The Dell Mini 5, Dell’s Android-powered Snapdragon slate, popped up at CES this year but we never got a clear look at it. However, when the CEO of Dell rolls into the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he can show off anything he wants and our boss got a quick hands-on in the Swiss slush.
To recap, the Mini 5 is a 1GHz Snapdragon-powered netpad (did I just coin a phrase?) running Android 1.6 with 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G mobile. It should be selling for $1,098 before carrier subsidy.
However, if Mr. Dell here has it and says it’s coming “in a few months,” we seem to have a confirmation that the Mini 5 will be reaching our shores sometime soon. However – and this is a big however – $1K is a lot of scratch for a 5-inch slate. It had better go way down by the time it disembarks.
Mini 5: $1098
iPad: $499
What Mr. Dell thinking? This it not 2004.
Well to be fair, this at least has a camera, can make phone calls, and it has 3G, which is only available on the iPad for more than $629. That said, a more fair comparison would be to the Nexus One, which has pretty much the same specs, but with Android 2.1 and is $530 before carrier subsidy. So yes, this is still massively overpriced.
mini 5 – size is mini too (5-7inch) Although for the price, Dell must be joking to release this one on the 1k level. Cowon or Archos will eat ‘em up, seeing their tablets ranging from 250-500 only.
Anyway, This will be dell’s flagship for their tablet device. More Details: http://bit.ly/dell-mini-5-details
Archos 5: $299.
That’s a far better comparison, because it’s essentially the same as the Dell 5 (Android tablet), with a slower processor and no 3G. However, you can buy it right now at Best Buy, and it’s not $500 or $1000.
Archos 5 Internet Tablet (8GB) is actually available at just $249 in Radio Shack right now.
Archos 7 Internet Tablet (8GB) will be available even cheaper at $199 in about a month from now.
And I don’t think Archos OMAP4 Texas Instruments ARM Cortex A8 processor is any slower than this.
I mean Archos uses Texas Instruments OMAP3 ARM Cortex A8 processors.
The 500-600MHz Cortex A8 in the Archos is significantly slower than a 1GHz Snapdragon. Not only is there a difference in clock-speed, but the Snapdragon is based on a newer architecture (Cortex A9).
The archos 5 that runs android has an 800mhz processor, the older one has the 600mhz one
@Mike Cerm, I don’t think the current Snapdragon is ARM Cortex A9, those come by the end of the year to manufacturers.
Comparing Texas Instruments 800mhz with Qualcomm Snapdragon 1ghz, I wouldn’t know which one performs the best per mhz, but those are obviosuly two competing processor manufacturers. It’d be like saying that AMD 1ghz is like Intel 1ghz, which has never been the case.
Also, there are many Snapdragon based devices that are somehow down-clocked at 600mhz or below, for some reason.
You get what you pay… $499 for a useless Ipad that doesn’t do anything, $1000 for a device that has 5mpixel cam, you can use as a phone, media player, has more storage, can fit your pocket, etc…
iPad doesnt do anything?
It surfs the web
plays games
plays music
plays video
sends email
manages contacts and dates (the calendar is great!)
runs over 140,000 apps
CAN make phone calls on VOIP.
BUT YES you are right, it doesnt have a camera.
but video chat aside, you would look like a moron taking a picture with a 10″ tablet. that is why they make phones! and oh yeah, my iphone has a camera!!
iPad haters need to realize what this device is and IS NOT. is not meant to replace your phone!!!!
What is it suppose to replace? It doesn’t do anything well with exception for being a photo album. For
It surfs the web – No flash, 1024×768 is still low resolution to surf the web. 1280×1024 is more the industry standard.
plays games – A large amount of iphone games are unplayable due to the larger screen. Forget any FPS If developers do decide to make games then yes it will be nice but there will be a lot less users.
plays music – Just what I want a humongous ipod touch with tinny speakers.
plays video – No HD quality video.
sends email – My 10 year old blackberry can do that.
manages contacts and dates (the calendar is great!) – Why would I want to carry something like that to do this I have an iPhone or a computer. If I want portability, iPhone. More detail and control, Computer. There is no between.
runs over 140,000 apps – Now the big question do I buy same 2x and can my data be synced?
CAN make phone calls on VOIP – Please, Please when you get one post a you tube video of that.
