There has been lots of talk about Dell getting into bed with some retailers to get their brand spread out into the world more like HP Compaq, and other companies, but it looks like they have partnered up with the biggest, Wal-Mart.
So far there aren’t many details on how this will all work, or what machines will be available, but we can expect to see Dell machines in over 3,500 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in U.S., Canada, and even Puerto Rico sometime around June 10th.
I think this is a smart move for Dell, though many consumers in Canada think of Wal-Mart as the lowest, cheapest brand, and while Dell also fits in the same mindset for consumers, I think they have been trying to move away from the “cheap” aspect to show they are quality. This branding work will be undone by partnering with Wal-Mart, despite the massive market penetration this will bring to Dell.
I guess the upside in my opinion would be if they sell one of their Ubuntu loaded machines in Wal-Mart stores. That’d help Linux get into the household for sure.
via Engadget
I disagree that the branding work will be undone. It is not the same as slapping a Wal-Mart sticker on the front of a Dell machine. I don’t think the Sony, Canon, MS, etc etc brands got cheapened by being sold at Wal-Mart.
Barron, I agree with you there… But oddly enough, the thought of buying any of those brands from Wal-Mart doesn’t give me the same confidence as buying them at a camera store or computer store.
Soon there will be a Dell in every trailer of every trailer park! Seriously though, is there anything that you can’t buy at Wal-Mart?