By Andy McCue, 17 January 2005 11:45
NEWS Dell has questioned Apple's long-term business strategy, dismissing the iPod as a "fad" and a "one-product wonder" and claiming the new Mac mini won't dent the PC market.
In an interview with silicon.com at Dell's Round Rock headquarters in Texas last week, CEO Kevin Rollins said the number of headlines Apple grabs does not worry him and that the company isn't "in the same league" as Dell.
"It's interesting the iPod has been out for three years and it's only this past year it's become a raging success. Well those things that become fads rage and then they drop off. When I was growing up there was a product made by Sony called the Sony Walkman – a rage, everyone had to have one," he said. "Well you don't hear about the Walkman anymore. I believe that one product wonders come and go. You have to have sustainable business models, sustainable strategy."
But Rollins was careful to add that this wasn't meant as any kind of disparagement of Apple. "They've done a nice job," he said.
Apple announced its new sub-ÂŁ350 entry-level Mac mini that is aimed at tempting wavering PC users across to the Apple camp last week while silicon.com was visiting the Dell headquarters.
But given Dell's historical commitment to aggressive pricing in the PC market and its dominant position in the US, Rollins was, not surprisingly, unimpressed with the Mac mini.
"It might take some here and there, but Apple's market share in the global computer business has really shrunk pretty far. Where they've been making success recently is not in the computer business, but in the iPod music business," he said. "So this might be an interesting new product but I'm not really believing this is going to turn the industry upside down."
Dell recently extended its foray into the consumer market with its own music download service to go with its own MP3 player, but Rollins said Dell will continue to focus on businesses as its number one priority.
"Our strategic focus has been on corporations and institutions, and selling them large server clusters and huge SAN installations - the data centre isn't very sexy to write about but, frankly, that's where the money is. Number one is corporations and institutions," he said.
Read the full interview with Rollins later this week on silicon.com for his views on Dell's future growth, consolidation, playing the violin, motocross, the Republican Party and more.
Comments
There are 126 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
Dell is definitely an extremely efficient business. They successfully package a myriad of computer bits from different vendors into ugly unimaginative boxes running an ugly unimaginative operating system. They are proud of this and they are good at it. They make lots of money on low margin machines. More money is saved because their tech support now comes from 3rd world contries.
For the person who cares only about getting the job done with the his or her choice of X86 processor it's a fine machine. If you are good at contending and/or somehow being happy with micro$oft OS I'm sure it's great. I sit here behind my horrible Dell machine here at work because I have no choice in corporate America. They give me a Dell box because it fits in nicely with their business model, and they have a battalion of IT folks to make sure the latest Windows XP patch is loaded, and the firewall is in good working order.
2. BJMC
Yes, Dell is an extremely efficient busines
But so is Apple in the way it designs products and product manufacturing processes for deployment at the most appropriate location.
I was meeting with a logistics expert this morning who brought up the subject of Apple Mac mini's, iMac G5's Apple Servers and Apple SAN components, the size of which have been reduced and packaged so that the items may be hand carried. He says that Dell may well have things wrong with its push towards local final production.
Global standardization, he says, and the ease of transportation in less space will yield economies that will favor the Apple business model.
Of course, Apple is also currently regarded as a very efficient organization in terms of processes including production and logistics.
If Dell has a weakness it is that its business model has reached near perfection for the current environment including the simple fact that Dell proucts, lacking in innovative design, are much larger (full of air, wind (fans) and wire) and are heavier than they need be.
Brazen statements like those in the article made by the CEO and elsewhere by the Chairman suggest that the company may be slow to react should some basic parameters change.
3. anonymous
Dell is worried and it has every reason to be.
Funny he calls iPod a fad. What should we call his jukebox and their copied products?
4. N Hughes
Quote: "When I was growing up there was a product made by Sony called the Sony Walkman – a rage, everyone had to have one," he said. Well you don't hear about the Walkman anymore."
The Walkman was pretty hot for years and has no doubt been a good earner for Sony for the last 20 or so. If that's Mr. Rollins' idea of a "fad", then what isn't?
Come to think of it..how long has Dell been operational? Do we class the company as a "fad" for the time being?
5. MG
Fad defn: temporary, passing fashion or item that has great appeal to many people for a short period of time, then dies out quickly.
We will see, where is Dell's mp3 player? Hmmm. Dell needs Apple cause they need someone to copy cause they don't have an innovative bone in their body.
6. anonymous
Dell is just another PC Manufacturing company, the just produce dull run of the mill PC's, never ever seen anything of theirs to get excited about, but Apple on the other hand are coming out with new and refreshing products on a regular basis. I think Apple has took computers to the next level, Apple releases something then everyone else try's to emulate(software & Hardware).
7. anonymous
Somebody is a little jellouse
8. anonymous
There us a "HUGE" difference between and innovator and a "Packeteer".
Dell is for sure the largest and most profitable packeteer in the world with 0 innovation. Just like huge Nokia lost their share lets see what happens in 2yrs from now.
9. anonymous
Wow! What an incoherent affirmation! What does exactly produced lately? An iPod alternative - without any luck - the same copycat firm I hear every time.
What innovative product made Dell from his birth date? NADA - They had copied the PC from other company (IBM, HP, Compaq...) lowering the price.
They make some good products but stop.
In the history of computer, Dell vanishes away, not Apple.
10. TM
> Somebody is a little jellouse
Do you mean "Jealous" or "Jello"?
Somebody is a little dim if you ask me
11. Alan Brask
We have no way of know who will be proven right, but it seems to me that making a sweeping statement, as Rollins has just done, is not smart. As they say: "sometimes it's better to remain quiet and be thought stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".
12. anonymous
Dell may be efficient, but they make low quality products. The offerings from Dell are as generic as you can get, if that is what Dell is so proud about it is pretty amusing. "We make crap, and we're proud of it!" - Dell
13. anonymous
Our doors stay open by themselves. We don't need a Dell.
14. Brett Archibald
Stupid, ignorant, or just in plain denial? You decide.
How can Dell refer to something that defined portable music for the best part of two decades a "fad" or a "one-product wonder"? Sure, Sony had one product for portable music (and plenty of other products for other markets). One product was all they needed. It was all people wanted. It was they needed. No-one had any competing products. And it certainly was no fad. The only reason people are not still using Walkmans these days is because no-one listens to cassettes any more, otherwise the Walkman would still be around, I'd bet.
