baosheng

Put Ubuntu on sale at the same time as Windows (unfair to Ubuntu sales count if we install it afterwords)

Advertising and Marketing submitted by brett_alton Jun 26

I'm pretty frustrated to receive a flyer with a Inspiron 1525 laptop on sale for $599 while the Ubuntu laptop with the same specs are $699.

Why is this frustrating you ask? Why don't you just buy the $599 laptop, wipe it and put Ubuntu on it you say?

Well, I can easily purchase the $599 laptop, wipe Windows off and put Ubuntu on but there are two problems with that:

1) I don't get Dell's support for Ubuntu Linux
2) Dell doesn't see what I do with my PC after I purchase it, thus, they don't know that they actually sold an Ubuntu laptop. This means that it is one more Windows laptop sold over a Ubuntu laptop. Why is this important?

Well, apparently a few weeks after supporting Ubuntu, Dell sold 40,000 Ubuntu-based laptops. It is finally my turn to purchase one, but I want to be added to that count so that Dell knows I'm buying an Ubuntu-based laptop. Why is this important?

I want Dell to continue selling Ubuntu-based laptops, so I think it would be in the Linux communities and Dell's best interest to offer the same deals on Ubuntu laptops as Windows laptops.

I don't want Windows Vista and I don't want you to think I want Windows Vista. I want Ubuntu, but I want to pay the same price as the other guys. 7 Comments »

Advertise your Linux boxes as "Green"

Advertising and Marketing, Environment, Linux submitted by jmxz Jun 9

Network World has an interesting article here

" tests show that Red Hat Linux pulls as much as 12% less power than Windows 2008 on identical hardware"

With all the media excitement surrounding Green and Environmental issues, you could advertise how Green Dell is even in it's software selections.

If Dell ships 50_000_000 computers per year, and these computers live an average of 4 years each , and each computer uses 100W, it seems Dell could save the world

50_000_000 computers *
4 years each * 365 days/year * 24 hours/day *
100 Watts / computer *
0.12 (percent savings using Red Hat)
== 21024000000000 Watts

which is a number too big for me to count. Is that 21 Tera-watt-hours? Even if my math's off by 10000 Dell could save many giga-watt-hours. And that's only one year's production. 3 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 »

Only supported stuff on linux laptops/desktops

Linux, Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by alexanthony May 28

I just tried to customise an ubuntu laptop (UK site) and saw that I could add a printer which I am unsure if it supports linux (says Windows 98/XP/Vista). It can't be too hard to make it clear whether or not this printer is supported, and if not, it shouldn't be advertised when customising an ubuntu system.

I also discovered that I could buy Norton Internet Security for it. Does a linux version really exist? No. Should I be able to buy it as part of a linux system? No.

Someone could get really confused when they try to use "supported" accessories and software then realise that they're not... 10 Comments »

Design a UMPC to counter HP's mini-note 2133

New Product Ideas, Laptops submitted by okroger104 Mar 27

8.9" LCD w 1366x768 resolution.

Up to 2GB ram
Intel silverthorne or VIA Isaiah processor
Choice of Vista or Linux.
USB port(s)
Multi card reader port.
7200RPM HD or SSD
Gigabit Ethernet
Wifi - N
Bluetooth
Graphics solution that can handle Vista's Aero. 228 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 »

Tell us what WiFi chipset a laptop has.

Broadband and Mobility, Dell Web Site, Linux, Laptops submitted by tonyb2006 08/29/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Tell us the WiFi chipset used in a laptop before we buy it so we know if the WiFi chipset supports a feature we want, or if it supports Linux or another operating system that we intend to use. The WiFi chipset being like "Intel ipw2200" or "Broadcom BCM4306", or "Ralink rt2500".







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.

23 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 »

Care with the market of China

Sales Strategies submitted by laujie May 30

Face the competitions of Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard and Acer.

It is the time to begin the counterattack for DELL, what are some of my recommendations, and I have some other options, but it needs your help (such as some non-confidential information), so I Dell to make a long-term cost savings at the same time cost-effective solutions, I believe that the higher the feasibility of the programme. hope you will consider my proposal.



Computers in the United States has become a necessity in view of consumers with a computer is no different from a iPod, the average annual income of more than 20,000 dollar American consumers, a computer is hardly ordinary luxury; For most Chinese speaking Chinese consumers, although a computer unlike houses and cars as possible to spend a lifetime of financial and would not like to buy an MP3 that can be purchased without thinking the Americans can be the same as the purchase of toothpaste in Voorburg Machia buy a computer, the Chinese people will definitely like the purchase of a car as carefully compare.

Chinese culture and the American culture, there are many differences, the Americans used the Internet to buy books, regardless of China's Dangdang or Amazon are still outstanding losses, the Americans accustomed to using online payment, credit card payment habits, the Chinese people are like goods to the payment, even like with a cash payment, which is not where the core. Although computers have become, a necessity of life, in terms of the majority of Chinese people, the computer is still a high-tech goods, most consumers buy computers will still ask the computer configuration, will continue to know that Intel and AMD, also know How many more appropriate memory, and their knowledge, we will certainly find a trusted insiders do staff, few Chinese consumers do not understand computers is not under the General Staff of the purchase of computers may fail to Americans killed.

