IdeaStorm
Over 18,895 ideas submitted. 740,907+ votes. 97,832+ comments. 531+ ideas implemented.
Made available for all product ranges
I have more an recommendation based on my own, personal observations...As a user of one of Nuance's Dragon suites, I have to come to realise how useful they actually are to you if you have a disability. The software can be used for dictation, translation and transcribing purposes, which is really good if you're not very able to perform lots of handwriting. From a business standpoint, it is also for someone who is performing videoconferencing with teams, where users in different parts of the world need to hear it in their own language.Basically my suggestion is this should not be restricted to a specific product line; instead supply the beta and then offer a discount through Dell depending whether they are a Home, Business or Enterprise user.
Rockstar Proposal: Restructuring "Parts for Your Dell"
In recent months there have been a number of discussions from users who ask about improvements or spare hardware for their laptops; most notably these are the Alienware M11 and M14 laptop, which have since been discontinued by Dell. Now the reasons why a system gets discontinued is pretty straightforward - if not enough customers warrant the demand, or their system configuragarions have proven too unstable to continue their manufacturing, they are removed from the product line... the problem that happens more often than not, however, is by the loss of these systems for people who have bought them under a warranty a few months before, still with 3-5 years of hardware maintenance left, there is not enough supply of components (refirbished or otherwise) to support that demand of replacement.This proposal, therefore, is to restructure the "Parts for Your Dell" service to enable component-supplies to be sufficient for those still actively under warranty with discontinued systems. For people who still have systems that were discontinued and are no longer under warranty, Dell provides a small cashback or a discount on a new Dell/AW machine, in exchange for the old system (minus the customer's hard drive) under a mandatory recall, in an effort to cannabalise and refirbish the components, so they are available for those still in a warranty agreement.If, however, there is insufficient parts to supply the demand of existing users when a system model is discontinued, Dell continues manufacturing components for such systems for a minimum of 2 years past their removal from the product line.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Service and Support,
The Scavenger Project
When it comes to purchasing a desktop it's an easy process – you find a manufacturer, tailor it any way you want, and then pay for a warranty where they are required to replace or upgrade components. Even after the warranty expires, you are still able to maintain the longevity of the system yourselves, by purchasing components at retail. Not so are the circumstances with a laptop, however. Here a manufacturer gives them a lifespan; until they believe the system reaches a period of obsolescence where they discontinue it. Thus new graphics cards or processors, regardless of whether or not they are a compatible form-factor, cannot be installed without customers losing their warranty and technical support.Our society’s obsolescence also has a dirtier consequence: the amount of E-waste we expend every year in our obsession to always have the best, newest machine. Because of this, millions of tonnes of obsolete electronics gets ferried to landfills where it breaks down, poisoning water and soil in the area and further running the risks of creating Climate Change. The Scavenger Project, therefore, will hope to change all that.As a pilot-range of laptop shells fabricated by 3D printer using a recyclable, sturdy filament, these will be specially designed with a modular form factor to enable them to be fitted with all the usual components of a laptop, even in AMD CrossfireX and NVIDIA SLI configurations. To make this work, certain features (such as the keyboards, trackpad and choice of displays) would function as default templates with a warranty and technical support in their base price, and customers will simply configure the system as they normally would. Then a database of compatible components, regularly updated in hardware generations of two years, will serve as the structure people can purchase through upgrading and replacement guidelines, whilst returning old components in a fixed five-year customer contract.Instead of condemning entire systems to technology landfills, the purpose will be to cut back on electronic waste by selling only the truly old components for use with other technologies (such as Raspberry Pi) through the Dell Store, whilst allowing users to still make use of their outdated systems by merely purchasing new gear to augment it. Once a laptop model is discontinued, the shell’s material itself would also be recycled back into filament, and its keyboard and other internal electrics would be kept for use in the fabrication of new models.Starting templates would be in 15, 17 and 18-inch sizes for the Alienware brand... if a laptop range then proves successful, a small “X-71” and larger ALX model would then be produced for desktop customers, and consideration would be made for the XPS brand. Rather than take sole credit for this, however, I would like this is as a StormSession topic for debate, as well as encourage other users to post potential laptop designs.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Retail, Service and Support,
