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
35977
Avoid Glare On Screens and Notebook Frames
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by bobetsue
02/20/07
Glare and reflection from high glare screens, screen frames, and notebook computers is annoying and distract from function and use.
In stores, this may be a marketing ploy. Consumers may not fully understand the problem of glare. Online sellers like Dell should inform buyers when shopping whether the screen and case are "glare" or "nonglare."
When "nonglare" was introduced to television, shoppers considered it an advantage worthy of extra expense. In the art world, nonglare glass is considered worthy of extra expense.
How did we ever get glossy screens?
Dell should offer customers a choice between "glare" and "nonglare."
7848
Linux Hardware Compatibility List
Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by s3indiana
02/20/07 **IN PROGRESS**
Create a listing of Dell hardware that's compatible with the major Linux distributions (Fedora, OpenSuse, ubuntu, Freespire) providing compatibility with not just systems (desktops and laptops) but include peripherals (printers, camera's, flash drives, compatible routers, etc.). Include levels of compatibility so the reviewer can make an educated choice. This would provide the greatest assistance for those looking at alternatives...
We're working to add something like this to our linux.dell.com wiki. Click here to see what john_h has to say.
25140
64bit drivers
Desktops and Laptops submitted by stanislawski1
Feb 10
I work for a billion dollor compeny that buys nothing but Dell Im up the corp later If you do not put back the 64bit drivers I'm going to the top so we no longer buy dell pc's
340
Thinner Laptop Displays
Laptops submitted by tlax112
Jan 24
I will be brief and to the point. One can see on any of Apple's products that they have managed to make very thin screens that are both durable and high end. I believe that if Apple can do it so can Dell.
So, I propose that Dell makes all of their laptop screens thinner. It doesn't take a computer designer to realize that Dell includes way to much uneeded plastic on their screens that just adds to the size and bulk of laptops. I realize that some plastic border is needed for protection but really the amount Dell usually uses is absurd.
290
Offer HighResolution screens for your consumer Laptops as you do for the business Latitudes
Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by rseibel
04/22/07
Please offer the highresolution screen for you consumer Inspiron and XPS laptops as an option as you do for the business line of Latitudes. It is not much more effort, but makes them much more attractive.
Now you offer 1280x800 i.e. 1 Megapixel aka. WXGA Resolution on 15,4" screens of your Inspirons, that might be fine for some people. But it is not appropriate for others like me.
I suggest to offer 1400x900 i.a. 1,26 Megapixel aka. WXGA+ or even 1680x1050 i.e. 1,76 Megapixel on your 15,4 " screens that is 26% respectively 76% more usefull screen space.
You offer higher resolutions for your Latitude laptops, why not for the regular user also? Apple is using HiResolution screens also..
Pros:
- One have more space on ones desktop and can be more productive by using the applications more effectively such as office, photoshop, movieediting, mindmaps etc.
- Your screen is fit for HiDefinition movies coming to the market now.
- Windows Vista has a vector based graphic user interface able to scale fonts appropriately and should be made able to adjust them as the user demands.
Cons:
- Sure it is more expensive to produce/assemble, but I am willing to pay some extra $ for that.
- The fonts might be too small for some people, but there is a solution for that with Vista.
Just an idea, fell free to comment!
1740
Put battery at the front of the notebook
Laptop Power submitted by itpro
Jan 31
How many times have you needed to use two hands to open your notebook - one to hold the front down, and one to open the lid. (Especially before the screen hinges are new - not worn out.)
This is annoying. It also often means the laptop is bumping back down on the desk, which could result in the hard drive failing over time.
On some older notebooks, you could easily open the lid/screen, because the weight of the battery was holding down the front.
Also, this allows for ports on the back - so the mess of cables isn't all coming out the sides and front - it looks neater.
Put the battery at the front of the notebook!
140
Need a non-gaming notebook with hi-res and DVI/HDMI
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Monitors and Displays, XPS products submitted by jcsalem
Feb 6
My business needs notebooks with high-resolution TruLife screens and DVI or HDMI out. It would be fine if the DVI/HDMI were only available via a docking port.
We're a small photography business that does a lot of 1-on-1 client presentations on the road and having the high-resolution, high-contrast screen is essential. In the office, we need DVI (preferably) or HDMI output for our desktop displays. I suspect there are many other kinds of businesses in a similar situation.
The only laptops that fit this bill are the high-end XPS gaming laptops and the Precision Workstation laptops. These are heavier, much larger, and more expensive than we'd like. They also feature much more 3D graphics horsepower than we'll ever use and their battery life is subpar.
The Latitudes are good except they don't have the TrueLife displays. The Vostros would be perfect except no DVI. Same with the Inspirons.
Can't we get something like a Vostro 1500 or a Latitude D830 with WSXGA+, TrueLife, and DVI out?
450
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.
21630
A HDD-based MP3 player that JUST WORKS
New Product Ideas submitted by chewd
Jan 19
Okay Dell, i know youve been burned by the MP3-player market in the past, but heres what I'm looking for from an mp3 player which NOONE provides.
1: No music manager. The device is essentially an external hdd with buit-in mp3 playback. I dont need yet another program trying to be my all-encompassing media library/playback/encoding suite on my PC. I already have all that. Just let me drag & drop music onto the device just like any other external storage device. its not difficult to do.
