Dell does have its problems. It’s getting squeezed on the high end by Apple and on the low end by the Chinese. And they have earned a reputation for inconsistent customer service (I’ve always been treated well by Dell, I had two of their computers under my desk at Microsoft).

One thing that Dell should make a bigger deal about is their new HD laptops. Apple doesn’t do full 1080i resolution. Dell has a laptop that does and I started seeing a few of those spring up around Microsoft before I left. The screen is stunning.

It’s unfortunate, though, that their case design is so uninspired. Apple will continue winning high-end sales not because of their features or price but simply because they put together a total package that is simply sexier than what Dell is offering.

Dell is blowing it by not featuring HD resolution on its home user laptop page. I know quite a few people who want the best resolution laptop possible (software developers, for instance, CRAVE real estate).

In fact, you can’t even find the laptop with the wide-screen HD resolution unless you click on their small business page.

Now, I have $2,500 burning a hole in my wallet. I’m gonna wait to see if Apple comes out with a laptop that supports full 1080i resolution at its developer conference in August. If not, I’m gonna buy a Dell, uninspired case design and poor marketing nonetheless.

And why can’t I get that super dooper screen with Media Center on it? Or, am I just missing the “right” page?

I’m imagining watching Lost episodes in the car on my new super dooper Dell high res wide screen display! I’m amazed that Dell isn’t making a big deal about this because this is something that Dell can do that Apple can’t do (yet).

Oh, and Dell, why do I need to go to Lenovo or Motion or Gateway for a Tablet PC?

Update: Wikipedia has an explanation of WUXGA screen resolutions and why that matters for HD video. That page also links to a variety of manufacturers that make WUXGA screens.