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Vertical Laptop Cradle/Docking Station

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by thebittersea Jul 2

When I want to use my external monitor, keyboard and mouse my docked laptop gets into the way.

Often time, I need to push it out of the way. It would be really cool if we can vertically dock our laptop like a book on a bookshelf to save some table space.

something like this, but for laptops.
7 Comments »

Ubuntu on Studio Notebooks

Linux, Laptops submitted by joshhendo 3 days ago

The new Dell Studio laptops look great! Taking the best design features from many other Dell products, and put them all into one.

This laptop actually looks like it should run Linux (that is the first thing I thought when I saw it). I don't know why I say that, but it just does. So, why not give it ago? I don't have a Studio, though I suspect it shouldn't take too much to get Ubuntu working (may need one or two drivers written, but from my experience with Dell laptops and Ubuntu, most things work well).

This is one of the products I would particularly like to see Ubuntu as an option to be pre-inatlled on if Ubuntu can't be an option on all models. 2 Comments »

Fedora 9 on select Dell laptops and Desktops

Dell, Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by s33nagain 3 days ago

Linux on the Dell laptops Have been amazing, so very nice. But your Linux videos completely enstate that Dell is all about choice. And, well, some users like Fedora more than Ubuntu. It doesn't have to be known this way, but some Linux Veterans lke Fedora more. And Ubuntu is more of a beginning Linux OS. I'm not saying that people who are long-time Linux user souldn't use Ubuntu.

I'm saying that some perfer a different "cup of tea" or, in Ubuntu's case, "cup o' coffee". And that's what dell is about.

In addition to the already distributed Dell computers that serve FreeDOS, and Ubuntu, we should add Fedora on select desktops and laptops. 1 Comment »

Don't charge up to $50 more to downgrade from Vista to XP

Operating Systems - Multiboot, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jervis961 Jun 17

Dell is going to start charging customers up to $50 to downgrade thier systems operating system from Vista to XP after Wednesday. While some people see XP as an upgrade, I don't think there should be a charge for it. 17 Comments »

Install FireFox 3 as the default browser

Software submitted by badblood Jun 18

It's your second chance. Firefox has come out with a gleaming new version of their internet browser. So install it as the default browser before it's too late.

27 Comments »

Give us a Graphics Card on OpenSource Computers

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux submitted by kanste Jun 21

Do you want the OpenSource arm of Dell computing to fail? At least put together a little more competitive package with a decent selection of Graphics Cards and Audio Cards. That's the whole point of buying an Ubuntu computer from you. You do the hard work of figuring out what hardware works well on Linux and we get to pick and choose our tailored setup. Only offering an Integrated Intel Graphics Processors and Integrated Audio will not do. It's frustrating because i want to buy a Linux computer now but you have a terrible selection.

Oh and it's almost July 2008 now. Ubuntu 8.04 has been out since April so how about including the new version on your Linux Systems.

Don't pretend to support the Linux community when your not putting in any effort. 8 Comments »

Get the XPS 720 Certified As Ubuntu Compatible

Linux, XPS products submitted by aikiwolfie Jun 22

Please have the basic XPS 720 certified as Ubuntu compatible. I've been using one for about a year now with Ubuntu as my only OS and it works without a hitch. No problems.

Note: Basic means no X-Fi sound card and no PhysX card. 4 Comments »

Change you logo to a symbol of some type

Advertising and Marketing, Dell submitted by badblood Jun 24

Because the Dell logo is made up by the word 'Dell' it is difficult to translate or be recognized by non-Latin-alphabet reading people. Also it is difficult to keep it the right way up on laptop computer lids.

So how about Dell take a leap and develop a logo that is a symbol, rather than a word. A symbol that can be identified by anyone, in any language, and no matter which way your computer lid is pointing?

