drofwarc243

XPS-Whole of life upgrade!

XPS products submitted by kcobley Feb 8

Today I received an email reply to my request for upgrading the CPU on my XPS720 BIOS A05 to an Intel E8500. The text of the reply " Dell does not offer processor or motherboard upgrdes for discreet items.Dell does not recommend upgrading the processor or motherboard in any given system as the design layout has been customized on all Dell systems and the power of the system may not be suitable for the system.Dell does not recommend that you perform an upgrade of the processor as this might damage the system."

The first rule of gaming PC's THEY MUST BE UPGRADEABLE and that includes Motherboards, CPU's,PSU's!

The second rule of gaming PC's Machine information and software updates such as the recent BIOS A05 must be accompanied by information posts, that tell customers what these updates do!

The third rule of gaming PC's DON'T MISINFORM YOUR CUSTOMERS that bizzare email is gobbledegook, what does the phrase "the power of the system might not be suitable for the system " MEAN!

An XPS buyer is likely to know what is possible. The E8500 is according to Intel's publicity requires both less power and cooling that its predecessors!The A05 BIOS is required and it fit's the 775 socket. SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM!

THE KEY TO SUCESS IN GAMING MACHINE SALES IS LIFETIME UPGRADABILITY AND SUPPORT in other words we don't need to buy new cases especially as the XPS720 case is a large BTX or a PSU or Optical drives. We only need to replace what is needed to be replaced and that's new generation CPU's and the occasional Motherboard on socket change and worn out componentary like hard drives/video cards. It's possible to make money selling upgrade componetary (newegg and other sellers do). It's Dell's business model policy that is the problem. 1) Dell needs to ensure on contracing for motherboards that Both NVidia and Intel are going to support them and not produce compatability problems-It's clear there is some problem with component ordering.On new CPU inroduction Motherboard providers need to be required to test New CPU's with boards. Dell should also test new CPU's on Test machines and after CPU's are tested, they can be released as CPU UPGRADES. Dell could email all XPS owners and offer upgrades to Motherboard ,CPU and other componentry and this could even be carried out by service personel at the customer 's cost (this would also save on warranty claims as a lot of people may replace Graphics cards and CPU's prior to failure in operation).
This is far more environmentally accptable than the previous Dell policy of not upgrading thereby forcing customers into buying new machines. Customer may then purchase continually year in and year out rather than a major purchase every 4 years and ongoing service plans could also be sold.
By whole of life I mean as long as essential components such as motherboards/fans can effectively modernize the machine around 4-5 years, however if an unexpected development occurs that reneders modernization impossible well so be it. One things for sure CPU's/HardDrives (replaced by Solid state) and better ram are going to lower power requirements. GPU cards will eventually lower power also, when they proceed down the Intel road in chip performance rather than the very low tech and sloppy SLI designed to extract as much money as is possible from customers for too little reliablity and performance. 17 Comments »

$299 Laptop

Laptops submitted by jack_satan Feb 1

Dell already sells a completely functional (albeit low-end) Vostro 1000 for $399 with a 15.4 in. screen, 80 GB HDD, Windows, and free shipping. If they just offered the same computer with a 14.1 in. screen, open-source operating system, and 60 GB HDD, they should be able to sell it at $299 with an even better profit margin.

Furthermore, besides for the public relations coup from offering the first fully functional sub $300 laptop, Dell would also be opening up a whole new market of buyers that have been clamoring to get their hands on the OLPC XO, Asus EEE PC, and Intel Classmate. 20 Comments »

Offer Core 2 Extreme X7900 2.8GHz on m1530 and m1330

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by rishitku Feb 9

Cant Dell offer Core 2 Extreme on the XPS M1530,m2010 AND M1330. I also think they should offer Graphic cards like nvidia 8600 512MB. This would make them much more popular xps systems. 5 Comments »

Enable Full features RAID (0, 1, 5, 1+0)

Inspiron products, Vostro products submitted by laurentg06 Feb 11

I just purchased a Vostro 400 system and I would like to set up a RAID 0 configuration with my 2 disks .
But in bios, there is only the option to set up a RAID 1 configuration.
The Vostro and Inspiron motherboard (OEM Foxconn G33M03) has a ICH9R Chipset that allows RAID 0, 1, 5, 0+1

Why Dell has restricted RAID options in the bios setup ?
Please provide us with an updated bios that allows to set up any possible RAID configurations. 18 Comments »

Connecting a Notebook to TV

XPS products, Laptops submitted by jog4joy Feb 9

I have an XPS notebook. In the User's Manual that came with the computer various options for connecting the to a TV are described. These options focus on using the HDMI or the S-Video outputs from the notebook. I recommend that an other, perfectly viable option be described. The option is to take the VGA output from the laptop and connect it to either a VGA or a DVI input on the TV. I use this option (DVI input) with my Sharp AQUOS 46' HD LCD TV. Excellent results. I see it as a perfectly viable alternative to HDMI as I do not need the fancy audio. And the cable is cheaper.

