The Inquisitr » dell

Dell Studio 17 Gets Purchase Page, Multi-Touch, Configurable Options

James Allen Johnson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:44:04 +0000

The Dell Studio 17 was upgraded today by Dell with a new multi-touch surface that outputs 1,600 x 900 pixels of resolution, features a Pentium Dual Core or Core 2 Duo processor and can hold up to 8GB of RAM.

The notebook also features up to 1TB storage and the option for integrated Intel graphics or an ATI GPU. Users can also thrown in a Blu-Ray (at an additional cost), along with several other basic configurable options from the Dell website.

A basic unit sells for $899 with prices moving quickly upward from that point if you throw in Blu-Ray, more memory and other add-ons. You can order now and you’re unit should ship by December 4th, just in time for the Christmas shopping season. [Engadget]

Dell Announces “Bamboo Based” Green Packaging For Dell Mini 10 Netbooks

James Allen Johnson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:25:52 +0000

Dell is now making a larger move towards “Greening” their products with the release of new Dell Mini 10 Netbook packaging made from renewable bamboo packaging. The company says the packaging will save them money and provide a “green” solution for various other product packaging in the future.

The bamboo packaging according to SlashGear is replacing “paper, foam and corrugated packaging” with the Inspiron Mini 10 and Mini 10V Netbooks being the first products to take advantage of the companies green program. The companies “outer box” is also semi-green, being made from 25% recycled materials.

Bamboo is seen as a cost saving measure as it is easy to grow and can add up to 24 inches to its stalk in a one day period. Bamboo is also extremely strong and better on the environment than standard materials as it grows like a weed and is therefore easy to harvest and maintain without removing a large footprint from the plants natural habitat.

Dell Officially Announces Mini 3 Smartphone, Forgets To Mention Specs

James Allen Johnson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:35:38 +0000

Dell has officially announced the arrival of their Mini 3 Google Android Based Smartphone, the companies first foray into the Smartphone market dominated by Apple, Research In Motion (Blackberry) and Google Android Smartphones.

According to Dell the touchscreen enabled device will be available in various regions around the world and will be customized to take advantage of those regions 3G frequencies. Dell has however announced that China will only receive Edge service, while the device in that region will use the OPhone interface and OPhone App Store.

Unfortunately, Dell has yet to give up the devices full spec list, what we know at this point is that it carries a 3MP camera and a display with 640×360 pixels of resolution.

According to Electronista, the first arrivals of the device will come to China Mobile before the end of November, with Brazil’s Claro network set to receive the units before the end of 2009 and the U.S. Slate for AT&T and Verizon early next year. Various other providers will also receive the Mini 3 at some point, including Vodafone, Maxis, M1 and Starhub.

The Dell Mini 3 is a drastic departure from the non-phone capable Dell Axim line which Dell discontinued in 2007. It’s also a departure from those devices Windows Mobile operating system.

Just one question for Dell, how do you debut a phone that’s shipping in the next couple of weeks and then proceed to leave out a spec sheet?

Dell Inspiron Zino HD Gets Revealed, Launches On November 26th

James Allen Johnson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:06:56 +0000

The Dell Inspiron Zino HD, the companies attempt at competing against the Mac Mini is now available for sale in a variety of colors, all wrapped up in a very tiny size (7.75 x 7.75 x 3.5 inches).

The mini sized desktops feature an AMD Athlon Neo X2 6850e 1.8GHz processor, storage up to 1TB and the ability to cram the tiny unit full of 8GB of RAM. The units also include an optical drive and the ATI Radeon HD 4330 graphics card.

The Zino HD also offers great connectivity options with WiFi b/g, gigabit ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, two eSata ports and an HDMI output. Users can also take advantage of the gadgets 4-in-1 memory card slot, a VGA out port and several audio in and out connections.

Entry level versions of the system start at $229 but lack DVD burners and most of the memory found on the higher end options which can end up costing up to $929 with an option Blu-Ray player.