Comparative shopping habits of Chinese consumers, whether because of financial hardship or cultural traditions, and that is why it formed various cities electronics market, is that Dell will be stationed in the United States defeated Mr city, the habit may be The most crucial factor, after all, in accordance with the country before the US business model, the United States will not cooperate with the agents, usually in direct cooperation with the manufacturers, this is the computer still can not enter the United States because, after all, the computer will be stationed in the United States means that PC manufacturers to adjust their own agents policy, there is no absolute certainty in the premise, there will be no computer maker is willing to make a determined effort, even though stationed in the United States, and the market will not use a unified model, the Dell and the National United States cooperation is also in several specific models of cooperation, if only a Dell computer brand stationed in the United States, the State of the United States will lose its comparative shopping environment, the United States again, more, it is difficult to like the same consumer Zhongguancun Several hours to be here all brands of computers. 1 Comment »

Improve your high-end (>$1000) PCs - Apple's doing well there.

Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz May 23

Fortune Magazine this month has an interesting article on Apple 2.0

Report: Apple’s market share of PCs over $1,000 hits 66%
...
Mac Q1 '08 Retail Share ... All Desktops: 14%
Mac Q1 '08 Retail Share ... All Notebooks: 14%
Mac Q1 '08 Retail Share ... $1,000+ Desktops: 70%
Mac Q1 '08 Retail Share ... $1,000+ Notebooks: 64%
...
Still, Apple’s share of the $1,000-plus retail market was less than 18% in January 2006 according to NPD. By September 2007, it had grown to more than 57%. And in the first quarter of 2008 it hit a record 66%.

I imagine this >$1000 segment is more profitable than the budget segment too.
Wonder what Dell needs to do to catch Apple here. It'd be interesting to see if people have good specific places Dell needs to improve compared to Apple on >$1000 machines in the comments.. 3 Comments »

Biodegradable Packing material

Environment submitted by ewagnerjr2000 04/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

When I received my 32" lcd screen it had an extremely large amount of Styrofoam. Dell is working to be environmentally friendly, maybe they should consider a better packing material at least one that will biodegrade.





25 Comments »

Help Customers to a Better Internet experience - TELL them about UBUNTU!!!

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by phubert Apr 21

Dell can HELP its customers have a better Internet experience by openly PROMOTING Ubuntu!

As Mark Shuttleworth, of Canonical, points out:

"...if people think of their daily experience as a sit down on the web, we know that people can have a very compelling experience on Linux.

"In fact, we know it is a better web experience because they can do it without spyware, without viruses."

Mr Shuttleworth said he believed there were about eight to nine million users of Ubuntu worldwide. " ****

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7358483.stm 10 Comments »

Linux: We are happy, but what about Open Office & Firefox

Linux, Software submitted by macmoh 05/06/07

Thanks.
For giving support for Linux, now we are very happy but sir where is Open Office and Firefox??

We are waiting for your next step towards...
Hope you will not disappoint us.
:) 3 Comments »

Offer No OS Option on all PCs for Home / Small Business Markets

Operating Systems submitted by gear Apr 22

Why not sell PCs with no OS installed and just include the drivers disk for popular OSes that are known to work on it like (XP, Linux, and Vista).

I already have licenses for XP and Linux and I can install my own here.

Having the drivers disk would mean I don't have to download them. 3 Comments »

Contrbute to Ubuntu

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by darkproteus66 Apr 24

Dell should actively contribute to Ubuntu and other open source projects either financially or through software. 12 Comments »

Small LOW COST Linux Laptop

Linux, Laptops submitted by burnetga Apr 8

13.3 1152 x 720 screen
Sempron 3600 2ghz, 256 cache,25 watt
80gb hard drive
dvd-cdrw combo drive
10/100 ethernet
Wireless ethernet
1gb ram
53wh battery
Linux

No Options/Fixed Platform

$429 USD

It does not have to be ultra light
or ultra thin, just can't be a brick.

Pretty much a scaled down Vostro 1000
with a more linux friendly wifi card.

Right now 04/08/2008 you have to spend
at least $999 to get a 13.3" screen. 5 Comments »

Server with open source server software such as Email Server

Servers and Storage submitted by sungun Jun 7

Provide the preload Server for end users Such as Email Server;Document Server,Security Server,E-Business Server 2 Comments »

MARKET linux PCs for real, and Open Office, for real

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by chopdoc May 7

I actually laughed when I read some Dell staffers' comments along the lines of "my research shows the customers want Windows".

Of course the research shows that, of course Dell isn't selling many Linux PCs. Probably the leading topic on Idea Storm has been Linux and Open Source. But that is because Dell attracts mostly "techies" here...not customers.

If you want to sell something, you need to advertise and market it. Microsoft has had a decades long campaign to get into the position they are in. The common consumer thinks Microsoft IS their computer.

Dell has moved forward, but not much, and they have limited and burried the Open Source option and resisted every step of the way. That is a fact, regardless of the lip service Dell gives here.

Open Source, particularly Linux distros can SAVE the customers money. I've crunched the numbers myself, I've calculated the TCO. Stability, reliability, cost.....how and why can Dell continue to avoid the reality of these issues by saying "our research indicates the customers want Windows"?

Give Open Source the marketing exposure it deserves and that the customer deserves. Dell made their name building custom ordered computers. They were known as "the best" in many regards. Then they lost their way. I was optimistic when Mr. Dell returned, but apparently he lost his way as well.

Market the Open Source options for what they really are and do it across the product line. Tell the customers what it really is and don't make it seem like some sort of off-beat secondary option...it simply isn't that anymore unless you continue to make it that.

Check your reaserch, your customers want value....lower prices....reliability..... The answer to that is Linux no matter how you slice it. So SELL it....for real.

Dell could really make a name for themselves again. 13 Comments »