Provide Notebook Battery Runtimes (for each configuration!)
Laptop Power submitted by pchris
02/17/07
Please provide measured/benchmarked battery runtimes for your notebooks for all available configurations. Use a conservative realistic benchmark, PCMag.com for example, has used "MobileMark 2005 Battery Score" in it's notebook reviews. I know this is a lot of work to do, considering the multiple possible configurations, but Dell may be able to work with a reviewing company like PCMag.com, or an independent lab, or as a last resort, it may benchmark/measure a good number of common configurations.
The benchmarked battery runtime could be updated along with the price as the customer modifies his configuration.
I can not make a notebook purchase before I have this critical battery runtime, which is why I have to delay all notebook purchases until I've read a number of 3rd party reviews that provide this information, although for a very limited number of configurations, that may not be similar to what I'm looking for.
No computer vendor that I know of provides this information right now, and it is vital information for the customer to decide whether to purchase an extra large battery or not, and whether or not to purchase the notebook at all. Dell should not be afraid to provide the customer with vital information like this, but instead should engineer the products as well as possible so Dell is not ashamed of the battery performance, and is not concerned that the customer will go elsewhere (alternatively, Dell can provide a variety of battery options that will cover all possible customer needs).
2647
Environmental Laptop Based on Solar Energy/Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Environment, Laptop Power submitted by gchakra
02/17/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
What's smart for the environment is smart for Dell. Dell should build units that are degradable or can be easily recycled. Sure, its going to be a little more expensive, but it will be a smart product. It will use a lot less energy. The laptops could have a solar panel or be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The first microelectronic implementation of a fuel cell will give Dell a tremendous marketing boost. It will be incredibly popular with kids in college.
Gopal
4185
Battery Choice
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by chip
02/19/07
Allow the user to select which battery is used first.
That allows the user to decide which extra battery to bring. For example I might have 2 normal batteries and one battery that fits in the CD slot. I world want the internal battery to be used first so I could switch batteries after the laptop has drained the internal battery and switches to the CD battery.
65
Laptops more like desktops
Laptop Power submitted by pm999
02/20/07
I would like to see a line of standardized notebooks. These would be slightly bigger than traditional notebooks, but would have standardized parts. As with desktops, I could swap out my power supplies, batteries, and internal components (LCD panel, motherboard, case, and other parts) across a variety of laptops, ideally from a variety of manufacturers.
Dell partially did this with the Inspiron 8000/8100/8200 and associated Latitude series. We could swap power supplies, batteries, and in one case, we swapped graphics cards. We could upgrade our laptops. Indeed, my school bought a slew of the Latitudes from this series. My dad had his work buy a Latitude as well. I bought an 8100, and many of my friends bought other 8k series laptops. If we went traveling, we could borrow each others' batteries. If we visited, we could borrow power supplies. When I started doing 3d programming, I swapped graphics cards with a friend who stopped playing videogames.
Unfortunately, Dell discontinued this series. It introduced the Inspiron XPS, which promised upgradability, and which I bought, but unfortunately, other than a minor, overpriced graphics card upgrade, nothing materialized of the promise.
I primarily buy laptops, rather than desktops. The price difference, when you factor in the LCD panel for the desktop, is actually quite minimal. The only big cost item on the laptop is the extra battery and the 2.5" hard drive. Power efficient CPUs cost a little bit more too, but I want my desktops to be power efficient, and I don't run my laptop off of battery much, so I don't care too much about battery life. In return, I don't have a mess of cables, and I have (limited) portability when I need it. The major reason I still use desktops are the standardized parts for easy repair, upgradability, and expandability. If Dell could deliver similar benefits to the laptop market (albeit at the cost of a slightly larger laptop), the laptop could take out another decent chunk of the current desktop market.
There really is no reason for Dell not to get together with the other laptop manufacturers and, at the very least, standardize batteries and power supplies for given form factors. The PSUs and batteries could electronically communicate maximum current draw, and not function with laptops that go above that.