Corrections to getrealdoosh’s claims.
the iPad sufs ONE page
OR
run ONE app
OR
send and receive MOST email (attachements)
OR
open ONE document at the time
Just remember to do only ONE thing at any time. Apparently Apple want us to go back to the 80′s, the pre-multitasking era.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE SINGLE TASKING MACHINE OUT THERE!!! That’s what it does.
one more thing… has more storage???
not for apps. 512mb limit still!
i am no apple fan boy but i know a great product when i see it.
example, my mom wants an ipad.
she has never been into tech before.
my wife wants one too..
that is the market. it is a household internet appliance and it will sell huge!!!
exactly the point….just because it is hyped up beyond beleif and also looks cool, they want one…as users previously stated this device is completly unnecessary and useless unless you have $500-$800 to throw away….
iPad does not do anythin?? ROF…
Then don’t get it “John True”.. then don’t get it!
Why are you crying then? Just don’t get it…
This guy is really funny.
I like your argument.
Strange how almost every tech-based article you can find on the net today mentions the iPad…
I’m in for a mini 5 (assuming it is reasonably priced) when it comes out later this year, but there is no reason to bash apple – just don’t get it. done and done.
Strange how almost every tech-based article you can find on the net today mentions the iPad…
I’m in for a mini 5 (assuming it is reasonably priced) when it comes out later this year, but there is no reason to bash apple – just don’t get it. done and done.
Clearly Michael D had no idea what he was demoing. OH LOOKY a scrollable touch screen.
lol. it wasn’t a demo. it looked more like and aquiescent ambush. atleast he was polite about it.
Yes, exactly.
Umm your numbers are a bit off.
$499 for basic iPad
+ $130 for 3g hardware
+ $360 for 12 months of unlimited 3g
————
~ $1000
If Dell can get a decent sub from a carrier then it’s competitive but the screen is too small. 5 inches – I think I would stick with my phone.
Neither of these devices matter to me. I get more from my Dell Mini 9 that’s hacked with OS X. It cost me $200 bucks. I’m not yet sold on an ereader device, that MaxiPad looks tempting but don’t really need it.
You shouldn’t factor in $360 for unlimited 3g. $30/month is a fixed cost that is applied to all smartphones.
Yes, but the poster’s point was that the $1,000 price is unsubsidized, so if it’s $700 with a 1 yr. contract, you’re looking at an iTampon cost equivalent.
Actually, that price is complete BS. Thats how much the prototypes that were available on the Shangai black market cost. Clearly, the author should check his sources.
*high 5* Yes.
Except it’s not just an enormous ipod…
J-F’n-C that price was for a grey-(at best)-market Chinese leak of the product. Not retail. Why are you all taking it as gospel for the pricing??
Oh wait, this is a John Biggs article. Misinformation is par for the course.
iPhone $500 (no subsidies)
iPad $600 (3G)
5 mini $??? (could do the job of both, closest possible)
Look for 5 mini dock (connect to monitor/laptop/key-mouse), which could help us to depend on it more than on PC/laptop
Guys $1k is before carrier incentives. This is a smart phone and when you purchase with a contract agreement from AT&T the price should be considerably lower. Just like any other phone that you go buy. Try to buy them without any contract from a carrier and you will see how much you will have to pay for it.
L
completely different devices. The Dell is a phone.you dillweed
$1100 for a flippin’ phone/handheld computer??
Dell should close shop and give the money back to shareholders.
It looks pretty good, and quite stylish and a decent size, it is nice to see Android getting put into a few different types of devices now. i predict that Android will have a bright future ahead of it!
I predict Android will be as bloated and maligned as Windows Mobile eventually.
If by bloated and maligned you mean “can run more than one app at once”, then yes.
It irks why most companies are fond of talking about things that are or might be coming out someday in the future.
Instead of talk, just do.
Most of these blabbermouth corporations are the bizarro E.F. Hutton.
A 5 inch Dell, more expensive that a 10 inch Apple? WTF.
“It SHOULD be selling for $1,098 before carrier subsidy.”
If the last two months of rumors has taught us anything it’s wait until it’s official to get your panties in a bunch over a rumor.
And even then it seems common for companies to drop the price $100 a month after release.
the Dell is a PHONE butthead
I would buy this over the ipad in a heartbeat.
It’s not the same product.
I’ll buy a Nexus One over that Dell thingy.
I have one, and could buy another one for the same price as that Dell thingy… it’s got the same snapdragon chip in it, 512MB RAM (the Mini 5 won’t have more?) and an OLED screen, so I have no idea what on earth Dell are playing at.
How do you like it? The N1?
A device of this size is much much more convenient than a clunky ipad that can’t fit in any pocket. Make it a phone mr. Dell, and drop the price to $109.8 if you want me to buy it
You forgot to mention the diamond-crusted backplate and how Dell believes they’ll have perfected teleportation with it.
