Dell Ships Skunk

By James Gaskin, NetworkWorld.com, 09/12/06

You know those Dell Computer commercials showing how they package exactly what you want, exactly how you want it, based on your specific order? Doesn't that sound nice? Too bad Dell really won't build what you want when it's slightly inconvenient to them.

My friend LaRee bought a new Dell desktop (actually a service organization she manages bought it for her) two weeks ago. She's always used Zip disks from Iomega to keep her projects separated, so she asked for a Zip disk on the new Dell.

There went the customization options right out the window. Dell has the Zip drives in their catalog, so it's not like LaRee asked them to run out and search for old parts in the Drive Graveyard. They just refused to install it.

One box: Dell desktop. Another box: internal Zip drive from Iomega. LaRee had to take the system to her local repair shop to get the Zip drive installed, for $45 extra bucks.

The story ends well, and LaRee is thrilled with her new computer. At first the white-faced Zip drive set in the dark gray face of the Dell bothered her, but she figured out a way to make it work: she calls her new system Skunk.

Look for the new Dell Skunk in finer catalogs everywhere. Black case, white stripe, and stinky Dell policies make Skunk a sure winner.

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Comments

Hey, my son Jamison want's to know how come you don't have a picture of the skunk.

Posted by: Win Shields on September 13, 2006 07:47 PM

Boo hoo - Dell won't installed outdated 3rd party equipment in my machine, so I'll get my friend to blog about it in an attempt to embarrass them!

Makes sense to me that if the equipment isn't on the CUSTOMIZATION page, they won't install it.

Slow news day?

Posted by: Jeff on September 19, 2006 07:50 AM