<insanity>Oh yeah, I am SO PUMPED! Dell just roxxor, and the DJ is a totally kickass market-leading product. w000000000000t</insanity>

In all their Mac-bias, The Mac Observer neglected to mention one important feature the DJ has that the iPod lacks: UASâ„¢ (Ugly-As-Sin) technology.

Actually, it's 6.8oz for the 30 GB DJ.

MacObserver wrote "and weighs 6.5 ounces, approaching iPod territory."

If 6.5 ounces isn't squarely *IN* " iPod territory" I don't know what is.

The DJ is only .1 ounce heavier. That's a 1.5% difference in weight.

The DJ may suck, but in weight at least, it is a worthy challenger.

And when it's sitting on my desk at work, thats a big deal.

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Guest wrote:
MacObserver wrote "and weighs 6.5 ounces, approaching iPod territory."

If 6.5 ounces isn't squarely *IN* " iPod territory" I don't know what is.

The DJ is only .1 ounce heavier. That's a 1.5% difference in weight.

The DJ may suck, but in weight at least, it is a worthy challenger.

Dell's claim of 15,000 songs is suspect enough (basing it on 64kbs instead of 128kbps), but how do they figure this math:

- WMA audio format at 64kbpS compression: 30GB (up to 15,000 songs)
- MP3 audio format at 128kbpS compression: 30GB (10,000 songs)

(A footnote says 4 minutes per song is used to calculate WMA song capacity).

My math shows that MP3 at 128kbpS should result in 5,000 songs. I guess, uh, MP3 songs must be shorter than WMA songs?

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dj_30?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=specstab#tabtop

I believe the "approaching iPod territory" comment was aimed at the DJ loosing 25% of it's volume and becoming almost the same physical size as the iPod. But the DJ still lacks usablity and has that horrible sscrolling device.

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Guest wrote:
MacObserver wrote "and weighs 6.5 ounces, approaching iPod territory."

If 6.5 ounces isn't squarely *IN* " iPod territory" I don't know what is.

The DJ is only .1 ounce heavier. That's a 1.5% difference in weight.

The DJ may suck, but in weight at least, it is a worthy challenger.

This is crap. To advertise 15,000 songs is plain wrong wrong WRONG! We here know the diff, but the average Joe or Jill will think that it's actually twice the capacity of the 30 GB iPod Photo.

They're desperate to show that they have a jewel of a player, but the fact that their marketing department couldn't think of anything other than this shows what a piece of dung they have on their hands.

Reminds me of the SONY ATRAC claims.

"To advertise 15,000 songs is plain wrong wrong WRONG!"

Look on the bright side, that's one more case of false advertising that can be used in a lawsuit.

The biggest challenge for DJ is Dell is not known for cool products. Dell is known for low cost functional product - design is 'assembler' standard.

Seriously, to even talk about the Dull DJ is a waste of time. Its a pitiful 'me too' product from a 'me too' company. iPods will continue to dominate... the end.

Jimothy:

You are right 100% it is UGLY AS SIN!

How to-ugly up-your digital lifestyle. Seeing they were comparing I thought I'd visit the Dell site to see their product in it's best possible light. If they think these offerings will unseat the ipod, boy are they in for a shock. I guess the unemployed designers from the old Solviet Union have found a home at Dell. The specs may look similar, just like a porche and yugo both have four wheels, but which do you want as your ride.

Since the only way to compete against the iPod juggernaut is to bend the facts Creative puts in very, very small print at the bottom of their high gloss color catalog "all songs encoded with High Quality 64kbps WMA.

I think Creative really blew it by releasing that high gloss color catalog. You can tell in terrible living color exactly how gaudy their mp3 players colors really are.

I have a Dell sitting on the floor, and I'll never get one again... well, I was given this one...so I guess I'll never TAKE one again. I don't understand why people think that a company that excels at removing nuts and bolts can make a great computer. I took the dell apart one day, and it seemed like it was missing hardware... like it should have more nuts and bolts in it to hold it together, it was really flimsy... the mouse is too light, and the keyboard just feels CHEAP and shoddy. Money is money, but there are some things that just need to work right, and a computer is one of them. I've not been impressed with any of the Dell products that I've used... honestly can't understand people's love of this company. The only argument is cash... I just don't find that compelling enough.

