delluser123

Revive Axim line, provide WM6 support

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by pdadigest 06/07/07

I too was dismayed that the Axim line was dropped. It is a great product that has fostered much loyalty among its users, who would very likely embrace an improved, more powerful, enhanced Axim line. Dell runs the risk of alienating many customers by dropping the Axim products. I would like to see Dell announce, at a minimum, Windows Mobile 6 support for the existing Axim X50/X51 products, so that the investment their customers have made in Dell products will be continued forward for a couple of years. Thank you. 4 Comments »

Do sell the Axim x51 serial RS232 cable!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by noname2007 04/15/07

For the Axim x51/x51v which has a RS232 port (which Dell won't admitt that easily because nearly nobody at Dell knows that fact) exists a RS232 cable from Dell, yes!

It's only not listed in the web shop thus hurting Dell more than serving it! Why not list this in the webshop as all other accessories for the Axims?

Don't tell me that cable doesn't exist. At work I have one! It only won't function with too much serial devices because the Axim only has a TTL Rs232 port. There also exist cables from other vendors which do make a real RS232 out of the Dell TTL one... Comment »

don't let the US lag behind

Linux, XPS products submitted by miguel.hernaiz Apr 11

It's funny to see how Dell -a US company- offers some of the latest components in their computers to customers in other countries, while US customers have to wait longer.

Example: the XPS M1330 with Ubuntu Linux can already be configured in Europe to sport an Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 processor (2.40GHz,800,3M)... which is still NOT an option for US customers. hard to understand. 11 Comments »

Dell needs to pick up the pace in releasing new designs

Dell, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jervis961 Mar 13

Dell is notorious for lack of innovation and has been making strides to change. Unfortunately they are still loosing out because they take to long to get to market and by the time they do someone else has usually beat them to the punch.

Here is an example: At CES this year Dell showed off an XPS 16 inch Laptop concept that has yet to make it to market.



http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/dell-showing-off-16-inch-xps-concept-laptop/

Yesterday Acer (who overtook Dell in notebook sales recently) came out with its Gemstone line of notebooks.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/acer-unveils-the-second-gen-gemstone/



"Coming in a special blue ("Gemstone Blue," how wild), the new 16- and 18.4-inch machines feature 16:9 1080p screens, 1.5GHz Penryn processors, 512MB NVIDIA 9650m GS graphics, and those Blu-ray drives we heard about. The graphics chip is at the center of Acer's new CineReal system, which offloads BD playback to the GPU and provides Dolby headphone output (and real 5.1 sound on the bigger model)."

Pick up the pace Dell. 30 Comments »

Improve Dell Support to actually solve problems

Service and Support submitted by programatix Apr 3

Most of the time when trying to get problem solved by contacting Dell Support, it seems like I almost end up without actually solved the problems.

It would be great if Dell spend more time to investigate each report and actually find a solution instead of the most favourite solution, "Therefore, it is advisable for you to reinstall the operating system of your computer."

The following are the examples the problem I've encountered which end up with the above solution

Problem #1
Media Direct button does not start Dell Media Direct in Vista. But if the laptop is turned off, pressing the Media Direct button boot the laptop to Media Direct OS.

I actually wonder what is required to make the Media Direct button function. Is it QuickSet? If it is so, why not spend some time to find the root cause and fix it? I believe at some point, some of us faced this problem. Is reinstalling the OS is the only solution?

Problem #2
After motherboard replacement, when the laptop is turned off, Media Direct button does not boot up the Media Direct OS.

This actually has a solution (after I experiment with the tools found in Media Direct CD). The RMBR.EXE actually sets what the buttons (Media Direct button and Power button). For example, if your OS is in Partition 2 and Media Direct is in Partition 4, you run this in CMD,
RMBR DELL 2 4

But instead of informing this, Dell Support ask me to reinstall the OS starting with Media Direct Recovery.

Problem #3
Shuttering audio playback in Windows Media Player, even after upgrading Windows Vista to SP1.

After Dell Support blames Microsoft for the problem, he asked me to reinstall the OS.

