Dell's Ugly As Sin All-In-One...

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
I haven't been on here in a long time so forgive me if this is old.



[quote] Monday 28th October 2002





Dell unveils ultra-small OptiPlex desktop PC

[PC Pro] 0:00



The ultra-small machine is described by Dell as 'the smallest and most flexible desktop computer' in the company's history. It does away with 'unnecessary' PCI slots completely and integrates many components onto the motherboard.



The machine measures 247mm x 84.7mm x 242mm (HxWxD) and weighs 3.5kg.



The small size is described as a feat of engineering by David Schwarzbach, Dell's Product Marketing Strategist for the OptiPlex: 'We've raised the bar on providing a small form factor'. He emphasised that performance has not been compromised by its size - the SX260 should deliver GX260 performance (the mainstream OptiPlex offering).



Places requiring 'stability, manageability, serviceability and reliability' will benefit from the SX260 said Pierre Vigna, Dell's Director of Desktops EMEA, previewing the new mnodel earlier this month.



Example environments for the SX260 include banks, shops, post offices and corporate cubicles - generally the 'managed PC' market.



With the 802.11b wireless capabilities of the SX260, Dell is also emphasising its role in quickly setting up networks - relevant, perhaps, to on-site developers and those in the construction industry.



Wherever possible - to help with the shrinking process - components are integrated onto the system board. For example, on-board audio and graphics functionality are sufficient for most purposes.



Deeming that most PCI slots are never used, Dell's line is that their absence can only reduce system complexity and improve IT management control. With users not introducing add-in boards and the drivers needed to support them, system administration becomes more straightforward...



The spec for the new OptiPlex is as follows. It runs on a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 (running on an Intel 845G motherboard) with a 533MHz FSB with 512Kb of cache, up to 1GB of DDR SDRAM. Celeron-based machines are optionally available, up to 2.0GHz. As mentioned, there are integrated Intel Extreme Graphics and audio capabilities. Finally, the system has six USB 2.0 ports. It runs Windows XP or 2000.



The systems should be generally available by mid-November. Pricing starts from £629 (including VAT).



A neat development is the modular nature of the product. The power supply, hard drive and optical drives can all be replaced without opening the chassis and are also hot-pluggable with Dell Latitude notebooks.



Various mounting options make it a flexible 'telephone directory-sized' beast, given its manoeuvrable 15in LCD panel.



You can find more OptiPlex info on the Dell Web site.



Compare and contrast with the IBM Net Vista S42 launched at the beginning of October.





Alun Williams



Read comments: 4





<hr></blockquote>







So first HP, then Sony, and now Dell are trying to break into the new iMacs ground. The only one that I would even consider buying is the Sony one just because that other two are so damn ugly!



[ 11-03-2002: Message edited by: wolfeye155 ]</p>
«1

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 22
    emaneman Posts: 7,204member
    Extremely ugly.
  • Reply 2 of 22
    Yet every school library will have them. Pitiful.
  • Reply 3 of 22
    stunnedstunned Posts: 1,096member
    It may not be as nice as the imac, but it is twice as cheap. And looking at the specifications, I have to admit it is a good buy.



    And most PC users will probably think it looks cool. Not to most Mac users though... <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />



    Guess Apple got a tough fight on its hands in attracting switchers now.
  • Reply 4 of 22
    thegeldingthegelding Posts: 3,230member
    i'm sorry, but i've had prettier things come out of my ass than that...and yes, it will probably sell millions....sad....dell is obviously the anit-christ to be able to sell so many ugly machines.....g
  • Reply 5 of 22
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    I don't find it ugly. I don't find it amazing either. It's a Latitude without a screen.
  • Reply 6 of 22
    buonrottobuonrotto Posts: 6,368member
    The hump on the back of the flat screen is just clumsy. C'mon, even Dell engineers (they're obviously not designers) could at least do something better with that briefcase hanging out back there. It doesn't take much thought to either put that meat at the base or glue it to the back of the monitor. then again, half of the "designers" at my firm will probably have one at home. *sigh*
  • Reply 7 of 22
    It's not really an all-in-one. This is not Dell's answer to the iMac. It's a mini PC with the option to connect the LCD to the body via separate parts. It's designed for businesses who are looking to save desktop room while utilizing drive bays from their Latitude notebook line. Pretty decent price for what you are getting (if that's what you want).



    How dare Dell offer their customers hordes of options at great prices while supporting the products fully for years without a hitch. Thank GOD Apple doesn't practice such poor business behavior with both their home and pro users.
  • Reply 8 of 22
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    It's a mystery why it's even newsworthy. Compaq has the iPaq and now the Evo. HP has the e-PC. IBM has the NetVista. This is Dell's second attempt at this too.