But anyway, back to Apple, and the iPod... So he says the iPod is only really taking off in its 3rd year? Well, that sounds to me like it's certainly not a fad then, as it's been steadily rising in sales, popularity and market share for three years. How's the Dell Jukebox doing? Anyone got any figures for that one?
The iPod is the Walkman of the 21st century, and it's going to be around for a long while yet.
15. anonymous
If Apple is so insignifcant, then why is Dell even bothering to comment? Do they comment when their other competitors release products?
Apple is relevant because their products constantly redefine the marketplace.
Dell is a copier, not an innovator. When was the last time that a product of Dell's made a buzz in the media?
16. Per
The "fad" or "one product wonder" called the walkman has sold more than 300 million units over more than 20 years.
17. Rob
Yeah yeah.. Sony 'Walkman'.... hmmm.. what the heck is that? wait wait.. wasn't that the tape player you took on your hip to listen to music everywhere?
Hmmm.. released back in the early 80s or so.. transferred it to the sony discman in the 90s, for about the same price as the walkman when it was released.... a good 15-20 year run....
WOW! What a FAD! Dell should innovate so well as Apple.
--- Rob
18. Bright
Remember this article when Dell "Invents" the ipod--10 years from now!
What a laughable company. Just like republicans are a laughable party.
19. Ken M.
How short-sighted of Mr. Rollins. Some people probably called the first television sets a "fad" as well.
The Walkman a fad? Like the iPod, it changed the way people listened to music, forever.
Once people get a taste of storing hundreds, even thousands of tunes in a pocket sized package, I don't think they will ever want to revert back to CDRs & cassette tapes, for on-the-go listening. Even I can see that, and I'm not the CEO of a corporation. Maybe I should be?
20. Charles Cusumano
What did you EXPECT him to say. Just too laughable.
21. Bert Dago
Dell === DULL
This Rollins guy is effectively calling <b>Sony</b> a one-product wonder, too.
Mr. Rollins, you could close up shop tomorrow and the world would hardly notice. People will just switch to HPaq. Your company has never innovated a damn thing.
Sony, moreso than any other company, has <b>driven</b> the global consumer electronics industry for three decades. In addition to the Walkman, I call your attention to the Trinitron tube and their work establishing digital audio - the Walkman transitioned to CD and continued to sell well.
Somebody needs to hit you with a clue-by-four.
22. Jules Galagarza
"Well you don't hear about the Walkman anymore." -CEO who has no life.
Obviously Dell CEO is living in a hole in a cave. The Sony Walkman brand accounts for more than half all non-mp3 portable audio devices sold today. Walkman's are everywhere. Whether it is a radio/cassette player or a CD/MiniDisc Player it's everywhere. When I walk down the street I will either see a Sony Walkman of any type or an Apple iPod of any type. Comparing the iPod to the Sony Walkman is a compliment anyway you look at it.
23. anonymous
The Smell of Dell
Where does the DJ rank on the chart of market share? Is it possible to get any numbers on that?
Dell failed to capture the consumers imagination with their offering and are really irritated that, that horrible little "left coast" Apple has thoroughly spanked them in this market space.
24. JF
These Dell idiots have said from day one that the iPod was just a fad, but every year it becomes more popular and continues to outsell the competition. I don't understand how anyone can take these guys seriously.
25. Michael De Jong
Dell is a Fad, look at every PC company that has come and gone. The next big PC company to oust Dell will be a Chinese company. As for Apple, they are no fad, they started this industry and will be around for a long time, they are the leader of innovation. Dell will be nothing within the next 5 years, if they are not careful.
26. Tobe Harvey
I remember growing up there was this fad called television. It came and went, I am sure that the same thing will happen to the iPod. I think the new dell dj will stay here forever just like the "smurfs" did.
27. anonymous
Dell = Garbage
At EVERYTHING they do. Their computers are junk, not worth the cardboard they come in. Their DJ - the 5 people who bought it probably hate it.
Dell is just jealous - Mikey Boi just isn't cool.
28. anonymous
Yeah Sony must have really suffered because they were too dependent on the Walkman, because I've never heard of this company Sony. Rollins is right; I bet after the unwise dependence on the so-called Walkman that company must have gone out of business. He's really smart to know these examples of obscure businesses that got swept into the dustbin of history because of bad market decisions. I'm really glad he's the CEO of Dell; without such visionaries the computer industry would make all sorts of bad decisions, maybe even become reliant on a single poorly designed operating system that is susceptible to viruses and malware.
29. Charles Gaba
Lessee here, here's some info on how well the Sony Walkman "fad" did:
http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2003/10/sony_walkman_hi.html
"The Walkman created a totally new market for portable stereo systems, and it became a much-loved product around the world. In June 1989, 10 years after the launch of the first model, the total number of Walkman units manufactured had exceeded 50 million, and in 1992 this reached 100 million. In 1995, total production of Walkman units reached 150 million."
150 MILLION units over 16 years.
The iPod has sold 10 million in about 3 years. According to Dell, they're looking at selling "only" another 140 million iPods over the next 13 years, to which my response is, "WORKS FOR ME!!"
30. Steven Balaban
"You don't hear about the Walkman anymore"
Gee, why is that? Oh yeah, technology has advanced. It's called the MP3 player.
All of the banter and argument and discussion should stop right now. In EVERY SINGLE article I've read since the Mini and iPod Shuffle came out, there has not been a single mention of the software that comes installed on the Mini...or any Macs for that matter. iLife, etc., and the finest OS available. X. They talk about the cost driving up to add a keyboard, monitor and mouse. Well, how about the cost of adding comparable PeeCee software (or even finding it) for Dull's machines? And software integration for PeeCees? Don't even go there.
But, when all is said and done, what did you expect? Praise and accolades from the competition.
31. anonymous
Violin Playing,Motocross and the Republican party? Does this mean the guy is a Republican? Well I guess that says it all!
32. anonymous
Mercedes-Benz USA, Volvo, Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari are integrating ipods into the cars for 2005. The mini Cooper and BMW did it last year.
Can the ipod really be a fad?
33. Halix
Dell ist building (or rather: assembling) boxes.
Apple is building (or rather: creating) solutions.
Which one will be regarded as the more important company for innovation in the future?
Or - why do Mercedes, BMW, Nissan, etc choose to build in iPods to their cars and not Dells Jokebox?
34. anonymous
It's intriguing when you see dismissive comments from dell regarding Apple technology.
The very technology their (dull) un imaginative minds wish they could conceive.
Why don't they ? because it's not what they want to really do, where as Apple genuinely likes music, film, photo imaging etc. After all Apple is built from creative minds in every aspect.