But I believe the problem lies with the SigmaTel audio driver. With this driver, we can't even use the Vista Audio Enchancement features or we will get weird audio playback. 22 Comments »

The "Patriot"! American Made

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by sa2008 Apr 30

We live in a global marketplace with a global economy; however, many of us are still very proud to be AMERICAN. I would very much like to see Dell produce a laptop called the "Patriot". This machine should be AMERICAN made, and it should have a couple of really cool and patriotic color options.

color option 1 - camo with the end users choice of military logos
color option 2 - the US FLAG

I realize that Dell has move a portion of its workforce to other countries; however, I still consider Dell an AMERICAN company.

I see this type of laptop as an opportunity for Dell to give back a little to the people and the country that made it possible to be DELL.

I would also like to see a portion of every patriot laptop sold dedicated to a charity that specifically supports wounded soldiers and their families!

It's time for Dell to be AMERICAN PROUD!!!! 54 Comments »

Start by improving tech support

Service and Support submitted by stultificare Apr 16

I have a laptop that won't POST. In my first online chat with Dell, the tech diagnosed it as bad memory. I knew this was wrong because the memory worked fine in another laptop and known good memory didn't help out my laptop.

So I got on chat again and the tech determines that it's a bad LCD panel. I tell the Dell tech that I think it's the mobo, but he says it's the LCD and dispatches an on-site tech with an LCD kit. If a new LCD fixes a laptop that won't POST, it'll be the first time in my years of tech support that that's been the case. I try chatting with another Dell tech, but none of them will send me a mobo until the LCD swap is tried.

The on-site tech shows up and the first thing I tell him is "I don't think this is going to work." He laughs and says that he saw the work order and doesn't think that this will work either. Sure enough, it doesn't.

So I hit up another Dell tech and finally get a motherboard and a technician dispatched. The next day the tech decides not to show up or call. I get on Dell chat but nobody can give me contact info for the tech. That's especially frustrating because while I don't like changing laptop motherboards, it's something that I can do and if I knew how to reach the tech, I could have gotten the part from him.

Around noon I let my Major Account Rep know that the tech hasn't gotten in touch with me. My Major Account Rep says he'll escalate the call. The net effect of the escalation does not result in a technician coming out that day. It does result in my Inside Account rep calling me at 5:30pm to open a ticket which then results in my getting an email a couple of hours later that the replacement part has been dispatched.

So I have a dead laptop and a part that's been dispatched. In other words, it's back to square one. I can't wait to see if the technician will show up tomorrow.

The especially good part is when I asked if there was a way that I could just ask for a part to be dispatched and I was directed to the Warranty Parts Direct site where I had the opportunity to pay money to become certified to to the job that Dell Tech Support should be doing.

Instead of trying to be all cutting edge, try improving the basics:
*Hire tech support personnel who can think and troubleshoot and have enough flexibility in their job to send out a new mobo even though the blinking lights indicate that it's an LCD problem.
*Keep a closer rein on the on-site techs so that they can be easily reached.
*Make an "escalation" of a trouble ticket actually mean something.

As an aside, I've tried Dell Gold Support and found it no better than regular support. I've also tried to get support on systems purchased with 4-hr same day support. I've never succeeded in getting same day service.

Here's a contrast: At my old job, we had a Lenovo laptop that kept failing. Someone finally complained to our sales rep who looked up the specs of the system, managed to find a laptop of nearly identical specs, and he drove it over to our office himself and swapped it for our flaky one. And that was a place where we only bought a few dozen Lenovos each year. Comment »

Quality Checks by Humans

Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by lambchops468 08/31/07

I ordered a Inspiron 1520 and I am fed up with the issues:

crashed hard drive (first 6 days) (I will forgive this one, happens on every manufacturer, its just luck)
vibrating optical drive (shakes entire notebook, abnormal, new one fixed it)
Grainy Screen
Headphone Noise
Casing Defect (bulge in case seam, can see inside notebook)

