Dell and AMD: The postbag is getting heavy
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19244
Letters Postman's back hurting
By The Letterman: Sunday 24 October 2004, 07:18
Dell customers say they do want AMD and Dell CEO says customers don't want AMD chips.
I read what you wrote about Dell not wanting to put AMD processors in their machines because people don't want them? Did they do a poll? Probably not, they just figured because they haven't gotten any letters from people that people wouldn't buy AMD computers from them. Thats really sad thinking, because there are many people out there that would buy AMD from them. They probably just have a contract with Intel saying that they will only supply Intel machines. If Dell supplied AMD machines more people would look into and buy AMD machines which since Dell is such a big player in the computer market would help AMD bring up their name. I only use AMD because I can build a computer thats cheaper and better than a computer using Intel. My next computer will be AMD 64 with Nforce 4 motherboard because that will be the best on the market.
For the people who want AMD but are looking at Dell also, just go with someone else. There are a lot of good computer companies out there that make quality stuff. The only thing I see thats plus about Dell is their support, but other companies have decent support as well. For example Alienware makes an exelent PC and has good support AND they have AMD processors. Falcon is pretty good too. Basically go and check out review sites and make up your own mind.
Robert
I am also a Dell customer (close to 300 machines and 20 servers), and I've been pleading with our Dell rep to get AMD for almost 3 years now. It's total bullsh*t that the CEO says that customers do not want AMD chips. I'll be dead and gone before I purchase a Dell 64bit box with that half-assed Intel 64bit proc in it. And for the record, NO they don't listen to their customers.
Nick F
Network Engineer
Geoffrey = Microsoft; Zippy = AMD; George = Intel; Bungle = Dell; R,J & F = Soundstorm
Opening on a typical scene in the Rainbow household....
Geoffrey: Well, since you've been very naughty, I think I might make you wait even longer for Windows XP64.
In fact, I've half a mind to string you along for another year or two and then just give you Longhorn instead.
Zippy: But Geoffrey, I have all these lovely new 64-bit processors. Why can't we have it now?
Geoffrey: Now Zippy, remember what I've told you! George isn't ready yet (you know he's a little slow). Play nicely and wait for him to catch up.
Zippy: It's not fair! I KNEW I should have taken up George Lucas' offer to be the voice of C3PO.
Geoffrey: Zippy, why don't you play with Bungle? He looks like he has some nice toys to play with?
Bungle: Oh no Geoffrey! I won't play with Zippy. Ever! He annoys me. And anyway, George is my FRIEND.
Zippy: Oh well. I'm not staying here - I'm off to find Rod, Jane and Freddy to sing me a song. [Zippy throws his scarf round his neck, diva-style, and makes for the door]
Geoffrey: You can't - they've gone to Taiwan.
Zippy: Well, I'm going to find them!
Geoffery: You can't! Smirk. I've revoked your passport. Geoffrey gives an evil grin towards the camera as the curtain falls on this week's episode.
John P
I will never buy Dell for two reasons. One Dell is a name, not a brand. Alienware, Voodoo and Hypersonic are synonymous with FAST RELIABLE computers. Everyone carries AMD products and Voodoo and Hypersonic had DTR laptops. Dell has yet to gain this customer and will lose out on my next few pc purchases.
DG
This Dell rep is clearly not listening to his future customers. In the book "The Innovator's Dilemma" many companies fall into the trap of listening only to their existing customer base. This allows competitors to innovate with lower-priced products, which inevitably move upmarket. AMD is a classic case from almost right from the pages of Clayton M. Christensen's book.
I've been building my own AMD-based systems since they were 386 clones. Now, my latest system is the upmarket Athlon 64 3500+. Dell does not have my business because they do not carry AMD. Additionally, when I buy on Government contracts, I purchase HP servers -- not Dell -- Dell does not carry AMD.
I would love it if Dell offered AMD systems, but if they are captive to their existing customer base and are willfully turning a blind eye to the wants and needs of their future customers, they will limit their own growth opportunities.
