Dell Teases Inspiron Mini 10 Features

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-10?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs' target='_blank'>http://www.dell.com/content/product...s=19&l=en&s=dhs</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1236718795.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Dell is doing something really puzzling with their Mini 10 netbooks, and I can't quite wrap my head around the logic of it. At CES they announced the Mini 10 <a href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f305/dell-fills-out-their-netbook-line-mini-10-a-92109.html" target="_blank">with some really surprising features</a>, including GPS, a built-in TV tuner, and several other options you don't typically see in netbooks. When I saw that Dell Canada was releasing the Mini 10, I placed an order to get one to review. Imagine my surprise when I was configuring it and saw no features beyond the basics offered on every other netbook out there today (well, other than the colours offered). I dug around the <a href="http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-10?c=us&amp;cs=19&amp;l=en&amp;s=dhs" target="_blank">Mini 10 product pages</a>, and found this text:</p><p><em>"Coming Soon: The following Inspiron Mini 10 features will be available at a later date:</em></p><ul><li><em> HD capabilities - Enjoy your favorite movies on the optional 720p Hi-def 10.1&uml; seamless display.</em></li><li><em>More Storage - Do even more with optional 2GB memory and optional 250GB hard drive.</em></li><li><em>Navigation - Know your way like the back of your hand using the optional GPS with optional internal WWAN support.</em></li><li><em>Design Studio - Personalize your Mini 10 with cool designs from the artist, Tristen Eaton, in Dell's Design Studio.</em></li><li><em>Long battery life - No need to sacrifice weight for battery life. The Inspiron Mini 10 provides extended battery life while keeping the weight of the system under 3 pounds. 3-cell: approx. 3 hours. 6-cell: approx. 6.5 hours</em></li><li><em>The New TV - Watch your favorite TV shows with the internal digital TV tuner."</em></li></ul><p>In the many years I've been running my tech sites, I've never seen a company promote an unreleased, improved version of a product on the pages for a current product they're selling. Talk about killing sales! Nobody wants to order a product and find out that it's already obsolete before they order it. A Dell Mini 10 with all those features will certainly be more expensive than the already expensive Dell Mini 10 that's offered today, but most consumers doubtless want the option to have these improved features. Dell, where's your head at?</p>

[Bob Anderson]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-10?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs' target='_blank'>http://www.dell.com/content/product...s=19&l=en&s=dhs</a><br /><br /></div><p>In the many years I've been running my tech sites, I've never seen a company promote an unreleased, improved version of a product on the pages for a current product they're selling. Talk about killing sales! Nobody wants to order a product and find out that it's already obsolete before they order it. A Dell Mini 10 with all those features will certainly be more expensive than the already expensive Dell Mini 10 that's offered today, but most consumers doubtless want the option to have these improved features. Dell, where's your head at?</p>

I have to disagree, and give kudos to Dell for their "transparency." While I agree that this is a new way to handle upgraded products "coming soon" I have to say it is a good move. Let me explain why:

1) Honesty: First off, Dell is giving consumers a choice - get something basic today if you have the need and the price is right, or consider waiting for the "next big thing." It used to be companies fully knew what was coming, but for fear of not selling anything they wouldn't be honest about it. Then there would be a "backlash" of sorts when the new product came out 60 days later and the geeks would unite in their disdain for "not knowing".

2) Cost Savings: When I was a more avid Dell user, I'd follow message boards at Dell fairly regularly and I'd constantly see people sending back their computer within the 30 day "satisfaction guarantee" period because a new component was now available for the computer they had, and of course, everyone wanted it. Talk about an expense to Dell! Being upfront may help lower those return costs. Not everyone is a total geek, looking forthat "bump up" in component speed or capacity and therefore being upfront filters those people out. Someone who just needs it "now" without regard to specifications can do so.

3) Maintain "Interest": OK what better way to encourage customers to make repeat visits to your site!!! Tell them to be on the lookout for something new - and your geeks/early adopters will constantly be looking for the "new" product. Who knows what they'll look at and/or buy on those multiple visits!! I think everyone in business knows that repeat visits increase the odds of a sale so Dell might be on to something here.

4) Customer Satisfaction: I like dealing with companies that help me make a choice (#1) but don't treat me like an idiot. Giving me the facts and letting me decide is the better experience. The Apple Store is a good example - as a MSFT loyalist - I can honestly say that the multiple visits I've made to the Apple Store is getting me closer and closer to buying an Apple product. The people are generally unbiased and just state the facts. I like that - it lets me be comfortable with my decision. Customer satisfaction is driven by actions like this. Dell might be learning something about how to better deal with their customers in a direct buy/build environment. Certainly they have enough "transactional experience" to come to this conclusion based on their volume.

Bottom line: I'm liking the way Dell is operating. Although I haven't considered a Dell product in a long time (for no real reason other than I found better deals elsewhere) I might just have to put them back on the radar screen as a result of this new found "disclosure".

[Jason Dunn]

I have to disagree, and give kudos to Dell for their "transparency." While I agree that this is a new way to handle upgraded products "coming soon" I have to say it is a good move. Let me explain why...

You raise some very good points Bob - thanks for sharing. I agree that transparency is a good thing, and from a purchasing standpoint I agree it's nice for people like us to know that there's something new coming out. It's just so strange to see Dell doing that. :)