Dell “Z” Inspiron Notebooks Coming Any Day to US

Dell has already started selling its Insprion 13Z and 15Z notebooks in the UK, as reported by T3.com and is expected to debut any day here in the US.

The notebooks, which measure in thicknesses of 26.4mm for the 13z and 29.2mm for the 15z are the latest Dell offerings featuring Windows 7 and Intel’s Ultra-Low Voltage processors.

By the looks of the system, they resemble much of the design cues found in the Studio XPS line which is now getting long in the tooth.

IBM Loses Appeal Dell M&A Case (Bloomberg)

Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) — International Business Machines Corp. lost its appeal of a ruling by a judge who had denied the company’s request to block its former mergers-and-acquisitions chief from performing duties at Dell Inc.

“We have considered all of IBM’s arguments and find them to be without merit,” the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York said in its Oct. 22 decision. “Accordingly, the June 26, 2009, order of the district court is affirmed.”

IBM had sought an injunction for the duration of the lawsuit in which it seeks to enforce a one-year non-competition agreement. David L. Johnson, a 27-year IBM veteran, says that agreement isn’t valid because he deliberately signed it in the wrong space.

“We are disappointed in the court of appeals’ decision and are prepared to move forward with proceedings in the District Court to protect IBM from the misuse of our intellectual property and trade secrets,” Doug Shelton, an IBM spokesman, said in an e-mail yesterday.

Dell hired Johnson in May, triggering the lawsuit in which Armonk, New York-based IBM accused him of violating the agreement.

“We’re pleased that the court of appeals has agreed with” the “district court’s conclusion that Dave Johnson is not subject to a non-competition agreement and that there is no reason or justification to keep Dave from working for Dell,” David Frink, a spokesman for the Round Rock, Texas-based company, said in an e-mail.

Dell on Sustainability Kick; Generating Power and Protecting Against Hail Damage

Dell's Parking Lot Solar Array

Dell just rolled out a new solar array at its Round Rock Headquarters (is that RR2 in the picture?).  The array of panels can generate 131,000 kwH of electricity each year for its corporate headquarters and also includes 2 charging stations for any electric cars the employees drive to work.

All efforts at combating Global Warming Climate Change aside, I bet there’s a rush to park under those locations by employees, even if it means parking farther away from the building. If you haven’t lived in Central Texas, your car is an oven between the months of May and October due, regardless of tint and sunshades. Also the Texas Hill Country is known for getting hail over an 1″ in diameter multiple times a year. Solar or no solar, its nice to have covered parking!

Dell to Face Backlash in US Over Factory Closures?

When Dell brought in Mike Cannon as its head of operations, it was pretty clear; In order to reduce expense overhead, Dell would be shutting down much of its in-house manufacturing operations and shifting production to contract manufacturing. Dell’s expense structure was bloated and needed to trim down in order to compete with HP and Acer who have utilized this practice for years.

However, there may be a large backlash forming against the company who has, over the years, focused a majority of its sales focus in the United States and other western countries.

Many of these now-closed production centers (Texas, Tennesee, North Carolina, Ireland) have caused controversy in those localities. Jobs lost have been lost (for good?) and voters are left scratching their heads on why Dell received government incentives to bring these factories in the first place.

Will this affect Dell’s ability to sell to consumers and companies in these affeted areas? More so, could this negative brand impact grow beyond across the US and Europe? Check our articles like this, from a local North Carolina TV Station (WRAL): “Dell is turning its back on the U.S. – Just say no to Dell”.

In this current economic climate, you want to make all the friends you can. There’s a chance that consumers will rally around “Made in the USA products” in response to the negative ramifications of globalism. Dell and other US companies better find a way to respond to this.

Love your Dell Adamo XPS; Just don’t LOVE your Dell Adamo XPS

CNET’s Crave Blog had an opportunity to take Dell’s new Adamo XPS notebook out for a test drive. We here at DellObserver.com shared with you teaser pictures which had been leaked teased by the company.

Turns out that the Adamo can only be opened by “rubbing” a sensor on the front of the case. I guess this takes affection for a gadget to all new heights not seen since the debut of the “RealDoll” back in the early 2000′s?

Dell Will Repay Incentives to Local NC Municipalities

North Carolina’s News & Observer is reporting today that Dell has agreed to pay back $26.5M to local city and country authorities. Dell had originally received almost $300M from city, county and state programs to build its now closed plant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.