Dell today showed off a new line of netbooks for children, utilizing the Nickelodeon brand as it hopes to market the niche PCs directly to children up to 13 or 14 years of age.
The No. 2 PC maker in the world will launch its Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition with multiple designs including a "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "iCarly" design. Interested consumers who don't select a custom design will receive a Dell netbook based on the Nickelodeon green slime that is routinely dropped on guests and participants on Nick game shows.
Each Nick-branded netbook has Wireless Internet and ships with educational content pre-loaded onto the HDD. Furthermore, Dell and Nickelodeon created unique user interfaces -- including desktop wallpaper, mouse cursors and icons for the netbook -- and it may be possible to download other modifications.
"The PC, like the smartphone, has become a 21st century symbol of self-expression," said Michael Tatelman, Dell VP of global consumer sales. "People are identified by what they carry, and people identify with what they carry."
The Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition will launch in October and the price has not been disclosed. To put it into perspective, the custom netbook is based on the Dell Inspiron Mini 10v unit, available today for $300+.
This isn't a surprise move, as PC manufacturers, facing increased pressure and a struggling economy, continue to try and breakthrough to select niche markets. Dell already said it will co-brand additional netbooks in the future, with other manufacturers expected to launch co-branded products.
Do you think a co-branded product is something you'd purchase, or will you leave it to average consumers, not tech enthusiasts?
