Dell's product design trategy

I have free time today so I go back and look at the old machine of Dell.
I just figure out that Dell is making a tremendous improvement from Dell's products design. (laptop and desktop at the same time)
Are they trying to reach a new market with customers who cares about styles and leave the old market with customer who care only about *low prices* to other company such as Compaq, Gateway, etc.
I create this thread with the idea of listening to your voice as a customer about how Dell has been making their product more high-class, and their pricing strategy.

 

As far as I'm concerned, Dell still has some of the best-priced computers available. But you're right, they've definitely gotten much prettier over these last few years. Just look at the Studio and Studio XPS series.

 

I think making ugly computers just doesn't cut it anymore. All companies are making their cheapest computers look good.

 

I agree, they are getting better and better.

 

well, that is something must happen because consumers want better design and cheaper cost at the same time.

 

There is a great video on Dell's channel on YouTube that explains their product strategy .. just search for "Dell vlog". Its not just about looking good, but, personalisation as well.. which is why they have those fancy pants lid designs.

 

Exactly. And, more importantly from a profit perspective, consumers are willing to pay a much larger premium for design now than they were in the past, as people take their notebooks with them more often -- processing power is already more than enough for most users and has been for a few years.

Dell realizes that it's a losing battle trying to fight a spec & price battle with the cheap $399/499 notebooks at best buy and wal-mart.

I think the market really has changed though. When I went to undergrad in 2002, I bought a Dell Inspiron 8200 -- a 15.0" 1.9Ghz P4, Geforce 440 graphics, 256mb of ram, over 8 lbs. and about 2 hours of battery life. All plastic. I loved it at the time.

Now I won't settle for anything over 4 lbs. and with anything other than a high-quality screen, keyboard, and a nice chassis. Perhaps I've just become a snob, but I think design is only going to become more important as people spend more of their day with their notebooks.

 

any body have a thought on this topic?

 

I just wish they did something with their 13" laptops. Sure, the old XPS 1330 gave you a choice of lid colors, but that was limited, while the Inspiron and Studio XPS just give you one basic color. I guess it could just be a volume/cost thing, but in general, I think Dell should focus a bit more attention on their 13" laptops b/c I think those have become the standard when it comes to portability mixed with power.

Anyway, I'm just hoping Dell releases a new and updated Inspiron/Studio 13" laptop by summertime b/c they are getting a bit too top-heavy now with the SXPS and Adamo lines and ignoring a big segment that just want the basics (that's also comparable in specs to a bunch of the other standard laptops out there).

 

I just keep reading "Dell's product design tragedy" when i'm scanning topics

 

I bought an Inspiron 1520 for just a bit over 1,000. last yr. A decent notebook for travel but it was destroyed by a crap Dell ac adapter. IMO Dell will have to step up to the plate and address it's poor customer and tech service issues before they can compete in this new tight economy. Simply recalling or giving customers decent ac adapters would have saved them a lot in class action law suits. I think in today's economy it's about customer service.

http://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/dell-ac-power-adapter-id-chip-died

 

Dell has really upped their standards in terms of design and sleekness.

Just looking at my 3 year old Inspiron 6400 now, then looking a new XPS or Latitude makes it clear they really worked hard to improve design.