10-09-2002, 02:30 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Why you should wait for the Dell Pocket PC
http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2882305,00.html
Most journalists shy away from recommending a product that isn't here yet, as do I. But waiting on Dell to do something is like waiting for the microwave to ding. You know it is going to happen. The article goes on to tell you how Dell gets it money from you well before it pays for anything. It is one of the few company in the world that does this.
The benefit to you is Dell can drive the price down. In 2-3 months you should be able to buy a Pocket PC with a bit more power than the original iPAQ 3600, with integrated expansion slots, for about half the original selling price of the iPAQ. HP is forced to follow suit with the iPAQ 2200 and I'd wager that either the ViewSonic release date was stepped up or the price stepped down (or both) to be competitive with the Dell. Good for all PDA enthusiasts. Want a device with more power? One with some integrated wireless capabilities? Well, it is going to be hard for OEMs to charge double or more for these devices. This will drive the prices down across the board. The trick is to sell enough volume that you make the same amount of money on more units. Can Dell pull this off? Is grass green? Thanks to Steven Cedrone for the link.
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10-09-2002, 02:44 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 513
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I like these kinds of columns from them... insightful, sometimes unconventional viewpoints. But those user comments are invariably (invariably) depressing and often completely missing the point. Petty complaints and snide remarks that can't seem to see the big picture...
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10-09-2002, 03:15 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by st63z
But those user comments are invariably (invariably) depressing and often completely missing the point. Petty complaints and snide remarks that can't seem to see the big picture...
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I've almost stopped reading the user comments... 8O
However, I agree with the column and Ed's comments. Dell will push the price down, or they won't stay in the market. And while I don't expect anything spectacular from them, it will be a solid product with much of the functionality.
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10-09-2002, 03:29 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 102
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It's not like HP/Compaq can't afford the margin drop. Last I heard they made more money on an iPAQ Pocket PC sale than they did on any of their desktop computers. 8O
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10-09-2002, 03:35 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 390
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I think the column is nonsense in context of short term single purchase. Driving down 10-20% price is very hard in competitive category and that translate to only about $30-50.
Is it worth it to wait 6-12 months for $40 price reduction?
I think the the better reason to wait is if features that you need currently is not available, kludgy or too expensive. Eg. integrated GPRS, or video editing capability.
The next big manufacturing cost reduction will be when new MPU, video, and wireless chips comes out, along with display and battery. Take a look at Palm's m130, that's how far ~$100 manufacturing can go for color PDA, almost impossible to do with PPC spec. So I doubt price for that $299 Dell will suddenly drop $100-200 dollar within 3 months unless somebody is doling out big subsidy or coupons.
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10-09-2002, 03:37 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by st63z
I like these kinds of columns from them... insightful, sometimes unconventional viewpoints. But those user comments are invariably (invariably) depressing and often completely missing the point. Petty complaints and snide remarks that can't seem to see the big picture...
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What comments did I make that were petty or snide? :?
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10-09-2002, 03:42 AM
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,878
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Quote:
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Originally Posted by st63z
I like these kinds of columns from them... insightful, sometimes unconventional viewpoints. But those user comments are invariably (invariably) depressing and often completely missing the point. Petty complaints and snide remarks that can't seem to see the big picture...
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What comments did I make that were petty or snide? :? |
At the bottom of the article (On the ZDNet site) there is an area for people to add their comments. Those are the petty and snide remarks st63z is referring to...
Steve
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10-09-2002, 03:46 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 141
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From the looks of the Dell 'Clemente' PocketPC,(go here for the post with sneak peak pictures) it will turn some heads and I am sure 'Steve' will be pushing this version of the PocketPC into the hands of more consumers, which is a good thing for the entire PocketPC Market.
I am sure Dell will introduce their version at a great introductory price in the $299 range as speculated, which the other manufacturer's are and will follow suit.(Dell may experience some backlash as well, from manufacturers pulling their products from their website, like we haven't seen this before i.e. printers...). The best thing is that the consumer now has several choices to get a PocketPC that is more taylored to their needs with several options and features available to them than ever before.
It seems that the evolution of the PocketPC is changing more rapidly with each version and is reaching a pricepoint where it will begin to dominate the PDA market and for the average consumer to justify in its purchase, even in these tough economic times.
Gotta love Darwinism when applied to technology...
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10-09-2002, 03:48 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Steven Cedrone
At the bottom of the article (On the ZDNet site) there is an area for people to add their comments. Those are the petty and snide remarks st63z is referring to...
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Ahhhh. Sorry 'bout that.  ops:
That "feature" became so useless to me years ago I had totally forgotten it was there.
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10-09-2002, 04:51 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 513
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My bad, I should be more clear...
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Linear Mode
