Dell on Monday rolled out new Inspiron R laptops that aim to help families stay connected, entertained and productive. Dell is playing up the photo- and video-sharing capabilities of the new laptops, positioning the line as a mobile entertainment hub complete with surround sound and a built-in webcam.
One of the reasons Dell is emphasizing photos is because the Windows world handles photos better than the Apple world, according to Roger Kay, principal at Endpoint Technologies Associates. As he sees it, Dell stands to gain from the Windows 7 experience in digital media.
"Apple likes to claim dominance in media. But if you look at the way Apple's photo library is organized and the way the different programs interact with each other and the ability to get photos in and out of the system, it's actually pretty clunky," Kay said. "So when you are in a Windows 7 environment, you want to talk about the photo capabilities. Dell wants to push that message."
An Identifiable Design
Dell also wants to push its design. The company spent a lot of time talking about the Inspiron R's "curvy edges, smooth lines, and chrome accents." Kay said Dell is working to create a distinctive identity for its consumer line of laptops. That's also evident in the color schemes. Dell sells the new machines in Mars Black, Peacock Blue, Tomato Red, and Lotus Pink.
"Dell now offers particular curves. That, along with the way the finish elements are put together, means you can recognize a Dell laptop even if you can't see the logo," Kay said. "Dell is working on trying to build the product ID into something interesting. These new machines are a notch more distinctive for the company."
That's a significant twist for Dell, Kay said, because the company didn't have much of a consumer business 10 years ago. Essentially, Dell sold enterprise machines to consumers who were interested in the Dell brand. Dell "stumbled into the consumer business," and it took years for the company to "put some serious investment" into that market, Kay said.
The Tech Specs
The Inspiron R offers several display sizes: 14-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch. The new laptops offer features like the Dell Dock that aims to slash the time consumers spend searching for applications and files. Commonly used apps, photos and videos are positioned at the top of the screen. The Inspiron R also has what Dell calls "smudge-resistant palm rests" along with a full-size keyboard.
Consumers can choose a model with Intel Core i3 or Core i5 mobile processors and optional ATI graphics. The machine offers built-in wireless connectivity with optional Intel Wireless Display and built-in media-card readers that work to speed up transferring photo and video files. Prices for the new line begin at $449 and sales begin on June 25.