Honestly, what tech gadget has a company like dell given the industry? nothing other than PC's that always reguire an upgrade out of the box.
One more thing,
I recall reading that David beat Goliath ;)
35. John Smith
Who cares about all this really anyway? I dont care if Dell OR Apple go bust - there will ALWAYS be someone who'll invent or sell someting just so they can get my money.
36. anonymous
Dell's fad could be over soon.
37. ross cottrell
Apple has been making profits hand over fist for as long as Jobs has been in command. They sold 26% more Macs this last quarter than last year's. And I've lost count of how many million iPods they've sold. If making billions of dollars and raising your stock price is a fad, then sign me up for another year's worth. I'm an Apple shareholder and Mac/iPod owner. Wife has a Powerbook, son has an iPod mini. Couldn't be happier with the company and it's strategy.
Dell is just a manufacturer of widgets. Nothing to see there that wasn't pioneered by Henry Ford 100 years ago. Yawn.
38. Dell Spears
Dell machines are like, well, Britney Spears and the like. Popular, sure. But simply looking at Miss Spears makes one want to throw up. These are simply the ugliest artifacts one can imagine. More importantly, they represent the dead end of the evolution of computers.
39. Shorty
LOL! He HAS to say that!! What a dork! He knows that the Mini is gonna make his sales-life HELL, what do you expect?
What a jealous little baby...
40. WTF
Not sure who really cares about an opinion from a Dell employee. Dell simply assembles proven, conservative, relatively huge PC boxes (called Bubba boxes in the US) - they don't introduce new products. Dell is a follower, that's their business plan. So even quoting opinions of someone from Dell on a new product is silly - M. Dell said the iPod would fail just over a year ago!
Maybe the 'fad' of purchasing a Dell computer is coming to an end. Who knows?
However, if Dell does remain on top of the PC world, after the crushing competition that will come from China over the next few years, they will introduce a similar product if the MACmini is successful - Dell doesn't take risks, and they don't improve or advance PC technology - they stay safe.
That Dell mini will be the same cost or possibly more expensive than the MACmini, considering they will have to use notebook parts to make something as small. Everyone knows that notebooks are more expensive, in general, when compared to desktops because they use compact, more expensive to manufacture components DUH!!! Yet so-called tech. writers compare the mini to gigantic, desktop PC's assembled with much cheaper (larger) components. The truth is that the Macmini is less expensive than comparable, and much larger, Small Form Factor PC's currently avaiable - check for yourself!
41. anonymous
Not in the same league? That's for sure. Dell (Dull/Hell) is in the 'making crap and selling the hell out of it' league. Apple, on the other hand, makes high quality hardware and software that works.
42. jbelkin
Dell is the smartest PC company ... in Texas.
And I'm even counting West Texas.
Guess no one pointed out they've sold some 400 milion Walkman's - I think it's a fad anyone will take.
Dell doesn't get it because they think Texas is the world and if you're the smartest man in Texas - to them, who could be smarter than them?
So, there's no point in trying to tell them otherwise.
It is amazing that Dell's spends $500 million on R&D? Guess those guys in R&D have great beer blasts and Vegas trips for everyone ... what are they spending it on? Redesigning the way to stack boxes to fit 5 more onto a container ship? The proper sequence in placing the 11 stickers on the trackpad?
43. James M. Gross
Seems to me, if a business or a person was truly not concerned about something, they wouldn't mention or think about it.
I'd say, Dull is definately concerned. Their iPod and iTunes wannabes is not selling too well. OSX is georgeous. If people try it they *will* like it.
If I had a nickel for every innovative thing Dull and Micro$oft came up with, I'd be penny-less.
44. anonymous
A fad. The Walkman was a fad? What kind of comment is that. I understand not wanting to say anything good about the iPod and that their product is better, but saying it's a fad and comparing it to the Walkman. I hope it's as strong as the Walkman. I don't think you can call anything that had strong legs for over a decade and closer to two as a fad. If twenty years from now, we are just saying that the iPod fad is fading, I'm sure Apple will be one happy company. And probably already did a dozen new products that make the iPod look ancient.
45. anonymous
thats right Apple is in a totaty different league from dell. Apple in a innovative company, Dell assembles boxex and stamp there names on it.
46. anonymous
thats right Apple is in a totaty different league from dell. Apple in a innovative company, Dell assembles boxex and stamp there names on it.
47. Apple PR dept
Dear Dell: thanks for the additional publicity!
-regards
Apple Computer
-proudly going out of business for over 20 years...
48. Mark Fenoglio
Dismissive comments? Mocking?
Yeah, that would explain why Dell dropped the price of their entry level machine from $500 to $450 the day the iMac mini was announced.
49. Christopher Mann
Dell and every other company NEED Apple, and they need Apple BAD. Apple IS their research and development company. Apple innovates. Everyone else merely follows. Apple introduced THE first Personal Computer to the world, as well as: the GUI, the mouse, the "Windows", the floppy disk, the USB, the Firewire, the Wireless, the ehternet, the PDA... and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and ON!
What has Dell done? "stack 'em deep and sell 'em cheap".... wow... I am SO impressed. And I AM impressed, on a business and manufacturing and marketing level... but when that guy says "Apple is not in our league" it makes me want to puke. Apple has been changing the world. It has been CREATING. Dell has created nothing. They have merely been capitalizing on the vision of someone like Steve Jobs. Show some respect, Dell. Don't slam your Research and Development dept. (Apple)..... THANK THEM
PS: I am a Mac user. I have a PC... and Windows XP SUCKS when compared to Panther (OSX)
50. anonymous
Well, then, they shouldn't have to worry about the Mac or the iPod then. If their music device were as popular, would they be so nonplussed?
They do have many corporate customers, and a large market share. The best thing that I can say about dell is that they seem to do a fairly decent job of customer service. And, they are efficient at their making of computers.
Micron was even better when they were in it, in terms of customer service.
It is not dells that I am going to be buying.
51. anonymous
Somebody can't spell jealous.
52. anonymous
A fad lasts 90 days. Dell is seriously worried because they are not innovators, they are followers and they are going to get left behind - because that is where followers always end up - by definition. Nobody will buy their iPod wannabee and nobody will buy their copy of new items to come from Apple. Dell is in the commodity business. Apple creates new markets that Dell can't even dream of. They are puffing their feathers because what is underneath is weakness.
