I've just bought a Dell. Dude.
Discussion
Well, not bought yet since it hasn't arrived... but placed an order.
What is the world coming to????
Given the limitations of the iPad - extended delivery estimates, higher cost than ideal for a single-niche device, and that I can see it being locked down and jailed to stop it being remotely *usable* for everything I want it to do - I've decided to buy a cheap little netbook; a long battery life, lightweight, around 10 inch screen Mac with multitouch trackpad and *full* ownership and control of the machine (plus a full version of the OS with all Unixy goodness intact).
Though I don't have any love for Dell the brand, some of their machines are very good value. As such I won't be feeling *that* guilty when the Dell badge on the lid gets covered up with an Apple badge
What is the world coming to????
Given the limitations of the iPad - extended delivery estimates, higher cost than ideal for a single-niche device, and that I can see it being locked down and jailed to stop it being remotely *usable* for everything I want it to do - I've decided to buy a cheap little netbook; a long battery life, lightweight, around 10 inch screen Mac with multitouch trackpad and *full* ownership and control of the machine (plus a full version of the OS with all Unixy goodness intact).
Though I don't have any love for Dell the brand, some of their machines are very good value. As such I won't be feeling *that* guilty when the Dell badge on the lid gets covered up with an Apple badge
Having been forced to use Dell hardware for years, I am NOT a big fan. They are cheap and chearful for a reason - because they are built to a price. In general they are not bad as such and some models clearly show that they are masters at bundling stuff together for premium or niche products. But these are built to get people in to look at their website and buy the mainstream stuff - which is rubbish. Shame.
I know lots of people will defend Dell and say that they are great. But as a business workhorse they are not great. There are loads of better manufacturers out there and most make it easy to update and keep running the base system - which Dell fundamentally fail with. Mainly because they are constantly changing the components to keep costs down. One single model may end up with 3 or 4 different network cards alone! Not easy to manage.
I know lots of people will defend Dell and say that they are great. But as a business workhorse they are not great. There are loads of better manufacturers out there and most make it easy to update and keep running the base system - which Dell fundamentally fail with. Mainly because they are constantly changing the components to keep costs down. One single model may end up with 3 or 4 different network cards alone! Not easy to manage.
off_again said:
Having been forced to use Dell hardware for years, I am NOT a big fan. They are cheap and chearful for a reason - because they are built to a price. In general they are not bad as such and some models clearly show that they are masters at bundling stuff together for premium or niche products. But these are built to get people in to look at their website and buy the mainstream stuff - which is rubbish. Shame.
I know lots of people will defend Dell and say that they are great. But as a business workhorse they are not great. There are loads of better manufacturers out there and most make it easy to update and keep running the base system - which Dell fundamentally fail with. Mainly because they are constantly changing the components to keep costs down. One single model may end up with 3 or 4 different network cards alone! Not easy to manage.
But if they see their market as cheap disposable notebooks, or just letting the silver surfers get online then whats the issue? I think they have picked their target consumer very well, and to that end have to be regarded as doing a good jobI know lots of people will defend Dell and say that they are great. But as a business workhorse they are not great. There are loads of better manufacturers out there and most make it easy to update and keep running the base system - which Dell fundamentally fail with. Mainly because they are constantly changing the components to keep costs down. One single model may end up with 3 or 4 different network cards alone! Not easy to manage.
JRM said:
But if they see their market as cheap disposable notebooks, or just letting the silver surfers get online then whats the issue? I think they have picked their target consumer very well, and to that end have to be regarded as doing a good job
Hell, I am not complaining if they have a successful business model - good on them! Some PC manufacturers have tried to increase margins by positioning themselves as premium suppliers or niche players. Most have failed to do this, only maybe Asus has succeeded in a way, but even then on low-end, low-margin products anyway! Dell constantly try to position themselves as something they clearly aren't - but they make money and are successful, so credit where credit is due!
I've bought two dells in the last year 
both from the outlet centre and I've been very happy with them (a 540s desktop and a mini 10v SSD with linux for SWMBO)
Service was excellent and [touch wood] nothing has gone wrong with either of them. Nice looking machines and reasonable price for the specs.
both from the outlet centre and I've been very happy with them (a 540s desktop and a mini 10v SSD with linux for SWMBO)Service was excellent and [touch wood] nothing has gone wrong with either of them. Nice looking machines and reasonable price for the specs.
We've been using Dells at work exclusively for about 10yrs now. On a couple of hundred PCs on that time, we've had maybe 1 or 2 failures.
Just had my six year old Dell desktop replaced yesterday with a nice Win 7 box and one of Dell's excellent widescreen monitors. Not for any fault, but because I am the Win 7 guinea pig.
Just had my six year old Dell desktop replaced yesterday with a nice Win 7 box and one of Dell's excellent widescreen monitors. Not for any fault, but because I am the Win 7 guinea pig.
We've just bought two of the new 13" jobbies. One lattitude and the vostro version, on first impressions they feel really good. I'm about to get a new 14" lattitude thingywhatsit which I am sure will be smashing..
We have a few xps 13 s which have given us a little grief but overall we've been very happy with Dell kit and have been using it for years..
D
We have a few xps 13 s which have given us a little grief but overall we've been very happy with Dell kit and have been using it for years..
D
buggalugs said:
Oooo ooo me too
Hmmm. Stinkpad X31s - non? I have one too - and I reckon it's the best bit of IT I have ever spent my money one. Currently running 9.10 Karmic, very nicely indeed. But what's with the apple stickers? Do you have the Mac OS loaded on them, or an Ubuntu remix?
Oli.
Dupont666 said:
I am typing on one right now! I was debating to buy a Macbook Air for travel use but I couldn't get my head around the cost versus the fact it hasn't really been updated in ages. As a go between I hakintoshed a Dell 10v.Easy install, cheap netbook, mac osx. Awesome combo. Works a treat! Absolute VFM.
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