Dell Inspiron Mini 1012, Inspiron 11z notebooks headed to Sprint

Sprint has taken on the Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 and Inspiron 11z portable computers, boasting a "another U.S. wireless first" as the first national wireless carrier to offer a dual-mode 3G/4G-embedded notebook.

Both computers are ready for 3G and 4G networks, and are pre-loaded with Windows Live Essentials 2011.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 netbook will show up in Sprint stores first on October 31 for free (not including taxes, of course) after a $100 mail-rebate and with the signing of a 2-year service contract. The Inspiron 11z laptop will follow on November 14 for $149.99 (excluding taxes) after a $100 mail-in rebate and a 2-year agreement.

Sprint also wants to remind us that it will be expanding its 4G network to encompass New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles next month. We won't forget.