Which is more powerful: A computer in a traditional beige case, or a computer in a “ruby red” case? Well according to Dell, a “trendy” coloured computer is more powerful. Dell has released a new range of Inspiron notebooks for the colour conscious individual. So what’s so special about these notebooks compared to their normal line of notebooks? I compared the Inspiron 1520 coloured notebook with the equivalent “colourless” model, and the specs were identical. The only difference I found was the colour. And what a colour palette to choose from:

• Jet Black
• Alpine White
• Espresso Brown
• Ruby Red
• Mindnight Blue
• Spring Green
• Flamingo Pink
• Sunshine Yellow

As we all know, things are better if they look nice. Fashion and latest trends go a long way to determining what is “good” and what it “not good”. Take Apple for example: People can’t get enough of Apple’s product range. Why? Because they are the best around? Maybe. They have the largest market share? No. Because they look good. You put a shiny metallic Apple macbook against a comparable “brand name” notebook, and people will usually base their choice on looks and go for the Apple.

I must admit that I have on occasion, weakened and made an IT purchase based on looks instead of usability, and I’m still paying for it (Damn you cool-looking keyboard).

For the record, I’m not a Dell or an Apple fan. Both have their good and bad aspects. I’m a practical kinda person. If it does the job, that’s all that matters, despite the colour, shape or cardboard packaging. I just wish that companies would put more money into the inside’s quality, performance, and reliability, and less on the shallow exterior.

I guess the looks do play a part in the decision making process. Just remember: Regardless of the colour, a lemon is still a lemon… (Not that I’m calling anything mentioned in this article a lemon.)

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