calorus

Ubuntu Linux systems Down Under

Advertising and Marketing, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by finkisadink May 10

At present it's not possible to buy a Dell system with Linux preinstalled within Australia. This is something that I believe should be resolved as soon as practicable — at present I'm having to buy systems with Windows preinstalled, only to never use that license... and this also costs me time & money as I have to perform a full SOE build from scratch. 6 Comments »

Use the Intel network cards instead of Broadcom

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by thefirstm Apr 25

I think that Dell should stop integrating the wired Broadcom 44xx card (or 57xx card for professional PCs). Since as far as I can remember, every Dell laptop has come standard with these, where the Intel counterparts are much better. Every Intel chipset since the ICH2 southbridge has come with an integrated ethernet controller, and since the ICH5 this has been a gigabit controller. Additionally, it seems as if it would be cheaper to use the Intel controller. To utilize it, all you have to do is add a PHY chip instead of a whole ethernet controller. I think Dell needs to get over its Broadcom thing and start offering gigabit controllers in its home and small business laptops by switching to the Intel integrated controller. 7 Comments »

create notebooks with integrated microphone

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by siger May 22 **IMPLEMENTED**

as there are integrated webcams on notebooks, whyn not creating integrated microphones, for Skype Use, or podcasts creation, msn chat, ...?


Please see chris_b's comment
12 Comments »

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.




40 Comments »

Make it easier to edit ideas

IdeaStorm submitted by james-94 May 25

Editing Ideas should be as easy as editing a comment you make. You just click the little edit button and change your comment. Ideas should be the same so that there should just be a little edit button beside your ideas so if you want to change something it's easy. 16 Comments »

Allow operating system CHOICE

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by rahbm Apr 9

Please make the operating system a priced option on EVERY PC, so that people know how much they are paying, and for what.

This will allow Ubuntu users to buy any system, as opposed to the limited range now, increasing sales.

This will not disadvantage Windows purchasers; they can simply tick the box for XP or Vista, and have a choice not available now.

This will also open up sales to those who want NO operating system, so that they can load their own. So far I have always bought 'white-box' PCs, but would like the ability to buy a real brand-name PC with support and warranty.

Simplified ordering (just pick the PC), with more potential customers!

Thank you for your consideration. 2 Comments »

Offer Killer Gaming Network Cards on the XPS line-up for US and Canada

Desktops, Gaming, XPS products submitted by junior May 17

Dell, Start offering the Killer Gaming Network cards like the K1 or M1. Better than Gigabit Ethernet, I think anyway. These cards should be an option for all XPS Desktops in the US and Canada.

Killer M1:
$279.99 US

Killer K1:
$199.99 US 1 Comment »

Remove any reference to Vista from the "Still looking for Windows XP?" page

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Operating Systems submitted by drewness May 21

When the "still looking for Windows XP?" link on Dell.com is clicked, one is subjected to an obvious pitch for Vista. Get rid of any reference to Vista from this page! It's a no-brainer! 1 Comment »

use open firmware on all systems

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support submitted by dgilmore May 21

Rather than using a closed bios that is limited in functionality. Use open firmware http://www.openfirmware.org/ on all systems. it gives greater flexibility and will allow dell to provide open source solutions from top to bottom. 3 Comments »

Make external optical drive an option for all laptops

Laptops submitted by badblood 05/26/07

Save weight, save space.

Who uses it much anyway? 8 Comments »

Put the 512MB Nvidia Geforce 9600 GT as an option for the XPS M1530

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), XPS products submitted by darthomer May 25

Put the 512MB Nvidia Geforce 9800 GT as an option for the XPS M1530 it is as big the 256MB card avalible right now but this one is 512MB and will make Games way faster and better looking than the 256MB card avalible. if Dell does this than the XPS M1530 will be one of the most popular laptops at Dell infact I think that the only thing I didn't like about the XPS M1530 is its poor GPU. The Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTX is the same power but I didn't say that one because its too thick this one is like 4cm thick. it could add another $50 $100 $150 to this PCs price tag but its worth it

15 Comments »

Don't cave in to the RIAA

Service and Support submitted by jcm337 May 20 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Here is an abbreviated version of what I will be sending to my regular blogs and podcasts (edited to fit their formats and typical areas of discussion) regarding the burdensom nature of what happens when a company like Dell listens to groups like the RIAA over its own customers. I would like to mention up front that overall I am very happy with my Dell experience so far, but may not stick with them if I see this sort of thing happen regularly.

