Dell has launched itself into the nascent netbook market pioneered by the Asus Eee PC, which analysts predict will soon account for a third of all laptop sales.

From today consumers can order the diminutive Dell Inspiron Mini 9 for $599. The first review, published by APC magazine, described it as "very sexy" and praised the inclusion of a 16GB hard drive, webcam and Bluetooth support.

Sparked by the introduction of the low-cost OLPC XO laptop for the developing world last year, the netbook category of laptops has exploded with Asus, HP, Acer, MSI and Lenovo all producing sub-$600 machines.