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13650

Downloadable, PDF format, full technical specs for all systems

13650 points posted to Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site by benjesuit 06/12/07 **REVIEWED**

Before I buy, I would like to have the options of downloading the full technical specifications of the system. Not just the brief specifications. Place a link under "tech specs" tab that allows you to view or download the full specification PDF file for those of us who care about and understand such things. This way everyone is satisfied.
We are looking to improve the specs pages by making them consistent across all product lines, provide more in-depth specifications and making them available in a printable format.





jorge
06/12/07
Thats doable now, and already available, you need to do some more clicking.

Ok, more digging and its only available for some, mainly the higher end, low end systems seem to lack this.
benjesuit
06/12/07
Care to show at least a link? And I don't mean the dumbed down version of tech specs under the "tech specs" tab of each system. Nor the service/owner's manuals that are online. It should be a spec sheet available in the appropriate section... like under the tech specs tab.
jorge
06/12/07
Here's a link but read above first.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/latit/en/spec_latit_131l_en.pdf
kenjennings
06/12/07
I'd like a nice chart that shows what options can be chosen and which are mutually exclusive.
jorge
06/12/07
Well can't help you there, but you are asking for the world at this point and that will identify the pricing snafu's which is used to trick you, so keep wishing.
benjesuit
06/12/07
Not as detailed as the onwer's/User's manual version:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/lat131l/en/ug_en/pdf/HN9261MR.pdf< pages 135 - 141 of that PDF.

See what I mean?

This information should be upfront without having to hunt it down. I knew where it was because I bought Dell products before and used their forums. But how many people know where this info is? That's why it should be under the "tech spec" tab labeled as a link titled "detailed specs."
jorge
06/12/07
Well benjesuit thats a users manual not a Tech Specs Sheet, not the same thing.
benjesuit
06/12/07
Oy vey. Yeah. That's my point. Detailed specs... like in the User's manual. But just the spec pages or its equivalent detail accessible from the "tech specs" tab.
jamit
06/12/07
test
ccmachine
06/15/07
the problem with this is that other companies could start producing systems just like Dell at a lower cost with these schematics - its not really possible.
benjesuit
06/16/07
They're not schematics. They're specs. And there's nothing that is all that proprietary about a Dell. They're using components that can be bought on the open market.
ayeohx
06/18/07
You're right Ben, Dell's aren't really proprietary anymore but some of their case components are hard to find if you don't know where to look. Some of their fans for instance are wider than normal so standard fans won't work. And some of their cases will not take standard power supplies without a little case modding.
I like your idea though. A full-blown tech sheet with all the options as a download? Brilliant. Worked for my company. :)
ddschamp
06/19/07
Not likely as I'm sure there are legal stippulations. If you get the full tech sheet and theres an error on it, Dell may be liable to deliever that system. Doesn't seem exactly good for Dell or 100% good for the customer. Human error is still in the equation.
benjesuit
06/19/07
All I'm asking for is what you'll find on pages 135 to 141 of the following link as an

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/lat131l/en/ug_en/pdf/HN9261MR.pdf< we know it's perfectly possible and available. You just have to dig. Nice to have it in a convenient location, no? Like the "tech specs" tab.
okroger104
06/20/07
Excellent idea. Also an user "tech specs comparison" tab would be nice.... but I might be asking too much.
christopher25
06/22/07
YES ! It's excellent IDEA.... it was a reason why I was thinking of buying IBM/Lenovo , I always wanted to buy IBM but now I have harder choice because Dell also offers Service Manuals (visual assembly/disassembly instructions) - it's crucial for me (I'm prof. IT technician - hardware maintenance staff). Now I can recommend Dell too my customers/friends. Service Manuals + Linux .... Dell is on right path. I've noticed that also there are laptops with TITAN frame on lid.... Bravo! But remember that such constr. are also in cheapest models of Lenovo Thinkpad series (no N100, V100) - here in Dell in more pricey ones! Client should choose ! There are people who like/need sturdy built, but don't need TOP performance. I think that overall build quality is determining aspect in many cases, so titan/metal frame inside all Dell laptops lids is something I'm waiting for!
winoffice
06/22/07
Good idea! This way, we might see, for example, the actual spped of the computer (such as 2 GHz, 2.13 GHz), not an anooying and confusing specification like Mobile AMD Sempron 64V 3713+ (I am simply joking here, but seriously, customers might see something like this, and they might not understand it at all).
sumyunggai
06/23/07
One thing that we really could use is a listing of the *specific chipsets* used. For example, don't just say, "Gigabit Ethernet." Rather, say "Broadcom Tigon3 5703 Gigabit Ethernet" or "Intel i82573 Gigabit Ethernet" or Realtek 8169 Gigabit Ethernet", etc. Tell us which chipset you're using! This way, we know what hardware we're dealing with and whether that particular computer is a good fit for us (e. g. if we want to run Linux on it). Same for wireless chipsets and video chipsets, BTW.