The units start shipping on November 26th so get your order(s) in today. [HotHardware]

Nintendo Wii On Sale At Dell For $179.99

James Allen Johnson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:23:40 +0000

Dell is currently selling the Nintendo Wii for $20 below MSRP at $179.99, a price under MAP (minimum advertised pricing) rules set by Nintendo and a great buy that beats most Black Friday deals we’ve found to date.

Since Dell can’t advertise the price on the product page users will need to click on the “Add To Cart” feature and then proceed to the checkout where the new $179.99 price tag will be displayed.

We don’t see an end date for the special, however at that price I’d suggest you head on over Dell and get your order in ASAP. [Dell]

Dell Adamo XPS Gets Spied Again. Specs Are Still Hiding

James Allen Johnson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:13:52 +0000

The Dell Adamo XPS keeps popping up on our radar and while the specs for the ultra-thin notebook are still lacking, the new photos show off the units unique and very cool build factor with sliding display.

The unit is super thin with a lid that is reported to open by swiping a single finger across a touch sensor located on the top part of the notebook lid. While the notebook is also covered with a nice brushed aluminum casing and tilts at a specific angle when opened.

I have to agree with SlashGears Shaun McGlaun that the angle when opened could be bothersome depending on where you’re using the laptop, otherwise it looks pretty sturdy.

[pics: PCMag]

Dell Inspiron 13z Notebooks With Windows 7 Debut In Australia

James Allen Johnson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:58:32 +0000

It’s beginning…the dawn of Windows 7 and Dell customers in Australia are reaping the rewards today with the release of the Dell Inspiron 13z utraportable notebooks.

The devices feature a 13.3 inch display that outputs at HD resolutions of 1366 x 768 with an LED backlit screen. They also come equipped with the high-end Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor, 2GB RAM with upgrades available up to 4GB and storage that ranges from 160GB to 500GB HDD’s. No word yet if a SSD will eventually be available.

The NVIDIA GeForce G105M GPU is also available, however the standard option is the Intel based GMA X4500MHD offering.

Personally I would place my bets on the 8 cell battery that comes optional and provides 11 hours of runtime, however budget conscience users will still get 5 hours out of the standard included 4 cell power adapter. [Dell]

Update: The unit also provides an integrated optical drive and built-in WiFi. Bluetooth users can also upgrade to receive that option at an additional cost.

Unit pricing for Australian buyers has also been released at AU$1,199 with an expected U.S. price of $1,100.

Dell Streak MID Gets Spotted In Vietnam. Features Google Android 2.0

James Allen Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:41:35 +0000

The Dell Streak is no longer just a rumor, we now have video and picture proof that the device is on its way. It definitely looks to impress in the MID sector with Google 2.0 (Eclair) and several other nice features wrapped into a 5 inch design.

The Streak offers a 5MP camera with dual-led flash, built-in WiFi and 3G WWAN data connectivity options and a display with a decent 800 x 400 capacitive touchscreen interface.

The device also features a 1,3000 MAh battery and comes equipped with Bluetooth.

Here’s a video of the Dell Streak in action:

[Engadget]

Dell SX2210T Monitor With MultiTouch Gets Spotted

James Allen Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:18:33 +0000

If you’ve been salivating over all the new all-in-one desktops with touchscreens that you’ve been seeing pop up lately, but you simply can’t part with your gaming or work system, there’s always the Dell DX2210T Multi-Touch monitor.

The 21.5 inch monitor is available for PCs and features 1920 x 1080 resolutions, 2ms response times and 1000:1 contrast.

The monitor also comes equipped with HDMI/DVI-in and a built in webcam plus microphone. Unfortunately those are the only specs available at this time.

No word yet on any time or pricing or a release date, but we’ll keep you posted. [Gizmodo]

Dell Adamo Desire Keeps Getting Better, Adds 256GB SSD, 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo Processor

James Allen Johnson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:40:38 +0000

With the Dell Adamo XPS about to hit store shelves it looks like Dell wants to keep their Dell Adamo Desire series in the running for at least a few sales. The Desire series has just announced some welcomed spec adjustments that should put a smile on the face of high end users.

