Dell might not be ready to share details on its long-rumored netbook, but the company is absolutely headed down a low-cost route.

Unveiled today were two new Vostro laptops and desktops “designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses, governments and educational institutions operating on limited budgets in the world’s emerging economies.” These two new notebooks, which will start at $475, are the type of lower cost laptop that would been great to give to our OLPC teachers in Mali.

The Dell Vostro 15.6-inch A860 and 14.1-inch A840 both are pre-configured. They will each be available with a choice of Ubuntu Linux or Windows Vista and will be powered by 1GB of RAM and either Intel Celeron (single or dual core) or Pentium dual core processors. The Vostro A860 will sport a 160 GB hard drive and the Vostro A840 a 120GB drive. Connectivity is no concern with a built-in integrated network, modem and wireless connectivity and optional Bluetooth capabilities.

The Dell Vostro desktops will be available with Intel’s Atom processor. Dell seems to have the adults of the developing world covered with the new Vostros, but what about the kids? When will the stork drop off the mini-Dell?

blog.laptopmag.com