126
Battery Dimensions and Weight
Laptop Power submitted by rjrich
04/19/07
Please specify clearly which battery options protrude from the laptop. In addition, indicate clearly whether the battery choice protrudes from the back, front, or side, and, if so, specify the dimensions. Finally, indicate the weight added by the battery (e.g., "X-cell battery protrudes from the back and adds Y" to the depth as well as Z lb to the weight of the laptop.").
200
Let us leave the laptop plugged in for as long as we want without negatively affecting the battery.
Laptop Power submitted by sotopheavy
Feb 21
My rule of thumb is if a battery goes down below an hour of laptop life it is useless . This usually happens within the first 8 months of owning a laptop for me.
If I'm using my laptop to surf the internet I will usually plug it in until it's full, then unplug it, then plug it in when it gets low, then unplug it again when it's full. This got so annoying that I eventually just left it plugged in and my battery now lasts 15 minutes with wifi off and the screen dimmed all the way down. There has to be a better way to manage laptop power than this. Let us leave the laptop plugged in for as long as we want without negatively affecting the battery.
470
Product enhancement for Dell power adapter
Laptop Power submitted by gbrugman
02/21/07
For your information: daily winding and unwinding the notebook connecting cord, will eventually cause the cable shield and isolation to tear down, just outside the housing. It happened to many Dell notebook cords at work, causing the power flow to stop or, even worse, to short-circuit.
The cord at the other end of the AC wall mount doesn't have this problem because this cord already points at the right angle. So as to avoid said problem in the future, both cords should leave the housing in the proper winding-angle: problem solved.
I hope to have been of help, because I think it's a shame that a minor cord problem makes it this risky to work with an otherwise good product. It seems easy enough to remedy. :-)
5855
Universal Notebook Power Adapter
Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by slateslate
08/24/07
1. I've owned Dell Latitudes and Inspirons since 1998.
2. Your power adapters have a life expectancy of 12-18 months under daily mobile use. It is annoying for have these adapters fray.
3. Subsequent generations of notebooks each have unique adapters. Make all adapters the same after this generation of notebooks. So that should one power adapter fray, I can swap with another Dell adapter even if it's from a different notebook model.
OR
1. MAKE YOUR POWER ADAPTERS LESS PRONE TO FRAY AT THE END WHERE THE ADAPTER MEETS THE COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1150
ULV - Ultra Low Voltage Notebook Computer
Environment, Laptop Power submitted by reg
06/06/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Intel and AMD have both been developing Ultra Low Voltage CPUs, computer chips that run on 1/5 of the power of traditional computer chips. The CPU is a good start, now Dell can work with Intel and / or AMD to develop a FULLY ULV Notebook - ALL the subcomponents using significantly less power than standard notebook systems.
[Gateway's ULV CPU powered notebook.]
Another big component to change is the display, static 'ePaper' notebook screens that can maintain the image even when powered off. Electricity is only used when changing the display, and even then - power only used down to the pixel level, while non-changing pixels consume little or no power at all. Back-Lit by new ULV LEDs, that adjust their intensity based off of a ambient light sensor - using even less power when in a darker room, vs. a sunny patio. The screen size can be 12" widescreen, and still be able to provide a good movie viewing experience. No Hard Drive, No CD Drive - those power hungry components can be put into the ULV notebook docking station. Use Flash drives and USB memory sticks only.
I would imagine a SSD Flash drive equipped notebook that could run for hours off of a single 9 volt battery (rechargeable of course!)
The New ULV Dell Notebook
With an ULV notebook, you can replace the battery with a water powered fuel cell, and cover the notebook screen lid with the new 40%+ efficient solar cells, and have the FIRST 'free power' ULV notebook on the market.
Samsung has been a leader in ULV technology in Korea:
630
Make longer lasting batteries for better portability
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by winoffice
05/05/07 **IN PROGRESS**
Don't make us recharge our laptops' batteries so often! A recent Cnet article (posted at Cnet's news site at about May 5, 2007) explains that Windows Vista's Aero Glass feature gives you less battery life. So, if we want Windows Vista, then we either have to recharge more often, or pay extra for more and better batteries! Instead, make Dell get rid of the batteries which quickly lose their charge...and come up with something that would give us longer battery life as follows (under Windows Vista), without making us stay away from Windows Vista or pay an extra $99 for another and better battery.
