2007.08.28 \\ Dell is a big fat liar
Recently, Dell has launched a new initiative of trying to bring out better “designed” products and diverse color offerings. I applaud them for making a change since they use to make me angry with their advertising campaign of “we put a lot of thought into the design of our products”. In reality, if anyone bothered to look at the products they produced at the time, this was clearly not the case...but I digress. The most pronounced of the new products is the M1330, a thin-and-light notebook that Dell proclaims is the world’s thinnest 13.3” notebook. HOWEVER, this is patently FALSE and MISLEADING.
According to Dell’s M1330 web page, the M1330 measures 31.8 x 23.8 x 2.31-3.38 cm (W x D x H). Yes, quite slim.
Sony has been selling their VAIO SZ series 13.3” notebook for over a couple years now worldwide. Although it comes in two configurations, the carbon fibre model measures 31.5 x 23.4 x 2.18-3.26 cm (W x D x H). Smack to the head! Dell gets beat down and doesn’t even win one category! Even if you compare the non-carbon fibre model, it’s more or less a wash with the M1330 being slightly less in height. Of course, in either case, the Sony SZ is lighter in weight and has a better screen.
Am I being harsh? Absolutely. One of the reasons why is that I think Dell is doing a good thing by trying to release “better quality” products that take design, usability, and aesthetics into account. Dell has always had good performance for the dollar but it was always at the expense of the amenities and the “feel” of the product.
So, Dell, please stop lying to consumers and trying to create your own Dell Reality Distortion Field via the spreading off false advertising. Sell the product on its actual merits and don’t resort to low class marketing tricks just to sell your product. Make the products compelling and people will buy them.
2007.06.29 \\ iPhone Stalking: Morning arrives
The line continues to grow although quite slowly. I’d guess that only 25...maybe 30 people have joined the line. I’m guesstimating about 80 people in line so far so there’s still hope....allegedly. Morning came without a lot of fanfare. Fox 11 News continued to hound the scene and KTLA 5 had a chopper overhead filming the action. I’m told that Kurt “The Cyberguy” got his grubby little hands on a unit at 8am this morning so that he could discuss it on the news this morning. He’s pretty Apple-friendly so it makes sense he would get special treatment. 
At least I got some special treatment of my own as my lady stopped by to bring me a healthy McDonald’s breakfast. Yes, the evil Sausage McMuffin and Hash Browns. Yummy...but deadly.
It’s going to be a scorching hot day already as it’s 9am and it’s hovering around 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a guy next to me who’s already sunbathing. He’s going to be extra crispy by 6pm since it looks like he’s already had too much sun. It’s a good thing I brought sunblock (oh wait, I left that in the car) and some man grooming products to keep “fresh”.
There’s a guy named Will who’s live vlogging the event here at Santa Monica. You should check out his coverage at http://intoiphone.com. I’ll likely keep updating every hour assuming my batteries cooperate.
I was attempting to take a nap but was roused by the sound of activity. There’s an interesting crowd that’s hanging out in the line. In addition to group of people actually waiting for the iPhone, we’ve been joined by some of the colorful homeless people. Most of them are pretty nice if not eclectic with lots of vivid stories...sometimes too vivid.
Santa Monica’s finest has been out and about making sure we’re all behaving and not causing any trouble.
The local media companies have started to come out en masse. The first to show up was Fox 11’s Amy Murphy and her crew. Once she showed up, all hell broke loose with a lot of people in line acting like madmen trying to get their 15 seconds of fame. As you would expect in show business, you can’t compete with kids and animals.....unless you’re doing live streaming from the webcam of your MacBook! So, some of the fanboys got on TV...as well as the guy with the bulldog behind me.
It’s now dawn…
