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39040
Standardize Power Cables for Laptops By badblood,  Aug 27, 2007  |    Mon Aug 27 18:15:59 GMT 2007

Nothing is more annoying than laptop power cables that are not interchangeable from one computer model to another or from one brand of computer to another. Power cables have been standardized on most electrical applicances, including desktop computers for decades.

Make an effort to promote and implement standard power cables for laptops.

DELL/ Status Update

Please see dawn_l's comments below.
badblood39040.0
Comments: 134
Categories: Accessories (Keyboards, etc.)  Laptops  
Status:Under Review
440
Windows 7 support for Latitude XT Tablet PC By RobBushway,  Oct 28, 2009  |    Wed Oct 28 18:48:30 GMT 2009

 18 months ago I purchased what Dell marketed as the first multi-touch tablet pc. It was largely regarded as the most future-proof tablet . Now that Windows 7 has arrived, according to @RichardatDell, the XT is considered a Legacy system, and Windows 7 won't be supported. 

They have no Windows 7 drivers on their support site.

This is an issue for many reasons: 1) without proper touch screen drivers, Windows 7 multi-touch won't work. The available touch drivers are Vista specific only, and if they are installed on a Win 7 machine, they will damage the digitizer - trust me - it happened to me. Imagine the irony- the first multi-touch system on the market and Dell won't support it on Win 7. 2) Since the only drivers available are Vista based, they have to be installed using Vista Compatibility - otherwise they won't install. Drivers written for Vista don't take advantage of Windows 7 improvements / changes, thus will create stability issues. 3) What do shops that have deployed hundreds of these systems going to do when they rollout Win 7 and find that not everything will work because Dell deemed it a Legacy system even though they were just purchased a year and a half ago.

About a year after releasing the XT, Dell released the XT2 - very minor changes to the platform. Windows 7 support is on the XT2, but not on the XT.

Lenovo has Windows 7 drivers for their X61 Tablet PC - now THAT is a legacy system.

Some Links:

http://www.twitter.com/robbushway
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/10/28/dell-latitude-xt-drivers-held-hostage-day-7/
http://www.gottabemobile.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8319&title=trouble-with-win7-and-quick-set
RobBushway440.0
Comments: 33
Categories: Operating Systems  Service and Support  Latitude  
230
Ubuntu Linux should cost less then Windows and be available on Netbooks. By tkeith,  Oct 30, 2009  |    Fri Oct 30 13:47:36 GMT 2009

 Dell was the first major computer vendor to offer Linux, for which it was praised.  However, the Ubuntu option is now gone from arguably it's best implementation, Netbooks, and where available it costs $50-100 more then Windows.  I was told by support that it was because it costs Dell more, then told it was because people were buying Ubuntu and not liking it.  Neither excuse makes sense, Ubuntu is free to install and people were not properly notified nor given any training information about Ubuntu and the differences from Windows.  
tkeith230.0
Comments: 1
Categories: Linux  Netbooks  
1110
Bring Back Indicator Lights By Aloy,  Sep 25, 2009  |    Fri Sep 25 08:14:36 GMT 2009

I've noticed something very disturbing about the design trend of Dell Laptops.
I've recently purchased a Dell Inspiron Laptop and was a little shocked to find that there are no indicator lights (HDD activity light, battery charge light, WIFI light, Caps Lock light, Num Lock Light, Bluetooth light, etc) on the laptop!
Calling Dell customer service, I was offered an exchange for a different laptop model if I so wished and I was referred to a product sales personnel. This is when i found out that A LOT of Dell's newer laptop models had no indicator lights!

I am quite flabbergasted at this design decision by Dell engineers! Indicator lights are very very useful when troubleshooting or when in doubt. I cannot count the number of times when I thought I've plugged in the laptop for charging when I've neglected to turn on the power switch to notice that the battery charging light is not on. And the HDD activity light is essential in figuring out if the system has hanged or is just taking a long time to load a program. Caps lock is so useful for testing if system has crashed in pre-windows-load environment. There are so so many reasons to have hardware based indicator lights, I cannot believe that Dell engineers had gone and took them off all the models.

