It appears they do have a mini laptop in the works.

Michael Dell had one on his person at this weeks All things Digital conference.

The $50b dollar question is what Operating system is it going to ship with?

I see a Windows Key in their mock up so that could mean Vista is a safe bet.

Link: http://yourblog.direct2dell.com/2008/05/28/something-from-dell-at-d6/

I am genuinely excited to see Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium reach public beta.

This is the core network operating system used by my clients, or the 2003 version is at any rate.

Ultimately this final release of the 2008 version is sometime Q3 2008.

Hopefully this beta is full of lots of cool stuff worth Screencasting.

Unfortunately I have been working technology long enough to have lived through:-

BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0 (1997)
BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5 (1999)
Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 (2001)
Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 (2003)
Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 (2006)

So What’s new for 2008.

New Management Console
Security Center
Updated Remote Web Working and Terminal Services
Integration with Office Live

And of course the latest Windows Server (2008), Exchange Server (2007) and SharePoint 3.0. Premium comes with SQL Server 2008.

Things you may not know

You need 4gb of Ram and x64 Processor
The cost of this release has increased.
The Premium install now requires an additional server.
Tape Backup is no longer supported.
Single Nic installs only.
Comes bundled with Microsoft’s own security products (Forefront and Live One Care in a 120 day trial).

Ever since the 2003 version SBS has proven to be a reliable choice for business. I am just hoping that their good reputation continues with this new release.

Main Product Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/default.mspx