While some customers already have the new Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbooks in their hands, it looks like the company might be facing a roadbump that could affect future shipments. DigiTimes reports that Compal Electronics, the company building the tiny laptops is dealing with a shortage of in-mold roller treated chassis (I looked it up, the plural of chassis is chassis). And that could mean that Dell will ship fewer netbooks than predicted.

That’s not to say you won’t be able to pick one up at all. It just means that instead of shipping 1 million units, Dell may only be able to ship 700,000. I don’t think folks who placed their orders early have anything to worry about… yet. But if the Inspiron Mini becomes a popular netbook in the coming months, we could see shortages down the road.

via Eee PC.net