Warn Buyers Dell Laptops Must Use Dell Charger
Service and Support, Laptop Power submitted by gear
Jun 9
Dell laptops use a charger that has a built in "chip".
If you try to use a non-Dell Charger, it will only power the machine, but will not charge the battery.
So if you are traveling and lose your adapter or it failed, you have to get one from DELL.
The only problem is, DELL typically take days to weeks to ship a new adapter to you if you are in the USA, and if you are outside, much longer if it is available at all.
So a bad / lost Adapter means your DELL Laptop just became a paperweight. One too expensive to be thrown out.
The only non-Dell adapter that works is the Kensington brand adapter, but that is only distributed at Circuit City in the US, and even these ones may not come with the "tip" needed to work with a DELL.
DELL is the only major manufacturer to actively prevent people from using non-Dell adapters in their notebooks.
Apparently DELL hasn't figured out that people travel and may not be able to wait in one place for a while for a spare adapter to be sent to them from DELL.
Want some real fun? Try to get a spare Dell adapter in a mid sized city in China....
540
Make Linux and no Operating system standard options on all future products
Operating Systems submitted by jervis961
08/17/07 **REVIEWED**
OK Dell you have committed to supplying Linux options in limited form. Since you have laid the groundwork already here is the next step. Every new product you release that needs an Operating system should have Linux and also no Operating System as an option in the configuration along side Windows. Since you have to write drivers and test compatability for Vista when making a new product just make it compatable with Linux at the same time. There will no longer be a need for a seperate sections for Linux or no Operating system since all of the products will have the option. this will help make your site easier to navigate for you customers. You can also create an ACCURATE help me choose section for the OS choices.
Check out what daniel_j has to say on the options we offer.
20850
No more plastic wrap, please
Environment submitted by falbert
May 22
In the last shipment of computers I received I was shocked by the amount of plastic wrap used for items like power cords, USB cables, VGA/DVI cables. Do these items really need to be individually wrapped in a plastic bag. I can just imagine the tons of plastic used by Dell annually...
Something to think about
3550
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...
560
IdeaStorm feature: Allow us to browse based on the Dell-assigned tags
IdeaStorm submitted by cosh
05/18/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Dell assign "status tags" to some of the popular/notable ideas on this website, but they are tiny little things under the title of each idea, and there is no way to search or browse by them.
If we had a page on IdeaStorm so we could see ideas based on each status tag it will let everybody see what effect IdeaStorm is having, in addition to the few ideas mentioned under "Ideas in Action". It might also reduce the number of duplicates for very popular ideas, if people can see what Dell has already acknowledged.
The status tags being used at the moment are as follows:
- Acknowledged
- Already Offered
- Coming Soon
- Fixed
- Implemented
- In Progress
- Not Likely
- Not Now
- Under Review (formerly, Under Consideration)
- Partially Implemented
You can see a sample of how this works on my categorizer web site, here. Some of the information may be out of date, but it works for most purposes.
Status tag links have been launched.
1640
Dell Charges $49 to Remove Their Own Spyware
Dell, Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by thebittersea
05/07/07
I recently purchased a new Dell computer. Previously I made a promise with myself to never purchase a Windows based computer again, but due to work-related complications I had no choice. The Dell arrived three days after I ordered it, which was great considering the shipping was free.
Fearing that my computer would become infected with a virus within 12 minutes, my first line of order was to purchase and install anti-virus software. Once that was finished, my next task was to delete the unnecessary programs that come pre-installed on the machine. Having purchased a Dell before, I was well aware that Dell computers ship full of bloat. I anticipated to find garbage such as AOL coach, Dell Picture Studio and Internet Explorer. What I was shocked to find, however, was My Way Search Assistant.
For those of you recently in a coma (or those of you that use a Mac or Linux), My Way is a spyware program that claims to block pop-ups and provide other nice features for users on the web. In reality, My Way spies on your browsing habits and reports this information to a central server so that customized ads can be delivered to your machine.
I’ve been a fan of Michael Dell for about ten years since I read an article about him in Reader’s Digest. Not wanting to believe that my friend Michael would allow this garbage to be installed on computers that bare his name, I assumed that somehow a virus had snuck its way onto my machine in the ten minute window where my computer was without anti-virus software. Sadly, Google search after Google search revealed that in fact Dell is being paid to pre-install this filth on their machines.
I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Michael Dell, how could you allow this to happen? It really hurts to see a former hero *sarcasm* falter like this. Now I know how fans of Tom Cruise must be feeling. :-) Michael, I thought I knew thee so well!
After spending an hour in shock and mourning, I gathered myself off the floor to remove the program from my machine. I opened the control panel and selected “Add or Remove Programs.” After removing My Way, I was told that I would have to reboot my computer. A quick reboot later and I was back in the control panel. At this point I was ready to forget the entire ordeal and move on with my life.
Looking back on it, I should have known there would be more problems. If only I had paid more attention to the screeching violins that could be heard in the background. That’s right, My Way still appeared in the “Add or Remove Programs” window. However, this time around there was no uninstall button. My Way appeared to be permanently on my machine.
Having read that Adaware can remove My Way, I downloaded, installed and ran Adaware from Lavasoft. Perhaps because My Way had already partially removed itself, Adaware was unable to detect My Way on the machine. It was time to call Dell support.
After a 30 minute wait on hold, a man with an Indian accent who asked to be called Stewart answered the phone. Our (abbreviated) conversation went something like this:
-----------------------
Stewart: What seems to be the problem?
Me: I’d like to remove My Way Search Assistant from my computer. I tried to remove it through the Control Panel, but it still appears in “Add or Remove Programs.”
