Dell's XPS One (PRODUCT) RED is a charitable rip off
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Jan 25th 2008 3:05AM
posted Jan 25th 2008 3:05AM
Based on those retail prices, you're locked into almost $200 in add-ons that Dell and Microsoft will happily mark-up to $300 -- $80 of which is donated to the Global Fund. Never you mind that the full-featured Vista Ultimate (even with RED-themed desktops, screensaver, and widgets) adds very little value to the vast majority of home users when compared to Vista Home Premium. Or that Microsoft says that "Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktops." So why bother with Ultimate on the XPS One in the first place, except to up the perception of greater value? It's not like this all-in-one desktop will ever step foot inside of an enterprise cubicle. Our advice: save your $300 and just give some cash directly, it might work out better for your taxes anyway.
[Thanks, Justin M.]
Attaching charity to consumerism is dumb anyways. If you want to benefit a charity, find one you like, and give them money. Don't rely on corporate big wigs to tell you what to give money to.
David Blank.
What exactly is your point?
All diseases have numerous causes and risk factors.
(N.B. You seem to be confused as to the meaning of the former and the latter, look them up.)
Well wow. No shit sherlock.
I for one happen to believe that the medical community treats us with whatever they have that is proven safe and effective. At the moment, that's reliance on all sorts of drugs, and in some cases antibiotics.
Enzyme supplements could only possibly be useful in a case of gene or other malfunction where those enzymes are lacking - most diseases are nothing to do with enzymes - and even then we can't hope to have a sufficiently accurate feeback system to know how MUCH enzyme to administer, and side effects would occur; just like with the other drugs. You can't control the enzyme site of action or speed.
More importantly, you're annoying everyone. Extensively. Go away.
Just to take an un-needed jab (as Engadget does to non-Apple companies) The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gives away more money in a year and Steve Jobs is worth. Windows supporters get made fun of left and right, so anything less for them would be unfair... As if this sites been fair as of late...
Dell should keep the XPS the same with Vista Home, then do a deal to put a bundle of open source software like Open Office in the package. They then could charge an extra 100 dollars with 80 dollars going to charity and 20 dollars going to support open source software development.
Not being anti-open source here, but that's not what consumers 'want'.
Most consumers expect Vista, who runs for the most part well, and Office, practically the best office suite out there. No need for OO, which most people I hear don't like anyways.
Windows + Office is a more viable choice for consumers. And I love how Dell is actually bundling them together in this case, instead of having to go find a separate place to get Office.
http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/robert/archive/2008/01/25/engadget-needs-to-fact-check-regarding-dell-xps-one-red.aspx
Thanx for including that link, I also checked out the rebate as well. Engadget post a retraction article! Take your lumps and be good editorialists.
@Robert,
Reread what I wrote. There's no justifying the inclusion of Vista Ultimate as the *only* option on a consumer-class, home-use machine, RED or not. MS says themselves that Vista Home Premium is the "preferred edition for home desktops." The point is, the RED XPS One *starts* at $1,599. There is no option to downgrade to Vista Home Premium and Works and save yourself the pointless $300 premium over the base model. That's uncool.
Thomas
It seems to me that when they did the profit calculation in the article, they used the consumer cost and called that the cost to the company. Wouldn't Dell be getting far more than the $20.
But its not even red? just the desktop.
Sorry but this is confusing me. I'm not on either side until I see this "price comparison" thought. Where can you custom build a XPS One to be like the RED model to compare the price? When I try and customize any of the XPS Ones, I can't seem to "upgrade" to Windows Ultimate or Office 2007. So where is everyone getting this info on what it would cost to build a normal XPS to the same level as the (PRODUCT) RED one? I ask because at first glance, it seems kinda like a rip. If I can find proof that they would cost the same without the RED name on it, I will agree with others that this is being blown out of proportion.
So anyone help me out or will I be ignored by those who just want to argue amongst themselves?
Sorry but this is confusing me. I'm not on either side until I see this "price comparison" thought. Where can you custom build a XPS One to be like the RED model to compare the price? When I try and customize any of the XPS Ones, I can't seem to "upgrade" to Windows Ultimate or Office 2007. So where is everyone getting this info on what it would cost to build a normal XPS to the same level as the (PRODUCT) RED one? I ask because at first glance, it seems kinda like a rip. If I can find proof that they would cost the same without the RED name on it, I will agree with others that this is being blown out of proportion.
So anyone help me out or will I be ignored by those who just want to argue amongst themselves?
gr... stupid paqe didn't load. Do a refresh and you get a double post..... why?......
Engadget, why can't you guys just have an EDIT button?!??!!?
My comment got deleted! Is this the Apple forum?
I recant....
I hear the XPS One RED will turn the colour red if you blend it.
