Dell teases super-slim notebooks

In a slightly unusual move (perhaps intended to generate some buzz), computer maker Dell has announced that it plans to announce new Inspiron systems next week, with the new machines becoming available to consumers in the next six weeks. Dell promises the new Inspirons will pack plenty of horsepower with Intel’s corrected Sandy Bridge second-generation Core series processors…and in April, the company will roll out a new ultra-slim Sandy Bridge notebook that will “combine beauty and brawn.”

At the end of January, Intel revealed a flaw in its latest Intel Series 6 chipsets, forcing computer makers to halt shipments of systems with affected chips and wait for new, corrected chipsets from Intel. Overall, the costs of the recall could total as much as $1 billion for Intel. However, now that corrected parts are getting out to manufacturers, they’re keen to be the first out of the gate with Sandy Bridge processors all over again—and Dell wants to be at the head of the pack.

“We are committed to expanding upon the broad array of Intel 6-equipped products we are currently offering,” said Dell’s VP of consumer and small/medium business products Sam Burd, in a statement. “In addition to being the first company to reintroduce the Sandy Bridge technology, we offered the broadest array of options for our customers who were initially affected during the original stop-ship.”

Dell also says it will be rolling out Sandy Bridge options for its Latitude and OptiPlex desktops, as well as its Precision workstation notebook and desktop systems. However, Dell offered no other details about the new systems or the new super-slim notebook.

The new ultraportable system will be Dell’s second effort in the ultra-slim arena. Back in 2009, the company introduced its Adamo notebook line as direct competitors to Apple’s original super-slim MacBook Air. Dell discounted the Adamos in late 2011, and finally discontinued them altogether earlier this year.

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