alkaram

Stop designing "For Microsoft" (as most of your products are labled) and start designing for your customers.

Dell submitted by jmxz 03/15/07

I think it's telling of where Dell's priorities lay when most of your boxes has a sticker that says "Designed for Microsoft [XP or Windows or Vista]" on it. Wouldn't it be better if you designed your products for your customers first; and particular software vendors's agendas second?

At my previous company the most important software we ran on Dells came from Oracle - a competitor of Microsoft. I'd feel much better if I could have gotten a computer from you that was "designed for Oracle clusters" rather than the systems I got from you which were clearly labeled that they were designed for a company with a vested interest in seeing Oracle fail. And even more uneasy since that particular vendor (Microsoft, if you hadn't guessed yet) had in the past had projects deliberately making competitors software fail and/or give error messages in unexpected ways:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/11/05/how_ms_played_the_incompatibility/
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+emails+focus+on+DR-DOS+threat/2100-1001_3-22512...
Considering that history - I'd be pretty wary of running Oracle on machines "Designed for Microsoft". 9 Comments »

Alternatives to plastics

Environment, Desktops and Laptops submitted by skippydaroo 04/26/07

Perhaps Dell needs to invest some money in an R&D center.
Imagine if you will the cost of oil is 10 times more than it is today, and the cost of copper is 5 times what it is today.
That means that using todays technology the cost to build a new desktop will be probative.
Perhaps dell needs to address the use of alternative products to be able to produce motherboards and the other components found inside a computer.
The case would be fairly easy to find an alternate for, but I would think trying to find a product that is environmentally friendly that can be used to produce PC B's might be a bit harder.
Heat sinks as well, particularly for a 3Ghz cpu is a fairly large block of copper.
Dell could look at alternate forms of cooling to reduce their reliance on this. 10 Comments »

Fully "Certified for Windows Vista" x64 Workstation

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Precision Workstations submitted by dwayne 03/14/07

Dell Precision 390, 490, 690 systems are offered with x64 Vista. The boxes by themselves are x64 Vista certified by Microsoft; however, the options provided destroy the certification. (As determined by Microsoft's Hardware Compatibility Website http://whql.microsoft.com/hcl)

The only graphics card choice is the Quadro which is NOT "Certified for Windows Vista". The FireGL cards shown on the product information page are not even an option.

The only sound card (and there is no offering for the 490) is also NOT "Certified for Windows Vista".

May I also add that choosing your 27" monitor (which is "Certified for Windows Vista" and very cool) indicates that the monitor is not compatible with Vista. This is not true since it is a graphics card compatibility issue and not a problem with your monitor (which is certified).

I have wanted to purchase a Dell x64 Vista system for some time, but your choice of two cards (graphics and sound) destroys the robustness and certification of the system.

The Precision 490 should have an option of a sound card or an explanation of why it is not offered. 3 Comments »

Better Notebooks

Laptops submitted by dummy 02/20/07

* return of useful notebook displays with resolution of 1400x1050 NOT these awful wide screen true life displays
* clean systems without extra software
* Linux capable: display/sound/network/suspend/usb/cardbus/modem
* reduce expensive shipping cost (Germany)
* notebooks with DVI / SPDIF Comment »

<font> Are You ACTIVELY AVOIDING WINDOWS VISTA? </font>

Operating Systems submitted by reg 04/04/07

Are You ACTIVELY AVOIDING WINDOWS VISTA?


Dell Really wants to keep You as a hardware customer, and not lose your business!

<font>Let DELL know WHY:</font>

<font>
1. Your Employer Banned Windows Vista.
2. Your Government Banned Windows Vista.
3. (1 & 2 are the same, Employer = The Government).
4. Incompatible with Important Software or Valuable Hardware.
5. Too expensive to upgrade, plus upgrade software and hardware.
6. Can't get it to load on my Commodore 64.
7. Other, and please tell Dell why you don't want Vista:
41 Comments »

Don't artificially raise Windows system prices just to make the Linux ones cost "less".