53. If you say so
Let's see: Apple II, Macintosh, LaserWriter, PowerBook, QuickTime, Power Mac, iMac, iBook, iTunes, OS X, and now the iPod and Mac Mini. Apple is a one-hit wonder for sure. Trust me, it'll be dead in five years. You know it's true because we've been saying it for 20 years...
54. Jeff Drake
Quote:
CEO Kevin Rollins said the number of headlines Apple grabs does not worry him and that the company isn't "in the same league" as Dell.
-----------------------------------------
No kidding. Dell is in the league of computer manufacturers that come up with underpowered, overpriced PC’s featuring an operating system that Microsoft describes as being the ideal operating system for “no one.” Apple, on the other hand, is in the league of computer manufacturers that create innovative, inexpensive, and incredibly powerful machines. So the Mac Mini isn’t a dual-2.5–GHz G5. Neither is anything Dell has EVER produced. It’s an inexpensive computer with a lot more than you’d get for the same price, from ANY other manufacturer.
Put a sock in it, already. No one’s claiming it’s the best thing since sliced bread, just that it’s better than the alternative.
55. John Farmer
Sony sold over 200 million Walkmans before the "fad" ran it's course. Apple has sold 10 million iPods so far. If Apple can match the Walkman in sales over the next 5-10 years, I'd say a pretty lucrative "fad".
Intel/Windows-based PCs won't be around forever either. And, when that era ends, all of Dell's re-branded TVs and printers won't be enough to save the company.
Let's not forget only four years ago Michael Dell himself said Apple was dead and they should payoff the shareholders and close up shop. I just looked at FY2004 stock gains and Dell was up 18% while Apple was up 330%. Seems like it's best to make investments that oppose the view of Dell's executives.
56. Robert Dupuy
Great insight, whatever happened to Sony anyway? After the walkman, they pretty much disappeared....errrm, waitaminute...or they just released a slew of additional successful products...what was his point? That successful models don't last forever? AND?
57. anonymous
Yes, Dell are very competitive on cost, but I agree with the comment made by Anonymous - Dell never make anything to get excited about - and as soon as Apple come out with something people do get excited about, Dell simply dismiss it, like it means nothing. Dell seem to think that the industry will never change - that people will never want more than a black box for $US500, and will be content using Windows for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately for PC manufacturers like Dell, it's not about the actual PC itself - it's about the software that's on it - that is what will ultimately decide the fate of the PC market, and Microsoft has been lagging behind in the home user market for quite some time now. Go out and compare Windows XP with Mac OSX and you'll know why Mac users are loyal users. Compare the standard applications you get when buying a Mac with what you get when you purchase a PC (like iLife, etc). Yes, Windows may hold the business end of the market for some time, but not the home market. And as soon as Apple release some powerful proprietary software for businesses (which I'm sure they'll do at some point), things will begin to change in that market also.
58. Christopher Mann
Dell and every other company NEED Apple, and they need Apple BAD. Apple IS their research and development company. Apple innovates. Everyone else merely follows. Apple introduced THE first Personal Computer to the world, as well as: the GUI, the mouse, the "Windows", the floppy disk, the USB, the Firewire, the Wireless, the ehternet, the PDA... and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and ON!
What has Dell done? "stack 'em deep and sell 'em cheap".... wow... I am SO impressed. And I AM impressed, on a business and manufacturing and marketing level... but when that guy says "Apple is not in our league" it makes me want to puke. Apple has been changing the world. It has been CREATING. Dell has created nothing. They have merely been capitalizing on the vision of someone like Steve Jobs. Show some respect, Dell. Don't slam your Research and Development dept. (Apple)..... THANK THEM
59. Dave MacDonald
One thing in this article is true. Apple is not in the same league as Dell, Apple is so superior to Dell in both products and service that Apple is in a league of it's own. I am forced to use Dell PC machines at work, but only Apple machines make it past my front door at home.
60. Mateo
What a jealous schmuck!
61. Pompo
"When I was growing up there was a product made by Sony called the Sony Walkman – a rage, everyone had to have one," he said. "Well you don't hear about the Walkman anymor"
DUh...the walkman has been making millions and millions ofr decades!!!
62. anonymous
OK, look at the Dimension 3000 that Dell that just recently and defensively price cut to $499 (the same as the Mini). What do you gain with that configuration? A faster spinning hard drive, low-end CRT, keyboard and 2-button non-scroll wheel mouse, unnecessary and essentially unused chassis space and totally unnecessary (on a Mac) virus/spyware/malware tools. What's the same? The 2.8 GHz Celeron is pretty much the same as the 1.25 GHz G4, they both have 10/100 BaseT, a modem (the Dell's consumes a PCI slot), USB ports and personal finance software. What do you lose? Win XP Home instead of OS X, a shared memory video pseudo card instead of a real 3D card, no ability to display to ADC, DVI and VGA, a plain CD (actually, the defensive sale bumps it up to a CD-R) instead of a CD-R/DVD-ROM drive, a 90 day warranty instead of a full year, no firewire, no built-in wireless or BlueTooth antennas, no iLife, no spreadsheet and no real games. To get the Dimension 3000 as close as possible to a Mini with a decent LCD monitor and three-button scroll wheel mouse at the Dell store it will cost you $943 ($444 more); however, you'll still be missing iLife, a real video card with it's own memory, a secure by design, easy to use, 3D accelerated, operating system, included developer system, scripting tool kit, etc.) If I had to, I could buy a good LCD monitor, powered USB hub, keyboard and mouse for less than it would take to buy the Dell and add an after market PCI 3D graphics card. And, after that, there would be no free PCI slots, the video card would be hobbled in a plain PCI slot instead of a 4x AGP slot, a huge case of wasted space, fan noise, and if I added wireless Ethernet or BlueTooth, I'd have to deal with USB interfaces because all my PCI slots are already consumed and antennas sticking out. Another key point is the "if I had to" clause. I've got an extra USB keyboard, two USB mice and an LCD display; so my extra cost is $0. To be fair, I could buy the Dell with the cheap CRT (I can't drop it entirely), keyboard and mouse (I'll assume for now that I'd be able to find a PeeCee video card that would drive my LCD monitor) and try to sell them. Assuming I could get an even $100 for the three, that would drop my net cost down to $691. That's still $192 more and I've still got the incurable defects (noise, size, Windows OS). Any way I look at it, the Mac Mini is still a bargain over the nearest comparable Dell.
63. anonymous
I'm scratching my head trying to think of any Dell products....
Oh, that's right; Dell makes inexpensive computers. Gee, how innovative.
