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Better Styling, More Choices on Video Cards and a Hybrid Video Design, and Definately less or NO pre-installed Software.

7636 points posted to Sales Strategies, Software, Laptops by kman79 02/16/07 **REVIEWED**

Dell probably does build one of the best performing notebooks that one could order, well at least you could make it to be one of the best performing notebooks, but they lack in style. Of course the priority of having the notebook is having good performance, but having a stylish exterior adds value and want for the notebook/laptop. The white and gray casing gets old, and needs updating. I like the simple yet stylish look of the M1210, the rest of the line should be updated. Maybe it's just me, but the rest of the XPS line of laptops need to be toned down, it just looks to kidish and has too many things going on with it. Design a better looking notebook with the current hardware performance you have available right now, and you can guarantee it will sell better. The design does not have to be complex, but anything is better than white and gray plastic exterior you currently use. Get ideas from Apple, Asus, Sony, Toshiba and even HP. Give the exterior look of the notebook some curves......maybe evem a glossy finish, and a little texture. People spend thousands of dollars on their Dell Notebooks, at least make them feel better by making the notebooks look like it's worth the money spent on them. Give the notebook some attitude, a personality and a soul and not just a piece of plastic with a keyboard and a screen.

Dell should also give customers more choices with the video cards. I wanted to get an M1210, but was dissapointed that it only had a Geforce Go 7400 as the only choice for video card. I was more than willig to spend the extra cash on a higher end video card. Also, if sony has not patented this design/idea, what about a Video Hybrid design where you have a choice between intel graphics while on battery, and purve Nvidia graphics when plugged in. I think the idea is genious and very useful. You can use intel graphics when your running on battery to save and extend battery life, and switch over to nvidia graphics for full-on graphics power when the notebook is plugged in.

More importantly, let it be the customer's choice on which programs and services they want installed on their ordered computer. I hate turning on my newly ordered computer and having all these unwanted software and services already installed. I hate having to spend the first minutes to hours after receiving my computer uninstalling programs or doing a clean OS install.


Over the past year we launched several laptops that were developed purely for the consumer. Check out all the details on mike_h's post.





dkcan
02/17/07
More choices for video card! we need that...especially on m1210
n4656bravo
02/19/07
agreed, a simple change to the box and a higher, graphics card, and maby even an HD or Blu-ray player would put the M1210 in the range to take on the Mac Book Pro. The biggest limiting factor to the M1210 is the graphics card though.
afmaf
02/20/07
More video card options on all Dell systems is vital. I was forced to buy an ATI card on my last laptop. The card has never worked correctly, and the only patch to the driver (which Dell must create, ATI does NOT support laptop cards) did not fix the crash issues. ATI's lack of support is horrible, and I will not buy their cards unless I have to. Offer both brands at multiple levels. Dell proclaims that it makes PCs for each buyer, but it does not give us enough options.
jenriquez
02/23/07
What I really like about Dell is that you offer (almost) the same options in every country (I live in Mexico). HP's machines often do not compare to those offered in the US.

I'm currently looking for a new laptop (I'm not in a hurry, so I can wait a couple of months :P), my two requiremets are: dual core processor with 64 bit support (Turion 64 x2 or Core 2 duo) and a mainstream graphics card. I found your Inspiron 6400 and the XPS M1210, both seem to bee good machines, but they're just too big/small for me, why don't you offer a dedicated (well, half/dedicated with those TurboCache/Hypermemory options) graphics card in your 14" laptop? If you could include an nVidia 7400 in the smaller XPS, why don't you offer something similar on the Inspiron 640m? Please offer a 14" with a dedicated graphics card (at least an nVidia 7400), I'll be really happy to buy one!
breys
02/26/07
This is a very great idee, I need a betther video card, and I don't need so much sofware
xchaosx
03/11/07
This is quite true, considering that Dell would let all & everyone "customize" on most items but the GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) options is severely limited. If it is a design fault, couldn't Dell design laptops with a better accommodation, like most other brand can fit a powerful GPU of 14.1" and 15.4"
kpo127
04/16/07
E521- video card options are very lacking. Dell is almost forcing customers to upgrade almost immediatly after purchase. Most people seem to be choosing the on-board video option and then upgrading to a dedicated card. If they are willing to spend the money for full Vista capability, why doesn't Dell go for it with more options available on this system?
abey238
05/03/07
i would surely support the notion for more options on Higher end graphic cards on the Dell XPS M1210. Hope to see more option in the comming months.
mike_h
Apr 17
- We've heard your feedback for better designs loud and clear. Last year we launched laptops that were developed purely for the consumer (not co-developed for business customers). This allowed us to develop the thin wedge shape designs you see on the XSP M1330 and M1530 (as opposed to the thicker XPS M1210 design).

- We were also able to design this system with very few performance trade-offs: We still offer the latest Intel processors, large hard drives and solid state drives, and Blu-ray in the XPS M1530. We also offer high end NVIDIA graphics cards, including a 256MB 8600M option on the XPS M15330. We’ll also continue to investigate Hybrid graphics options as the technology emerges.
- Lastly, our design details have improved greatly. For example, our barrel hinge makes a bold statement and makes it stand out from the crowd and our brushed aluminum palm rest adds to the premium feel.
kara_k
Apr 17
Changed status to **REVIEWED**.

Big thanks to mike_h from consumer product group on the update!
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