Dell XPS Chimera 18
XPS Chimera 18 – Precision Performance | Extreme Entertainment – Content Creation Adapted. With entertainment development gradually becoming a mobile office experience, the Dell XPS Chimera 18 will be created as a small business solution designed specifically for animation and architecture professionals, audio engineers, video producers, and independent and mainstream videogame studios. The Dell XPS Chimera 18 allows for seamless transition between applications for content-creation, and then optimised testing of that content for games, television and movies, or integration into rich-media Flash websites. All iterations of the Dell XPS Chimera 18 will make use of Microsoft Windows 7™ 64-Bit Operating Systems. Features of the Dell XPS Chimera 18 Bridging the gap between networked rendering from Dell's Precision Mobile Workstations, and the extreme gaming in Alienware's M18x, the Dell XPS Chimera 18 will be built from the ground up to provide users with all the equipment they need for efficient content creation out-of-the-box: Optimal Processing and Storage - allowing up to 64GB† DDR3 RAM and use Intel Core i5 and i7 Extreme Processors, it will offer customers unparalleled flexibility in how much power and memory they will need to create amazing content. The system will also provide from RAID 0 and RAID 2 options, catering for a maximum of 3TB storage space. NVIDIA Hybrid Graphics and Glasses-Free 3D - designed specifically for the Dell XPS Chimera 18, the system will incorporate a ground-breaking new hybrid mobile graphics from NVIDIA. Building on the properties developed for the GeForce GTX TITAN™, the system's Mobile GPU will carry both GeForce GTX and Quadro Kepler architecture to intelligently recognise when users are using production suites from Adobe or Autodesk, to videogames, and back again without performance degradation ‡. Coupled with a Glasses-Free 3D WQXGA 18.1” LED Display with resolutions up to 2560x1600, this will benefit users wanting to produce and test Stereoscopic 3D content for their digital content, or view Blu-Ray entertainment and games in full 3D without needing additional, wearable hardware. Chimera Adaptive-Tactile Technology - the Dell XPS Chimera 18 will employ a Chimera™ Adaptive-Tactile Keyboard where the system gets its name. Powered by OLED technology, every key has a miniature screen embedded in its surface that changes its cosmetic makeup, enabling users to view pre-assigned shortcuts on keys when switching between productivity applications, or to display extended inventory/ability macros from your favourite games. Instead of a standard trackpad, an LCD touch display will allow for mouse operation in mainstream applications, and then real-time information in games. Crisp Networking, Video and Audio - when it comes to filesharing or playing games online, the Dell XPS Chimera 18 will utilise Bigfoot’s new Killer Double Shot™ technology, optimising latency and data streaming with tandem Wi-Fi and Ethernet throughput depending on the status of peak-time internet usage. The system will also provide a 2.1MP High-Definition Integrated Webcam, and crystal clear, high-performance audio with the help of Creative’s SoundBlaster Recon3Di™. Connections and Security - for optimum control over content, all ports on the Alienware M18x will be incorporated into the chassis of the Dell XPS Chimera 18. In addition, to provide users with a second layer of security from facial recognition, the system will be equipped with a fingerprint scanner. Pricing and Availability Prices for the Dell XPS Chimera 18 will start at £1,499/$2,499/€2,999, with systems expected to be available no earlier than summer 2014. Note: digital prototype pending. ==================================== † GB means 1 billion bytes and TB equals 1 trillion bytes; actual capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment and will be less. ‡ To be made available in 1GB, 2GB and 3GB models.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, New Product Ideas, Small Business,
Power Supply Connection Light
Recently, both mine and my father's laptop's ability to properly detect my power supply unexpectedly. People might know this better as an issue where you plug in the mains supply, but the battery refuses to charge. We suspect that this is a result of the socket on the motherboard wearing out after extended usem thereby forcing it's replacement... However, I wanted to create this topic because of a related subject. When this instance occurs with a user's laptop, it beeps at startup, and then only has a 20% chance of telling you in Windows that the problem may still exist. I believe this to be unacceptable and people shouldn't be expected to restart forever until they fix it! Since you won't agree to a redesign of the socket design to something that will last longer, how about a two-mode LED at the back of the machine to tell users the power supply isn't properly seated (i.e. green for OK, and flashing red for a connection failure)? This would then make it much easier during maintenance callouts/depot returns for repairs, as the Dell techinician could test for the problem more precisely.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, New Product Ideas,