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Next step: most systems should have a choice of OS, including Linux

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by phubert 05/24/07

First step: offer Linux on -specific- systems
NEXT step: offer a CHOICE of OS on MOST systems

CHOICE is GOOD! Wouldn't it be SIMPLER FOR DELL to provide the same options for each class of system? So, a drop-down list of OS choices?

ONE web page for EACH model of system. SAME format for EVERY page! 18 Comments »

Advertise Ubuntu a little more loudly

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by zhinker 05/16/07 **NOT NOW**

I may be wrong about this but it doesn't seem to me like Dell's done any sort of advertising at all for the new Ubuntu pc's that it'll be rolling out soon, except for it's initial declaration I haven't heard a word about on any non-linux media (everyone using linux knows about it of course).

Unless Dell is planning on marketing this solely to linux users, it might want to let the rest of the world know that it's going to be selling Ubuntu soon (a simple photo and note on their website would be enough to make a bunch of pc buyers at least interested, and the ad wouldn't even cost anything). The problem with going after only current linux users is that you're substantially lowering your market base (which of course, is already pretty low--I realize this is just an experiment) to people who might already have pc's their perfectly happy with for the next couple of years, and I'm also worried that this perceived lack of interest might give Dell, and hence other pc manufacturers, the idea that selling linux computers is still a failing enterprise.

That's my 2 cents 36 Comments »

Remove: "Dell recommends Windows Vista™..." from any publication

Advertising and Marketing submitted by tho.meier 02/21/07

It would be nice to see advertising without any Micro$oft, from Dell. I think there is enough advertising for MS from MS it self.

Somthing linke: "Dell supports muli-OS" would look good! Od: "Dell gives you the real choice" 61 Comments »

Dell recommends, Ubuntu, like did with Windows Vista!

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by oagostinho 05/29/07

I'll be very glad if Dell recommends Ubuntu too, like do with Windows Vista! Why not? Think about it! Ubuntu is the best open-source operating system out there for us!! See Ya!! Orlando Agostinho, Computer Engineer, Lisbon/Portugal 25 Comments »

Dont eliminate XP just yet

Operating Systems submitted by javaprog07 02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Ok, well I know I may be chastised for bringing this up, but vista is still a young operating system with its own problems etc... I would like to see both Home and Business computers, especially notebooks have an XP Home and Pro option on top of Vista until it has at least been out for a year. For those seasoned users like me who just feel that you need to let a new OS mature before jumping right in. I am planning on buying a new notebook, and I would like to insure I wont have to format it on arrival just to have XP.
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about Dell offering XP.




209 Comments »

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







134 Comments »

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. 42 Comments »

Become the open source OEM

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ntaylor0909 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I read the same question on Linux forums, all the time: What is the best brand of computer/laptop to purchase for Linux. I know that there is the n series of computers and notebooks, but it could go a step further. Accept the recent offer of free Linux driver development from the Linux Kernel Community so that DELLs "just work" with Linux. Maybe look at some ideas like LinuxBIOS and/or OpenBIOS. Become the OEM that everyone recommends. There is a growing market for Open Source friendly computers and DELL could own that market.


In the past year, we've made a lot of progress on getting Linux to work well on all of our products. Our goal is to become the hardware vendor of choice for Linux users. Click here to learn more from john_h.





45 Comments »

Implemented: Ubuntu Dell is Le$$ Than Windows Dell

Linux submitted by thebittersea 05/05/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

see comment from Erik down below... [Dell's Pricing Team]

$774 Inspiron 1420 (Ubuntu)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Ubuntu version 7.04
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Integrated High Definition Audio

$824 Inspiron 1420 (Vista)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Basic Edition
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD writer/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated High Definition Audio
The difference in promotion pricing was due to an error on the site, which has been fixed.






412 Comments »

TV Commercial for New Ubuntu PCs

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by josmar52789 05/03/07

Dell should produce a new commercial for the Ubuntu PCs. It could tell the consumers of America why Dell has chosen to pre-install Linux on mainstream computers and hopefully promote the advantages of this new endeavor. Plus, it's likely that Dell's Linux initiative would be much more successful. 117 Comments »

Always include all software and driver reinstallation discs for free (or at least let us get the option to)... don't make us pay extra

Software submitted by winoffice 05/01/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Always include ALL software AND driver reinstallation discs for FREE (or at let us get the option do get the for free if we want as follows)...don't make us pay extra in case that we have a disaster and need to reinstall from scratch...!

No Discs Included (Included In Price)

All Discs Included (this means everything -- all software discs -- OS/Security software/etc., and all driver discs -- this means Windows or Linux drivers or both, whatever applies -- add $0)

Other options (OS disc only, all software discs only, driver discs only, etc. -- add $0)

For some computers, Dell does not include the reinstallation discs. Even if Dell offers them, Dell charges extra for us to get them. In fact, the only time I seen reinstallation discs being offered without charge were for Dell XPS desktops with the flashy lights -- that is, the Dell XPS 600, 700, and 710 systems, for those ware the only systems to offer operating system options like "Microsoft Windows XP Media Center WITH REINSTALLATION CD".

