Dell has unveiled a new 10-inch convertible netbook with an unusual swivel mechanism. Rather than mounting the entire display with a horizontally rotating hinge, the screen flips vertically inside the bezel. Once the panel is facing the opposite direction, the netbook can be closed, and presto, you have a tablet with a hardware keyboard stashed under the hood for those more productive moments. "There are times that you have to do work. Tablets are great for entertainment, but they aren't exactly conducive to productivity," said Dell.


Granted, it's not a groundbreaking discovery, but it's always nice to see a fresh take on an old concept. Besides the flip screen, little was mentioned about specs. The "Inspiron Duo" packs a dual-core Intel Atom N550 processor, runs Windows 7 Home Premium and presumably includes various applications to utilize the touchscreen. Dell's also quiet on pricing. However, the company is supposedly aiming to launch the machine sometime later this year, so everything should be revealed soon enough.