2: Record directly to the device via a 1/8th jack NOT a built-in condenser mic. Let me record -in high fidelity- directly to the device from a plugged in mic (or more likely, a mixer board, guitar, whatever). I'm not talking about recording 56kbs voice-notes, i mean full 256kbs (or higher) music recording.
3: integrated FM transmitter. Why should i go out & buy a seperate device for a feature im so obviously going to want? An FM transmitter lets me listen to my mp3's on the car stereo without having to plug anything in. You can skip the FM tuner, there is nothing worth listening to on FM radio, if there was i wouldnt be looking for an mp3 player in the first place.
4. A button for enabling/disabling shuffle. Please do not make me dig through menus to disable shuffle. Sometimes im listening to a shuffled playlist & decide that im in the mood to hear more of this particular artist, why cant i just hit a button & turn shuffle off?
5: Ability to replace hard drive. Hard drives are getting bigger all the time, let me replace the one thats in it now for a bigger one later on. Dont worry, youll still sell units, even more so when people figure out that yours is the only one on the market that doesnt go out of its way to keep users from upgrading it.
6: Regular batteries. I can buy rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, theyre just as good (or better) than some li-ion battery buried deep in the unit, and when they wear out i can go out & buy new ones. Furthermore, if im in a pinch i can put regular batts in there to get me by for now.
7. Integrated speaker. Sometimes i just want to play along, or listen with some friends. Dont worry, the integated speaker doesnt have to be incredibly good quality, they can be the same thing you put on laptops, its just a stopgap measure.
8: 12V adapter. This will be used on the road quite a bit, most PC hardware uses 12V DC anyway, it should come with a 12V DC power adapter.
9: support for OGG, MP3, FLAC and WAV decoding AND ENCODING
i personally am not all that concerned about WMA, but you may want to add it too.
Things i dont need:
A: A color display. It just adds expense & provides no useful purpose
B: Video playback. I have no desire to watch the latest movies on a 2" screen
C: Tie-ins with online music stores. I already have nearly all the music i want, if i want more i already have avenues for that.
D: Proprietary headphone jacks. Apple may be able to get everyone to cow-tow to their made-up accessory standards, dont count on you being able to do it too.
E: Bloaty music-manager software required to upload music. See #1 above. Maybe offer it for people who want it, but dont require me to install a bunch of crap software just to upload a few tunes to the unit.
F: FM/TV tuner. See #3 above. Its an mp3 player, not a teevee, not a radio, its a MP3 player. Anything that doesnt make it better for playing/recording mp3s is an unnecessary expense.
Thank you, good day
170
Change Dell Direct Media with "mythtv+linux" (free software)
Linux, Software submitted by jalberto
Jan 19
Dell Direct Media is a windows reduced version and it depend on a full windows instalaltion to work. The idea is to create a new "Dell Direct Media NG" based on a embedded linux with mythtv. This will provide the same funcionality so more features and pros:
- Dell's pros:
* no license cost
* no window depends (welcome to a totallyOS free computer)
* no MS fees
* a big developer cuminity for free
- Dell's cons:
* help comunity to improve HW sopport on dell
- Costumer's pros:
* more codecs avaible
* plugins and skins aviables
* a full pvr system
* internet access from tv
* no dependant windows computer
References:
http://www.mythtv.org/
http://www.imedialinux.com/imedia_mythtv
440
Dell... Offer Faster RAM!
Sales Strategies submitted by incubus240
Jan 20
Dell needs to offer faster RAM (i.e. If the FSB on the laptop is 800Mhz then match with 800Mhz RAM rather than 667Mhz RAM). I always have to buy the minimum amount of RAM for the system and end up throwing it away. They charge me $350 for 2GB of 667Mhz then I turn around and purchase 4GB of 800Mhz for $130. Since they make you buy at least 2GB... it is such a waiste!
590
Protect the LCD screens
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by vardanian
Jan 21 **ALREADY OFFERED**
I have an idea of protecting LCD screen with overlaying transparent plastic, to make it more durable and scratch resistant. By the way this screen can be made removable. so the refreshment won't be expensive. I know that this can make laptop a little bit heavier. But this can be an option and a good help for those who uses laptop actively.
Thanks.
60
DELL Wireless
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by vardanian
Jan 21
I suggest to make DELL branded wireless cards with Intel chipset. Why not. The DELL bard is somewhat lower position when low priced in comparizon to Intel cards. I like intel, but my laptop is DELL!
thanks
-210
Higher quality lcd screens for XPS M1530
Monitors and Displays, XPS products submitted by marcusesq
Jan 13
My brothers XPS M1530 arrived today fitted with a WSXGA+ screen and its horrible and grainy. I didn't get a chance to see weather its fitted with the Samsung or LG screen.
I don't know weather this is a quality control issue or just penny pinching by using cheap screens but until its fixed there is no NO WAY I'll be placing an order.
How anyone could design a laptop this good only to ruin the whole deal by fitting nasty screens is beyond me.
It seems this is not an isolated case either.
To see the extent of the problem look
http://www.notebookreview.com. ( search for "grainy screen"
http://www.google.com ( search for "dell laptop grainy screen" )
1390
 track my votes
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