An open Letter to Thomas Ricker and Engadget:
Mr. Ricker :
First and foremost: There is no price premium associated with any of the Dell (PRODUCT) RED products. We can%u2019t stress enough. We are extremely proud to be the exclusive supplier of PCs and peripherals to (PRODUCT) RED. We are proud to team up with Microsoft to offer the best technology.
We are offering three XPS (PRODUCT)RED PCs that are loaded with
Microsoft's Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED. There is not a
(PRODUCT) RED version of Home Premium (at this time at least). This is
just the beginning though and we are looking forward to expanding our
(PRODUCT) RED offering in the future.
We chose to join (RED) because our customers challenged us to %u2013AND it allows them to pursue their passions through technology %u2013 in this case it is directly associated with saving lives.
The Dell (PRODUCT) RED systems are about total value and the chosen configurations represent the most popular among customers. They are NOT %u201Cbase%u201D systems that force customers to upgrade to participate in (PRODUCT) RED. They represent a typical system configuration and offer the customer the choice to participate in (PRODUCT) RED or not. The XPS One (PRODUCT) RED includes Microsoft Office Home and Student ($149.00 addition across Dell regardless of product) and Windows Vista Ultimate ($149.00 addition from Vista Home Premium across Dell regardless of product). You might also note that customers typically pay an additional $25 for color choice %u2013 this is not the case for (PRODUCT) RED systems.
Regarding pricing %u2013 below are details from other online vendors. It certainly supports that we are well within competitive range, and in some cases, better positioned.
%u2022New Egg
oMicrosoft Office Home and Student -$99.00
oWindows Vista Ultimate (upgrade from Vista Home Premium)- $199
%u2022Bestbuy.com
oMicrosoft Office Home and Student -$149.00
oWindows Vista Ultimate - $199
%u2022HP.com
oMicrosoft Office Home and Student -$149
oWindows Vista Ultimate - $99
It%u2019s about choice. People can chose to support socially conscious programs in a variety of ways %u2013 donating time, money, in kind services, etc. And that%u2019s what Dell is offering -- choice. Customers who want to purchase a Dell (PRODUCT) RED system, may do so with confidence and know that their purchase is connected directly to saving lives.
-Anne Camden (Dell)
Anne,
Thanks for responding. We obviously agree with choice. That's why we want an XPS One (RED) version with Home Premium. Instead, we're locked into Ultimate and Office with Dell's (RED) offering.
There is an expectation that like others (see Apple, Motorola) who went (RED), Dell and MS would introduce a (RED) version of an existing product for the same cost.
Thomas
quoting thomas: There is an expectation that like others (see Apple) who went (RED), Dell and MS would introduce a (RED) version of an existing product for the same cost.
...This just comes with a higher spec. I don't see any real difference between Dell only offering the Red XPS with Ultimate/Office... and Apple only offering the Red iPod Nano in 8GB, and not 4GB. This is just an immature, biased and unprofessional rant by an Engadget writer.
Write an article about lack of choices for Red products if you want, but don't disguise it by calling the spec a rip off.
MarvinK,
We'd be fine if Dell offered an XPS One (RED) version of the Entertainment One config -- Blu-Ray, better proc, better graphics. That would be the Apples-to-Dell comparison you make. Fact is, not a single non-RED XPS One can be configured with Ultimate. The motivation, then, appears to be the higher margin to cover the donation on the (RED).
Our position stands. You're better off purchasing a base XPS One and giving your savings directly to charity. It's a better deal for you and for those in need.
Thomas
Thanks for deleting my post earlier, classy. And I still can't believe you haven't changed the headline after being proven WRONG! The price is the same. You're comparing 2 differently configured systems! The RED has Vista Ultimate ($150) and Office ($150). I'm not great at math, but that seems to equal $300. If you take the regular system and add those 2 things you're paying THE SAME PRICE.
Nice way to misreport.
No difference in price the OS 's are different,as is the office productivity software ,a false acusation
I'm not too familiar with Vista. Doesn't it allow customized themes? At what point will Microsoft allow customized themes out of the box?
I dunno if this has been said yet, but you should seriously read this (http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/robert/archive/2008/01/25/engadget-needs-to-fact-check-regarding-dell-xps-one-red.aspx) in response to this article.
If you do give money directly to help fight AIDS in Africa, make sure you know where your money goes to. Somtimes times, people give money to a charity and don't know that the money they are giving doesn't help their cause. Instead, the money goes to people who don't really need the money.
Just a little advice.
And yes, this is quite a rip off.
I agree with the previous posts--this article is terrible. Easily one of the worst I've read on Engadget. It would be one thing if Thomas wanted to go on a tirade about the price about what a ripoff Vista Ultimate is... but he didn't stop there. He started quoting best deal prices for things like Office, instead of comparing apples and apples (price to upgrade office on a standard Dell XPS).