Stewart: What do you know about this program?
Me: I know that this is Spyware and I know that I want it off my machine.
Stewart: How did My Way get onto your computer in the first place?
Me: What do you mean? It came pre-installed when I bought my computer from Dell.
Stewart: I have trouble believing that this was on your computer when you purchased it.
Me: So do I Stewart, so do I.
-----------------------
Obviously Stewart is not very up to date with the sotware Dell pre-installs on their computers. If anybody doubts that Dell has a relationships with My Way, one only need visit http://www.dell4me.com/myway< then explained that he would no longer be able to assist me with my problem. He indicated that I would need to contact software support services for help removing the spyware that Dell installed on my machine. Oh yeah, and he indicated that they would charge my credit card for the call. $49, specifically.
What Dell is doing should be illegal. They are being paid to install spyware on new computers. They are making it difficult for customers to remove the spyware on their own. Then, they charge $49 to teach you how to remove it. This would be like a doctor being paid to infect you with a disease and then charging you for the antidote.
Dell claims that people like me are overreacting, but a lot of people seem to disagree.
If you feel comfortable messing with the Windows registry, here are some instructions on how to remove My Way. More information can also be found on the Dell forums.
I’m responsible for the purchase of eight Dell computers for myself, friends and family in the past few years. After this ordeal, I will never again purchase a Dell. I will never again recommend that anybody else purchase a Dell. In fact, from this point forward I will go out of my way to recommend that people looking to purchase a computer avoid Dell altogether. I doubt that I’m alone. With practices like these, Dell shouldn’t be surprised to hear its customers say, “Dude, you’re getting a boycott.”
860
Silent / Quiet Computers: Sound levels in decibels
Desktops and Laptops submitted by pchris
02/17/07 **REVIEWED**
I'd like Dell to provide the sound level in decibels for each of their desktops, under max load as well as at idle.
How a manufacturer can produce an expensive computer, and then have the user acoustic experience of that computer dominated by the noise generated by a cheap fan worth just pennies, for the entire lifetime of that computer, is incomprehensible. Computers are noisy when brand new, but those cheap fans begin to rub and oscillate and make additional annoying noises, frequently within a short period of time of purchase.
Personally, the peace and quiet of my personal workspace is very important to me, it's my sanctuary from the world where I can focus and be creative. To have that experience disrupted by cheap fans is sad, especially when slightly more expensive fans and some reasonable design would solve the issue. Another reason why I consider buying an Apple.
If the cost of a better sound design and fans is significant, it could be an extra cost option.
In general, Dell provides noise data of its products in the Environmental Datasheets. Tests are conducted according to ISO standards in a NVLAP accredited acoustics facility. Click here for more details
35717
IdeaStorm should check to see if your post is similar to existing posts
IdeaStorm submitted by hjwasson
04/26/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
One of the greatest failings with IdeaStorm's otherwise wonderful concept is that many similar posts are created - and although they all get votes, no one post gets enough votes to rise to Dell's attention.
When you submit a post, I would like to see IdeaStorm search for similar posts, and if it finds any, prompt you:
Your post seems similar to this/these post(s):
1. Yes, it is. Please make my post a comment to the existing post instead (& I will vote on that post).
2. No, they are different - but related. Please associate my post to the existing post.
3. No, my post is not related - continue posting.
#2 is related to my suggestion to be able to be able to associate similar posts:
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66450/Provide_a_way_to_associate_simila...
For all of this to work, Dell would have to vastly improve it's search ability within IdeaStorm (perhaps collaborate with Google?)! Use Google's advanced search features, with www.ideastorm.com as the domain to search, if you want to see for yourself the differences in how well the search features function.
Duplicate ideas suggestion feature has been added.
5640
Dell: LISTEN to participants and REDESIGN the IdeaStorm site!
IdeaStorm submitted by phubert
08/15/07
Specific suggestion:
Provide topic categories under FOLDERS with appropriate SUB-FOLDERS
e.g.:
Hardware
...systems
........laptops
........desktops
........laptops and desktops
........servers
Software
...operating systems
.........Linux
.........Windows
...applications
IdeaStorm is great.
IdeaStorm is revolutionary.
But we have been TOLD IdeaStorm is IMPORTANT to Dell.
IF it is important, Dell should LISTEN to participants and even consult with "cosh" to REDESIGN the site.
Advantages:
Better for participants
Better INFORMATION for Dell
EASIER MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE BY DELL!!!
And we STILL want REAL INTERACTION WITH Dell!!!
**
And, IF the site IS important, Dell, implement THIS one:
Dell: expand IdeaStorm & other Dell web sites' participation
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72447<
250
Dell only offer No-OS on all your computer systems worldwide.
Dell, Operating Systems submitted by jorge
07/14/07
Dell quite forcing us to decide which OS should be installed, don't install any OS, that way you can earn more cash by selling any if not all or No-OS on the side after a customer picks out their hardware. You can add your own bloatware to the install CDs/DVDs to get your current kick backs and sell the OS at MSRP price! You'll make so much money selling the OS's on the side you'll have enough money to buy any OS manufacture and actually be able to re-brand any OS to say Dell-OS!
320
Packing Slip, Return to Original 8.5x11 Enclosed
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by gregritchey
02/27/07
The latest use of the packing slip integrated into the shipping label is causing problems. The shipping label does not tear neatly, the print is too small, and the form is not 8.5x11 as required by our purchasing channel. The shipping label requires us to go through extra unnecessary steps. Please return to the original 8.5x11 enclosed form. Thanks.
50
 track my votes
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