Wake me when Dell has anything important to say about anything. Until then, the last words I would ever want to hear spoken in my direction are: "Dude, your getting a Dell."
I'd rather work with a chisel and stone tablet.
64. anonymous
And Dell's wonders are? Cheap off-the-shelf computers? Yippee. Apple has long been admired and even copied for its innovations, such as, OS design. Mac OS debuted in 1984, windows 95 was the first Mac-like version microsoft ever made. Windows XP takes on some Mac-like design and microsoft has announced support of transparency for longhorn, similar to Mac OS X which is now available, due out in a couple of years, if they don't delay that release more.
Computers - Apple here is mimicked such as e-machines which copied the original iMac so literally, they were forced to stop production by court-order.
Finally, products like the iPod, seems like everyone is trying to play catch-up here with iPod-alikes. Apple didn't have anyone to copy here, they just did what they do best, innovate.
65. anonymous
The Walkman was a fad? Wasn't it around for 20 years? Must something last forever to not be a fad? I happen to have an ipod, and a 10 year old Walkman that I still use on occasion and it works great.
His statement is stupid, and wreaks of jealousy for not thinking of an ipod first.
66. anonymous
Had Dell had the success that Apple have had with the iPod with there music player they would not be talking about fad products. Dell make cheap pc's that look ok. Stay with that.
67. Laurence Cook
It is amazing how the slightest mention of Apple brings out the nerds, and the success of a company like Dell, which assembles cost efficient and reliable PCs (my opinion) bring out the slaters.
68. Angus
Takes me back to the time when, Bill Gates said 16k would be all anyone would ever need
69. anonymous
Not sure that I'd buy Dell again! No longer in an organisation when I can call IT with problems I've had to resort to contacting Dell's technical support. Initially helpful but as the problem is ongoing, ie since computer was set up, my contact now simply ignores my emails. Really good business that........ Not sure they'll get my money again - and I'm spreading the word.
70. Reader
funny statements regarding DELL being crap machines. We always used to buy Compaq for company machines, and they were crap - always failing. Same with last HP we bought, failed after 2 weeks. The DELL's keep going. They might seem 'boring' but they are well built, reliable machines.
71. anonymous
Not an Apple Fan. In response to the other comments.
There's no reason for the Ipod to be 30% - 40% more expensive than the competition. Taking a product and removing essential components then deducting the price of those components from the selling price does not make that product cheaper, for anyone thinking of buying a Mini Mac.
Apple kit is good but it's expensive. If they were as common as PC's I'm sure they would get far more attention from the virus scum.
If you want a Mac or IPod have one but don't try and justify the premium you've paid by telling me I'm stupid and my PC is crap.
At the moment the apple differentiator is the design and packaging of the products. By definition prone to the whims of fashion.
72. John Doh
From a business perspective Mr Rollins must be comparing i-pods fad with online ordering from Dell.
73. Kappa
Apple convert ... it's down to design, usability and reliability. The iPod is rightly a market leader and the Mac computers are just as good.
I did buy a Dell years ago before I knew better - but the much vaunted Dell service failed to meet their supposed guarantees and I have never touched one since. My three year old PC is getting ever slower and more flaky (Microsoft's built in obsolescence factor?) - my 3 year old iMac is as snappy as ever. Enough said. I don't expect to buy another PC.
74. David Hampden-Smith
Dell is not so efficient!
Mr Kevin Rollins should look to his own company's failings before rubbishing others.
On 2nd Dec I recieved a sales email from Dell offering Christmas discounts. I then ordered a laptop from Dell on 5th Dec, by phone dealing with their call centre in India. Having given all details including payment info, I was told to expect an email confirming order details and delivery which, I was assured, would be in approx 10 days.
On 13th Dec I contacted Dell's Indian call centre again as I had heard nothing and was told that my order was not on the system!
As the laptop was a Christmas present for my daughter I began to panic but was assured that if I re-ordered it would arrive before Christmas, and that I would have a confirmation email within 20 minutes. I waited 3 hours and then started making numerous telephone calls which all seemed to end up back in India where, polite as the operators were, there was no-one who could give me any assurance. Finally I insisted on being put through to a UK contact and was put through to someone in Ireland ( close!). This person assured me that He could take my order AGAIN as he could not find either my first ortder or my second order on the system, and that I WOULD recieve it before Christmas.
The email this time did come through with a delivery date of 23rd Dec.
On 19th Dec I decided to check on the Dell website that all was in order and again recieved confirmation of delivery on 23rd Dec.
On 23rd Dec I again visited Dell's website and to my horror I found that the date for delivery had changed to 28th Dec.
After numerous telephone calls and sending 20 faxes to Dell's offices in Bracknell I recieved an apologetic telephone call from the person who had taken my 3rd (successful?) order confirming that delivery would now be after Christmas.
I had of course to cancel the order and rush to a local computer shop and pay over £200.00 more for the same spec Siemens Fujitsu laptop.( minus the free printer that I would have had from Dell)
I insisted that I recieved a written apology from Dell and was told that this would happen.
I AM STILL WAITING Mr Rollins
Will I buy again from Dell ?
Watch this space..............
75. Damian Crotty
Funny to see all this Dell bashing, as without Dell, all of the detractors would be paying $5,000 for a PC, $8,000 for a notebook and $50,000 + for Servers.. They might simplify computing but in doing so they allow technology to get into a more people's hands - and that's a good thing for all of us !
76. Marc Thomas
Walkman entered the language in the same way as Hoover, hardly a fad!
77. anonymous
I guess Dell likes to continually dismiss the iPod/iMac mini due to their failure into this foray and super cheap product parts for Dell computers but it surprises me to see they haven't been paying attention to the companies that are starting to take a serious look at Xsan, Xserve along with Xraid, realizing there is a more serious, more economical and higher quality server system out there just starting to take shape. And many companies are looking very closely at the bottom line. I know my company is and our work is in National Broadcast Television looking to make the switch to HD. When I think of Dell I think of old fashion typewriters.I guess Dell likes to continually dismiss the iPod/iMac mini due to their failure into this foray and super cheap product parts for Dell computers but it surprises me to see they haven't been paying attention to the companies that are starting to take a serious look at Xsan, Xserve along with Xraid, realizing there is a more serious, more economical and higher quality server system out there just starting to take shape. And many companies are looking very closely at the bottom line. I know my company is and our work is in National Broadcast Television looking to make the switch to HD. When I think of Dell I think of old fashion typewriters.