Please bring back the indicator lights in your laptops. It is really absurd to remove them.

 
Aloy1110.0
Comments: 9
Categories: Laptops  
33940
There should be an option of having no trialware on all computers By jervis961,  Aug 23, 2007  |    Thu Aug 23 10:24:58 GMT 2007

Here is a news article about trialware and how Dell feels that regular customers want it but small business ones do. Do they not look at the ideas here?

"Not interested in all of the trial software that clutters up new PCs? You're not alone: According to Dell's recent research in both focus groups and broader surveys, small-business users overwhelmingly view trialware as an irritant, not a benefit. That research has led Dell to axe the extras from its new Vostro line of small-business desktop PCs and laptops. Eliminating demo applications is a major step for Dell, which has caught flack for the quantity of trialware on its consumer PCs. (One frustrated customer went so far as to develop a "Decrapifier" utility. The company says that consumers who buy PCs for personal use do express interest in preloaded trial software, but that small-business users have different needs. By eliminating the trialware from Vostro machines, Dell says it has cut the system setup time in half. For now, Dell is the only major PC manufacturer to ship small-business systems without preinstalled trialware as a standard practice. (Some competitors, such as HP, allow customers to choose a no-trialware configuration.)"

DELL/ Status Update 

Please see Kara's blog for an update.



 
jervis96133940.0
Comments: 176
Categories: Desktops and Laptops  Software  
Status:Partially Implemented
230
Bios release By gabiz_ro,  Oct 22, 2009  |    Fri Oct 23 01:21:23 GMT 2009

Can we expect some bios update for Inspiron 9400?
Almost 2,5 years and no update for this model.
New version could fix demands you received in time from users,but most important will be
- SLIC update
- HPET support  for real not just declared in ACPI
- AHCI support
- and some thermal settings or even profile.
I use most of time on power adapter and would be good to stay cooler but fans start at ~60° Celsius
I just saw on HP suport for some old model from 2005 latest bios release is from june 2009 and we at Dell are left alone.
gabiz_ro230.0
Comments: 0
Categories: Service and Support  Inspiron  
104700
No Extra Software Option By ootleman,  Feb 16, 2007  |    Fri Feb 16 20:21:31 GMT 2007

Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.


DELL/ Status Update
Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.
ootleman104700.0
Comments: 598
Categories: Software  
Status:Partially Implemented
8440
Option to Buy Computers without Windows / OS By undoit,  Feb 9, 2009  |    Mon Feb 09 21:55:54 GMT 2009

It is really annoying that there is no way to purchase most laptops and desktops without also purchasing the Windows operating system. The selection of computers with Ubuntu preinstalled is no where near complete and the configuration options for the computers that are available tend to be limiting.

First of all, I already own a copy Windows XP. I am not interested in buying Windows again.

2) I don't run Windows any more. I use Ubuntu or another Linux-based operating system on my laptops. I shouldn't have to pay for something that I am not going to use.

3) I don't want the Windows sticker on my laptop. I end up peeling it off and sometimes it doesn't come off cleanly, leaving some sticky residue.

I take full responsibility for installing the Linux operating system of my choice and doing any trouble-shooting if something is not compatible.

Please add an option to purchase Dell computers with no Operating System!
undoit8440.0
Comments: 72
Categories: Desktops and Laptops  Operating Systems  
760
Please give us BIOS support for SATA AHCI mode on Inspirons! By dell-icious,  Nov 26, 2007  |    Mon Nov 26 17:20:14 GMT 2007

Inspiron system such as the Inspiron 6400/9400/E1705, etc. does not have the option to use/enable AHCI (Advanced Host Configuration Interface) in BIOS so the SATA drives are not running at maximum performance.
The system board chipset supports it. The transfer mode is set by default to standard compatible mode. Can't take advantage of NCQ capabilities.
Using Inspiron as my system at home and Latitude/Precission at the office.
I can see it supported on latest Inspirons (1720, etc)

Please introduce AHCI support with the next BIOS upgrade on our models as well.
dell-icious760.0
Comments: 12
Categories: Service and Support  Inspiron  
450
Dell BIOS and HPET timer support By josehernandez,  Jan 22, 2008  |    Tue Jan 22 22:40:34 GMT 2008

HPET timer will be useful for different purposes:
1) Kernel uses it for timer interrupt and time source (gettimeofday).
Kernel will use one particular timer among available HPET timers
(typically 3).
2) The HPET driver exports the HPET device in /dev which can be used by
other kernel drivers or user programs.