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz 05/21/07

It seems the Ubuntu computers are coming out very soon

http://jeremy.linuxquestions.org/2007/05/18/dell-announces-the-models-for-ubu...< notice that the Windows equivalents on some of the corresponding models currently have some pretty significant discounts off of the list price as shown here: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/promo.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~
<table><tbody><tr><td class="gridTitle">Notebook model:</td><td class="gridTitle">Discount:</td><td class="gridTitle">E-value code</td></tr><tr><td height="5"></td></tr><tr><td class="gridCell">Inspiron^TM E1705 </td><td class="gridCell">

</td><td class="gridCell">6V620-DNDWGA2
6V620-DNCZGN1
6V620-DNCWGA1</td></tr><tr><td class="gridCellAlt">Inspiron^TM E1505 </td><td class="gridCellAlt"></td><td class="gridCellAlt">6V620-DNDWEA3
6V620-DNCZEN1
6V620-DNCWEA1</td></tr><tr><td class="gridCell">Inspiron^TM E1405 </td><td class="gridCell"></td><td class="gridCell">6V620-DNDWFA3
6V620-DNCWFA1</td></tr><tr><td class="gridCellAlt">Inspiron^TM 1501 </td><td class="gridCellAlt"></td><td class="gridCellAlt">6V620-DNDWHA3
6V620-DNCWHA1</td></tr></tbody>
</table>
I know Dell said that the Linux computers will be cheaper than the same hardware with Windows -- but I hope you don't accomplish this by removing the discounts and only making the Linux computer cheaper than the undiscounted list price (which is apparently inflated by a few hundred dollars - judging from the discounts you post on your own web site).

So this idea is "please don't raise prices or remove discounts from the Windows computers just to make it look like Ubuntu customers are avoiding the Microsoft tax."





7 Comments »

Web Management

Dell Web Site submitted by serge 06/14/07

Hello,

I think it would be grate to the companies to have a view of all the hardware they bought, with warranty limit time, with a link to download center and an unique entry point.

Even if we have to registrer the computers our self I think it ould be grate for people who have to manage many computers.

I'm not ready to pay for that ;-)

Serge 3 Comments »

Require Microsoft to Print on Every Box:Microsoft Recommends DELL for Windows Vista

Advertising and Marketing, Sales Strategies submitted by reg 05/04/07 **NOT NOW**

<font>
Microsoft requires you to recommend Windows?
Require Microsoft to recommend DELL on EVERY box of Windows Vista.

'Microsoft Recommends DELL computers for Windows Vista.'

Yes, every box they sell, in every store - should be promoting DELL.

What is fair is fair.

</font> 18 Comments »

Do not distinguish between home, home office, small business, and enterprise

Dell Web Site submitted by cosmotic 02/17/07

It is hard enough finding the product in the right store, let alone figuring out the differences between them. I never buy products from the home department just because the tech support is in India. 2 Comments »

Poor Vista sales==strong profit for Dell thanks to low DRAM prices. Keep DRAM prices low - by promoting XP & Ubuntu

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Servers and Storage submitted by jmxz 06/04/07

DRAM prices are at a recent low thanks to lower than expected Vista demand.

Dell played this opportunity well by having cheap DRAM contribute to it's best gross margin in 6

http://tinyurl.com/392y3g

MarketWatch from Dow Jones

Memory chipmakers brace for tough quarter
Industry headed for loss; DRAM suppliers overshot Vista demand
...Suppliers of DRAM chips "overforecasted Vista demand,"...

The 'Vista effect': On the flip side, PC makers Hewlett-Packard Co and Dell Inc. have been able to stock up on cheap DRAM, which may help profit margins at the world's largest PC sellers. Dell, for instance, posted its best gross margin in six years in the first quarter, thanks to low DRAM prices, analysts said.

The Idea:

Help keep DRAM prices low by encouraging Operating Systems that work well without absurd amounts of memory - like XP and Ubuntu.

This is good for your customers and good for your profits. 3 Comments »

Force Microsoft to separate the OS from it's main applications

Operating Systems, Software submitted by darky 05/06/07

Force Microsoft to separate the OS from it's main applications. Main apps like Media Player, Messenger, Internet Explorer, Movie Maker and Windows Mail.

Other software companies would have an immensively greater chance in the browser and media player market, resulting in better software and cross-platform popular branded software.

1. remove and prevent Microsoft from bundling major apps with Windows
2. prevent Microsoft from selling or giving out the software "Free" by either a download link, windows update, or a security update (IE 7)
3. force them to sell the apps at reasonable development cost

This would be necessary for other software companies to have an equal chance. Linux and MacOS X bundles major apps too, but they don't have >50% market share yet.

--------- edit
Comon guys XP and Vista could be much cheaper and less bloated, and Microsofts monopoly would be lessened. 14 Comments »

Where'd the Windows E1505's values go?

