It's been a while since we've heard anything new related to Dell's upcoming netbook, known as the Dell E or Mini Inspiron. Fortunately, fresh rumors have already started to surface on the Internet and we all have a recent article on the Digitimes website to thank for that. According to the post, Dell's E series of netbooks could also include a 10-inch version, set to be launched later this year.

As some of you remember, reports on Dell's netbook first began to gain coverage after a journalist spotted it in the hands of Michael Dell, the company's CEO. Shortly after that event, Dell confirmed that it was working on a netbook designed to compete with ASUS' already vast Eee PC lineup.

At the moment, general belief has it that the "Mini Inspiron" will launch this month, although there are no specific dates for when that will happen. However, Dell is organizing a big event later today and it is there that the company will presumably officially announce the new product. On top of that, industry sources have told Digitimes that the upcoming netbook could also be released in a 10-inch version, which, as noted above, will probably drop sometime in October.

According to the same source, Dell's E series of netbooks will help Compal Electronics achieve its annual shipment goal of 32 million units. Apparently, Dell's 8.9-inch E netbook will provide Compal with a monthly shipment of around 250,000 units, while the 10-incher will get to reach monthly shipments of around 400,000 to 450,000 units.

It is yet uncertain whether the Round Rock, Texas-based systems vendor will go public with its new small-sized portable computer system today. However, regardless of that, word in the industry has it that, when it does hit the market, sometime this month, it will come with a price tag of $299.

More precise details about Dell's upcoming product are scarce but, since this small sub-notebook already boasts quite a few fans, they will probably keep a close eye on the company's event today.