Dell is fast losing its edge. It might not seem to be so but it is. It has to revise its direct business model quickly or face the fate of its predecessors like DEC and Compaq.

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Mace wrote:
Dell is fast losing its edge. It might not seem to be so but it is. It has to revise its direct business model quickly or face the fate of its predecessors like DEC and Compaq.

You'd make an excellent Windows troll.

I'm serious.

Technology had advanced so much that any current models of WinTel and Mac meet the needs of most consumers. Most consumers do only surfing, emailing, working on office applications and occasionally gaming (not latest). Consumers also prefer notebooks over desktops.

Given above situation, isn't it easier to walk in to a shop and buy-n-carry the notebook home rather than:

a. Configure online
b. Wait for the delivery

Looking from another perspective. The cost perspective. Dell's direct model assumes that the cost of configuring and shipping cost to individual is lower than the margin earned by retailers. It also assumes a rapid drop in component cost. All these assumptions are no longer true especially at the lowest end.

Oh, I suppose when Apple revs their iPods it's not an act of desparation. Please. Get some decent stories.

There is something that most people do not understand or worst, pretend not to understand.
Apple is an integrated Software/Hardware manufacturer, the iPod and all the other products are not just amazing pieces of Hardware, but also a demonstration of how to really make Software (ITunes Music Store and the iTunes Client for example).
Dell besides having a superior structure in terms of producing and delivering their products to the consumer, does not have the feel, or the know how to make Software.
People should first use both products and compare real time performances, before saying something.
This is also the right procedure to be applied to Computers.
Another example, no one in their right mind compares a G4 or even a G5 in an Apple Station with an Intel Processor in a Dell Station, use both to compare.

Gemini

Desparation on Apple's part. Are you an idiot? They maintain over an 80 percent market share for hd mp3 players. And I bet their overall share will increase when the new numbers which include the shuffle are announced. All they are doing is sinking the final nails into the coffin's of the competition.


Ken

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Mace wrote:
Given above situation, isn't it easier to walk in to a shop and buy-n-carry the notebook home rather than:

a. Configure online
b. Wait for the delivery

For consumers, yes, you're right. But for business, which still count for a large percentage of computer purchases, it's easier to configure on line and take delivery, particularly if computers are being purchased by the lot. It's those corporate sales where Dell is particularly strong, and Apple particularly weak.

Dell has a small retail presence with their mall kiosks, but you still need to wait for delivery. Gateway tried to establish a retail presence, and look where it got them. Apple stands alone in having a successful self-branded retail presence.

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jimothy wrote:
Apple stands alone in having a successful self-branded retail presence.

I love making fun of you guys.

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Guest wrote:

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jimothy wrote:
Apple stands alone in having a successful self-branded retail presence.

I love making fun of you guys.

Well, that sounds like a wonderful hobby, but would you care to elaborate? Or at least, you know, make fun of me, so I know what the heck it is you are talking about.

If you disagree with my statement, give me an example of another computer manufacture that has had a successful self-branded (i.e., not selling at another retailer, such as Best Buy or Radio Shack) presence. Gateway lost a ton of money, and gained very little sales, off of their own stores. I've never actually seen a Dell kioski, nor have I read anything suggesting they are a success.

Thanks, Jimothy. At least, it means Dell will not be able to make much inroads into the consumer segment. Hopefully, in a few years from now, Dell remains top dog in enterprise segment and Apple is top dog in consumer segment. I am hoping that Apple can capture 50% of the consumer segment by end of this decade.

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jimothy wrote:

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Guest wrote:

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jimothy wrote:
Apple stands alone in having a successful self-branded retail presence.

I love making fun of you guys.

Well, that sounds like a wonderful hobby, but would you care to elaborate? Or at least, you know, make fun of me, so I know what the heck it is you are talking about.