How about it...... 11 Comments »

Provide a way to update service tag info to show that PC has been reimaged with Linux

Service and Support submitted by ubondell Jun 11

I bought a Latitude D830 with WinXP because that was the only way I could get Bluetooth (the D830N does not include BT, and a special request to add BT was more than the standard Win model [duh!]). I would like to update the system information for my service tag so that it shows that I am now running Linux on that laptop if for no other reason that I might get more support from Dell for HW drivers, issues, etc. I doubt that Dell (or its HW suppliers) would figure some issue out before the Linux community does, but at least it is another source of solutions for problems. If you log into the Dell support site using the "Enter your service tag" method there is a listing of the original system configuration of your PC, as shipped, but when I switch to the "Current systems configuration page there is a exclamation mark that says: "The current configuration tool is currently not available for your operating system/browser combination." I am running Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04LTS) and Firefox, so I should be equivalent to what Dell ships with the 'N' machines. Please update your tool for all the operating systems you ship, or allow some way to manually update that page, if there is no intention to move that tool from ActiveX, or whatever is Windows/IE-only. 1 Comment »

LINUX on DELL

Linux submitted by lewinskys Jun 12

With DELL finally distibuting LINUX on their systems, there is one package that would be great. With the sizes of hard drives being so huge anymore and the failure rate of these being equal high, BACKUP SOFTWARE. Configure AMANDA, or BACULA, for system backups. Many users have, or would consider purchasing a tape drive if they had software configured to run it. Thes LINUX pacakages are free but skill is needed to set it up. Preconfigured OR exact steps on configuration would be great.

Also make drivers for older DELL systems to run LINUX for new users to try. Not too many will dump their current WinXP for linux if they dont know how to use it. So this will give them the means to play without jepordizing their current machines. 1 Comment »

"Dell E" Find a new name for your new computer...

Advertising and Marketing submitted by badblood Jun 13

Dell's upcoming netbook ultaramobile thing is apparently going to be called the 'Dell E' which sounds like Deli, where you can buy milk, bread and other nice things.

Please think of another name. Have a naming competition on Ideastorm.

I vote for the Dell Lite as in delight!



'Delle" in german means "dent" 35 Comments »

Dell Computers with e-sata ports

Servers and Storage, Desktops and Laptops submitted by chasrome Jun 13

Dell needs to supply and announce the availability of desktop, notebook, and servers with e-sata ports to which the many available external drives can be attached. RAID (0 and 1) could be available especially for servers. The ports should support six foot cables (not just three foot). Comment »

One Configurator 2 Rule Them All!

Dell Web Site submitted by q0987 Jun 14

Sorry about the title, I just couldn't help it.

Okay, this may just be me but why are there FOUR configurators to use when buying a system with the options split amongst them? What if I wanted something in between Cheap option and Really Cheap option. Do I have to buy the extra components even if I ain't ever gonna use them.

IDEA:

Have ONE configurator with ALL of the options listed and apply the price cuts whilst the customer is browsing between them by showing how total is worked out in a drop-down box next to the scroll bar e.g. RAM 3GB: - ₤15.
If you have to, then put [recommendations] down at the top of the page. Youknow, maybe something like 'Add the Monitor and get ₤50 off'. This way the price will adjust automatically so users won't have to go through each configurator to find out which one would give them the best price for whatever they have in mind.
It would be alot less confusing and frustrating and more quicker for the customer.



And whilst we are on the subject, how come Crimson Red isn't available for the m1330 anymore?
Also, Montevina is suppose to come out this month. Any chance the Dell technicians will be able fit the Blu-ray drive whenever they decide to do the refresh? They said they were gonna when the m1330 was released about a year ago. Ain't it about time they come clean if they simply can't do it. Then we can finally stop holding our breath.

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10077207?comment_id=10184294#comment101...

7 Comments »

Start selling 3D screens (autostereoscopic)

Monitors and Displays submitted by simon_n Jun 15

Glasses free 3D LCD screens (aka Autostereoscopic) are now good quality.
(e.g. Philips WOWvx, with no headaches, bright high res displays at convenient 20 and 42 inch sizes and the option to switch between 2D and 3D at the users behest)

Why not start selling your own ones to the mainstream?

With hollywood making 3D films again and cinemas going 3D there is no shortage of content for these screens.

The games industry would go crazy of these went mainstream.

And with Microsofts WPF now using DirectX to produce its graphics, the stage is being set for all apps to move to 3D.

There is definetly a mass market there. If Dell started selling these (beginning with the higher end of their customer base) the prices would slowly come down and would gradually become entirely mainstream (just like widescreen TVs).