The original Desire series announced in July featured a 1.4GHz CPU, 128GB SSD and sigh, Windows Vista. Now they’ll be equipped with a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo SL9600 processor, 256GB Solid State Disc (SSD) and a welcomed 4GB RAM of the DDR3 sorts.

Dell will also be throwing in the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium and the best part, they’ll be keeping the original $2,299 found on the lower spec’d devices.

It’s a great deal, but honestly it just makes me want the Dell Adamo XPS even more with it’s .39 inches of thickness. Either way the new units are a welcomed and rather cheap edition considering what you’ll get for your money. [SlipperyBrick]

Dell Adamo XPS Gets A First Look. MacBook Air Starts Looking Obese

James Allen Johnson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:13:01 +0000

The team at Dell revealed their new Dell Adamo XPS notebook today and it looks to overtake the MacBook Air as the thinnest laptop on the market.

Unfortunately the device was only shown for a moment before it was tucked away with no other details provided at this time. It does however look like the unit uses a new way of flipping open which in turn allows Dell to thin out the overall design.

We’ll update everyone with official Adamo XPS specs as soon as Dell releases them.

Dell Goes “Future Proof” With Vostro V430 Desktops

James Allen Johnson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:49:32 +0000

The Dell Vostro series is going “Future Proof” with the new Vostro V430. The desktop series features up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB hard drives, while also offering a mammoth 10 USB ports (minimum).

The V430 units also come equipped with Windows 7, your choice of Core i5 or Core i7 processors and the ability to choose between ATI and NVIDIA graphics cards.

Dell is also throwing in 19-in-1 memory card readers, Blu-Ray drives and support for older PS/2 peripherals.

The Vostro 430 desktops start at an entry level price of just $699, while some higher end systems will still come in at under the $1000 price tag.

Intel’s dirty laundry getting aired by the EU

Steven Hodson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:57:24 +0000

Ever wondered what was behind that $1.45 billion dollar fined that the European Union levied against Intel?

Well the EU’s antitrust division has released a public version of its May ruling against Intel and boy it isn’t pretty. Part of the ruling found that Intel had had issued “conditional rebates” to Dell from December 2002 to December 2005 – the condition being that it would only give rebates to Dell if they bought only Intel microprocessors.

In an internal Dell presentation in February, 2003, a Dell official noted that if Dell switched any of its microprocessor supplies from Intel to AMD, Intel’s retaliation could be “severe and prolonged with impact to all lines of business.” In a February, 2004, email, a Dell executive wrote that Intel executives were prepared for all-out war if Dell joined the exodus to buy AMD chips. Dell would have gotten zero market development funds for at least a full quarter. Intel would also use the market development funds not used by Dell to fund competitors to Dell.

Source: VentureBeat – EU releases dirty details of evidence against Intel in antitrust case

Apparently the same deal was applied to HP during November 2002 to May 2005 where any rebates were conditional on HP buying 95 percent of its processors for business desktops from Intel. Like the other two NEC was as well told that they would need to buy no less than 80 percent of its microprocessors for desktops and notebooks from Intel in order to qualify for rebates.

This kind of business practice was also extended to what was termed as “naked restrictions”. This tied Intel payments to HP, Acer and other companies on these companies limiting the types of AMD based systems sold to specific channels or by delaying the launch of AMD based systems. In an internal HP email in September 2004 an executive stated: “You can NOT use the commercial AMD line in the channel in any country, it must be done direct. If you do and we get caught (and we will) the Intel moneys is gone. The risk is too high.”

Of course Intel is contesting the decision citing – “There is nothing new here. This Decision reflects the underlying bias we have come to expect from the case team that ran this investigation.”

Dell To Acquire Perot Systems For $3.9 Billion

AHN — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:41:22 +0000

Computer maker Dell has signed a $3.9 billion deal to buy Perot Systems, the Texas-based information technology services provider founded by H. Ross Perot Sr.

Dell will benefit by offering a broader range of IT services and will get a chance to sell more computers to companies that are currently using Perot Systems’ solutions.