78. Malcolm
79. Aaron
Dell is akin to a factory, just another money making business, they offer nothing new to the IT sector whatsoever. They simply team up with the heavyweights and penetrate the market to generate massive profit by churning out some of the worst items I have ever seen but 9 times out of 10 corporations will buy them because they are cheap.
Apple however is indeed in a ‘different league’, like Microsoft they are an innovative company, who strive to change the face of the IT market. The strangle hold on Steve Jobs has always been the use of the Unix operating systems, Unix in my opinion should stay where it belongs, in a dark server room. Unfortunately the mini MAC will have UNIX as an operating system, so there’s not going to be any IPOD style revolution this time round, until the MAC can steal market share via MS Windows Dell has absolutely no reason to worry…….
80. anonymous
Apple did not invent the GUI or its associated extras, thank Xerox for that. If Apple are supposed to be reasearch for PC, how come they now use PCI cards, same memory, same graphics, same disks and even there so called wonder os is based Unix. That is not research its nicking the best from others. What is good about the new Mac its a large slab of manky white plastic. Both Macs and PC's are tools, why argue over a tool.
81. anonymous
He's right, the iPod is a 'fad'. You can get equally good portable music players from other manufacturers for less money, except they don't look as nice and they don't have those white (mug me I've got an iPod) headphones.
The only reason people buy an iPod is fashion, because it's the-thing-to-have. Apple know this, why else are they trying to lock in as many customers as possible by restricting their kit from working with sites other than iTunes?
Eventually, and it may take a year or two, fashion will move on and the iPod will be consigned to a footnote in history -- just like the Walkman.
82. anonymous
Wonder where that guy from the Dell commercials is now? U2 is still around.
83. Richard
Memo to self:
Stop everybody writing about Apple products. Plan:
1) Open mouth
2) Insert foot
3) Look stupid
4) Shoot self in other foot
5) Fall over
6) Errr
84. Pedro
When I was growing up there was a product made by IBM called the IBM PC – a rage, everyone had to have one. Well you don't hear about the IBM PC anymore. What will our kids think of Dell?
85. ga
Dell who ?
Unless you live in USA it's highly unlikely you have heard of that company. Most people elsewhere build cheapish PeeCees from the local computer shop or select anonymous/made-of-parts computers.The few shops offering overpriced and overated Dull products are left with stock eating dust.
Apple has an even much smaller target base but it doesn't matter. As long as well-educated and knowledgable people exist quality,variety and excellence will have a place in this world.
86. anonymous
Apple is just now delving into servers, storage solutions, etc...and is still innovating in personal systems. Has anyone looked to find Dell in the top 500 fastest machines? Apple just started and VA Tech has the 7th fastest supercomputer built on 1100 Dual 2.3 Ghz XServes by Apple. The ones ahead of it and behind it cost millions more. The closest Dell cluster? 10th place, which is ok, I guess, except we're talking a 12.2 Teraflop cluster (Apple XServes) vs. a 9.8 Teraflop cluster (Dell PowerEdge 1750s).....and did I mention the Dell cluster has 300 more processors and cost millions more? Uh huh, it's only a matter of time before corporations realize that they can get better performance with less concern for viruses/malware and DoS attacks, etc.....Dell might want to rethink that business model a little.
On the PC front, Dell makes crap and sells cheap, and that's cool. Apple makes high-end and sells more expensive. To make a comparable Dell you have to pay the premium too. One thing I will say is that for a Windows-based PC, Dells are the most reliable we've used.
OH, and my Apple users use a tool, just as my Dell/Compaq/HP and whatever other systems use Windows use a tool......difference is that my Apple users don't threaten the rest of my network appliances, e-mail servers, webservers, and other "tools." Anyone that operates in an environment that serves over 100,000 users can appreciate the absence of Windows hassles. I spend more time patching and fixing Dells than anything else. I don't have to worry about my Apple folks, they just work.
87. anonymous
Andy McCue needs to buy a clue. First off, Xerox Parc didn't invent the GUI operating system. They had some GUI elements, but not enough for a cohesive UI and no OS built around the UI. Regarding hardware, Apple used to use a lot more proprietary slots, ports, etc. but there's an advantage to using open standards to expand the amount of third party hardware that's available. Also, Apple invented FireWire, aka 1384, aka iLink, which is available on Dell's. What has Dell invented that is even available on other PC's? Go do a patent search and compare the number of patents that Dell has (if any) to the number that Apple has (Apple even beats M$ in this department). Regarding your claim that OS X is just Unix, you obviously haven't used OS X. Thousands of people have been working on putting a cohesive GUI on top of Unix for almost 20 years (ever hear of X Window?), but they haven't been able to reach the level of sophistication that Apple did in just a few. Add to that UI items that aren't part of Windows: Expose, off loading a lot of the UI processing to the 3D (yes the 3D, e.g. moving windows are treated as textures) card, consistent keyboard equivalents, Setup Assistant (it's capable of moving all your data, applications (along with the serial numbers), etc. to a new machine), etc.. Finally, why argue about tools? Because when you spend hours each day using them, you want to work with your tools, not fight against them. Also, there's too much FUD, statements made by people with insufficient experience and outright lies coming from the anti-Apple camp, to just ignore the grumbling.
88. Mirko
Walkman a FAD?
Excuse me! The Walkman was perhaps the first fully working device of its kind. I've had many personal cassette players, but only the SONY ones were worth listening to. And that "FAD" died along with the cassette, not by itself. That guy is nuts. iPod means junk to me, but most people prefer it over my Archos even though it cannot double as a portable hard disk. Perhaps most people don't need that?
89. anonymous
Technology changes. So I guess everything relating to technology can be considered a "fad" according to Rollins. I'm sure something will replace the mp3 player down the road. The mp3 player is revoluntionary. It changed the way we listen to music. I hardly call that a fad.
90. anonymous
What ever happened to Sony?
Didn't they go on to make Pogs, or something?
91. anonymous
If iPod is a fad what is Dell Pukebox mp3-player?
Well that is one hell of sucessful story!
92. Chris B
Well for those of the windoze persuasion, they will never see the light. I know a lot of people who want not just one macmini but two or three, add a wireless keyboard and mouse and who wants a dell anyway especially with airtunes.
93. anonymous
Ok. So the way he expressed his opinion could have been more tactful. And I'm not going to argue about Apple's innovation (I've liked them and used a few since the 80s). But I will say this - Dells innovation isn't in their technology (they've never argued that), its in the direct business model that no one else has been able to successfully copy. And I think Rollins was just trying to make a point that the server market (and network infrastructure) is where its at in terms of sustainable growth. Apple will need more than the successful Ipod to keep taking more market share. Just my two cents ..
