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tsaimelv · 10-26-04, 04:45 PM

USB host is simply not a huge selling point. 99% of people do not even know what it is, much less what it can be used for. This might cost Dell another 1% of unit costs for research and development of the USB host drivers and hardware modifications required. Not to mention the R&D costs for a new cable design that has a USB host connector - this could cost a bundle! Oh yeah, and when 100000 people call their support centers for "help" with USB host problems, compatibility, etc., that might tack on another 1% of total costs.

Bottom line is that USB host is probably a feature that costs 1% extra to incorporate and support, but contributes 0.001% of extra sales. Considering that dell probably only makes 2% profit IN TOTAL on the x50 (this is about how much the hardware and retail business makes on products), it's a no-brainer.

The very same argument can be made about 128MB of ram vs. 64.

10-26-04, 04:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
tsaimelv Aximsite Minor League Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 264 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	USB host is simply not a huge selling point. 99% of people do not even know what it is, much less what it can be used for. This might cost Dell another 1% of unit costs for research and development of the USB host drivers and hardware modifications required. Not to mention the R&D costs for a new cable design that has a USB host connector - this could cost a bundle! Oh yeah, and when 100000 people call their support centers for "help" with USB host problems, compatibility, etc., that might tack on another 1% of total costs. Bottom line is that USB host is probably a feature that costs 1% extra to incorporate and support, but contributes 0.001% of extra sales. Considering that dell probably only makes 2% profit IN TOTAL on the x50 (this is about how much the hardware and retail business makes on products), it's a no-brainer. The very same argument can be made about 128MB of ram vs. 64.