Dell will make a cash play to acquire all outstanding shares of Perot Systems for $30 each, with the deal expected to close in Dell’s November-January fiscal quarter. Dell has announced it will keep current Perot Systems CEO Peter Altabef.

“We consider Perot Systems to be a premium asset with great people that enhances our opportunities for immediate and long-term growth,” Dell CEO, Chairman and founder Michael Dell explained. “This significantly expands Dell’s enterprise-solutions capabilities and makes Perot Systems’ strengths available to even more customers around the world.”

“There will be efficiencies from combining the companies, but the acquisition makes such great sense because of the obvious ways our businesses complement each other,” Michael Dell added.

Computer maker Dell has signed a $3.9 billion deal to buy Perot Systems, the Texas-based information technology services provider founded by H. Ross Perot Sr.

Dell will benefit by offering a broader range of IT services and will get a chance to sell more computers to companies that are currently using Perot Systems’ solutions.

“There will be efficiencies from combining the companies, but the acquisition makes such great sense because of the obvious ways our businesses complement each other,” Michael Dell added.

Dell tweets up $3m in revenue

Kim LaCapria — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:13:34 +0000

While Twitter itself has been widely critiqued for not fully realizing money its making potential, that hasn’t stopped Dell from driving three million dollars in sales from the popular micro-blogging service.

Dell boasts over 600,000 followers- and is the 47th most followed account. @DellOutlet began posting in September of 2007, and frequently tweets about refurbs and other tantalizing promotions. Stefanie Nelson, who tweets the Dell Outlet postings, describes their success on a Dell blog:

“We’ve surpassed $2 million in revenue in terms of Dell Outlet sales, but we’re also seeing that it’s driving interest in new product as well. We’re seeing people come from @DellOutlet on Twitter into the Dell.com/outlet site, and then ultimately decide to purchase a new system from elsewhere on Dell.com. If we factor those new system purchases that come from @DellOutlet, we’re actually eclipsed $3 million in overall sales.”

Even at $3m, the Twitter-gotten revenue is paltry compared with Dell’s earnings of $12.3 billion in Q1 of 2009. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s a very favorable result in light of Twitter’s plan to eventually turn a profit by connecting corporations with social media savvy buyers.

Dell might as well call all women dames and babes

Steven Hodson — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:28:12 +0000

I’m not sure who at Dell thought that this would be a good idea but where they did something interesting and cool with their Digital Nomads blog they have in turn blown it with their new site for women called Della. Yup you heard that right – Della, a cute play on the Dell name but beyond that this is just a plain bad idea.

Sure all the pictures used on the site are of young attractive socially conscious high income women; but when you mix in terms like cute to describe laptops, or how they can join the Cyber Sisterhood, or use free guided meditations to help them chill I think the word condescending comes to mind pretty quick. Not just satisfied with those “girlie” phrases you can also find phrases like “finding recipes”, “counting calories” and “on the go lifestyle” littered around the site.

Why is it whenever we have companies trying to market to women they automatically assume that they have to be treated or talked to differently. After all do they really think women who are interested in computers and tech wouldn’t know how to use the main Dell site?

Dumb .. just plain dumb.

hat tip to SlipperyBrick

Dell joins those who ‘get’ Twitter marketing – who’s next? [VIDEO]

Steven Hodson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:01:25 +0000

Over the Christmas holidays Dell ran a little experiment on Twitter and netted themselves a nice million dollar holiday present. Given the great response they have decided it seems to expand the program. At least that appears to be the plan with the announcement that Dell will be offering the folks on Twitter who follow @DellOutlet some pretty exclusive deals.

The way it will work is that at varying times followers of @DellOutlet will see a tweet with a short promo message with a link. The link will take you to the deal’s product page on Dell.com. In true Twitter fashion the program was announced on Twitter with this message

Beginning today, Dell will offer deals from the Dell Outlet exclusive to Twitter in the U.S. With over 11,000 followers, our team wanted to show their thanks to the Twitter world through these new deals which will continue each week.