Engadget should be embarrassed about the article... and update it with a note about a truly accurate price comparison. No wonder Engadget is hiring...
This must be a joke. And to think Engadget used to be in my RSS reader.
The products cost the same, yet Dell is donating $80 to charity if you purchase the Red One.
If you don't find value in Vista Ultimate, then complain to Microsoft about that, but it's extremely poor and misleading reporting to insinuate that Dell is somehow 'Ripping Off' charity by choosing to donating money from a machine that's priced -exactly- the same as the non-charity version when configured the same (actually priced less than the non-charity version when you consider they charge for color on all other products.)
This article should be retracted. I expect better of Engadget.
Thomas: "Our position stands. You're better off purchasing a base XPS One and giving your savings directly to charity. It's a better deal for you and for those in need."
OK, but that's not really how the article reads. I think most people agree with you on the fact that value of Office and Ultimate--but the article uses soft numbers to make it sound like Dell and Microsoft are ripping off users with inflated pricing (unrelated to unnecessary upgrades). If it wasn't for the manipulative price comparisons and fuzzy math, I don't think people would have bothered posting articles about Engadget's lack of fact-checking, coupled with an annoying bias towards Apple.
Write an article that you wish there was a (RED) version of Vista Home Premium, if that's your beef. This article really should be "Vista Ultimate and Office 2007 are Expensive" (and arguably not a good value). The problem is, everyone is already fully aware of the costs associated with Vista Ultimate and Office 2007, and that article really isn't newsworthy. What you did was simply manipulate their respectable efforts to create a (RED) version of those products to get on your soapbox--and had to use fuzzy math to justify it.
You lose fans and readers with this type of crap.
Negotiate people...
I got $50 off my Red Dell XPS One yesterday simply by asking the on-line assistant. I was trying to get him to up me to 4GB but settled on the $50.00. If I didn't get a discount I would have left and thought about it a while longer.
First Ryan Block cries re: Zune fiasco and now this... That's it, I'm installing ad-block and not feeling bad. Go Dell, I'm glad you also pointed out the usual extra charge for colors. And admit it people, when the majority of people donate money, they want the world to know what a great person they are, but they want it to seem subtle so that they don't come off as an asshat for bragging about giving to charity. That's why things like RED, the paws you pay $1 for that are posted on the Petco windows, those $50 engraved bricks, and libraries named after people are so common. Personally, I'll admit that I wear the arm-wrap bandaid thing from donating blood for pretty much to whole day because it helps build awareness that people donate blood, and people really do perceive you to be a better person if you do stuff like that. Plus I've gotten a few first class upgrades on YX, FL, and AA because of it.
Despite the fact that engadget may be deleting some comments here and there, I do have to give them credit for not pre-censoring comments like jizzmodo does.
A response from (RED):
We’re glad that our new partnership has created so much discussion. Unfortunately, it seems there is a lot of confusion around the pricing of the (PRODUCT) RED offering. Above and beyond the entry level XPS ONE, the (PRODUCT) RED version offers Windows Vista Ultimate and Microsoft Home Office and Student, a $300 value of upgrades when purchasing through DELL.
We’re aware that not everyone will need or want these upgrades. (RED) is not about buying something for charity – it is about doing good while you are buying something you need. For those consumers who are in the market for a DELL XPS ONE with WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE, the (PRODUCT) RED option gives them the opportunity to get all of these features AND trigger an $80 contribution to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa, at no additional cost. For those consumers who are not in the market for this type of full-featured experience, they have the option to purchase another DELL PC that meets their needs.
Most of the discussion demonstrates an enthusiasm for these partnerships and a desire to have more (PRODUCT) RED PCs available at a broader price range. We are also very excited about the potential of the DELL & MICROSOFT partnerships – which are just starting with these products. These new partnerships will help increase overall awareness of the AIDS epidemic in Africa and increase contributions to buy lifesaving ARV treatment for those who cannot afford it.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact (RED) at info@joinred.com.
Thank you,
bn
(RED)
info@joinred.com
Time to retract Thomas Ricker, time to retract.
While the 'extra' software for the added money sounds great and all, you gotta remember it is an arbitrarily priced product. There is no physical (or real) cost difference in Vista Premium or Ultimate when you consider its just a DVD disc installed onto a hard drive, which is vastly easy and cheap to mass produce. Microsoft and Dell are still profiting quite nicely from this.
My point is: More of the cost should be diverted to the charity.
Anything to bash the PC and glorify Apple, is that it?
Some people do use Ultimate because it combines some advanced networking needs and media. I don't see what the big deal is. If you can't afford Ultimate you're not really someone I want to be listening to anyway.
Product red has spent $100mil on advertising and raised $18mil...the whole thing is a joke. Read this NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/business/06red.html?_r=2&th&emc=th&oref=slogin&oref=slogin