While I appreciate the fact that Dell felt the need to improve the its marketing outreach to women, I'm not sure their solution did either of us any favors. 

If you look at the first image above you'll see a screen grab of a microsite created for women.  The second image is a screen grab of the regular Dell web site.  Ironically, the site for women immediately offers the Inspirion MIni as the right product for women.  You actually have to dig around to find other options.  Conversely, the main site starts with helping the consumer find the right size for your needs vs. telling you the solution before finding out about your needs.

I don't know about you, but I don't feel like marketing to women has to be separate from marketing to men to be successful.  Marketing to anyone, male or female, should be about helping individuals find the best solution for them and then supporting them as they bring that solution into their life. To do that successfully means listening, observing, asking questions, offering alternatives, getting feedback and building a relationship.  If Dell had listened to, observed or talked to women, I doubt they would have reached the same conclusion as their microsite reveals. 

What do you think?  Visit the dell site for women.  Then check out their main site.  Which one do you prefer?