94. anonymous
Michael Dell said in '97 that the best thing Apple could do was to fold up and call it a day.
Look where Apple is today, and what is Dell doing? Talking out of their jealous arses as ever, while selling grey useless boxes , stuffed with a crappy Windows OS they can't even call their own.
95. Kevin
Yeah, it's strange, but there was a time when people had other strange "fads" like the "gramophone", and the "railroad", and even the "horseless carriage". It's funny, you don't hear much about them these days. Why is that? Geez, they must have been fads. Fads that changed the lives of people forever. Is this guy an idiot or what? People don't talk about the 8-track player either, or cassettes hardly anymore. But can you deny the impact they had? No wonder Dell is behind the times.
96. anonymous
20yrs ago sony was just another electronic company, then boom! they came out with the walkman, put them on the map. Now there know for everything tv, pc, dvd, gaming consoles.
Same way with the ipod, Consumers like the product and are more willing to try out apple products
97. anonymous
A month ago I heard Kevin Rollins Speak at a dinner in Salt lake City where he was given a lifetime achievement award since he was from Utah. I was quite impressed. I am no longer impressed.
I know of none other than Rollins that is not impressed with the new products from Apple. He is missing the boat.
Dell is a commodity broker that is good at pricing and distribution. They are not a company with any innovation. Apple has done a great job with these 2 new products and I for one will now be totally moving to Macintosh but my Dell Monitor and USB keyboard will come in handy when my new Mac Mini arrives.
It is time to topple the empire! Buy a Mac say goodbye to Dell and Microsoft.. not to mention the viruses that accompany them!
98. anonymous
I was thanking of purchasing a new Dell. But Dell pushed me to a new MAC along with the fact that it works much better across the board.
99. jim
dell? dell who? dell what? dell take a walk.
100. elh
It's all about the money. We use Dell PC's here at Boeing because they won the bidding war and so we use them. We used to be all Apple/MAC till "Uncle Bill" strong-armed his way into our business process with the promise he was going to buy some Boeing corporate jets, but only if we switched over to the Windows platform. He reneged on the jets but we are still stuck with those worthless PC's. However, guess what kind of computers a lot of us engineers and tech people use when we go home. Yep, you guessed it...Apple. Even with the employee discount for Dell products, many still choose Apple computers. For me the Dell's are just another boring, marginal, souless PC with absolutely no personality. I also see many, ipods at work. Maybe I just notice them more but I sure do see a lot of them around. The other day our PC tech support guy came walking into our area with an ipod hanging around his neck. Now this guy is a hardcore PC guy, he lives eats breaths Windows. He tried to avoid me but I saw the ipod and called him on it. Claims he got it for X-mas. Yeah right. A message to Dell's ( its all just a fad) CEO. We're back......
101. Nick
Mr Dell Man; just SWITCH, you know its right!! Apple's innovations (and Dell's TOTAL lack of) will eventually win over more and more customers. Apple's world of virus free computing, sexy products, ease of use etc etc cannot be ignored.
Be apple NOT Dull... I mean Dell.
102. Richard
Re: "I was going to buy a Dell but now I'm buying a Mac Mini"... Yeah, right. You guys really make me laugh.
You'd switch from a Windows box to the new Mac because Kevin Rollins doesn't know the meaning of the word Fad? Pathetic.
There are plenty of reasons to choose Apple over Dull (and some reasons to do the opposite) but some corporate goon putting down the iPod to talk up his products isn't one of them. A bunch of you sound like petulant kids whose favourite teeny pop band got dissed.
I'll bet Dull are quaking in their boots at the thought of corporate buyers deserting them in droves after this faux pas. Or not.
103. anonymous
Rarely has anyone missed the point quite as much as this guy. The reason the iPod sold 4 million in the last quarter is not because it's a fad, it's because the market is BOOOOOOMING!
The iPod shuffle will sell billions. My girlfreind has never wanted an iPod until she saw the shuffle, and she instantly fell in love.
Think again Mr Dell
104. Malcolm
Hey there, Anonymous IT Manager, UK.
Read what I wrote - did I say Apple invented the GUI? Of course it was Xerox, but Apple developed the only GUI worth copying. And as for being Unix, hurrah! Its arrival on the Mac was long overdue.
There's not much new under the sun but if it's possible, Apple will put it to a new and innovative use.
105. anonymous
"The iPod is a fad, yes, a one-product wonder. May I direct your attention to our DELL DJ and Pocket DJ. No, no, these are not copies, no, and these aren't fad products mind you. These are part of a well thought-out business strategy. Um... like, er... copying a popular product. Yeah."
106. Karin Folkertsen
And when all the young ones today using mac at home are grown up and have some thing to say in business they will do it on a Mac.
107. Brian Whiteside
Consumer electronics successes are not fads. It's like saying DVD players are fads. Consumers are sooo slow to change and adopt something new, nothing is a fad. Only three years for iPod frenzy! Wow, that's faster than adoption of VHS and DVD. Now comsumer electronic companys may mis manage their opportunity, but that does not make it a fad. Once Dell believes that iPod like devices are fads, they've lost the war and will suffer economically for it.
108. Jeff Huskey
I think one of the most telling comments from Rollins was "Number one is corporations and institutions." This is yet another good reason not to be a consumer purchaser of Dell products, as if the "quality" of the hardware and OS wasn't enough deterrent.
109. D. Recirus
Dell should admit they're the McDonalds of the hardware world ... a highly consistent but unimaginative product line, supported by strong service.
Mr. Rollins would win my admmiration if he would just say, "Apple is a tremendous innovator, but the iPod is perhaps the first time they've filled all but a tiny niche."
110. JD
just seems to me that a pc maker would not publicly admit if an apple product were actually making them sweat. (afterall, you have to think of your image and stockprice. if you admited otherwise, whouldn't you be endorsing your competitor's products?) anyone who has used max os x for a short period of time, will realize that a mac is actually an extremely efficient and better machine. you can create your familiar start button in the mac "dock" (a.k.a. taskbar for win users) and create shortcuts to all of your programs and system prefs. the experience is the basically the same - minus a few things... crashes, freezes, viruses, corrupted/lost data, and so forth. i speak from experience after having switched to mac in aug '03 after 16 years on windows machines.