The time is right. The hardware and software exist. Who wouldn't want it? 5 Comments »

Customize Ubuntu for Dell

Linux submitted by zmjjmz Jun 15

Seeing as Ubuntu is open source and you can edit the kernel, it would be great if Dell customized it to better fit their computers, much like the way Apple customized DarwinBSD. (Ok, not _that_ much, but you get the idea.)
Some ideas for it: Customized look (GTK2+ theme, Emerald theme, wallpaper, GDM theme, etc.) to fit Dell products (You could use the GDM theme from here: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Dell+XPS+GDM+Theme?content=78092 for the M1330n and use the underlying wallpaper too), customized kernel (this will help speed it up) per machine, customized applications, you could even eschew GNOME and use a highly customized E17 or FVWM setup, and so on.
It ends where your imagination ends (and budget).
One important part: Every modification you make must be Open Source!
While it'd be great to have the integration that Apple has, it'd also be great _not_ to have the same lockin and proprietariness of Apple. 7 Comments »

Sell Ubuntu PCs in Tescos

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by aikiwolfie Jun 15

Dell please sell Ubuntu PCs at Tescos. I've just had to buy a PC at short notice. Not being able to wait for you to deliver one, I had to buy a Windows Vista machine. Now I feel dirty and I'm mentally traumatized and scarred from the whole experience!

Vista is a seriously annoying OS! 4 Comments »

Dell Home Server

Servers and Storage submitted by plafay Jun 16

Hello,

I would be very interesting of Dell based Microsoft Home Server.
To have the best usage per watt, cool features could be :
- Atom processoirs
- 2,5' HDD (up to 4)
- Close to 10w in idle
- No more than 30w in use
Of course, the price is important and it has to compete with the Nas systems.
For example, I'm ready to buy at $600 :
- Atom processor
- 1 Gb of Ram
- 2*320 Gb HDD 6 Comments »

New Dell-Mini Keyboard Arrangement

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by aikiwolfie Jun 8

There has bee a lot of decission around IdeaStorm about the new Dell Mini. Some of that discussion has turned to the keyboard. This is my solution for making the best use of the available space on the Dell Mini for the keyboard and touch pad.



As you can see the left and right mouse buttons are on either side of the touch pad. The space bar has been split in two and all other keys are more or less where you'd expect to find them. The cluster of keys at the top of the touch pad are the 12 function keys. Many people have expressed disappointment that these have not been included with the Mini.

I believe this would be a perfectly usable layout and better than what is currently on offer. None of the keys would be any smaller than what might be found on a mobile phone and all of the major and regularly used keys are a decent size.



This keyboard arrangement could also be used in conjunction with the XPS One as a smaller alternative to the full size model. Much better for relaxing on the sofa with. Dell could even role this design out across their entire line.

I would ask Dell to at least built a prototype of this design for further testing. 27 Comments »

Make Linux a choice on all systems

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by synful Jun 8

Guys, why is it when you can allegedly get Linux on desktops and laptops, that it is never an option in the configuration of a product prior to purchasing?

All we seem to get as an option is Windows and then there is no option to not have Windows as an operating system. I understand that you may have reasons behind the system not having Linux as an option but surely you do not use hardware that is so non standard that either Ubuntu or SuSE will not work on it?

In the event that the computer that you use is not Linux compatible, then note this on the configuration page accordingly. For arguments sake have a pop up advising that some hardware is not compatible with Linux if it is selected as an OS choice. 2 Comments »

Sell all Products/Options in ALL Countries

Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by missdiva Jun 8

As Dell is supposed to be an International Company, can it now get its act together and ensure that all Products/Options are available in every Country they sell to.

When a new Product/Option is introduced ,it should be available for sale on every Dell Website ....not just the USA.

An example of Dells poor marketing strategy is the ' when will the LED screen for the 1530 become available in the UK/Europe/Australia ' debacle.

There has been numerous posts on various forums asking if/when this option will be introduced, simply because Dell gives priority to US customers (LUCKY THEM!) We still have no idea if it will ever be reach our shores....

Please change this unfair sales practice. 2 Comments »