Scott Sidel
Hey folks,
At work I have had about 3 laptops in the last 7 years. The first was an IBM Thinkpad with an Mwave technology modem / audio system. I liked it at first ? but it never worked well ? requiring frequent reboots when operating the modem. Overall that left a very sour feeling for Thinkpads over the 3 years or so I had it. ,
It was replaced with a Dell. That machine ran well ? albeit with a very loud hard drive in the final 1.5 years, for around 3.5 years. Very few complaints on that one ? a huge improvement over my Thinkpad. Recently I have had the fortune of upgrading to a Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M60. ,
Bliss I tell you. Bliss. ,
I?ve build plenty of my own desktop systems ? but to me it isn?t worth it anymore. Based on my experience with my Dell laptops, I?d buy an Dell AMD Athlon 64 system in a heartbeat. I do not have those feelings about other PC manufactures. Just Dell. I really am in the market for one this year ? but it appears as if I?d have to build my own again because Dell wants Intel?s marketing bucks. I guess I can?t blame them ? I?m sure it is a heck of a lot of money that changes hands, not to mention the other exclusively Dell perks. ,
But man oh man ? I really wish I could buy a Dell AMD system. ,
Joe
Hi,
Just want to yell this off my chest! YES WE DO!!!
I've being buying Dell for my company for many years, my customer code is 802365 (singapore). But the last purchase for the company was for a few HP D325 (AMD Athlon XP).
If only HP do low-end server with AMD chips too my recent purchase for server would had been HP too.
BTW, for my personal computer, my wife's and my sister's are all Shuttle with AMD.
Rgds
Lee
I really enjoyed reading the letters folks were writing asking Dell for AMD-based desktops and laptops. I must admit, if I were able to tell Dell what I?d like, I?d tell them to stick to their guns and stay Intel and Intel only.
Why, you ask?
I?m a professional system builder, and like to offer my clients custom systems that give them the most bang for their buck. That, of course, means AMD. Competing with the likes of Dell is hard enough; if they ever start offering AMD, I?m going to be in really deep sh?uh, silicon!
Paul
Hi INQ,
I'm a tech at a school district and often get inquiries as to what machines people buy for themselves. I like Dell's laptops, but I can't recommend a desktop machine which is more expensive and provides inferior performance to an HP or eMachine with an Athlon 64. Wake up Dell! You could have sold about 10 machines just from the people around me, and possibly an XPS gaming machine to me, but I built a significantly more powerful Athlon 64 machine on my own to avoid paying for Intel's high performance marketing dept.
Thanks
Ryan A
With the majority of customers are corporate accounts, IT managers do NOT want any conflict hassles of things not working on AMD (which there are) so they go with the mainstream Intel.
I personally feel ? even if over exaggerated? that it?s the VHS vs BETA argument. I do not care if its better, if 99% support one format and <99% support the other, I will go with the 99% one. And so will 99% of the population.
J
Dear Sir:
Mr. Rollins needs to be on the phones at Dell to see how many people are asking about AMD. I bet they have a canned speech for their reps to give to anyone wanting to purchase AMD over Intel. Dell will have to offer AMD or lose business to those who do offer AMD. Thank You
B. Keller
You can add me to the list of people who think Kevin Rollins off his rocker. This is also why my company passed Dell by on the last two rounds of desktop purchases. We wanted AMD's because they are better suited for office applications, and are cheaper too, but for some reason Dell doesn't seem to understand that.
JN
I recently read an article on TheInquirer.net (http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19181) where Dell CEO Kevin Rollins stated that Dell customers are not asking for AMD CPUs. The only reason why we don?t ask for AMD CPUs is because Dell doesn?t offer AMD CPUs!
I?m not sure who our sales contact of the month is over there at Dell now, but I would like to assure you that we not only WANT AMD processors?we would PREFER AMD processors in the PCs we purchase from Dell! AMD CPUs embody the best performance and the best value.
Our customer number is xxxxxx. A quick look at our purchase history will show that we have purchased a considerable number of laptops, PCs and servers from Dell over the years. Our firm is exclusively Dell (with the exception of our video editing machine which we acquired from Alienware and a Maxtor NAS).
Make no mistake about it?your customers DO want AMD based hardware. Intel has lost its performance and innovation crown to AMD and us customers know it!
Here are a few letters from other Dell customers as well: http://theinquirer.net/?article=19209 Please start offering PCs with AMD CPUs.
