Dell Digital Music Offering Blends Longevity, Simplicity and Value

Business Wire, Oct 27, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers/Music Writers

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 2003

Digital Jukebox Beefs Up Battery Life to 16 Hours, Works Seamlessly

With Windows-Friendly Software and Download Service

Listen up music lovers!

Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) today introduced the Dell Digital Jukebox (Dell DJ) music player and announced details of a partnership with Musicmatch(R) to provide customers an easy, legal way to download their favorite songs and albums.

Both the Dell DJ and Dell Jukebox powered by Musicmatch software will be available through the Dell Music Store (www.dell4me.com/music) starting Tuesday, Oct. 28.

"Carrying around thousands of songs(a) on one small device is a nifty idea, but not if you have to recharge it every few hours," said John Hamlin, senior vice president and general manager of Dell's U.S. consumer business. "The Dell DJ packs terrific battery life and tons of features into a small, sleek package for a great price."

Dell Digital Jukebox

The 7.6-ounce(b) Dell DJ comes with a choice of 15GB(c) or 20GB(c) capacities ($249 and $329, respectively) and features industry leader Hitachi's Travelstar hard drive.

A built-in rechargeable lithium-polymer battery provides up to 16 hours(d) of continuous music playback, enough for a round-trip flight from New York to London. The included USB 2.0 cable connects the device to desktop or notebook computers and can charge the battery in lieu of the standard slim-line AC adapter. A 2-inch backlit LCD display serves up file information while users browse with a front-mounted scroll barrel for true one-handed operation.

"We heard two things loud and clear from consumers when it came to digital music players: flash memory is too limited and hard drive players are either too expensive or stripped down to hit attractive price points," Hamlin said. "With the Dell DJ, our customers no longer have to choose between what they can afford and what they really want."

In addition to high-fidelity playback of MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) files, the Dell DJ serves as a digital voice recorder or a way to back up critical data. Each unit is backed by Dell's around-the-clock toll-free technical support and a one-year Advanced Exchange Service.(e)

Dell Jukebox Software Powered by Musicmatch

The Dell Music Store also features Dell Jukebox software powered by Musicmatch, which provides a simple graphical interface between the computer and Dell DJ and access to Musicmatch Downloads. This no-subscription service allows users to legally download their choice of more than 250,000 songs for only 99 cents each and most albums for $9.99. Musicmatch plans to offer more than 500,000 tracks by the end of the year.

"Offering consumers a convenient, legal way to purchase music online is important to both Dell and Musicmatch," said Bob Ohlweiler, Musicmatch senior vice president of business development. "We've developed one of the easiest ways to find and purchase music, and now we're excited to see it combined with a high-quality portable music player at an incredible value."

The Dell Jukebox also enables access to Musicmatch Radio and the ArtistMATCH(tm) feature, which compares customers' musical tastes to other users to recommend new artists. The Dell Jukebox software is tested and qualified on Dell notebooks and desktops and works seamlessly with both the DJ and many other digital music players.

For more information on the Dell DJ or Dell Jukebox software, visit www.dell4me.com/music.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (Nasdaq:DELL) is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $38.2 billion. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at www.dell.com.

About Musicmatch

Musicmatch Inc. is a leader in personalized music software and services, helping people find, manage, enjoy and buy music that best matches their unique tastes. The company invented the digital jukebox concept in 1997 and since then has registered more than 40 million users of its best-selling Musicmatch Jukebox. The Musicmatch Radio network, launched in 2000, now features the world's most popular Internet radio station, Artist MATCH(tm) Radio. The Musicmatch Downloads service is the easiest way to find, buy and enjoy music. For additional information, visit www.musicmatch.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: See attached product fact sheet for key technical features of the Dell DJ.

Key technical features of the Dell Digital Jukebox (Dell DJ) include:

-- Capacities: 15GB(c) and 20GB(c)

-- Hard Drive Model: 1.8" Hitachi Travelstar C4K20

-- Battery life: 16 hours(d)

-- Display: 2.0" liquid crystal display

-- Navigation: Scroll barrel

-- Microphone: Integrated

-- Volume Controls: Hardware buttons

-- Synchronization / PC interface: USB 2.0