Dell adds 60% to price of Blu-ray laptop for Brits

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 31 Mar 2008 at 17:04

"The high-defintion format wars are over - and you won," according to Dell's latest press release. That is, except if you live in the UK.

The company has issued press releases on both sides of the Atlantic heralding its new Inspiron 1525 laptop with optional Blu-ray player.

But while US customers can buy the laptop "starting at $879" according to the US press release, the near-identically worded UK press release sent to PC Pro says prices are "starting at £729 including VAT and delivery". That's £287 - or 60% - more expensive for UK customers.

Dell's press office promised to get back to us with an explanation for the pricing disparities at the time of publication. But even taking into account the usual excuses of sales tax and currency fluctuations, there seems little doubt that Brits are once again getting a raw deal on the price.

The Inspiron 1525 comes with a 15.4in widescreen display with 720p resolution. The laptop sports a HDMI port, so that it can be connected to a HDTV for movie playback.

As with most Dell laptops nowadays, it can be bought in a variety of "lively" colours, ranging from Sunshine Yellow to Ruby Red.