I think that dell should instute a quality check system on the computers they ship out. Not just tests that can be run on the computer automatically, but a actual person physically inspecting/testing the function of the notebook such as:
- Grainy Screen/backlight bleed (go get a HP laptop and see the difference, go to the store)
- Headphone Noise
- Casing Defects
- Optical Drives that make too much noise
- squeaky keys
- and other issues that cannot be detected by a hardware check running on a CPU

If you do not have the finances to create such a program, then you can add the service as part of the warranty, with a garuntee that the devices that are checked will not have problems on arrival. (So therefore the QC is optional)

This will actually make/save money because people like me won't have to send their laptops back and forth wasting your shipping money/technician fee replacing parts that would be replaced anyway at the quailty check program.

you could also send a special survey to early-adopters to identify the biggest problems in a new computer line and check those at quailty check, certifying those parts free of defects. 45 Comments »

Lower Prices of Batteries, especially Replacements

Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by gear Apr 18

I realize there is a temporary battery shortage that is driving up prices and also the high cost associated with getting bad batteries that have to be recalled.

However, I know that there are many Li-Ion battery suppliers in China that are currently not qualified as Dell Suppliers and will need a certain amount of work to come up to your quality specs.

Why not begin a program to upgrade their capabilities leading to a more diversified source of batteries, and hopefully, lower prices?

In the mean time, I understand that there are shortages, but it is unconsciousable to raise your prices for replacement batteries to $300 for a 9 cell battery.

That is the level of robbery associated with Sony.

If there is a shortage, hold prices stable but impose rationing instead. 3 Comments »

Provide a fix for Media Direct instead of asking user to reformat

Servers and Storage, Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by programatix Apr 26

Dell Media Direct feature is too easy to break. A minor change to the partition layout or size will simply break it. When this happen, pressing the Media Direct button when the system is turned off will not start Dell Media Direct anymore.

The current solution from Dell is to reformat the HDD. This is unacceptable. There should be a way to fix it! So far, I tried in vain.

I've encountered this problem several times and I'm tired of reformatting the HDD just to make Media Direct to work.

The problem always started with error like, "MD Extention Partition Error" when the Media Direct button is pressed when system is off. This is what I've tried to fix the problem,

• Start using Media Direct CD. Quit the process to return to command prompt. Run "setupmd /diskno=0 /type=DD". Run "md3patch". Reboot. After this process, if I press the Media Direct button to start the system, it will just display Media Direct splash screen and stay there.
  
• Boot up to Vista. Insert Media Direct CD. Go to DellKit folder. Run "md3utils /mapmd3=x". Checked drive X: and everything seems fine. Tried to rebuild the drive by running "XPS M15301.exe" and "XPS M15302.exe" but it doesn't solve the problem.
  
• Since Vista is in partition 3 and MD3 is in partition 4, I tried running "rmbr DELL 3 4" in DellKit. Doesn't solve the problem either.
  

I also found out that the MD3 partition is hidden with unknown state because the type of the partition is set to "DD". If I set it to "OB", it will turn into FAT32 and can be viewed normally with Windows Explorer.

I don't see anything special with the implementation of MD3 partition but why is it so complicated in reviving it when it is broken? Please Dell, instead of asking users to reformat the HDD, provide a way to fix it or rebuild it without reformatting the HDD. 3 Comments »

Explain the difference between different processors

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site submitted by ccpljat Apr 26

Somewhere on your website you need to explain the difference between different processors or provide a comparison chart. For example, there is a difference between the Intel Celeron 2.0 GH processor and the Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GH processors. Also provide information comparing Intel to AMD Sempron, and their other processors. 1 Comment »

Give XPS Notebooks Gigabit Ethernet

XPS products submitted by croftki Feb 17

I understand that Dell market research says home users in general are not interested in gigabit ethernet for home networks. Those who pay for the premium design in the XPS line, however, are more likely to want gigabit ethernet. I would rather buy something more exciting than a business class notebook, but I want to build on my home technology with each purchase I make. XPS Notebooks unfortunately do not help me do this. It seems my only option is to buy a Latitude. 28 Comments »

