Even though these have been out for a while in Japan, well-heeled U.S. consumers can now get their hands on QUALIA products. How about a $30,000 projector, $3,900 2-megapixel digital camera, $2,600 heaphones, or a $1,900 MiniDisc player?
I love Sony products and gladly pay the Sony premium on their products, but wow, these are crazy expensive.
I wonder if these are crippled in some way…you know, Sony likes to remove features when it releases them to the the second class citizens that live in the United States. :wink:
I’m still trying to figure out why they removed Bluetooth from the TR-series notebooks and from the Clie TH55 series…bastards!
American customers are used to paying out of the ear for good stuff, but for more than a thousand dollars, you get a Minidisc player? For the three thousand, you get headphones? From what I’ve seen of it, I don’t like it. Many other producers have products a little less ritzy than these, but backed by actual technology and reviews. If these are indeed as good as they look, I would still tell people to reconsider what they’re doing. Especially when you blow this much money for something this insignificant. It could be put to much better use. I’m pretty sure I’ll be one consumer who’ll be stepping away from the plate and purchasing something far cheaper.
For now, satisfy your Sony lusts @
The pictures are especially pretty. [hint: print them out and hang them on your wall, or cut them out and wear them on your head, over moderately-priced headphones. That way, instead of buying the real things, you’ll still look cool, and have 3000 dollars to spend on something else! ]
~nox
Speaking of the TH55, I picked up a crippled one, but there’s an interesting thread on ClieSource referencing your BT upgrade and wondering if Sony may have left BT in on the TH55 for U.S./Japan models. Hopefully it’s a situation like with some of ATI’s graphics cards a while back where it was basically a high-end part with crippled pipelines that could be unlocked.
As for the QUALIA products, the DSC-U30 is about the same size especially since the flash for the QUALIA camera has to be screwed on. I could buy 20 of those or 8 DSC-T1s and keep them as spares.
I’ll bet its an image based move. They are obviously targeting the very wealthy here in the States (perhaps celebrities and the like). For example, if Brad Pitt, Puff Daddy, or some other famous person uses the product, people who cannot afford the price of QUALIA will opt for the regular Sony brand which is “just like what the celebs have”. Either way it will make Sony look high quality. Look what the Lexus line did for Toyota!
It’s just something for rich pricks to brag about, like Vertu cell phones, which are basically gold and platinum plated $30,000 Nokias. Sort of like the people who drive Lexus a ES3x0. Sorry, that’s a Camry with a facelift and a slight engine tune.
LightYear: with a product like this, I’m sure you have a dedicated account rep to attend to your every need.
[quote author=“Drachen”]LightYear: with a product like this, I’m sure you have a dedicated account rep to attend to your every need.
Drachen, actually, you’re right. :shock: If you look at the Quallio website and rattle around their info and bs a little, you’ll find that they provide “one-on-one product demonstrations and support.” I agree with you, this is more of an ego-booster than anything else. And like I’ve said before, please, think a little more before you buy this. Overrated or not, this much money for so insignificant a toy is a waste. Of course, that’s why you see people with Ferraris everday.
~nox :cry:
[quote author=“nox”] Overrated or not, this much money for so insignificant a toy is a waste. Of course, that’s why you see people with Ferraris everday.
~nox :cry:
Everything is relative. Don’t forget that some people think we are snobs for spending “extra” money on Sony VAIOs. We may find the features, functionality and style attractive, but others think we are throwing our money away. Let’s not judge too harshly those who wish to embellish their “Tech-World”.
[quote author=“VAIO Jet”]Everything is relative. Don’t forget that some people think we are snobs for spending “extra” money on Sony VAIOs. We may find the features, functionality and style attractive, but others think we are throwing our money away. Let’s not judge too harshly those who wish to embellish their “Tech-World”.
You’re right, VAIO Jet. My in laws flipped when they heard how much I spent on my TR. Much more of my family and friends flipped when they found out I spend about $1,200/mo to send out a newsletter to bring me business as a Realtor. And I’m hear to tell ya…I ain’t rich, folks! Like you said, its all relative.
]
