We all know what Dell is, yes? Did it ever strike you that it might be too masculine for you, a bit too clever? Did that put you off? Is that why Dell has launched Della, a sweet little PC site for little women... like you? Have you just swallowed that or did you, like me, have a little laugh? The idea behind Della is to offer the site as a fashion-friendly guide for women who see their tech as a style statement and need lots of tips for recipes, how to be more organized and ways in which women could use their netbook (calorie counters, online fitness routines etc). OK, none of that is particularly offensive in itself. It does however become patronising due to the fact it's aimed at women.
Where is the equality, Dell? Will Dell next launch 'Dellboy' with tips for DIY, how to build your own shed, fitness videos for warding off the beer belly and where to find vintage cars for the chaps? I think not somehow.
I'm quite happy to see stylish, colourful products and accessories (see Della's Products section) but I don't need it wrapped up in naff website when I could just check out... Dell. I think netbooks are nice and sure I want my kit nice looking but functional too and I fear Della glosses over the latter in favour of cutsifying and dumbing down for our "simple" gender.
Della commenters aren't happy either. One commenter on the Tech Tips section (here's a sample of the so-called tech tips: "Add storage to your netbook with memory cards or memory keys." Seriously) says, "Women have been successfully using computers and the internet just as long as men have; we don't need babying, special colors, or ways to track our workout and diets just to so we'll buy a computer. Want to empower women? Encourage us to do what the above commenter already mentioned: start blogs, upload pictures, e-commerce, etc. " Couldn't agree more. What say you?
I'm dismayed that Dell (sorry, Della) is being so disappointingly retro and think their new site is downright sexist. How have they lasted this long without understanding that women can know a thing or two about computers and the internet?
Posted by: Diane | May 19, 2009 at 11:30 AM