Dell delivers Iron Man with new PCs

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 1 Oct 2008 at 08:54

Dell and Paramount Pictures are experimenting with a new form of digital distribution which will allow customers to purchase a PC with movies preloaded on it.

The experiment will begin by offering Summer hit Iron Man, and its associated DVD extras, on Inspiron, Studio and XPS laptop and desktop models for an additional $20.

For now, Paramount is the only studio that has signed on, with the superhero flick the only movie being offered.

Dell says it will eventually broaden its selection of preloaded content as it signs other studios. In time, Dell will also allow consumers to purchase films after they've bought computers, too. A move which could see it emerge as a real rival to iTunes.

The plan likely involves Zing Systems, a company Dell acquired in 2007 that enables users to easily migrate content among devices. However, Dell has attempted and failed to mount content-oriented initiatives in recent years, including Dell TVs and a portable music player.

The offer is currently only available in the US, but Dell is expected to make similar offers overseas.

Iron Man will be available only in standard definition. Full details concerning digital rights management were not available at the time of writing, but Dell will allow users to burn one copy of "Iron Man" to DVD.