Dell ups the ante on the Windows experience
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
For years, PC makers have competed with one another largely on price. PCs, it was said, were nothing more than a commodity. But over the past couple of years, consumers have begun to take the overall experience a lot more seriously.
Last year's successful launch of the Apple iPhone made clear to cell phone makers that yes, the experience a "commodity" provides for the customer matters. PC makers have begun to take note and leading the way is Dell who began pre-loading the new Dell Dock on consumer PCs yesterday.
The new dock, represents a significant improvement for Windows Vista users over the default experience by seamlessly integrating programs and data into the desktop experience. It's a first step to be sure but it's a pretty bold move for one of the world's leading PC producers to take.
While at a glance, one might try to argue that the dock looks like the MacOS X dock. But that would be akin to people saying that the dock in MacOS X is like the LaunchPad that came with IBM OS/2. What makes the Dell dock special is its ease of customization, low memory foot print, and raw performance. In addition, as pretty as the Dell Dock is, its focus is on usability rather than flash. Short-cuts get separated from folders, the category view is designed for ease of access, and dozens of small touches make it feel as if it were a natural part of Windows.
Developed by Stardock's ObjectDock team, the Dell Dock is not based on the ObjectDock code but rather a brand-new Stardock technology platform designed to deliver exquisite performance while being incredibly efficient with system resources.
"We've spent years learning how to integrate new technology into Microsoft Windows to improve the user experience," said Kirk Windisch, Director of Stardock Software. "Now the focus is how to deliver this improved experience to consumers with enterprise-level robustness with a minimum use of system resources."
The Dell Dock is expected to be launched on over 11 million PCs this year. For PC users, it is a first step to a brave new world where the PC makers themselves are taking the Windows experience more and more seriously. Dell has clearly made giving their consumer customers a better experience a priority.
 |
|
Page 2 of 3 | |
|
|---|
Reply #22 Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:58 PM
Really Vinraith?
I always build my own now, but many of my customers have this done (which is not cheap) because it can turn an ok computer into a useful tool. Unfortunately, this does not fix Vista's ridiculous usage of resources. On the other hand, only Vista can make use of memory over 2GB and disk sizes over 1TB at all effectively. XP x64 didn't do so well.
Reply #23 Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:48 PM
Absolutely. Even back when I still bought things from the, Dell was in the habit of cramming a bunch of useless Dell branded crap into the operating system. Since I usually run a dual Windows/Linux boot anyway I can't recall ever having kept a software preinstall on any system I've ever purchased. Blessedly, now that I'm in the habit of building my own, I no longer have to bother and can just install what I want the first time around.
Reply #24 Thursday, May 22, 2008 5:07 AM
Reply #26 Thursday, May 22, 2008 5:24 PM
Reply #27 Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:34 AM
I'm only asking of course! 
Reply #28 Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:47 AM
I've a Dell too and wouldn't mind testing out a new toy.
Reply #29 Wednesday, May 28, 2008 9:32 AM
None what so ever! 
Reply #31 Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:52 PM
To what? The dock? It's part of the package when you buy a Dell, I don't think it's available outside of that. There's always ObjectDock though.
Reply #33 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:15 AM
if you realy want it you cud try to find it on a torrent in the future.
Reply #34 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:17 AM
Reply #35 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:21 AM
Perhaps not if its included on newer models of your machine, you may be able get it from the Dell downloads page with your Service Tag.
Congrats Stardock, I'm new to this community but you really seem in touch with your customers by being so accessible on the forums. It is also nice having one password spanning the forums for all your products. Keep up the Great Work!!!
Reply #36 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:35 AM
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, that download only works if you had it installed previously.
Reply #37 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:05 AM
Reply #38 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 11:33 AM
Reply #39 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 11:36 AM
Reply #40 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 11:38 AM
I see Phoon's point with this. It's like leaving a small child with a loaded gun. Chances are if he finds it, he'll shoot it. How can you play a concert if you don't know your scales? There is a fundamental path to learning a PC. Will generations forget these fundamentals because now they're raised with the idea that this is how it really is?
We all graduated to advanced PC features and it took some time and frustration to get there. Now they're going to drop advanced features into the laps of novice users!
Or maybe it's just a slick move to justifiably bolster large Technical Support Groups, sort of like job security because times are hard.
Anyone care to bet $5 bucks that most of the problem calls won't be about this dock?
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 2 of 3 | |
|
|---|
Reply #21 Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:59 PM
Really Vinraith?