If you disagree with my statement, give me an example of another computer manufacture that has had a successful self-branded (i.e., not selling at another retailer, such as Best Buy or Radio Shack) presence. Gateway lost a ton of money, and gained very little sales, off of their own stores. I've never actually seen a Dell kioski, nor have I read anything suggesting they are a success.

Keep responding to my posts. Feed the trolls. haha

"Keep responding to my posts. Feed the trolls. haha"

Well, what other computer manufactuerer than Apple has a successful self-branded presence? Or don't you have an answer?

"Keep responding to my posts. Feed the trolls. haha"

My, my. You're a load that would've been better off swallowed, eh?

Your poor parents.

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Anonymous wrote:
"Keep responding to my posts. Feed the trolls. haha"

Well, what other computer manufactuerer than Apple has a successful self-branded presence? Or don't you have an answer?

Are you that blind?
You don't see any other company outside of Apple.

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Anonymous wrote:
"Keep responding to my posts. Feed the trolls. haha"

My, my. You're a load that would've been better off swallowed, eh?

Your poor parents.

Keep responding to my posts. ha

Mac idiots.

"You don't see any other company outside of Apple."

The conversation was about self-branded retail presence. I accidetly left out the "retail" part. So, I'll ask a again for your benefit.

What computer manufacturer other than Apple has a successful self-branded retail presence? Seems no one has an answer.

"Keep responding to my posts. ha"

Well, you keep responding to mine, so I guess I win. Who says you can't troll a troll?

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Mac idiots.

Sigh...stop sucking Bill Gates' schlong so much. He says you're making it all raw n' itchy.

...somewhere besides here. Back on topic, sorta:

The Register's Ashlee Vance got in a pretty good shot today with this:

"Dell shipped 378 Itanium servers last quarter, according to Gartner. We understand a new heating system in Michael Dell's Alaskan cabin may have accounted for half of these systems while the other boxes likely went to anyone willing to buy a Dell DJ MP3 player."

They'd probably call it "seeding the market" or some such goofball term.

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ben sanders wrote:
Oh, I suppose when Apple revs their iPods it's not an act of desparation. Please. Get some decent stories.

YOU ASS, Look at Apple DOMINATE the market, they are not releasing further generation ipods in desperation, its called INNOVATION. Small fries are desperately trying to keep there noses above the waves from the ipod typhoon.

Here is an obvious fact that people should relish in like an RDF orgasm:
Apple is an integrated Software/Hardware manufacturer.

Dell besides having a superior structure in terms of producing and delivering their products to the consumer, does not have the feel, or the know how to make Software. Software only talks to Apple. Bashing non-Apple products without using them, I can make the following statement:
People should first use both products and compare real time performances, before saying something.
This is also the right procedure to be applied to Computers.

Another example, no one in Apple's right mind compares a G4 or even a G5 in an Apple Station with an Intel Processor in a Dell Station, because the Intel would smoke the G4 and G5. We must show Apple in the best light. use both to compare savings at menards.

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Anonymous wrote:
... Dell besides having a superior structure in terms of producing and delivering their products to the consumer, ...

Business not consumer. Dell direct model works well only when price of components are falling rapidly and for bulk purchases of a few configurations.

[quote="Guest"
Another example, no one in Apple's right mind compares a G4 or even a G5 in an Apple Station with an Intel Processor in a Dell Station, because the Intel would smoke the G4 and G5. We must show Apple in the best light. use both to compare savings at menards.[/quote]

What is your major malfunction!? A top end G5 is NOT smoked by any intel. Look at the benchmarks...and possibly become enlightened.

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NoVaMac wrote:
[quote="Guest"
Another example, no one in Apple's right mind compares a G4 or even a G5 in an Apple Station with an Intel Processor in a Dell Station, because the Intel would smoke the G4 and G5. We must show Apple in the best light. use both to compare savings at menards.

What is your major malfunction!? A top end G5 is NOT smoked by any intel. Look at the benchmarks...and possibly become enlightened.[/quote]

Benchmark results are mixed. (I'd still rather go with a G5, of course!)