My Dell-employee friend made sure to send me the news that in taste-tests across the country, people preferred a certain too-sweet cola because it was just a taste and you didn’t have to drink the whole can.

Uh, wait a sec.

In a four-city head-to-head comparison, most consumers (almost 70%) preferred a Dell plasma over a Sony plasma, based on picture quality and price.

The consumer preference study of 42-inch plasma HDTVs was conducted from June through the end of July in Baltimore, Chicago, New York City and San Francisco. Following viewings of each TV, 308 consumers were asked their preference if the Sony were priced at “about $4,000,” as much as $1,000 less than Sony’s online prices in effect during the study period. Consumers were shown a Dell price of “about $2,800,” which was Dell’s online price during the same period.

Now I have to point out to my Dell-loving friend that this method of comparing viewer preferences is subject to all kinds of errors. First of all, price WAS a consideration mentioned. Where were these surveys done? In a more price-conscious area of town? Or in a more affluent neighbourhood?

That said, Dell displays do sem to be a good deal.

eCoustics - Consumers Overwhelmingly Choose Dell’s 42-inch Plasma HDTV