Dell Web Site submitted by jmxz 05/24/07

When trying to compare the E1505N with the E1505, it seems the E1505 offers you have

http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/cto_inspn_e1505?c=us&cs=19...


and the "Customize it" links take you to "We're sorry, but we are unable to process your request. The e-value code you entered is either incorrect, not eligible on the Dell Home & Home Office website, or has expired."

Hopefully this isn't because you're removing the good deals you had on Windows ones just to make the Linux ones more "cheaper" [1/2 kidding]. 6 Comments »

Pimped up XP

Operating Systems submitted by pro2ghz 03/19/07

Windows Vista was not what I suspected.
I will admit, against my will, that it [profanity removed by moderator] sorry Vista fans.

But Windows XP is just plain classic cool. So how about a pimped up XP?
With the aero interface and the 3D viewing, a 64-bit XP? So we don't have all the problems and still feel like you are using Vista?

I'll wait for your comments. 2 Comments »

Dual Boot XP and VISTA

Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by tom 02/21/07

Due to the problems with Vista, Vista drivers, and Vista software compatibility, a dual boot system with XP and Vista should be the norm. An option should be provided to eliminate one or the other operating system at a later date. 1 Comment »

Please don't kill the Axim!!!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by cherdman 04/25/07

Converged devices are too restrictive! I want my cell and PDA seperate! I love the Axim line and have been a staunch supporter for years. I'm sad to see it die. 4 Comments »

Poor Website

Dell Web Site submitted by praneeth 06/07/07

Dell website is giving hard time, am trying to order a laptop for last couple of hrs using my DPA. Response is poor many a time, does not work some times. Even the order status info is out for last few days. What a horrible experience. Looks like dell is discouraging direct customers for Channels.. 3 Comments »

Dell should not promote Windows Vista

Advertising and Marketing, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by rst 02/20/07

Dell does not have to promote Windows Vista. 5 Comments »

Not Vista Please

Operating Systems submitted by mhyst 02/27/07

Do whatever you want except preinstalling Windows Vista or any Microsoft future attempt to reduce our freedom.

I don't have any faith in DELL. You'll end up with Vista preinstalled.
Please, don't act as if you'd mind what buyers think. Most buyers are zombies after all.

Bye

PD: I forgot... My computer isn't DELL and I haven't any plan to became a DELL customer.

I've got already my compensation writing this message. Thanks 1 Comment »

ClamWin free antivirus for Wondows

Operating Systems, Software submitted by filibertord 06/19/07

Dell should offer ClamWin for use as an Antivirus program on Windows.

http://www.clamwin.com/ 1 Comment »

Disable the spyware pre-built into Vista - or warn customers about it before the purchase

Operating Systems, Software submitted by jmxz 03/21/07

One of your software vendors (Microsoft) seems to have a habit of building spyware into the software they get you to pre-install.

There are many examples, but I'll give 3 specific examples here to let you know

For one example, the Windows Media Player
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,3995,00.asp
"February 21 Associated Press report that alleged the existence of DVD-tracking spyware hidden deep within Windows Media Player for Windows XP (aka Windows Media Player 8, or simply MPXP). .. It's bad enough that the very existence of a DVD cache might tempt nosy roommates, private investigators, and overzealous government agents. But, the article asserts, privacy experts fear that the ID-based tracking mechanism could even be exploited by media conglomerates"
I don't really want Microsoft and my ISP knowing my preferences in home movies; and I assume neither do many other Dell customers.

For another example, Windows Activtation's Hardware checks. I don't want Microsoft checking on what kinds of hard drives I put in my system - for example, if they don't like one particular hardware vendor in the future, I don't want them making my machine flaky on purpose.

For a third, Vista has spyware that scans your software as well looking for software they don't like:
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=20916
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/6149/983/
"Vista 'Spyware': The Best Thing to Happen to Linux" "Microsoft's intention to crack down on software piracy by putting what amounts to spyware on users' computers. Now I'm thinking twice about whether I really need or want this new operating system."

.

Remember, it's us your customers buying these machines - not Microsoft.

And I promise you your customers would prefer getting their machines spyware-free regardless of how well-intentioned it was.

And as much as your home customers don't like it; corporate IT security should be even more panicked that your servers out of the box are off sending packets around the internet at one of their competitor's (many of your customers are competitors of the company in question) requests.

If you can't (for technical reasons) disable these spyware features - please make sure a pretty visible "spyware warning" is placed right on the infected OS's right on the "select your OS" part of your web page; since I'm pretty sure your customers would at least like to be warned that you're helping companies spy on your customers. 12 Comments »