Dell Offers $100 Trade-in Program For iPod Switchers

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dell.com/dj' target='_blank'>http://www.dell.com/dj</a><br /><br /></div>Looking to carve a piece out of Apple's audio player market share, Dell has introduced a new incentive program to woo iPod users. Trade-in your iPod now and get $100 off the sticker price of a new DJ. The question is.....who in the hell would trade an iPod for a Dell DJ? That isn't a trade-<i>in</i>, it's a trade-<i>down</i>. Like trading in a Chrysler Crossfire for a Chevy Cavalier. <br /><br />And from a practical standpoint, what would I, and other iPod owners, gain from this transaction? Inferior jukebox software, horrible DRM in a less popular format (WMA), less intuitive interface and poor music download service. So, what am I missing here? What is it that would compel me to become a "Switcher"? :roll: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/delldj.jpg" />

[Zack Mahdavi]

Nothing... :roll:

I'll stick with my 10GB second generation iPod. My 2 year old device is still better than the Dell Jukebox, imo. :)

[Suhit Gupta]

I had a pseudo-broken 20GB iPod just sitting around, so I just ordered a Dell DJ. Hopefully it will be worth the deal.

Suhit

[sylvangale]

Why such a harsh opinion? The design is intuitive. WMA quality is subjective. Musicmatch pairing may be a fault, but you don't have to buy from them.

Cnet review of Dell:
(note- 72% of 620 cnet users like Dell DJ 15GB)
(note- 72% of 408 cnet users like Ipod 20GB)
http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Digital_Jukebox_DJ__15GB_/4505-6490_7-30582921.html

[Suhit Gupta]

BTW, as I was asking Kent/Jason a little while ago, it doesn't seem as though there is any software to make the Dell DJ work with the Mac OS. The Dell folk officially say there isn't however they have heard that there are people that have ways. Do any of you know of any ways/hacks? (The one that comes to mind immediately is using Virtual PC)

Suhit

[James Fee]

Cnet review of Dell:
(note- 72% of 620 cnet users like Dell DJ 15GB)
(note- 72% of 408 cnet users like Ipod 20GB)
http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Digital_Jukebox_DJ__15GB_/4505-6490_7-30582921.html
Now, now... Lets not quote CNet. ;)

The DJ is a great device, but I wouldn't trade my iPod for one. I expect eBay prices of broken iPods will increase over this.

I think this is just Dell trying a stunt so they can get in the press....

[Kent Pribbernow]

The DJ is a great device, but I wouldn't trade my iPod for one.

That was exactly my point as well. The issue is not really whether the DJ is a "good" product. It's just not something one would trade an iPod for. If you don't yet own an HD based digital audio player, and you use a PC, by all means get the DJ. But if you already own an iPod, the DJ is not a measuarble replacement, especially if you're based on a Mac. And since more than 50% of iPod users are on a Mac (those are Steve Jobs figures, not mine), this trade-in offer makes even less sense.

[mcsouth]

.....I understand that in response to the latest commercials showing the pairing between BMW and iPod, Dell is preparing an announcement that they will be pairing with Kia to take mobile music on the road..... :wink:

[foldedspace]

If you have a flakey, original iPod that won't hold a charge, sure.

[Jason Dunn]

Harsh. 8O

[Felix Torres]

.....I understand that in response to the latest commercials showing the pairing between BMW and iPod, Dell is preparing an announcement that they will be pairing with Kia to take mobile music on the road..... :wink:

A more appropriate pairing would be Toyota.
Both outfits build solid, reliable, well-built products at fair prices that aren't particularly flashy. Neither is the cheapest but both offer good value, for those who care how they spend their money. ;-)
(Me, I favor the RIO line myself, but I have friends who are very happy with their Dells. Especially the batteries. :twisted: )

As for the trade-in, it's obviously designed for pure PR value, though they may get a few thousand trade-ins from among the folks ticked off at the $100 charge to replace the dead iPOD battery since for the same amount, you get an all-new media player.

One thing it does, however, is point out that if you've been buying music from iTunes, you *can't* switch to a different brand of player. Not now, and probably never...

So, while its not likely to make any kind of market impact, it does make a couple of marketing points to anybody who's paying attention.