[CliffordK]

The Dell ad I saw the other day seemed more about how you could change the covers than what it could do!

Oh...  I need one of those.
Does it fold the clothes too...
Or just make the bed?

[imatfaal (OP)]

Unfortunately, most of the market is pretty much satisfied with what they have already. It's like cars. Sooner or later you get to a point where most people really could care less, as long as they are reliable and they don't cost too much to run.

I think the laptop manufacturers are learning the tricks of the auto-makers when advertising these days - The Dell ad I saw the other day seemed more about how you could change the covers than what it could do!
Image over content, etc...

It's not just the advertising agencies - it's the industry press; in researching new laptop I found a review that praised to the heavens the components, implementation, , the low weight, and build quality - but claimed the laptop was "fatally let down" by the lack of aesthetic appeal!  It's black, boring and functional; but the so are most of my suits - so I bought the laptop, so far I haven't felt "fatally let down" by the styling. 

[peppercorn]

The Dell ad I saw the other day seemed more about how you could change the covers than what it could do!

Oh...  I need one of those.
Does it fold the clothes too...
Or just make the bed?

LOL! - When I was a kid writing crappy BASIC programs for hours and excitedly showing my mum the results, her stock answer was "Yes, but will it help me with the washing up?" - So, if my research is correct we are almost there!

It's not just the advertising agencies - it's the industry press; in researching new laptop I found a review that praised to the heavens the components, implementation, , the low weight, and build quality - but claimed the laptop was "fatally let down" by the lack of aesthetic appeal!  It's black, boring and functional; but the so are most of my suits - so I bought the laptop, so far I haven't felt "fatally let down" by the styling.

Oh, a melodramatic journalist - who'd have imagined such a thing!  []
I like the sound of "black, boring and functional" as it may mean the difference between someone breaking your car window (etc) to steal it or walking by.