Basic laptops: at least 2 1/2 hours battery life
Entertainment laptops: at least 3 1/2 hours battery life
XPS laptops: at least 4 1/2 hours battery life
3160
Universal power adapter (power supply) for all Dell products
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by rguptaos-dyndns
02/19/07
How many of us have to buy multiple “AC / DC Adapter or power bricks” for each of electronic devices and laptops? I have power supply adapter for home, office and travel bag… about 2-3 of these for my laptop, cell phone and external hard disk or other devices I use.
I have background in electrical engineering and I know technically it is possible to use the same power supply / adapter unit with some intelligence built in to power up cell phones, hard-disk, laptops, speakers, mp3 players etc. I also understand that the accessories are one of the most profitable business aspects for electronic companies like Sony and Dell.
Dell wants to be the leader and differentiator? Well...
>> How about a smart universal power adaptor for all DELL products that intelligently recognizes the product and supplies the appropriate power.
One power supply and connector for all products!!!
I know technically it is possible – I did design this and did work on the patent application but, did not file because I got focused on some other activities. I am pretty sure there are enough smart engineers at Dell to design this. If you want a head start contact me for details.
3511
Show the Buyer What Different Laptop Battery Sizes *Look* Like On the Laptop
Dell Web Site, Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by jasondunn
11/22/07
It's a really great thing that Dell offers buyers multiple choices when it comes to laptop batteries: there's usually a 4-cell, 6-cell, and 9-cell battery option. Dell always lists the watt hours information as well - great!
But what's ridiculous is that there are no images, illustrations, or written information about the exact sizes of the batteries: specifically, which batteries will stick out of the laptop (the "hump"). This is a really important thing to know, because when I'm buying a laptop I usually want to get the biggest battery possible, but one that doesn't stick out. I just ordered a Vostro laptop and was given the choice of three different batteries - yet no indication of which one(s) was actually flush with the laptop.
In general I find that the "More Information" link does a poor job of providing the customer with the information they need about the given accessory or feature option.
1250
Edubuntu (Linux)
Education, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by shadow_mil
02/25/07
Edubuntu is a side version of ubuntu. But the software on it is geared towards educationally purposes... and go from small children to collage level. Comes with a full suite of open-office software, typing games, and other educationally software.
330
Student Discounts!
Education, Sales Strategies submitted by cnmopt
02/18/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**
Similar to Apple, Dell should offer students a special discount on Dell Products. The Apple market share is currently growing in the education sector and offering [college] students a discount would be useful to counter Apple's strategy.
19303
Affordability and Durability for Student Laptop Initiative
Education, Laptops submitted by hdrews
02/21/07
If our district was to even consider a 1:1 student to computer ratio, we would need something much more affordable than what is out there now. Money could be saved by cutting storage space, video quality, and more. What our students generally need at their desks is the ability to surf the net and work in an "office" suite. Advanced projects can be done in our more robust labs.
Also, a laptop initiative is no good if in-house support increases 10-fold. These have to be durable. If they fall off a desk, they have to keep working. Replacement batteries need to be less expensive or an extra battery should come with each purchase.
4836
Ubuntu on all models where it works
Linux, Operating Systems, Small Business submitted by jonsmirl
08/01/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I'm still throwing away copies of Windows. Recently I have ordered some Dimension 9200s from Small Business. All of these machines are running Ubuntu today without problem. They're being used to replace some PE400SCs that are starting to die. A 2GB quad core for $649 was too good a deal to pass up. It makes a great small server.
Please offer Ubuntu as a choice on all configurations where it works. I would have still paid $649 for the box and you could have kept the money you're sending to Microsoft.
We continue to explore different Linux opportunities on our systems. Check out daniel_j's comment below.
11330
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...
2340
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