Keep AXIM 51v...just upgrade it....would be AWSOME !!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Broadband and Mobility submitted by pillsbury 10/08/07

I want an Axim X51V that can make phone calls! Why not be able to have your cake and eat it too? I think Dell could market the PDA phone like they did the Axim line (and iMate is) by having different form factors and performances to chose from. The phone I desire, that is not made YET, would have the following essential specs listed in no particular order:
1. 3.5" VGA screen for viewing excel, word and pdf documents with tv out functionality
2. Fast processor, 520 mhz or better
3. GPU
4. Dual memory slots, preferably one of them being CF (for my 12g card), so I can watch movies, listen to music, iGuidance maps etc. and ability to recognize a SD, Mini SD, or Micro SD card larger than 2gs.
5. No QWERTY keyboard, I'd rather slim it down
6. WM 6
7. Quad band phone, triband is useless in the US
8. Obligatory bluetooth and wifi with the latest specs
9. A 3.5mm audio jack, not the mini usb jacks coming out now, for my Shure E2C headphones
10. 2gs of ROM
Desired features:
1. On board GPS receiver
2. FM radio
These specs are basically an improvement of the O2 XDA Flame or an Axim X51V that can make phone calls along with a couple of other features that were speculated to have been incorporated in future Axims. I'd shell out big money for this device but given Dell's past record of being able to control costs I'd bet that they would be a major player in this market.
This would be a rockin system, would sell like Hot cakes !! 1 Comment »

WM6 upgrade

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by leovu 03/22/07

Absolutely, I too would love to see Dell come up out with the Mobile 6 upgrade for us Comment »

Dell should make a free upgrade to Windows Mobile 6

submitted by firer 05/03/07

2 Comments »

Time to bring out the QUAD-CORE processors...!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops submitted by michaelyork29 09/20/07

Dell,

I think its about time you bring in the new quad-core processors from Intel (and maybe AMD when they come out with them) as an option on some of the new desktops and possibly laptops. People who multi-task on their computer of use a lot of CPU power need these processors and by doing this you'll also be one of the few companies now putting these processors in consumer desktops which would give you an advantage to the "others."

18 Comments »

Ad Campaign: What can you do with Ubuntu?

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by limulus 09/04/07

There are currently ideas under review, such as "make ubuntu shine" which relate to advertising Dell's Ubuntu systems. If Dell decides to do some ads, here's an idea for an ad campaign:

"What can you do with Ubuntu?"



Find one or more people who have bought a Dell Ubuntu system and have them show off what they can do with their systems; string the clips those together into a commercial. Some themes that should become obvious:

* easy software installation and updates

* command line not necessary (Ubuntu is very much a GUI OS)

* compiling software not necessary

* full range of applications

* 3rd party proprietary apps, like Flash and Google Earth

* all the little games you could ever want (e.g. Sudoku)

* 'it just works'

* "wobbly windows" and other spiffy cool effects for fun :)

[see also my other ad campaign ideas: Families Switching to Ubuntu and Meet Mark Shuttleworth ] 26 Comments »

create free phone number for call centers for all countries

Service and Support submitted by siger 09/28/07

create free phone number for call centers for all countries

this idea is available for call centers for help and for call centers for informations ! 6 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 »

Distribute Ubuntu Cds

Advertising and Marketing, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by badblood 09/18/07

Believe it or not I need a copy of Ubuntu that I can buy or pick up free in a computer shop.

Why?

Because my internet connection is bad and I just simply can't download Ubuntu and all the driver updates and what not. And I am not alone. About the fastest internet connection you can get in Africa is ADSL running at 4megps, through an unreliable phone line that times out every two seconds. I think Australia isn't much better. What's more there are limits on how much you can download before your account gets suspended or you need to pay more.

Ubuntu needs distribution support, as do all open source offerings. Don't assume we all have lightening fast connections.

Dell distribute Ubuntu CDs.

And anyone reading this who owns a computer shop, you should distribute Linux CDs too!!

Thanks - I really hate my internet connection, truly! 15 Comments »