Dell Transforms Desktops into Home Digital Entertainment Centers

Sept. 30, 2003—Underscoring its continued belief that PCs are the center of the entertainment hub in many consumers’ homes, Dell today began offering Dimension desktop customers with entertainment options designed to fundamentally change the way consumers think about and use their personal computers. Dell Media Experience and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 give customers a choice of two easy-to-use interfaces that can transform computer systems from traditional productivity tools to digital entertainment centers.

Dell Media Experience
Beginning Oct. 17, Dell Media Experience software will ship standard on all new Dimension desktops and on select Inspiron notebooks later this fall. It features an intuitive, visual interface that allows consumers to easily watch DVDs or downloaded video clips, listen to MP3 files and play lists, and enjoy digital photo slideshows set to music.

The optional $30 remote control specifically designed for Dell Media Experience allows consumers to easily access their digital content 10 feet away from the computer, much like they do with TVs and stereos in their homes today. It will be offered initially in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Japan.

“By offering Dell Media Experience on all Dimension systems, Dell introduces consumers to the benefits of operating their PC as an entertainment device using its remote control or a keyboard,” said John Medica, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Product Group. “It is a clear example of Dell’s ability to provide innovation to consumers.”

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
For customers seeking unparalleled access to digital content, Dell offers Windows Media Center Edition 2004 on built-to-order Dimension 4600, 4600C, and 8300 configurations. The Dimension 4600 Media Center configuration starts at $999.

Beyond providing an intuitive way to view DVDs, pictures, videos, and listen to digital music, Media Center brings TV viewing and personal video recording (PVR) capabilities to the desktop. Customers can use Media Center to watch TV programming on the desktop, and can use PVR functionality to pause live TV shows and record their favorite programs directly onto the hard drive so they can be viewed any time. Dell’s Media Center system offerings come standard with a remote control and infrared (IR) receiver.

“With PCs continuing to be the driving force in digital content creation and usage, Dell is debuting Media Center Edition 2004 on three innovative desktop form factors," added Medica. “The sleek and compact Dimension 4600C is ideal for use in living rooms or smaller spaces like dens, bedrooms or even college dorm rooms.”

Pricing
For $1369, a Dimension 4600C system comes equipped with a 2.6GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology, 256MB RAM, the new 64MB ATI ALL-IN-Wonder 9000 TV tuner card, 40GB hard drive, DVD player, a 15” flat panel monitor, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 and a remote control with an IR receiver.

For $649 a Dimension 2400 system includes a 2.2GHz Celeron processor, 256MB RAM, a 40GB 7200rpm hard drive, a DVD player, a 17” (16.0” viewable) CRT monitor, Dell Media Experience software, Windows XP Home, and the remote control specifically designed for Dell Media Experience.

For more information about these products, go to www.dell.com/dimension.

SOURCE Dell