In this particular case, with forcing of HPET, (1) above seems to be
working fine.
But, (2) is printing 0ns. Probably because missing HPET information in
ACPI. You may need to do some more changes in drivers/char/hpet.c in
case BIOS doesn not support HPET.

But, this will not affect normal kernel functioning. This will only
affect is someone wants to use /dev/hpet interface.

source:http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/6/8/267


DELL/ Status Update
HPET is enabled and exposed by BIOS on most newer systems.
josehernandez450.0
Comments: 22
Categories: Software  
Status:Partially Implemented
80
Get some Caspian (AMDs new platform for laptops) based laptops onto the market By Trav,  2 days ago  |    Thu Nov 05 23:33:53 GMT 2009

Where are the Caspian based laptops from Dell? HP currently has a few such the DV6 2000 and CQ61 300 series which are excellent value for money. CPU performance is close to that of the Core 2 Duos and integrated graphics card performance that is superior to Intel's integrated graphics cards all at a price that would only get me Pentium Dual Core + non-Intel graphics card (i.e. inferior processor) or Core 2 Duo + GMA 4500HD (i.e. inferior graphics card) at Dell.

Come on Dell give us a choice. Dell is one of the first place I look at for laptops but there was simply no product that came close to these (at a compable price ofc). I assume this is because the comparable Intel based platforms are more expensive. If that's the case it begs the question, why doesn't Dell offer Caspian (or for that matter any AMD) based laptops.
Trav80.0
Comments: 3
Categories: Laptops  New Product Ideas  
200
Don't ship Ubuntu systems with Windows-specific material By takyoji,  Oct 17, 2009  |    Sun Oct 18 03:18:16 GMT 2009

An Inspiron Mini 10v apparently ships with:
  • Roxio Creator installation disc
  • PowerDVD DX installation disc
  • Inspiron Setup Guide
  • Ubuntu Quick Start Guide
  • Ubuntu disc
  • "Default Screen resolution" sheet
  • Other material as well
Both the Roxio and PowerDVD discs are Windows-only software, which are of no use on an Ubuntu netbook. Also, both discs don't imply that they're for Windows only. The Inspiron Setup Guide (a small 66 page guide) has only one mentioning of Ubuntu throughout the guide (which implies to refer to the Ubuntu Quick Start guide), and a lot of the material in the guide is only for Windows. And the "Default Screen Resolution" sheet, is again, only of how to change the resolution accordingly in Windows only.

Solutions:
  • Don't ship an Ubuntu netbook/notebook/desktop with Windows-only discs; or at least have the discs imply that it's only for Windows on the label.
  • Modify the Inspiron Setup Guide in one of the following ways:
    • Add solutions for problems in Ubuntu alongside the solutions for problems in Windows.
    • Replace the solutions for problems in Windows with solutions for problems in Ubuntu.
    • Remove the solutions for Windows entirely from the guide, and provide the Windows-specific information in a separate guide (for systems pre-installed with Windows).
  • Modify the "Default Screen Resolution" sheet to include how to do the same in Ubuntu, or replace it with Ubuntu-only instructions, or don't ship it at all.
Fulfilling the suggestions implied above should help avoid confusion for customers that order a system from Dell pre-installed with Ubuntu.
takyoji200.0
Comments: 4
Categories: Desktops and Laptops  Linux  Operating Systems  
60
Disclose the brand of the SSDs included in laptops / servers By kador,  Yesterday  |    Fri Nov 06 17:13:48 GMT 2009

The market of SSDs is getting huge, and the performance / reliability / ... between vendors and models can be huge, much larger than in the HDD market. When we buy a configuration, we are offered SSD options, like "secured SSD", "high performance SSD".