Michael Lyda
Network Administrator
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19244
Letters Postman's back hurting
By The Letterman: Sunday 24 October 2004, 07:18
Dell customers say they do want AMD and Dell CEO says customers don't want AMD chips.
I read what you wrote about Dell not wanting to put AMD processors in their machines because people don't want them? Did they do a poll? Probably not, they just figured because they haven't gotten any letters from people that people wouldn't buy AMD computers from them. Thats really sad thinking, because there are many people out there that would buy AMD from them. They probably just have a contract with Intel saying that they will only supply Intel machines. If Dell supplied AMD machines more people would look into and buy AMD machines which since Dell is such a big player in the computer market would help AMD bring up their name. I only use AMD because I can build a computer thats cheaper and better than a computer using Intel. My next computer will be AMD 64 with Nforce 4 motherboard because that will be the best on the market.
For the people who want AMD but are looking at Dell also, just go with someone else. There are a lot of good computer companies out there that make quality stuff. The only thing I see thats plus about Dell is their support, but other companies have decent support as well. For example Alienware makes an exelent PC and has good support AND they have AMD processors. Falcon is pretty good too. Basically go and check out review sites and make up your own mind.
Robert
I am also a Dell customer (close to 300 machines and 20 servers), and I've been pleading with our Dell rep to get AMD for almost 3 years now. It's total bullsh*t that the CEO says that customers do not want AMD chips. I'll be dead and gone before I purchase a Dell 64bit box with that half-assed Intel 64bit proc in it. And for the record, NO they don't listen to their customers.
Nick F
Network Engineer
Geoffrey = Microsoft; Zippy = AMD; George = Intel; Bungle = Dell; R,J & F = Soundstorm
Opening on a typical scene in the Rainbow household....
Geoffrey: Well, since you've been very naughty, I think I might make you wait even longer for Windows XP64.
In fact, I've half a mind to string you along for another year or two and then just give you Longhorn instead.
Zippy: But Geoffrey, I have all these lovely new 64-bit processors. Why can't we have it now?
Geoffrey: Now Zippy, remember what I've told you! George isn't ready yet (you know he's a little slow). Play nicely and wait for him to catch up.
Zippy: It's not fair! I KNEW I should have taken up George Lucas' offer to be the voice of C3PO.
Geoffrey: Zippy, why don't you play with Bungle? He looks like he has some nice toys to play with?
Bungle: Oh no Geoffrey! I won't play with Zippy. Ever! He annoys me. And anyway, George is my FRIEND.
Zippy: Oh well. I'm not staying here - I'm off to find Rod, Jane and Freddy to sing me a song. [Zippy throws his scarf round his neck, diva-style, and makes for the door]
Geoffrey: You can't - they've gone to Taiwan.
Zippy: Well, I'm going to find them!
Geoffery: You can't! Smirk. I've revoked your passport. Geoffrey gives an evil grin towards the camera as the curtain falls on this week's episode.
John P
I will never buy Dell for two reasons. One Dell is a name, not a brand. Alienware, Voodoo and Hypersonic are synonymous with FAST RELIABLE computers. Everyone carries AMD products and Voodoo and Hypersonic had DTR laptops. Dell has yet to gain this customer and will lose out on my next few pc purchases.
DG
This Dell rep is clearly not listening to his future customers. In the book "The Innovator's Dilemma" many companies fall into the trap of listening only to their existing customer base. This allows competitors to innovate with lower-priced products, which inevitably move upmarket. AMD is a classic case from almost right from the pages of Clayton M. Christensen's book.
I've been building my own AMD-based systems since they were 386 clones. Now, my latest system is the upmarket Athlon 64 3500+. Dell does not have my business because they do not carry AMD. Additionally, when I buy on Government contracts, I purchase HP servers -- not Dell -- Dell does not carry AMD.
I would love it if Dell offered AMD systems, but if they are captive to their existing customer base and are willfully turning a blind eye to the wants and needs of their future customers, they will limit their own growth opportunities.
