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Dell: join in! Offer a low-cost Linux PC!

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by phubert Apr 2

It appears Dell remains afraid of Microsoft... and here is an answer we haven't heard from Dell on IdeaStorm:

"The top PC makers have so far treaded carefully. Dell's website sells Ubuntu computers in a separate section for open-source PCs, out of direct comparison with Windows machines. Dell spokeswoman Anne Camden said the placement reflects the fact that Linux is still not a mainstream consumer product."

From the USA Today article:

Burst of low-end PCs could boost Linux

"Business computing suppliers are finding open-source desktops especially gaining traction in cost-conscious developing markets. For example, IBM and Linux vendor Red Hat recently launched Microsoft-free desktops for Eastern Europe.

One buyer is Aleksandar Spagnut, a director of Moscow-based Rushotel, which needed new desktop PCs for a hotel-building project. Spagnut said his company saved 30 to 35% over comparable Windows machines. He added that Linux PCs are now common enough that a snowball effect is emerging, whereby technical support and "drivers" — which essentially tell programs how to interact with hardware — are much easier to find." ****

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/software/2008-04-01-cheap-pc-linux_N.ht... 19 Comments »

Offer Ubuntu Netbook Remix OS on your Ultra portables

Linux, Operating Systems, Laptops submitted by jervis961 May 25

The new Ubuntu Netbook Remix OS will be announced the first week of June according to an interview with Canonical chief executive Mark Shuttleworth.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/25/canonical-ceo-says-ubuntu-netbook-remix-bu...

The OS is Tailor made for ultraportable type systems. They have been working with Intel on the project so it should run very well on the Atom Processor

35 Comments »

Get GNU/Linux Machines in Retail Stores

Linux submitted by dpic Feb 14

Imagine how successful Dell's Ubuntu offering could be if just one Dell Ubuntu machine was put in retail stores. If people knew of an alternative to Windows, they would go for it! So what do you say, Dell? Why don't you try to put at least one of your Ubuntu machines offered in retail stores? 736 Comments »

Why are you kidding on Linux product by selling them less attractively than microsoft ones???????

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by garth 08/09/07

At this date is cheaper to by a computer(basic options) with vista than with ubuntu !! ARE YOU KIDDING???
Or you are trying to sell old products at normal price in Europe!
You are swindling us!!

Take Linux customers seriously!! we are not noobs! We know about using internet!

Sorry to be a bit unpleasant but It's a bit disappointing!! 6 Comments »

Dell Canada Does NOT Support Open Source Desktops

Dell Web Site, Desktops, Linux submitted by romanator 04/01/07

I have noticed that the Dell Canada website has almost no support for open source desktops while Dell USA offers open source. I cannot buy from the Dell USA website if I live in Canada. What's the problem?

Cheers!

Romanator Comment »

All-In-One Multimedia Player (Open Source)

Linux submitted by lamar_air 06/18/07

One common problem for new linux users is the need to easily play their multimedia. In Windows a user can watch almost any video type in Windows Media Player. However, someone new to linux finds them self needing two, three, or even more video and audio players to watch videos and play their mp3's.

Ubuntu for instance doesn't come with software to play mp3's due to legal issues.

Dell should start an Open Source project to offer an All-In-One Multimedia Player as an option for buyers at no extra cost. A successful solution would gain Dell big popularity in the linux community.

Software Engineer - Canada 5 Comments »

Cross-country (US-Canada) technical support

Service and Support submitted by vernwolfe 02/20/07

If a "snowbird" Canadia buys a Dell computer in Canada and winters in the USA, there is no Dell technical support when in the USA. If the Canadian buys a Dell computer in the USA during the winter and takes it to Canada in the summer - again, no technical support in Canada.

Result: these Canadians do not buy Dell computers.

This needs to be fixed - if you want such Canadian business. 2 Comments »

Reduce the price of the Geforce 8800 gtx video card in Canada

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies submitted by silversow 02/17/07

After factoring in the exchange rate, for XPS computers the upgrade to a 8800 gtx still costs about $150 more in Canada than the US. Comment »

Better integration between Linux and Windows on Dell Computers.

Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by guindog Mar 5

It is interesting that the experience of using Linux on a Dell is more integrated with the rest of the products of the company.

I mean, it would be a point that would make the difference on the remainder of the competition if, for example, in a business meeting where there was a Dell, the exchange of information or execute applications is not an impediment, regardless of whether having computers with Windows or Linux. That is to install a demo, see a website with specific plugins and acquaintances, video codecs and sounds or document formats, it should not be an issue to try to discuss the quarterly balance sheet, conducting a video condeferencia, or see a presentation.

I do not claim an iLife (which pretty serious anyway), but if a CrossOver Office or Wine try to be much more integrated into the specifications for a Windows Vista pre-installed and supported by Dell. And so to see a movie, hear an audio file format. Ogg,. Mp3 or. Wma or whatsoever, and so on ...

I know that there are limits that can not be avoided (drivers?, dll?), But that the experience of using a Dell is not limited or marginalized by the operating system that one has wanted to choose.

Thanks.

-- Texto Original (traducido con la Herramienta de idioma de Google) --

Una mejor integración entre Linux y Windows en los equipos Dell.

Sería interesante que la experiencia de uso de Linux en los equipos Dell sea mas integrado con el resto de los productos de la compañia.

Me refiero a que sería un punto que haría la diferencia por sobre el resto de la competencia si, por citar un ejemplo, en una reunión de negocios donde hubiera equipos Dell, el intercambiar información o ejecutar aplicaciones no sea un impedimento, sin importar de si se tratara de equipos con Windows o Linux. Es decir que instalar una demo, ver un sitio Web con plugins específicos y conocidos, codecs de video y sonidos o formatos de documentos, no debería ser un tema a tratar para analizar el balance trimestral, llevar a cabo una video condeferencia, o ver una presentación.

No pretendo un iLife (que lindo seria de todas formas), pero si un CrossOver Office o Wine que intente estar mucho mas integrado a las especificaciones de un Windows Vista preinstalado y soportado por Dell. Y así para ver una película, oir un archivo de audio en formato .ogg, .mp3 o .wma o el que sea, y así etc...

Se que hay limites que no pueden ser evitados (drivers?, dll?), pero que la experiencia de usar una Dell no se vea limitada, ni marginada, por el sistema operativo que uno haya querido elegir.

Gracias. Comment »

Add Linux option to the new laptops

Inspiron products, Linux submitted by mrlinux11 06/26/07

* Inspiron 1720
* Inspiron 1520
* Inspiron 1420 5 Comments »

There should be an option of having no trialware on all computers

Software submitted by jervis961 08/23/07 **REVIEWED**

Here is a news article about trialware and how Dell feels that regular customers want it but small business ones do. Do they not look at the ideas here?

"Not interested in all of the trial software that clutters up new PCs? You're not alone: According to Dell's recent research in both focus groups and broader surveys, small-business users overwhelmingly view trialware as an irritant, not a benefit. That research has led Dell to axe the extras from its new Vostro line of small-business desktop PCs and laptops. Eliminating demo applications is a major step for Dell, which has caught flack for the quantity of trialware on its consumer PCs. (One frustrated customer went so far as to develop a "Decrapifier" utility. The company says that consumers who buy PCs for personal use do express interest in preloaded trial software, but that small-business users have different needs. By eliminating the trialware from Vostro machines, Dell says it has cut the system setup time in half. For now, Dell is the only major PC manufacturer to ship small-business systems without preinstalled trialware as a standard practice. (Some competitors, such as HP, allow customers to choose a no-trialware configuration.)"


Dell offers a broad amount of software choice and minimal software shipped. Read jeremy_f's post on the options we give our customers





154 Comments »

Make the dell ubuntu models available through the main webpage

Dell Web Site, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by rajeevbhatta 06/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Instead of having the model listings on a different webpage ( www.dell.com/open) have these models available from the product search you have on the main page or a link available through the main page (www.dell.com)

When I go to dell.com and I search for the product model numbers I never can find them I have to go to the other page and then I see it. The only thing I saw on the main page is a small flash ad which then takes you to the page.

