Packard Bell dot netbook gets UK launch

8.9-incher to go on sale for £299

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19 November 2008 18:40 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Packard Bell has introduced its "dot" netbook to the UK market, but will not launch the device in time for Christmas.

We've brought you news of this new 8.9-inch offering before, but can now confirm that the small scale laptop will go on sale in the UK from January 2009, starting at £299.

The dot is said to be designed for "when a full-size notebook is too cumbersome and a smartphone is too small", the device has been designed as a response to other netbooks that PB says are too "austere" or "business oriented".

Despite these sentiments, the family-aimed gadget does not seem to offer much different from its many competitors. It gets a 1024 x 600-resolution display, the Intel Atom processor and 1GB of RAM.

With a 160GB hard drive, three USB ports and 5-in-1 card reader, the new netbook also offers built-in Wi-Fi (b/g), an optional 3G module and integrated webcam. A high-capacity battery will also be available.

The dot will be sold in PC World in the New Year, with more spec info presumably revealed nearer the time.