Scott Sidel
Hey folks,
At work I have had about 3 laptops in the last 7 years. The first was an IBM Thinkpad with an Mwave technology modem / audio system. I liked it at first ? but it never worked well ? requiring frequent reboots when operating the modem. Overall that left a very sour feeling for Thinkpads over the 3 years or so I had it. ,
It was replaced with a Dell. That machine ran well ? albeit with a very loud hard drive in the final 1.5 years, for around 3.5 years. Very few complaints on that one ? a huge improvement over my Thinkpad. Recently I have had the fortune of upgrading to a Dell Precision Mobile Workstation M60. ,
Bliss I tell you. Bliss. ,
I?ve build plenty of my own desktop systems ? but to me it isn?t worth it anymore. Based on my experience with my Dell laptops, I?d buy an Dell AMD Athlon 64 system in a heartbeat. I do not have those feelings about other PC manufactures. Just Dell. I really am in the market for one this year ? but it appears as if I?d have to build my own again because Dell wants Intel?s marketing bucks. I guess I can?t blame them ? I?m sure it is a heck of a lot of money that changes hands, not to mention the other exclusively Dell perks. ,
But man oh man ? I really wish I could buy a Dell AMD system. ,
Joe
Hi,
Just want to yell this off my chest! YES WE DO!!!
I've being buying Dell for my company for many years, my customer code is 802365 (singapore). But the last purchase for the company was for a few HP D325 (AMD Athlon XP).
If only HP do low-end server with AMD chips too my recent purchase for server would had been HP too.
BTW, for my personal computer, my wife's and my sister's are all Shuttle with AMD.
Rgds
Lee
I really enjoyed reading the letters folks were writing asking Dell for AMD-based desktops and laptops. I must admit, if I were able to tell Dell what I?d like, I?d tell them to stick to their guns and stay Intel and Intel only.
Why, you ask?
I?m a professional system builder, and like to offer my clients custom systems that give them the most bang for their buck. That, of course, means AMD. Competing with the likes of Dell is hard enough; if they ever start offering AMD, I?m going to be in really deep sh?uh, silicon!
Paul
Hi INQ,
I'm a tech at a school district and often get inquiries as to what machines people buy for themselves. I like Dell's laptops, but I can't recommend a desktop machine which is more expensive and provides inferior performance to an HP or eMachine with an Athlon 64. Wake up Dell! You could have sold about 10 machines just from the people around me, and possibly an XPS gaming machine to me, but I built a significantly more powerful Athlon 64 machine on my own to avoid paying for Intel's high performance marketing dept.
Thanks
Ryan A
With the majority of customers are corporate accounts, IT managers do NOT want any conflict hassles of things not working on AMD (which there are) so they go with the mainstream Intel.
I personally feel ? even if over exaggerated? that it?s the VHS vs BETA argument. I do not care if its better, if 99% support one format and <99% support the other, I will go with the 99% one. And so will 99% of the population.
J
Dear Sir:
Mr. Rollins needs to be on the phones at Dell to see how many people are asking about AMD. I bet they have a canned speech for their reps to give to anyone wanting to purchase AMD over Intel. Dell will have to offer AMD or lose business to those who do offer AMD. Thank You
B. Keller
You can add me to the list of people who think Kevin Rollins off his rocker. This is also why my company passed Dell by on the last two rounds of desktop purchases. We wanted AMD's because they are better suited for office applications, and are cheaper too, but for some reason Dell doesn't seem to understand that.
JN
I recently read an article on TheInquirer.net (http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19181) where Dell CEO Kevin Rollins stated that Dell customers are not asking for AMD CPUs. The only reason why we don?t ask for AMD CPUs is because Dell doesn?t offer AMD CPUs!
I?m not sure who our sales contact of the month is over there at Dell now, but I would like to assure you that we not only WANT AMD processors?we would PREFER AMD processors in the PCs we purchase from Dell! AMD CPUs embody the best performance and the best value.
Our customer number is xxxxxx. A quick look at our purchase history will show that we have purchased a considerable number of laptops, PCs and servers from Dell over the years. Our firm is exclusively Dell (with the exception of our video editing machine which we acquired from Alienware and a Maxtor NAS).
Make no mistake about it?your customers DO want AMD based hardware. Intel has lost its performance and innovation crown to AMD and us customers know it!
Here are a few letters from other Dell customers as well: http://theinquirer.net/?article=19209 Please start offering PCs with AMD CPUs.
Michael Lyda
Network Administrator
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