Why cant you place these models with the other models on your page.........





30 Comments »

Linux Drivers for All Dell Devices

Linux, Monitors and Displays submitted by grifter 10/24/07 **REVIEWED**

If Dell truly wishes to promote their Ubuntu line of computers then they should make sure that all of their devices work properly with the OS. For instance, the SP2008WFP monitor, while it does display everything fine, does not have drives for Linux systems of any kind. This is most certainly a hamper for any Ubuntu users to want to buy a Dell peripheral.


Please see john_h and matt_d's comments
14 Comments »

Stop Overcharging on Notebook RAM

Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by realskript 08/28/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Dell really... REALLY need to stop overcharging... and when i say overcharing... i mean atleast double what you would pay to pick up the ram yourself.
On XPS Notebooks... you are charging $500 for 4GB of ram... when you could easily go pick them up at your local computer shop for $250... and pocket the other half of the $500...

It would be nice if dell could save the customers as well as the company itself this hassle.. and start charging NORMAL prices for an upgrade in RAM.

thanks =D

PS..... PROMOTE THIS!!!!











88 Comments »

Ubuntu Dell Repo

Linux, Service and Support submitted by tekhawk 07/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

basicly a simple idea dell to support the ubuntu community a little bit by running a repo for its laptops and desktop if nothing more to support the software that they install on the system and to provide driver updates theses repos should be setup on the machines before shipping so that the users can get the driver updates quick and easy and offer driver on there for all the drivers that there are for dell machines that are support on linux not just the shipping lines

so that user might find that other machines then the ones you ship with ubuntu can easly be made into power ubuntu operating machines


As matt_d has said below, we have repositories for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, and a growing one for Ubuntu. Check it out here http://linux.dell.com.
76 Comments »

Submit hardware specifications to the Linux Driver Project

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux submitted by upstaked 10/05/07 **REVIEWED**

Back in January kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman from Novell started a project offering companies free Linux driver development.

This proved so successful that Novell made it his full-time job and turned to a project with over 200 kernel developers: http://www.linuxdriverproject.org/ .

So Dell, submit specs and convince your hardware providers to do so too. I want to spend my money on great new hardware that runs on Linux.





We constantly work with our hardware partners to develop and maintain open-sourced drivers. Also, we make it clear that through their own developers (or other projects like the Linux Driver Project) they need to deliver on drivers.






13 Comments »

Dell: Support Open BIOSes for Linux

Dell, Linux submitted by phubert 10/10/07 **REVIEWED**

An Open BIOS for Linux would free it from the DOS legacy code and speed boot times.

The current BIOS is a legacy throwback... it's time to replace it!






Our current priority is to expand Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Read what daniel_j has to say.





26 Comments »

Put Ubuntu on a laptop with better specs

Inspiron products, Linux submitted by piratehead 10/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Offer an Ubuntu laptop (Inspirion or otherwise) with available discreet graphics, discreet audio, 8GB or more of RAM, a quad-core processor, bluetooth, next-gen WiFi, and integrated webcam.

I don't know how many of those are possible at this point, but each one is a step forward for people who are waiting on certain specs to bite on a Dell laptop.

Now that you offer laptops with Ubuntu on them, I really don't want to go to another company just to get the computer specs I want. I wish to vote for Dell with my dollars, paying for a laptop that has actually been tested and certified by the manufacturer to run Ubuntu. Please give me the opportunity!


Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about our Ubuntu offerings.
96 Comments »

make linux systems EASY TO FIND

Dell Web Site submitted by phubert 10/18/07

At other sites, I have seen comments by individuals who have BOUGHT Dell Ubuntu systems complaining about the difficulty FINDING said systems.

I think you'll get more sales if you improve the visibility! 30 Comments »

Make XP/Linux drivers available for all model even if only Vista is pre-installed

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Operating Systems submitted by vineets001 09/24/07 **REVIEWED**

There are good hardware models coming out. And only Vista is pre-install option. If people want to wipe off Vista and install XP or Linux, let them do that. Make a commitment to have the drivers available.


We're working on having drivers for the hardware we ship more widely available. Click here to learn more from john_h.





29 Comments »