Dell's very tiny new product: Netbook

Filed under: Apple Inc (AAPL), Dell (DELL), Intel (INTC), Research in Motion (RIMM)

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) has been building new chips for "netbooks," a product that is much smaller than most laptops and significantly less powerful. Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) has decided to drink that water and bring out a netbook of its own.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "One person familiar with the matter said the new device will likely sell for less than $400."

The launch is a waste of time and money. The smallest laptops now weigh under two pounds and have modest processors. That means the price points for them will keep dropping.

Over in the smartphone industry, companies like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) are putting out more "computer-like" products each year. Larger handset companies are working to get into the same business because the higher price