores in the month of October.