Additionally Stephanie Nelson, the person behind Dell’s Twitter initiative put together this video explaining the program

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With this move Dell joins a growing number of people who have figured out a good way to market to people using Twitter. It’s too bad Twitter can’t seem to do the same.

[hat tip to PR 2.0]

[Concept PC] The Dell XPS Baton PC

Steven Hodson — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:48:01 +0000

Our computer hardware is changing almost every day it seems so when concepts like this one come along you have to wonder if in fact we won’t actually see something like it. With the Baton PC the basic idea is that the cylinder; or baton, contains two roll out flexible screens. When being transported around the OLED screens roll back up in the baton. When they are pulled out an electrical charge is sent down the screen making them rigid and useable as a laptop.

If you just want to use it as an e-reader then just roll out one of the screens. Should want to use it from a desk you just plop it into the docking station which is attached to a regular monitor and keyboard. As pretty cool as it all sounds I have visions of some-one buying it only to wake up one morning to find their kids using to play fetch with the dog.

[hat tip to SlipperyBrick]

You’d Think Dell Would Know Better

Steven Hodson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:22:33 +0000

Dell has been trying hard to improve its image and customer relations but every time it takes a couple of steps forward it trips and rolls back down the hill. Recently the company launched a community website called DigitalNomads. The site is intended to provide information and news for folks living and working the digital nomad life. As a part of getting the word out about the site Dell has been spending some serious money in online advertising about DigitalNomads which is fine but someone seems to have forgotten a big no-no in the ad business.

Apparently one of the ads Dell is running includes a video clip with Mark Santora; a reporter from the New York Times. This would be fine in of itself except Mark says the clip is from an interview he did for Big Think, a web site backed by Peter Theil a big Facebook investor, and he never received any compensation for the ad. Besides not even mentioning the fact that the clip is a part of a larger interview for another site the idea of not getting approval from Santora or NYT is just plain stupid.

So what is wrong here? Well the FTC rules forbid deceptive advertising which in this case means an ad from Dell which suggests a New York Times reporter has endorsed the Dell vision of mobile computing when in fact he hasn’t. Like I said – not a very smart move Dell and you’d better hope that you don’t get slapped around for this.

Going Viral: Does It Help or Hurt?

Guest Poster — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:41:00 +0000

This post is a guest post by Cyndy Aleo-Carreira, contributing editor at The Industry Standard.

Two stories have gone completely viral in the blogosphere this month; one I played a part in, and one I didn’t. The first was the story of Dell’s application to trademark the term cloud computing, a trademark that was all but a done deal until the blogosphere errupted in a righteous fury over a company taking advantage. From the first post on Google Groups to its coverage on Elastic Vapor and onward, the story spread like wildfire, finally culminating in a preliminary denial of the trademark that Dell may or may not appeal. If I were to guess, I’d assume Dell would drop the application, not wanting to incite the anger of the tech community, nor let its competitors gain press for what’s certain to be an almost instantaneous protest of an appeal.

In the case of Dell, the outcome seems clear: Dell lost, the tech industry won, and the blogs and forums that pushed the story along certainly played a part. But what happens with a viral story that has no real winners?

The Bigfoot story may be that story. Since it’s first coverage (some of it here on The Inquisitr), it’s another story that spread at lightning speed, with one site after another either claiming the “find” was real, or expressing cynicism. By now, we all know that the story was a hoax, but there seems to be no winner. One of the individuals involved has lost his job as a Clayton County police officer due to his involvement. All three individuals are now known worldwide as liars. There seems to be no good that came out of the story.

Odds are that those involved in the Bigfoot hoax really had no idea how fast a story can spread. What seemed like a simple press release that might have gained a bit of local coverage snowballed, and the perpetrators of the hoax may simply have lost control of it. The idea of “going viral” is the dream of every entrepreneur, PR person, and blogger. It just may not have a good outcome.

Guest author Cyndy Aleo-Carreira is a contributing editor at The Industry Standard. She also writes about tech and start-up issues as well as freelance writing at Shakespeare I Ain’t, and does a weekly podcast with The Inquisitr’s own Duncan Riley at Things You Can’t Say About the Internet on Talkshoe.