Soe Tun

Dell's Product Lineup = Fail

It has been a while since my last blog post.
I have been busy and lazy at the same time and couldn't find the time to get around posting new blog posts.

I have been thinking of writing a blog post series on ASP.NET MVC for Web Forms Programmers.
Especially because I am planning to give presentations at .NET User Group meetings and Code Camps starting this October-November.

So, now I need to buy a 17" screen laptop with Windows 7 64-bit with 8GB RAM.
I have always been a Desktop guy because I hate laptops due to

• small-screen size
• tiny keyboard
• slower performance compared to desktops

To my horror, I end up having to choose from this confusing list of laptop product lines on Dell's website.

• Adamo
• Inspiron
• Mini
• Studio
• Studio XPS
• Latitude
• Precision
• Vostro

Now, let's compare that with Apple's products lineup on http://www.apple.com/mac/.
From their names alone, I can determine its use and which one I need without any thinking necessary.

• Macbook      -- regular laptop           (the "poor" mens' laptop)
  
• Macbook Pro -- powerful                  (the "I'm fricken rich" laptop)
  
• Macbook Air  -- super lightweight      (the "I'm trendy" laptop)
• Mac Mini      -- small                      ("I can't afford any other Mac" mac)

 How simple is this to choose from?

I know the laptop that I need must be a powerful laptop.
So that leaves me with the following choices: Inspiron, Studio, Studio XPS, Latitude, Precision, Vostro

Okay, now this is where it gets confusing.
What is the difference between Inspiron and Latitude? Studio? XPS? Precision? Vostro?

Dell's explanation on this page is so full of Marketing-Speak that I get even more confused.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/solutions/en/why_inspiron?c=us&l=en
Here is the exact quote (as of August 26th 2010):

Inspiron vs. ...

Inspiron vs. XPS Inspiron laptops are designed to deliver an outstanding computing experience with exceptional reliability - offering performance and design at an affordable price. XPS laptops are built around the latest in high performance technologies and offer expanded services with an unrelenting focus on innovation, design, extreme gaming and exhilarating entertainment. XPS is the pinnacle of Dell technology, design and innovation.

Inspiron vs. Latitude^TM While Inspiron laptops offer the latest technology, the Latitude line is Network-optimized for businesses with more than 10 employees and designed to allow for managed transitions and a low total cost of ownership. Latitude is perfect for a large networked environment, long-term stability and business-class computing.

Inspiron vs. Dell Precision^TM Dell Precision workstations are certified to run a variety of workstation-class applications and are optimized for the high performance requirements and processing demands necessary for many engineering, finance, software development, digital content creation, digital video editing and GIS applications.

Now put yourself in the shoes of a non-technical Home User (or) Small-Business Owner.
You will be completely clueless on which one to buy.

Now I am having to

1. Go back and forth between Home and Small-Business sections.
2. Navigate through Dell's confusing and cluttered website. See for yourself what the difference is.
          http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/
          v.s
         http://www.dell.com/us/p/studio-n-studio-xps-laptops?~ck=anav
    
3. Keep many many many Browser Tabs opened between different Product Lines and configurations.

All in all, shopping on Dell's webiste is really cumbersome, ridiculous, and annoying.

Gotta give credit to Apple for always providing a clean, simple, and pleasant design and user-experience in *every* product they make (including their website).
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not an Apple fanboi and the only Apple product I own is an iPhone.

 I hate Apple computers because they are ridiculously priced and expensive.
And I also hate how Apple Fanbois say "It is more expensive because Apple uses better quality hardware", which I know is nonsense.

Anyway, I'm looking for a good laptop around $1,500 from Dell.
Please let me know if anyone know a good deal/coupon for Dell laptops.

/end-rant

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Print | posted on Thursday, August 26, 2010 3:35 AM | Filed Under [ Rant ]