Also, most of the time when software reinstallation discs are not included, driver reinstallation discs (such as XPS flashy lights, as well as printers and monitors) are not included either. Therefore, don't just include the software reinstallation discs -- include as well the Windows/Linux drivers for the hardware (depending on the OS purchased with the computer, if any, which in turn depends on the user's preferences).

Besides, Microsoft as well as ALL software companies include the discs when you get the software seperately, so why can't Dell do the same when the software is preinstalled...?
Customers no longer have to pay extra for re-installation media.




89 Comments »

No Extra Software Option

Software submitted by ootleman 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.


Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.


591 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 »

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.





1241 Comments »

Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/17/07

Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)

OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System

Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
575 Comments »

Dell Ubuntu for Europe

Linux submitted by yesmathew 05/03/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Dell announced to pre-load Ubuntu on Notebooks and Desktops for US market. What about for Europe? We want for Europe market too... users from Switzerland, Germany, France, UK, Austria, Spain, and others are requesting the same.


See the blog post in Direct2Dell re: Ubuntu in UK, France and Germany; Dell/Red Hat Solutions & More.
85 Comments »

Why was the Ubuntu install so clean? - Idea: get your partners to subsidize your Linux offering by OPTIONALLY installing adware/trialware

Dell, Linux submitted by jmxz 06/07/07

When Voting - remember that these guys subsidize the cost of the Windows computers; probably making them more profitable than the Linux ones.

I was almost disappointed that I didn't see a bunch of things like AOL, MSN (well, OK, maybe not MSN because of their credit card fraud history http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68093) on my E1505N desktop. Likewise, McAfee has some LinuxShield product ( http://www.mcafee.com/us/enterprise/products/anti_virus/file_servers_desktops... ). Sure, it probably does more harm than good - but that doesn't stop you from bundling it on Windows.

IE works on Linux ( http://www.google.com/search?q=ie+for+linux ). Wasn't that from the software vendor so sad that Dell made Google the default search engine ( http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125889-page,1/article.html ). Perhaps they'd pay Dell a lot to make IE the default browser on Linux with whatever default search engine they liked.

The default home page on the E1505N is a static file from the hard disk; not some paid for homepage out on the internet. Surely someone would be happy to pay you for that default setting?

Note that all this crap (especially McAfee & MSN) have a reputation for giving users a HORRIBLE experience - so it shouldn't be forced on all Ubuntu users or they'll get a negative impression of your otherwise terrific machine. But for users who can deal with it, it might be nice to have someone help subsidize the system. Can you estimate how much $$$$ it would save Ubuntu customers, and if it's more than a few bucks add it as an option? 13 Comments »

Ubuntu-Vista Dual-boot

Linux, Operating Systems, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by badblood 06/08/07 **NOT NOW**

As Dell Ubuntu and Vista computer systems are priced roughly the same, then Dell could give us both OS' for the same price.

Sounds reasonable, no? 17 Comments »

Intel's CEO recommended Apple for Security. With Ubuntu, ask Intel to add Dell back to their list of recommended computers.

Advertising and Marketing, Dell, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz 06/08/07

http://www.networkworld.com/weblogs/layer8/008995.html

Intel CEO Paul Otellini suggests if you're sick of spyware, get a Mac.

"Pressed about security by (a reporter), Mr Otellini had a startling confession: He spends an hour a weekend removing spyware from his daughter's computer. And when further pressed about whether a mainstream computer user in search of immediate safety from security woes ought to buy Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh instead of a Wintel PC, he said, 'If you want to fix it tomorrow, maybe you should buy something else.' "

It hurts when your biggest hardware supplier is recommending a competitor of yours.

With Ubuntu you should be able to get Dell back on the list of Hardware Vendors that Intel's CEO recommends for security.

Idea: Ask Intel's CEO to recant his earlier claim that if you want security to buy an Apple - or at least have him restate it as "an Apple or a Ubuntu Dell".

(and stop trying to pretend Vista'll get you there - analysts are pointing out it's not more secure than XP : http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67892 ) 4 Comments »

Give Dell consumer products names, not product numbers...

Advertising and Marketing, Dell, Desktops, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by kyliemanders 06/08/07

I received the June Dell catalog in the mail a few days ago and while it is impressive I can't but think how much better it would be if I could remember Dell products by name rather than dozens of product numbers.

I understand that Dimension, Optiplex and Inspiron are brands but give your individual products names...

Instead of marketing a Dell Inspiron E1705, why not a Dell IdeaBook or Dell Book. Much friendlier and happier association between human and machine.

How many would be excited about an Apple Dimension E1423 laptop... We have too many numbers to remember in our lives as it is.






15 Comments »