Posted 10/14/09 at 08:15:11 PM by Ryan Whitwam

Michael Dell had some harsh words for netbooks in a recent speech. He claimed that a user might like a netbook just fine, until they’ve used it. “About 36 hours later, they're saying 'The screen's gonna have to go. Give me my 15-inch screen back,’” said Dell. He claimed that consumers really prefer higher end machines in the long run.

Of Windows 7 Dell said, “Performance is kind of coming back.” This may have been a well masked condemnation of Vista’s inability to run acceptably on netbooks. Clearly, he would prefer you buy a more expensive computer, but according to Dell’s CEO, 80% of their business doesn’t come from individual consumers anyway. He pointed out that this dynamic meant Dell could bounce back from the slowdown quickly.

The next time you’re about to buy that cheap netbook, just take a second. Think about what Michael Dell would like you to do: spend more money. He’s probably just saying it because he’s concerned for your user experience, right?

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Posted 10/04/09 at 04:58:31 PM by Justin Kerr

Unfortunately there isn’t much to say here that isn’t already captured in the headline, but it felt newsworthy nonetheless. Engadget has leaked some early photos of the final Windows 7 retail packaging, an image which helps send home the reality that our wait for the October 22nd launch is almost over. The source of the leak wasn't listed, but they did specify that the retailer who took the pictures is based out of Chicago.

The packaging is oddly reminiscent of the impossible to open hard shell case that Vista came in, but if figuring out how to bust open the packaging is the most challenging part of the upgrade, I’m sure we’ll be okay with that. Just in case it isn’t, don’t forget to check out our handy upgrade guide to answer all your remaining questions.

So, are you planning on upgrading right away? Or are you the type that likes to let everyone else shake out the bugs first?

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Posted 07/22/09 at 09:18:33 AM by Paul Lilly

Nobody knows what to expect from Microsoft's branded retail stores scheduled to roll out sometime this fall, but the company's been making some very interesting moves, the latest of which includes hiring George Blankenship to help with the launch. If that name sounds at all familiar, it's because Blankenship is a former Apple executive who also helped launch Apple's retail presence back in 2001.

Microsoft so far has declined to say what Blankenship's exact role will be, but given the success of Apple's store fronts, it's probably a safe bet he'll perform some of the same tasks as before, including helping to select the best locations.

"We're doing stuff and we're in the game and continuing to take some these hard market-share opportunities head on and compete because it's a test of will," said Kevin Turner, Microsoft's chief operating officer.

During Turner's Worldwide Partner Conference keynote earlier this month, the CEO said the first Microsoft store will open right next to an Apple store.

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Posted 07/16/09 at 09:33:28 AM by Paul Lilly

As promised earlier this year, Microsoft plans to roll out several Microsoft-branded retail store fronts, but up until now, Microsoft wasn't saying where or when. Keven Turner, Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer, answered both of those questions during his Worldwide Partner Conference keynote on July 15.

According to Turner, the first store will open this fall and take residence right next to an Apple store. How's that for a new neighbor?

"As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple," Microsoft said a statement to CNet. "We are on track to open stores in the Fall timeframe. Beyond that we have no additional details."

Location aside, Turner insists Microsoft wouldn't be imitating Apple, which goes in line with Microsoft previously saying the stores would focus more on building the company's consumer brand than with distribution.

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Posted 06/30/09 at 05:10:59 PM by Andy Salisbury

While for some of us, the pricing for Windows 7 is easy on the wallet thanks to the OEM solution, there are others that aren’t too happy due to the retail prices.

According to a recent study by The NPD Group’s VP of industry analysis Stephen Baker, the mostly free upgrade program for PCs bought on or after June 26, 2009 is extremely commendable, but the retail pricing is a bad idea, especially in today’s economy. “Besides the fact that $119 is a price point that fits nowhere in these economic times, it is still way too much for the software,” stated Baker. “… It is in Microsoft’s best interests to erase all vestiges of Vista from consumers’ homes, and by making the upgrade expensive … Microsoft is creating a large disincentive for consumers to move to a far superior platform with a better user experience.”

So what do you think? Is the pricing for Windows 7 too rough on the pocketbook, or is the pricing just fine the way it is?

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Posted 06/29/09 at 07:29:29 PM by Pulkit Chandna

Acer’s rise to the top perches of the PC manufacturing industry has been brisk and unceremonious. Now it is almost certain to wrest the number two spot from Dell, according to a New York Times report. To put things into perspective, Acer will become the first non-US company to occupy the number two spot.

It has benefited greatly from being on the vanguard of the netbook revolution – Aspire One is the best selling netbook. Its streetwise, efficient sales model can also be credited for its success.

"We collect the order from the customer, place the order with the manufacturer and they ship it," Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci told the New York Times.  He added that Acer doesn’t lay its hands on the goods. Dell on the other hand has a plethora of troubles to contend with.

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Posted 03/18/09 at 12:30:38 PM by David Murphy

The competition between open-source projects and retail applications is a never-ending struggle.  Even when two products aren't in direct competition -- like Adobe's Photoshop versus the GNU Manipulation Program -- there's still an underlying push and pull for your attention and resources.  The struggle only deepens when the retail version of the two programs approaches an inexpensive or free pricing model.  Open-source is an alternative, but when is it the better alternative?

Open-source software developer Patrick McKenzie wrote a post recently about the various ways retail software developers can out-develop open-source alternatives to their products.  While it was geared toward the perspective of an open-source creator, he nevertheless gave some good insight as to what differentiates quality open-source projects from the muck.  And a number of his points apply to some of the very applications we've recommended in our weekly freeware/open-source roundups.

Click the jump to find out how the best open-source applications get their crowns!

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Posted 03/17/09 at 02:02:33 PM by Andy Salisbury

It looks like Comcast and Sony are looking to take a bite out of the Apple pie that is retail marketing, by opening up their very own joint retail store that will push Sony’s tech and Comcast’s services.

“At Sony Style Comcast Labs, trained staff show consumers how to unlock the full potential of their devices by demonstrating how Comcast's advanced delivery services integrate beautifully with Sony's hardware products and entertainment content,” said Stan Glasgow, President and COO of Sony US.

If anyone out there is looking to check out this store on its first day, the location will cut the ribbon today at the Comcast Center in Philadelphia, on 17th and JFK Boulevard.

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