Add all the OS's you sell to the "Help Me Choose: Operating System" page

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Add all the OS's you sell to the "Help Me Choose: Operating System" page

8910 points posted to Dell Web Site, Linux, Operating Systems by jmxz 06/08/07

These pages: titled "Help Me Choose: Operating System" (a Dell help me choose page,another one)
only list some of the operating systems Dell sells.

I assume you also recommend Ubuntu for some home users (those who want better security and performance, I imagine) and FreeDOS for business (since that's what you sell on your Latitudes - even though I can't imagine why you prefer FreeDOS there over Ubuntu). But unless you put them in those pages, we can't easily make an informed choice.

logand 06/17/07	What with all of Dell's "promotion" of Ubuntu... your recommendation page still says: "Dell recommends you choose Microsoft® Windows® VistaTM for your new Dell system." No mention of Ubuntu, Linux or any other options. You could at least mention that other operating systems are available... maybe have a separate page for "Linux users", with appropriate recommendations for the consumer.
jel 06/21/07	Agreed. This is Blatant bias towards a convicted monopolist organisation (Yes, that's Microsoft, to you). No honest company should be dealing with them. The least you could do is give your customers the option to choose a perfectly valid alternative.
luisa 07/09/07	YES WE WANT IT!!!!
zuzuzu 07/19/07	WE WANT IT!! WE WILL BUY YOUR PCS BUT LISTEN US!
marzetti 07/27/07	I agree that all availible OS's compatibile with a systems hardware should be availible to pick, only if Dell carries/supports it.
justanhonestguy 07/30/07	This should include EACH AND EVERY version of a particular OS (e.g., all versions of Vista) when configuring your system (if it's available through Small Business, it should be available through Home & Home Office).
hello77 07/30/07	I accidently hit the demote button on this when I really wanted to promote it. Note sure if you can change a vote; but if anyone knows how to would like to change my vote to promote as I think this is a good idea. Also think that xp should be included as an option in addition to linux. The vista only option really limits consumers choice. .
dell_admin1 08/03/07	@hello77 - we don't currently have a way to change votes, sorry.
jmxz 08/03/07	dell_admin1: Is that feature coming soon? I notice quite a few of my votes that do not reflect my opinions on Ideas - seemingly because of merges with subtle differences, or posters editing their Idea after I voted.
dell_admin1 08/06/07	@jmxz - unfortunately, that feature is fairly low on the current list of priorities for fixes on the site. It's fairly rare that someone wants to change their vote... but I can understand that when someone does want to change it... they REALLY want to change it. However, based on prioritization in terms of functionality needs, it's not going to happen soon ("soon" defined as the next 4 months or so). But no that we've registered this request and have it on our list. Thanks!
twocows 08/07/07	This idea seems good, but it wouldn't be easy to implement because of all the different software options on Windows computers that generally aren't there on Ubuntu and FreeDOS (thank goodness). I think instead when you choose a Ubuntu or FreeDOS option on that page, it should give you a popup bringing you to the Ubuntu or FreeDOS equivalent of the computer you're customizing for Windows.
sheree 08/08/07	I also vote for the entire OS list (as well as NO OS) available on each model. Lots of home users have an old PC that we're going to scrap or turn into a MythTV/Firewall/Whatever, leaving us with a free Windows license. Lots of businesses already have a volume Windows license. Save yourself the trouble of installing FreeDOS or some stupid thing we we won't use and offer us "bare metal".
xivulon 08/09/07	Ubuntu is now shipped to Europe, but it is hidden away and not that obvious to find. If you did not follow the news, you would probably have missed it completely. What link do people usually follow when buying a laptop at dell.co.uk? They follow the most preminent links: Notebooks > Home > Home Essential Notebooks This is where you end up: http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_good?c=uk&... The inspiron 6400 does come with Ubuntu, but do you see a "Select with ubuntu" button anywhere? I don't think so. If you want a Ubuntu machine you have to get there via a completely different route, by selecting the OS first (on the less visible left column) and then the machine... You can do that for XP too, but with XP you can also select the machine first and then the OS. Why is it not the same with Ubuntu? Moreover, if you click on the laptop image, it will automatically selects Vista (thus giving it far more preminance). So, I am glad Dell started shipping Ubuntu, but to me it looks like they only want to make informed geeks happy, while hiding the option to average joe. This might be more of a bargaining chip with MS than a genuine desire to push ubuntu/linux computers. If Dell was really serious they should have Ubuntu listed in the customization section of each and every supported machine. Operating System: * Ubuntu Linux [subtract £30] * Genuine Windows XP [Included in price] * Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English [Included in Price] * Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English [add £23.50] * Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate (32Bit) - English [add £117.50] There is already a conflict-resolution message, so you could easily signal incompatible hardware choices. The above is what I call "choice", anything else is muddling the water.
khalbrae 09/12/07	I do agree with this assessment but there needs to be one stipulation. When a customer chooses Linux instead they need a popup to show that the Linux distro will NOT have a warranty provided for it for anything beyond the Dell hardware. If the drivers are installed and the hardware is physically OK the customer needs to be informed that it is _not_ a Dell issue. Afterall, the manufacturer did not add whichever buggy code is on there (part of the price of Windows is the money put in for tech troubleshooting, however, Dell does provide basic driver <as> troubleshooting gratis). People must be aware that Windows pays for extra service while with Linux, it's a seperate charge. I will promote this answer, but only in the concience that I have now informed people that this is not a cheap "easy button" but a seperate line operating system with different boundaries. Ubuntu is a great OS, but it's still geared for the more technical. "The Masses" are not ready for it if they are lead to believe thier free OS gets free support. That http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72352/Next_upgrade_to_the_new_XPS_1330_...; vote for the above! A gaming thin laptop with Linux as well would rock!
khalbrae 09/12/07	My previous comment meaning: I know most people out there will want as much as they can get for free. I should know, I have worked with many and that trait has partially rubbed off on me too.

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