Dell

It isn't just laptops at Macy's this morning. Dell also has a handful of desktops to unveil. But before you let the hype wash over you like the afterglow of a Steve Jobs keynote, today is also a little bittersweet for us PC enthusiasts, since it marks the demise of Dell's Dimension home desktops. In Dimension's place, we get four new Inspiron desktops, which, along with the Inspiron laptops, will represent the mainstream half of Dell's product lineup. XPS will take up the high-end space.

And so will Alienware (ahem).

The new Inspiron desktops come … Read more

The new laptops Dell is announcing today have already been leaked, discussed extensively online, and even confirmed by Dell, but today's official launch event is still worth a mention.

Unveiled on a fashion-show-like runway at Macy's in Herald Square, the new laptops are basically upgraded versions of Dell's existing workhorse 1505 and 1705 models, now with Intel's new Centrino Duo platform, 802.11n support, and a fairly radical (for Dell) new design. Also new to the party is a 14-inch laptop (our new preferred size for mainstream users) known as the Inspiron 1420, and the hot-to-trot … Read more

Not one, but two of the upcoming laptops we're most excited about made unexpected appearances on the Interwebs this morning.

The Dell XPS m1330--rumored, leaked, and then finally half-confirmed by Dell (in their infamous "23 Confessions")--showed up again today on Engadget, with several new photos and a rumored ship date (from a "trusted insider") of July 10.

This extra-thin 13-inch looks like a real step in the right direction for Dell in terms of laptop design; leaked images have been circulating online for a while.

Perhaps even more exciting was an Akihabara News story … Read more

Dell took notice earlier this year when customers and the media reiterated complaints over the glut of crapware, or preinstalled PC software, packaged with new computers. Many PC makers said they do offer ways for consumers to wipe a new computer's slate clean. But this week, Dell announced it would hand more control over to customers during the purchase process.

Dell.com customers buying an XPS system, Inspiron notebook or Dimension desktop can select a "no software preinstalled" option. This will eliminate productivity, ISP, photo and music software, but not everything.

Adobe Reader, trial versions of antivirus … Read more

What hath the iPhone wrought? Perhaps more computer companies selling fancy phones.

Just as Apple prepares to sell its long-awaited combination smart phone and iPod, six models of unlocked Nokia and Pharos phones have cropped up on Dell's Web site. The Nokia E61, E61i, N73, N80 and N95, and Pharos 600 and 600E are available to be used with any GSM carrier. Prices range from $383 to $736, a bit pricier than when buying directly from a wireless carrier, which subsidizes the price with a contract.

The phones can be found under the small business accessories tab on Dell.… Read more

Dell's failure to file a timely earnings report has again earned it notification of possible delisting from the Nasdaq.

It's the fourth such deadline Dell has missed while in the midst of SEC and internal investigations into its accounting practices, including three quarterly reports and its 2006 annual report. The latest deadline passed on May 4, at which time Dell says it notified the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council of the finding of its own audit committee. In March, Dell announced that its internal investigation yielded what it termed "evidence of misconduct," which could result … Read more

If there's one thing tech companies hate, its leaks about upcoming products. We've been on the receiving end of a torrent of unauthorized info lately about some upcoming Dell laptops, from the nifty 13-inch XPS m1330 to a revamped line of colorful Inspiron systems.

After trying to plug the leaks and getting into a heated argument with The Consumerist (one of our favorite blogs) over a list of insider secrets supposedly from a former Dell sales manager, the PC giant is finally hitting the right notes.

On Dell's corporate blog, Direct2Dell, the company has posted its very … Read more

A blog post at Consumerist.com offering tips on buying from Dell drew a nasty cease-and-desist letter from the company's attorney and then, in quick succession, a chastened apology from a Dell manager.

The original post, titled "22 Confessions Of A Former Dell Sales Manager," appeared last Thursday. The same afternoon, Dell attorney Tracy J. Holland sent a nastygram to Consumerist saying the post must be deleted because "it contains information that is confidential and proprietary to Dell."

The offending post included advice like this: "Thursday is the first day of new promotions. If … Read more

Where in the world is the global warming solution? Well, as usual, it still rests with us, the consumer.

When we care enough to vote with our ballot AND our wallet, industry and government follow.

Food for thought:

On us -

Cars - I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we have oodles of pretty hybrids on the road. But the payback on a hybrid is about 9 to 11 years for the average diver (longer than the automakers say the "rated life" of the car is). Not a pretty picture. But if we all simply … Read more