A good spec sheet would include information like this and would be very useful indeed.
hephaestus
07/05/07
I would imagine the reason some of the low-end systems lack spec sheets is the fact that components and designs undergo changes throughout the life of the product since Dell's model pulls the most cost-effective parts from available vendors. Also, the low-end systems have less of a profit margin, so the more time and energy spent on economy systems, the more cost is passed on to the customer.
shannon_vanwagner
07/11/07
Dell is a truly awesome product, but I also wanted to mention that hp already does a pretty good job of sharing their machine specs and maintenance manuals in exportable format. Dell can do better than HP, no doubt.
liraco
07/15/07
There should be detailed spec sheets on all Dell computers easily available for those of us that want to know more about all the components being sold. A lot of times one isn't exactly sure of how much of a difference there is between components so they may end up making the wrong choice or not the best one.

At least a little bit of more specific info on each part provided would be nice even if it were right on the ordering page as you decide on the parts, that'd be excellent.
dell_admin1
07/20/07
Changed status to **COMING SOON**.
embedded
08/03/07
look at HP.com dv2330us .pdf/manuals etc.
murrquan
08/11/07
Whoo, I voted it to 10,000! ^.^

PDF specs would be great! That's the kind of thing you could print out and put it on the table to discuss with your whole family. Or IT department.
bitsmt
08/13/07
No kidding. Dell could even make a few buck by selling a CD of PDF Manuals.

I said a few so keep the price down ! ! !
mscartee
08/21/07
I had a huge problem with my first dell i ever purchased due to faulty specs, and faulty tech people. Specifically when looking into a graphics solution for my personal comptuer I bought the e1505 with the ATI express 256 Hypermemory option and specifically asked the dell support personal before purchasing the system if that 256 Hypermemory was all dedicated or not. I was told yes, bought it and it was 128 Mb dedicated and 128 Shared. Needless to say after four or five hours on the phone I had a full refund and my new inspiron is on its way. This could have all been avoided by having more specific specs like other competitors like HP and Toshiba do.
delluser
09/02/07
I am used to read the manuals before a serious buy. A serious buy requires serious information.

This is one of the best ideas I have come across this site.

BTW, maybe you can do away with the NON-STANDARD and FEATURELESS windows help files you still seem to use on some products? Just put PDF or HTML online and ask a googlebot to come by if you want to provide readers with a powerful searching capability.
jdelidc
09/13/07
how long until soon?
dell_admin1
09/15/07
@jelidc - I don't know the exact timing. Did you read the full description of what we're doing over on the Ideas in Action page?
Link: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/ideastorm/ideasinaction?c=us&l...< ask one of my colleagues in Global Online to give us an update. Thanks.
jorge
09/15/07
How about downloading CutePDF (free pdf writer) and just print to it the specs and save it? Cost $0, but I'm sure Dell will end up buying a whole system for that costing millions, oh well.
ed.galligan
10/26/07
@delluser

Couldn't agree more with..... pretty much every word yeah.
yardsale
Jan 24
how long is this gonna be comeing soon...
toni_d
Mar 7
Our online team is looking to improve the specs pages by making them consistent across all product lines and provide more in-depth specifications. We also are working on making them available in a printable format. The first part of this project should be completed in the coming months, and we will be in touch when the printable format becomes available.
jervis961
Mar 7
Thanks for the info toni_d
kara_k
Mar 7
Changed status to **REVIEWED**.
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