" I used to rip streams (legally from NPR for class projects with proper citation) on my old XP machine and recently needed to do something similar on my new Dell laptop. My laptop didn't seem to have a stereo mix feature, but I knew the hardware supported it so I read through several forums where people (mainly musicians) needed that feature. After searching around, it seems that Dell had distributed drivers that intentionally disabled this feature. There was alot of talk online about how this was under pressure from the record industry to close the loophole allowing stream ripping of Internet music. I'm not sure about the truth of this, but it seems plausible considering the hardware still has this capability and it was once a very common and useful feature. Fortunately, armed with knowledge of the issue from the forums, I was able to get a support person from Dell to work with me to fix it (sort of). Apparently enough people had complained about the lack of a stereo mixer function that they released a set of drivers for an older computer that enabled this feature and I was able to apply it to my sound card by running it in compatibility mode. But wouldn't it be nice if they simply hadn't disabled the features in the first pace?

p.s. An hour and twenty minutes on the phone with tech support usually leaves me pretty unhappy, but those Dell XPS support people really know their stuff and I ended the phone call feeling pretty good about the whole thing."


In short, Dell really shouldn't lock out functionality and force it's own customers to spend hours working out rediculous hacks to appease corporate groups seeking to protect their own pocketbooks. It perpetuates a culture of ownership that is far and above what is expected in a typical capitalistic society of which I am a proud member. To criple hardware at the driver level, removing useful and legitimate features despite customer protest is unconscionable.


Please see chris_b's comment
3 Comments »

Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware

Linux submitted by gergnz 02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.




186 Comments »

If Apple is poised to take Microsoft down... DELL needs to help UBUNTU become the APPLE alternative!

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by phubert May 23

Forrester sees Apple ruling the living room

*I* see more people choosing Apple for home, FLEEING from what they see as a Windows disaster.

DELL needs to support UBUNTU development to have an ALTERNATIVE to APPLE! 37 Comments »

Allow Canadians to order from Dell.com (USA)

Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by junior May 24

Allow Canadians to order Electronics, Software, & Accessories from Dell.com (USA). What I mean is Dell.com has more Software, Electronics and Accessories than Dell.ca has. Say you want a high end wireless router that you see on Dell.com, and your a Canadian, you check Dell.ca if its there, and its not, which is pretty stupid and makes me abit mad. Dell.com should allow Canadians to order from their website. In check out of Dell.com, if a Canadian sees something he likes and its not on Dell.ca, there should be a tab on Dell.com in the shopping cart of check out and delivery, it should say Canada, but United States by Default because its a US website, and once the shipping address is changed to Canada, the price should change to a Canadian price.

Promote please.

Dell.ca does not have everything that Dell.com has. 3 Comments »

Reverse Video

Servers and Storage, Laptops submitted by r.pelzer 10/26/07

Hi,

As a techie i'm walking around with my notebook to all kinds of server. Sometimes you want to look at a server, but there is no monitor availible.
Would there be a way to connect a notebook to the vga connector of the server and view the output on the notebook screen?

I would buy a new notebook for that option !

Cheers.

Rogier 27 Comments »

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 »

HDMI/DVI input on HD laptops.

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by impulse May 10

It's great that Dell offers HDMI and DVI-D outputs on their XPS laptops, but is it possible to add HDMI and DVI inputs as well?

For those that already have a Blu-ray player or Playstation 3, it kind of stinks that we can't take advantage of the 1080p capable screens that Dell offers on the M1530 and M1730.

I think being able to use the HD screen available on at least the M1730 as a monitor for consoles or Blu-ray players would be a great idea, as it would save people such as myself from having to buy an external monitor or new TV. 6 Comments »

Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser

Software submitted by robinjfisher 02/19/07 **REVIEWED**

Does what it says on the tin! Most people only use IE because they aren't aware of other browsers - they think Internet Explorer is the Internet! What would really drive take up of alternative browsers is if Firefox was pre-installed as the default browser so that when people look for the "Internet" in Windows, they are using FF.
Firefox advocates at Dell have initiated discussions and driven action around exploring alternative internet browsers and experiences. As you can tell from our response to the Linux community, open source continues to be a part of our conversations about new products and services.





1242 Comments »