Dell computers has introduced a new site for women who apparently found traditional laptop shopping to be a hypermasculine, intimidating experience chillingly devoid of new music and throw pillows. Called Della -- like Della Reese! -- the site at first appears more like a lifestyle magazine than a computer store, with "featured artists" and soothing portraits of women sipping their morning coffee and getting their chakras aligned near scenic mountains. I mean, I think I want an Inspiron, but will it match my chai latte and my upscale yoga retreat?
It's great to see Dell reaching out to female customers, but the language of the site is painfully dopey. Take, for instance, the site's "Tech Tips": "Once you get beyond how cute they are, you'll find that netbooks can do a lot more than check your email." Huh. OK. Like what? "Eat better: Find recipes online, store and organize them, and watch cooking videos." Also: "Your mini can be your meditation buddy."
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to flush my head in a toilet.
I'm all for cute laptops. Cover my XPS in glitter and ponies and darling woodland elves. Fantastic. But don't condescend to women like we have nothing better to do with computers than diet and cook, like we're still fumbling around looking for the on switch. For this, Dell gets the "Ugggh" of the day. (Via Engadget.)
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