No, wait, that’s not right…
M. Dell’s on crack. Selling this thing for more than the cost of an unlocked iPhone is retarded
Hey dumbo did you hear them annoucing this as the final price? if not then don’t be basing your judgement on rumors, wait till it is announce with price and all.. I definitely would buy this over that crappy IPAD a thousand times over.
nick, you are an idiot.
talk to me in a year when your ipad is well worn in with your drool.
Did you even read his comment?
your fighting over two completely different devices .The Dell is a smartphone and the ipad is what it is NOT a smartphone
To me that looks pretty much like a N900 which also is half the price and yes although N900 has a slower chip Nexus One has SnapDragon 1GHZ and both are priced half of this thing…..#BigFail
Only problem is the N900 has a lovely circa-2002 resistive touch screen. Now that’s what you call a #BigFail.
I actually really like the look of the Mini 5 and agree it’s way more interesting than the iPad, the first gen of which also looks like a #BigFail.
Definitely a solid device, though I think an upgrade to android 2.0 is in order.
And, oh yeah, that price better come down by at least 75% with a contract, or they won’t sell ANY. At least not to me.
Sales guy?
It was a joke…
He’s obviously Michael Dell, and the person making the video was just teasing him.
Nope, you didn’t coin the phrase, from the Boston Herald, http://www.bostonherald.com/
Jul 09, 1996
Richard Kosowsky thinks having to own a personal computer to gain access to the Internet is “crazy.” “It’s so much overkill,” he says. A PC costs thousands of dollars. he said, and it takes hours to learn how to use it. That prevents thousands of people from using the Internet for simple functions like reading e-mail or paying bills electronically. Kosowsky’s 3 1/2-year-old Boston company, Momentum Inc., has a solution: NetPAD. A so-called personal access device, which is roughly the size of a videotape and retails for less than $200. It comes with a full keyboard and an eight-line-by-40-character graphical display.
A thousand bucks !!!!!!!!!!
well that’s that F&^%ed
Looks expensively un-iPhonish
Way overpriced but interesting in the wake if the i(maxi)pad disaster
disaster??? what are you talking about?
what did you expect the ipad to be?
talk to me in a year when everyone and their moms (especially) has an ipad.
Just another example of why Dell is a follower and not an innovator.
lol…Michael Dell cashed out of Dell corp a long time ago. He’s got 14.5 Billion in the bank, could buy Jobs many times over again. I don’t think he really cares too much about pads, tablets etc at this juncture in his life
Well to be fair, at least Mike Dell is a nice enough guy to laugh around with screwballs from TechCrunch ;) I doubt you will ever see that CEO from Apple….Steve Jobs.
…Why the hell are companies still opting for Android 1.6? Stay current and help prevent the fragmentation of this platform, for crying out loud.
I don’t think it’s their option on that, it’s more of google doing the commanding here.
That… makes absolutely no sense. What benefit does Google get from pushing an outdated build of Android?
They’ve done some stupid things in their time, but I’m fairly certain they can understand the need to keep a platform/market stable.
This is why google does it first because they wa t the nexus one to have 2.1 right now because then it wouldnt be a reason for it to be released and another reason is because alot of devices cant operate on 2.1…idk why tho..i have a nexua its beat eanything out now and in the next 7 months all devices are copying it and trailing it..this divice and the ipad are stupud
Mini 5 could be good interesting alternative if it was priced on Ipad level.
but 1k$? he wont sell more than 1000 devices :D
i don’t think we should jump to conclusion here on the price of the device that has not even been released or price been confirmed.
FAIL
Dell is screwed. they were decent when the world was all about desktop computer but they simply can’t compete in a mobile devices world
What’s with the fur on the coat?
what’s with that name on your post?
$1,000 “red herring” price is solely to trick Acer, HP, Gateway into thinking they don’t need to be in the same space, leave contract negotiations with AT&T open, sans counter ( cheaper ) offers.
Come on people.
Q2 2010: Dell Mini5 – Android 2.1, $199 on 2 year AT&T contract, $599 without.
They need to look at that price point again!
I’m guessing that prices is not real, right John? I mean, the N1 is about half that, slightly smaller screen and newer OS.
yawn (not for the article, but for the product :)
I miss those day’s when getting exciting for some new tech you want to have specs, design ,tech addition anything. Nowaday’s its just the sheer anticipation what is left after and gone the feeling is. Maybe the need off a lifestyle could be filled with the stuff coming out or some other whanahave therapy caus it just doesn’t do it any more. :(
i am guessing that price is a joke msrp and the device will be on permanent 60% “sale”. or dell is on crack.