That's not enough, we need to know what we buy and not get happy with the "we choose the best components", which is not to be trusted, because DELL is an industrial company who make choices based on price and technology. Not every word in DELLs sales reps mouth is gospel, even if we like the brand and trust you in general.

As for us, we simply DON'T choose the SSD option because of that. Instead we buy a SSD elsewhere and switch the drives !! And I guess we are not alone !
kador60.0
Comments: 1
Categories: Sales Strategies  
90
provide better design for ultra protables By raxx666,  3 days ago  |    Wed Nov 04 13:25:20 GMT 2009

 one of the elements of dell laptops that hold me be back from buying is their poor design. . Im a user of XPS 1330 and in terms of regular pc computer equipment is ok but if you compare to products like Macbooks its just plain ugly. 

On the other hand the products that claim to be aimed be valued for their design are overpriced. In comparison to competetive laptops i.e. sony or apple
raxx66690.0
Comments: 0
Categories: Laptops  
50
Studio 17 wireless card By Glide,  1:33 PM  |    Sat Nov 07 21:33:48 GMT 2009

I would suggest allowing consumers to customize the wifi cards on the Studio 17, i7 processing configuration. The choice of  coupling a state of the art processor with a standard 802.11g wireless card is somewhat of a pity. It would be easier for buyers to have that option of wifi cards and have it built into the laptop rather than add a new wifi card after getting the product.






Glide50.0
Comments: 0
Categories: Laptops  Retail  Studio  
116320
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office By dhart,  Feb 17, 2007  |    Sun Feb 18 00:47:16 GMT 2007


Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)

OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:

- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!

- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls

- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]

- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program

- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing

- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System

Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell


DELL/ Status Update

Dell is constantly reviewing options to offer to customers. As this is available for free today, we do not currently plan on offering this as an option to factory install.
.
dhart116320.0
Comments: 622
Categories: Desktops and Laptops  Software  
Status:Reviewed
70
Power consumption By nimbusgb,  2 days ago  |    Thu Nov 05 11:46:29 GMT 2009

Publishing system power consumption on the website along with the technical specifications.

A real value! A simple wattage used value for systems at idle and say at 50% and 100% processor/disk utilisation would go a long way to helping to budget power requirements and target potential savings.
nimbusgb70.0
Comments: 2
Categories: Dell Web Site  Desktops  
60
Dell should invest in Fluidic Energy By jervis961,  2 days ago  |    Thu Nov 05 23:44:38 GMT 2009

Fluidic Energy, is a spinoff from Arizona State University that "aims to build a Metal-Air Ionic Liquid battery that has up to 11 times the energy density of the top lithium-ion technologies for less than one-third the cost."  According to the article in Technology Review they have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy last week for $5.13-million to continue their research. Dell should make an investment in the company in exchange for partial ownership.  Sometimes its the small investments that pay off the best.
jervis96160.0
Comments: 1
Categories: Dell  Environment  Laptop Power  
70
Light machines, high end processors & video cards By rottenron,  3 days ago  |    Thu Nov 05 00:49:19 GMT 2009

Many of us in the financial community want a light (< 5 lbs) notebook that also has top of the line cpu's and gpu's. 14 inch screens are just fine and battery weight, or lack thereof, is more important than a screen that is roughly 1.7 inches wider and 1.7 inches taller (17 inch screen).

The goal is portability, not lugability.
rottenron70.0
Comments: 0
Categories: Laptops  
70
Provide Windows 7 Driver Updates for all computers that support dual core and higher processors By ryan_w,  3 days ago  |    Wed Nov 04 20:46:28 GMT 2009

Please provide Windows 7 driver updates for all business class computers that support dual core and higher processors.  Although most of these computers will work out of the box with Windows 7, some drivers espically for business model laptops like the audio driver do not work correctly when docked.
ryan_w70.0
Comments: 1
Categories: Operating Systems  Service and Support  
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