Project Sputnik Report #1

#projectsputnik first impressions

Fedex dropped off my new Dell XPS 13 laptop today, courtesy of the Project Sputnik beta program. (Full disclosure: Dell gave me a 20% off coupon for the hardware when I was accepted to the beta program). Yes, dropped off: the driver left it on our doorstep and rang the bell. Amusingly, I got an automated call from Fedex an hour later telling me a signature would be required for the nine buck video dongle that was shipped separately. I've got two primary reasons that I'm interested in this program. First, I'm tired of paying the Apple tax. Macs have been good machines, but they're high-priced (even higher when you add the mandatory Apple Care, because the hardware quality isn't really all that good) and increasingly locked down. Second, I'd love to have a laptop that knew how to install stuff for me, rather than wasting two days every time I need to rebuild. The XPS 13 is a...

Full article: http://afreshcup.com/home/2012/9/4/project-sputnik-report...