Mont Blanc: Dell 9100

By Chris Stevens on 31 August 2005, 10:35am

With the notable exception of Macs, computers have never been the prettiest objects to behold. But the new 9100 is a huge improvement on Dell's difficult goth period (where all its machines had black chassis and front-panels with gaping scars across them).

Dell has swapped the previous generation's scars for a piercing -- its new range of desktops have a massive hole through the front-side of the case which doubles as the perfect carrying handle. A huge nose-ring slipped through this would give the Dell some serious punk credentials. (Come on! We know everyone wants a PC with counter-culture aspirations.) This handle is especially useful if you cart your machine around the house from time to time, but the serrated edges on the hole bite into your hand like a playful puppy. It's nothing to cry about, but it seems rather cruel.

Dell was never famous as an arbiter of great design, but with this new range it could be leading a charge towards a change in mainstream fashion. As the ubiquitous beige-box PC made a slow transition towards black towards the end of the last century, now it makes a slow transition to white. Expect a full review soon. -CS

Update: this review is now live here.