    WebPC:

  • Reply 9 of 22
    rodukroduk Posts: 706member
    That's a ridiculous design.



    I can imagine the Dell engineers discussing how to make an all-in-one, and someone coming up with the bright idea of simply bolting the monitor to the side of the base unit.



    [ 11-04-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
  • Reply 10 of 22
    mrmistermrmister Posts: 1,095member
    It may be ridiculous, but it is also very cheap.
  • Reply 11 of 22
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    [quote]Originally posted by RodUK:

    <strong>That's a ridiculous design.



    I can imagine the Dell engineers discussing how to make an all-in-one, and someone coming up with the bright idea of simply bolting the monitor to the side of the base unit.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    As previously stated. The computer is merely a slimline desktop. The configuration seen is just one possibility. It can be mounted vertically like a separate tower if you are using a CRT. It can be placed in a bracket and mounted underneath or on the side of a desk as well...



    The design's not ridiculous, but it's also not geared toward the consumer. Dell tried to cater the WebPC to the consumer market in 1999 and failed miserably. Unlike Apple, Dell can't fit a sleek desktop into its product line-up because it's already chock full of overlap. A Dell home customer would sooner buy a cheap Dimension tower.



    ^^ That's why the product's not even available in the Dell Home & Home Office section.



    [ 11-04-2002: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>
  • Reply 12 of 22
    rodukroduk Posts: 706member
    [quote]Originally posted by Eugene:

    <strong>

    As previously stated. The computer is merely a slimline desktop. The configuration seen is just one possibility. It can be mounted vertically like a separate tower if you are using a CRT. It can be placed in a bracket and mounted underneath or on the side of a desk as well...



    The design's not ridiculous, but it's also not geared toward the consumer.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    I was referring to your photo of Dell's first attempt. It's hardly what I would call slimline.



    [ 11-04-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
  • Reply 13 of 22
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    [quote]Originally posted by RodUK:

    <strong>



    I was referring to your photo of Dell's first attempt. Hardly what I would call slimline.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    It was small for early 1999. The WebPC did not come with a built-in LCD. A CRT was standard and the LCD was an option. It was just like the new Optiplex in that respect.
  • Reply 14 of 22
    Non-IBM/clone computers seen in the 1980s are more prettier than this.



    Ah, yes, when Apple looks great and everone uses machines that are not DOS.



    PS: my log-in name is an in-nod to those who makes computers that never clones IBM-PCs.
  • Reply 15 of 22
    satchmosatchmo Posts: 2,699member
    What's with the Samsonite luggage? ;-)
  • Reply 16 of 22
    trevormtrevorm Posts: 841member
    [quote]Originally posted by satchmo:

    <strong>What's with the Samsonite luggage? ;-)</strong><hr></blockquote>



    LOL!

    It really does look like a briefcase or something.

    <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
  • Reply 17 of 22
    mac voyermac voyer Posts: 1,294member
    Why is it that the only criticism of the product is that it's ugly? Is that what the Mac community has been reduced to? I seem to recall similar comments about the new iMac when it first came out. I'm starting to think that this community can't feel good about Apple products unless it runs down others.



    I see this reaction every time a new PC based product is released. It is tiresome and childish. It does not speak well of this community.
  • Reply 18 of 22
    buonrottobuonrotto Posts: 6,368member
    On the other, what's so invalid about it? I only commented on it, because that was the topic. Nothing wrong with criticising the looks of the thing either. Not saying it's the only thing.
  • Reply 19 of 22
    trevormtrevorm Posts: 841member
    I cant see the issue of commenting on the aesthetics of computers despite if it is a *Dell* or an *Apple*. There is no harm intended, and although it is not the most constructive discussion forum, information other than its looks are given.



    I'd be looking else where in this forum that makes this community look bad. (ie- The one about moby dumping apple and the comments that he is a 'fag' or perhaps some the F'side Chats where the arguments become aggressive)



    Maybe your right about the community not feeling good unless Apple release a product that does run down its PC opponents but then again that?s OK, Apple have sort if set a benchmark with their designs and consequently anything less than previous designs is going to provoke comments, bad or otherwise.



    my .02

    [Sorry for the Blurb but I am officially on Uni holidays and have nothing better to do! <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> ]
  • Reply 20 of 22
    kecksykecksy Posts: 1,002member
    My Aunt owned a WebPC. It broke recently, so now she's getting a Mac



    [ 11-05-2002: Message edited by: Kecksy ]</p>
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