111. anonymous
Interesting bit about the Sony Walkman. Sony had the greatest market share for portable music devices for over 20 years - but they got left behind whilst trying to develop the MiniDisc rather than MP3 (or ATRAC) players. Apple launched a product that Sony would once have been capable of - and they've taken the lead. That's no fad.
Whilst the Mac mini probably won't take the lead over PCs (it would take some doing!) - just how many SANs and server clusters can one company sell? I feel this is criticism for criticism's sake on Dell's part.
112. Christopher Svensk
This Dell moment is classic!
I've been using Macs since the Apple II. I owned the original 128k Mac. Let's just say I'm O.G., OKAY?
Anyway, here's my point: It felt so awesome when I was in a meeting at work (all the partners are boring win-doze users) and some how the conversation of the iPod came up, and my boss says: "I've got an iPod!" Excitedly I asked: "Oh yeah! Which model? The 20 Gig?" He replies: "No, a Dell" Ackward silence. Then laughter. I thought I was going to be fired. I couldn't help not to laugh! Simply an awesome "Office Space" (imdb.com it) moment!
It reminds me of those moments when you're at the local grease pit and you ask for a Coke, and they say: "Is Pepsi OKAY?"
113. anonymous
I well remember my first Dell. It was a 286, that cost £1899, serious money in 1987. What makes it so memorable is that it was DOA... and Dell support had me open the box reconnect the wires left dangling from the power switch. Quality control ha-ha...
Now a colleague has a Dell laptop, (I think it is called an Inspiron <grin>) which is on its SEVENTH motherboard in less than 7 months, replaced yet again by an 'engineer' who spent more time slagging off Macs, having never used them...
114. James Couper-Johnston
What is Mr Rollins on? Of course you hear about the Walkman nowadays, I've got one, so has my brother in law, niece, nephew etc. Unlike computers they're not out of date before you've received them, and they work reliably doing the job they're designed for. The iPod and similar may well do the same: in effect it's an update of the Walkman with a new name.
115. Alistair Thomas
Never before have I seen so many posts on a Silicon article. It's a shame that it took a barely literate Texan, talking about something about which he appears to know very little (and probably cares even less) to get so many of our cousins from across the pond so 'uppety'.
Oh, and for all you fans of originality and innovation, it would be really good if you could employ some yourselves when launching your mind numbingly tedious tirades against Microsoft et al. It's all so tired, repetitive, and dull. Oh dear, you appear to have become that which you hate.
Whilst I'm on this theme, it's ironic that as soon as Apple has achieved domination in a market it can rightfully call its own, it starts to employ the same blocking and restrictive tactics that its fans so hate when exercised by MS and other rivals.
Again ironically, Rollins's clumsy comments about the Walkman and the iPod will probably sell more iPods than it will stop corporate clients buying Dell.
If Apple’s business faces any sort of threat, it won’t come from the likes of Dell. It’s more likely to come from within if they develop the same arrogance, self-righteousness and contempt for others so prevalent in so many of its users. I’ll bet Sony thought they had the personal stereo market pretty well sewn up.
116. anonymous
Let us also not forget that Dell continues to offer one of the most poorly regarded follow up and support systems for their 'product', while Apple consistently rates in the top 10 of customer satisfaction for phone/tech support issues.
Big market share - disregard the end user.
Small market share - attention to detail.
I know which i'd rather have
117. Greg Golding
That's the CEO??? That sounds like something that one of my old, jealous high school buddies used to say when he didn't know how to react over the latest innovation from Apple. Everyone knows that Apple has the most reliable, good-looking, efficient computers on the market. I have been a mac user since the mac plus. Last summer I had to use a pc. Are you kidding me? How could anyone who has actually used a mac think that pc's are better in any way? They crash everytime you go to save your files. They are inefficient. And the worst thing about the PC, you don't get to use apple's software and are stuck with 10 year old window's style copies of the mac's products.
Hey Dell, get a little nervous, the mac is going to steal your marketshare when in fifteen years you decide to come out with the "Dell-mini". CEO's should be a little more formal with their comments and start innovating now.
118. John
Comming from the CEO of the company that makes the *WORST* servers onthe planet (we've had 100% of all new dell servers experience component failure within 30 days, requiring repair), nothing he says about trends should be taken too seriously. Maybe he should focus on making halfway decent servers instead of pretending to know something about Apple computer.
119. Tez
Maybe we don't mind paying a little extra for the non virus environment that we enjoy so much....not to mention the ease of use. I have used a Mac for 16 years now, and, I absolutely hate working on a PC.
120. Spiggy
>He's right, the iPod is a 'fad'. You can get equally good portable music players from other manufacturers for less money>>
???? There was zero market for hard drive based mp3 players before the iPod. I know, because I went through 2 others while avoiding shelling out for an iPod two years ago. Now every company, including Dell has their "iPod Killer", based on the iPod's feature set. If it's such a stupid fad, why does the new Dell catalog devote so much space to their version?
121. Theo Willison-Parry
As an apple owner, i feel that the apple computer is better than dell. Dell are a business that make a lot of money by selling cheap pc's. The strength of the Mac is the OS. However cheap the dell is, it still features the virus-prone and security-lax Windows system. This means that any advantage that the Dell has in speed or processing power is wiped out the first time you go on the internet by a Windows virus. As a Mac user, there are no viruses to worry about. So go ahead and buy a Dell, but soon you'll regret it
122. Rod
I bought a Dell and sold it on eBay after 60 days. I will never do it again-long story. I bought a Mac and I am extremely happy with it. I am no novice to PCs, I am an IT consultant with over 20 years of experience and until last week, I never worked with a Mac before. Apple is a better machine, better OS, and a better company, period.
123. anonymous
Dell is bad yes, but Windows is a Good System. Why? Because XP is easy for everyone to use and runs every program. No-one makes software for mac, hardly. When Vista is released, it will put All of windows, Linux, OSX etc... all into one thing. Great graphics, better security, better functionality, More options. Oh, BTW, iPods are rubbish.
124. Lynn Tracci
Dell seems to be selling like crazy.. which is weird because I heard that thier stock was down... you'd think it would be through the roof.
Anyway.. our company just bought a bunch of dell computers and printers...
Dell has an IPOD clone-- but I don't think it's got a cool name like IPOD.
125. Charles Cusumano
To follow up on my comment of january 2005----some "one hit wonder" eh?
126. John from beyond
You don't hear much about the Walkman anymore, but how about the company that produced it, Sony? I believe I still hear a thing or two about them these days... Not a bad company to be compared to, I'd say!