Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California?

Posted by bifrost on Monday June 14, 2021 @05:52PM
from the self-post dept.

I was browsing through the Dell Alienware website since I want to buy a new PC. Naturally if I want a GTX3060ti or better but I discovered that Dell won't sell me a PC with that in it since I live in California. I got a non-answer out of Dell support so I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this?

I feel like a criminal or something; I can't buy something thats perfectly legal...

( 11 comments | 5 points | on HN )

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by pinewurst on Monday June 14, 2021 @07:10PM (#27509529)

It's true, but they don't explain it:

"This product cannot be shipped to the State of California."

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-and-games/alienware-a...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by pinewurst on Monday June 14, 2021 @07:17PM (#27509588)

https://www.dell.com/community/Customer-Care/Extremely-disap...

Replying to myself - a little research claims it's "surprise!" a CA regulatory thing about mandated sleep settings.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by bifrost on Monday June 14, 2021 @07:35PM (#27509730)

I'm assuming/hoping there'll be a button to click to undo that. Typical California regulations.... All flash and no substance.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by dragonwriter on Monday June 14, 2021 @07:22PM (#27509633)

There are separate catalog entries for the R12, one of which has the note “Complies with California Energy Commission requirements” and has a slightly higher base price.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-and-games/alienware-a...

vs.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-and-games/alienware-a...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by bifrost on Monday June 14, 2021 @07:25PM (#27509663)

Thats sorta weird, they're slightly different builds too.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by Dartan on Wednesday June 16, 2021 @09:36PM (#27535387)

Basically it's the HDD vs. SSD.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by c_o_n_v_e_x on Thursday June 17, 2021 @07:10AM (#27538334)

California has energy regs that pertain to "upgradeable PCs" (if I remember the terminology correct). This is one reason why Intel is now pushing the ATX12VO standard. By doing so, the computer power supply is theoretically more efficient by getting rid of the 3.3V and 5V rails, forcing those supplies to be on the motherboard instead of being within a traditional ATX supply.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by PaulHoule on Monday June 14, 2021 @06:03PM (#27508898)

Why California?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by throayobviousl on Monday June 14, 2021 @08:27PM (#27510027)

Its california, so some useless regulation for sure

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by bifrost on Monday June 14, 2021 @06:09PM (#27508955)

The support person said it was due to "Standby power". It seems extremely bogus to me TBH.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dell not shipping Gaming PC's to California? by Dartan on Wednesday June 16, 2021 @09:45PM (#27535427)

If you look closely the california one has "CEC" in the url. That's the California Energy Commission. Tier 2 starts pretty soon.

[ Parent | on HN ]