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RE: Intel urges SMEs: Don't delay PC refresh

brian.smith@... 29th Jun 2009

Is INTEL saying that the rubbish they sell us now is not as rubbishy as the rubbish they sold us previously? Or are they saying that Microsoft sold us rubbish in the past that they've fixed - or is better at least - now?

Why did you (ZDNet) carry this rubbish?

I've been selling systems to SMEs for over 20 years and I can tell you they don't spend a fraction of the figures quoted in this "research" on maintenance and support.

In the first year(s) they're ruthless exploiters of warranties. In later years they wait for the tipping point in the upgrade cycle and then go to PC World/Staples and buy up the "almost the latest thing" systems.

And all the while they are bombarded by manufacturers offering to sell almost the latest thing systems direct; often with finance, free support etc.

This report is worthless and INTEL should know better. And, anyway, who buys INTEL? No one. Everyone buys DELL, HP, Fujitsu-Siemens, etc. INTEL have been so good at burying their stuff inside every PC you can buy - almost - they've completely obscured their own brand and any value purchasers might attach to it.

It's different in the corporate world where you have company geeks who care, and know, about these things. In the world of the SME it's all about price and service.

No SME I've ever come across bought (an) INTEL. A lot of them think they bought a UPS! (The delivery company not the power supply).