Hm….$1000, I will pass, thanks Dell.
If I ran Dell I’d close up the company and give the money back to the shareholders….
No wait, wasn’t that what a cocky Michael Dell told the press he would do if he ran Apple in 1997?
Lets see how many Mini 9s are sold in comparison to iPhones. Dell doesn’t understand product, it understand commodity and a $1000 phone isn’t a commodity.
In 2007 Apple’s market value was $127.81 billion compared with Dell’s $63.65 billion. Today Apple’s market value is $181 billion vs Dell’s $26 billion – nearly seven times higher.
Dell is a company that lost its way a long long time ago under the leadership of a cocky little s£^t.
I of course meant Mini 5s – DOH
Hey Jimmy, why don’t you take a little look at the Forbes 400 — you will note Dell cashed out some time ago. Yeah, his net worth is roughly 14.5 billion, far greater than Steve Jobs. Michael Dell doesn’t really care too much about Dell corp. anymore, and he long ago destroyed Jobs in the money race
David –
Jimmy never said anything regarding the net worth of the two men. His point was Michael Dell made a condescending statement regarding Apple’s business, which is currently doing considerably better.
Where did u guys see the 1k pricetag? is it techcrunch news?
I’m a blind man and I love using the iphone for its sound quality. I used voice dailing and automatic answer because I can’t see the screen. Btw, I heard the graphics is good too and so is the touch screen function.
As for the iPad, I will order one because I heard it will great as a laptop if I buy the keyboard stand. Btw, I heard the graphics and touch screen thingy is pretty good too. I’m sure I’d agree if I weren’t blind.
Blind Lee…no pun attended, but LMAO!!!! that was too funny….
When someone demonstrated times after times how to make things work and you still didn’t learn a thing, it is called stupid. Frankly speaking I can hardly see the point of this clone and I think they don’t neither. I predict these clones will fail as miserable as those me-2-2 MP3 players.
This looked like a tmz report.
It looks pretty slick! But the price is a bummer!!!
Also looks way slimmer then the itampoon and iphone
Michael you and some other tech geeks turned a beautiful small Texas town into a sewer. Your products are only surpassed by your utter lack of competent outsourced service support. I made the move to Apple 4 years ago and will never look back. By the way your wife’s boutique does for women’s wear what your pentium 4 notebooks did for Dell.
“It should be selling for $1,098 before carrier subsidy.”
John Biggs – Pure BS!… That is what a prototype is going for in the black market in Asia… Do u actually think Dell will be selling it at the same price as the black market does… If you have vid of the CEO saying $1,098 that would be one thing… But it seems you just added that info out of thing air or your allowing u’r self to be mislead… Sounds like a rumor Apple would start…
What’s your source for that price point???
Please update your story…
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/dell-mini-5-tablet-prototype-shows-up-as-m01m-in-shenzhen-blac/
Seems you are quoting current black market prices for a prototype as the actual release price…
“Who’s got some love for prototype gadgets, eh? Apparently someone does in Shenzhen (surprise of the day?). PC Online managed to cuddle up with a black Dell Streak / Mini 5 prototype, which has “Model M01M”"
“The price? ¥7,500, which converts to a whopping $1,098 in US cash, but bear in mind that this doesn’t reflect the M01M’s actual retail price for whenever it might launch.”
Well there you have it… That’s not the release price unlocked.. Hell of that price you might as well get some Alien Ware… And buy a regular android phone on ebay with the left over… Can’t believe this BS is spreading all around….
Nice device but u cant see 1.6 for that much…..my nexus kills this thing………are u searious god..
Seems a really nice device, but the price is killing my enthusiasm, however we should wait until it’s launch to see if there are changes on final price.
That’s the black market price for a prototype… For something not available right now…
Unless u’r planing to buy a prototype that is not available right now in the black market then you’ll be ok… That exact price is for getting a prototype right now… John just took the ¥7,500 and assumed it would cost the same at launch… Bad rumor… Heck… How much do u think any device will cost a couple of months before being release, be it Iphone or Ipad or HTC SuperSonic… About that price…. It’s not the release price… The CEO on the video never answers him on the price…
i own a nex1, and am in now way an apple fanboy, but damn, it’s crazy how manufacturers are basically still playing catch-up to the 1st gen iphone. if the thing doesn’t have full voice capabilities it might as well be this the Sony UX Micro pc: http://www.mobilevillage.com/news/2006.05.26/sony_vaioUX.gif
This is a full Android Phone/Tablet… It has full voice capabilities… Not sure what you think it might be missing… And we don’t know if it will be upgraded to Android 2.1 before release since they still have a couple of months to go… We should see more of it @ WMC in Feb.
