Quote:
Originally posted by clocker@24 November 2003 - 00:20
Yes, that is an absurd deal, but don't kid yourself about HP/Compaq.
They aren't stupid, just slow.
Recently, while cruising CompUSA with my parents (getting a new HDD for my Dad's Compaq), I couldn't even get them to go over and look at the Alienware PC. Not interested, and neither of them will probably buy another machine (they are in their mid-seventies).
Computer companies can't depend on older users to stay alive.
On the other hand, my 16 year old nephew only knows about Alienware, Voodoo and Falcon. As far as he's concerned, HP makes printers/scanners.
My favorite pc parts emporium, MicroCenter, just rearranged their layout and now have a huge section devoted to nothing but highend, aftermarket HSFs, lights, fans, even watercooling rigs (drool). A salesman said that it is the hottest section of the store, dollar-wise, and they want to exploit that.
The point here is computer manufacturers have to cater to the younger, game-driven market. No one in their right mind needs a 500GB HDD, or a $500 video card, just to e-mail and cruise the web. People really don't need to upgrade their PC every 6 months unless they are forced to by gaming/ entertainment advances.
As a first effort that Compaq may be lightyears behind the current Voodoo PCs, but don't think that won't change.
Three years from now, you may be lusting after the lastest Compaq gaming machine and Alienware could be a distant memory...
good point