The guys who write this is an absolute beginner or idiot!!!
this price is the price of THE PROTOTYPE IN SHENZEN BLACK MARKET !!!!
Come on crunchgear !!! are you a full team idiots ???!!!
Breakin out my Crystal ball….
The iPad will sell millions of units but will become the exercise bike of the tablet market.
I completely see where Apple is trying to go with this… I mean if so many people use the iPhone lets make it bigger and try to sell those same people another 500 device. The failure for Apple is the OS. The neat factor will wear off when people realize it is a big phone OS and not a small OS X. There just inst enough capability there right now, maybe Apple has a big change planned via updates but 500+ is a lot to gamble on.
I will stick with my Blackberry storm one and Mini9.
>>To recap, the Mini 5 is a 1GHz Snapdragon-powered netpad (did I just coin a phrase?)
The term “Netpad” is registered to- guess who?- Psion.
The same company that “Netbook” is registered too, and raised a stink about it- sending letters to companies and websites demanding they stop using the term.
I’m not quite sure why all these commenters keep comparing this to an iPad. The most accurate comparisons for this device would be a Nexus1, Droid, and iPhone 3GS.
Even though its called a “slate”, the form factor and intended use for the Mini 5 much more resemble a “pocket device” rather than an iPad, which is mobile in the sense that a laptop is mobile.
That’s the RUMORED price guys (and coming from a random guy in China who nabbed a prototype) don’t get your knickers in a twist before anything is official.
Either way, this thing looks great.
That $1k + price was the price that someone in China bought it for on the BLACK MARKET after a currency conversion.
Do your fucking research man.
Black market price =/= retail price.
I’m guessing that the price will be no more then $600 on release.
Did you notice that the Android OS is running in Landscape mode? That actually looks pretty cool. I wish not just an app that I am running could rotate, but the whole OS. Wondering if he flipped the phone to portrait mode, if the whole OS would flip as well, or if it is fixed in landscape.
You know, they say that the best business strategy is to underpromise and overdeliver.
If the rumors hit the market that the device will be $1000, and then it launches at $600, people will be a lot happier if they’re promised a $200 device that ends up being $600. That said, I have to agree with the above, this is a black-market price we’re talking about, not MSRP.
Without beating the iPad discussion into the ground any further, Apple is rapidly finding that the intense fanatacism of their consumer base is now working against them. In order to pull off a good product launch you want to have interest high and expectations as low as you can get them. The iPad has had huge interest, but also huge expectations, mostly because of the intense secrecy Apple kept about the device.
Mr. Dell pulling the Mini 5 out of his pocket on a slushy street and showing it off for a minute or two is just the right kind of exposure. It generates interest, while keeping expectations reasonable.
I’ve never been a big fan of Dell (or any other big computer company for that matter, and that’s why I built my desktop and my laptop is an ASUS) but I’m suitably impressed by this device that I will be keeping a close eye on it.
Right now it’s a race between the HTC Bravo, HTC Supersonic (which looks very promising if it lives up to rumored specs), the Motorola MOTOROI, and now the Dell Mini 5. May the best phone / tablet win!
Where did the $1,098 price comment come from? There’s no way this will be at that price point
The price on the Shanghai black market supposedly. So it has absolutely no reflection on the actual price once it is for sale.
This thing can make calls, so it’ll likely be subsidized by a carrier too.
The Mini 5 are only selling in shen zhen, the city near by Hong Kong, not in shanghai.
I can even tell u the address, it’s locate in huang qiang Road( means: strong china road)
I know for a fact Steve Jobs missed the boat with the big & ugly iPad. Must have been drunk or something to release a useless contraption like that. Don’t get me wrong, it could have been “CRAZY” innovative and exiting. Unfortunately for Apple, it’s none of the above.
There’s absolutely nothing innovative about the iPad hands down.
On the other hand the Michael Dell’s Mini 5 looks like it can be something more than carrying a hunk of glass around. And it looks to me Dell may have a somewhat winner on its hand providing people are into such a thing.
iPad Issues:
No Multitasking
Big, Ugly Bezel
No Camera
No HDMI
No High Definition (WHAT?)
Lacks due to having a low resolution
Touch Keyboard (Where’s the free hardware keyboard that should come with it?)
Not Widescreen
No Flash
Doesn’t Support T-Mobile 3G
A Closed App Ecosystem (Only uses stuff from the App Store that’s it)
And so on.