So I recommend that the User Manual include a section on the above option. 6 Comments »

Dell: We are not all BLIND!

Desktops, Monitors and Displays submitted by winoffice Feb 8

Dell: We are not all BLIND! On your 17" NOTEBOOK dislays, you offer a 1920x1200 screen resolution (on that page "WUXGA" means "1920x1200"). Yet on your 17" DESKTOP displays, you offer only a 1440x900 screen resolution.

If you can offer 1920x1200 on a 17" notebook display, then you can definitely do the same for 17" desktop displays. Please offer 1920x1200 on your 17" desktop displays, just like on the 17" notebook displays!

And obviously, of course offer 1920x1200 on all 17"+ screens (by 17"+ I mean 17" or greater, so this includes the 17" screens, as well as the screens that measure greater than that), as Dell currently offers 1920x1200 only on 24"+ screens (by 24"+ I mean 24" or greater, so this includes 24" screens, as they have the 1920x1200 screen resolution). 21 Comments »

Dell... Offer Faster RAM!

Sales Strategies submitted by incubus240 Jan 20

Dell needs to offer faster RAM (i.e. If the FSB on the laptop is 800Mhz then match with 800Mhz RAM rather than 667Mhz RAM). I always have to buy the minimum amount of RAM for the system and end up throwing it away. They charge me $350 for 2GB of 667Mhz then I turn around and purchase 4GB of 800Mhz for $130. Since they make you buy at least 2GB... it is such a waiste! 7 Comments »

Make all AC Adapters 3-prong

submitted by iolanthe Jan 28

As there have been several stories online attributing a "tingle" sensation when using notebooks (of any kind, not just Dell!) that employ an AC adapter with only 2 prongs, Dell should make a 3-prong adapter the standard. The third prong provides a ground, which allows for a much more comfortable feeling as opposed to any kind of tingling or shock. Dell, please do this for the comfort and peace of mind of your customers!

You even talk about it on your own blog:
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/01/18/41538.aspx

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/04/24/8522.aspx

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/08/07/23118.aspx 1 Comment »

Expand Wireless USB to All Systems; Add to Peripherals

Broadband and Mobility, Printers and Ink submitted by coachcg Jan 22

Dell - Thanks for being one of the first to market with notebooks containing wireless USB - the Inspiron 1525 and the Inspiron 1720 ( http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/01/03/40345.aspx ). Could you accelerate WUSB implementation into all your notebooks and then into all your desktops too?

Could you also work on getting WUSB transmitters installed in all your printers and peripherals?

Lastly, it would be great for those that have already purchased existing notebooks if you could work on getting them a wireless USB upgrade - possibly as an express card and/or PCMCIA add on for laptops.

For those who do not know about Wireless USB, here is a good article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_USB

Bluetooth has been nice and probably will need to remain in notebooks for a time, the speed and range of this new WUSB technology will allow us to have much more mobility in our workspace and reduce and/or eliminate the need for docking stations. 7 Comments »

Dell should discuss the rumored ultraportable with us

Latitude products, Laptops submitted by jervis961 Jan 17

There has been much speculation about a leaked picture of a possible upcoming Dell ultraportable. Some say 13.3 inch others think it is 15" and some even speculate it is the 16" from the XPS they showed at CES. Upon magnification you can see it has the following visable: Slot load DVD, 2 USB, Ethernet and 2 other ports (display port and power?) on the left side. Also visable is built in web cam on the LED lit screen. It doesn't appear to have media buttons or a fingerprint reader.

The guys in marketing and developement must be getting sick of being scouped by Engadget and with all the flack they have gotten over the other recent releases (XT, M1330 and M1530). Why not create some good PR, scoup Engadget for once and find out some of the complaints while there is still time to tweak the system. Discuss this system Dell as it can only lead to a better product and greater buzz for it in the process. 45 Comments »

Bring More Support positions to North America

Service and Support submitted by johnsteffens Feb 11

I know for the sites in Canada that this post is far too late but people do not want to speak to individuals whose primary language is not English. This makes communication difficult for several reasons, the person calling in cannot understand the support personal the support personnel may not understand what the caller is stating and there are also large social differences that affect the way people from different cultures interact. I myself have work for Dell in their Edmonton location in the Dell on Call Department and myself have had difficult times conducting a conversations with people in other departments. Also many Dell customers are not aware of the correct terminology for what they are trying to reference and thus making it more difficult to understand what they are trying to get across, this would be a much harder task if your grasp on the language was not 100%. 1 Comment »

give more choice for graphic and sound cards

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by siger Feb 8

give more choice for graphic and sound cards.

i mean to put graphic card option for each computer because i saw notebooks without choice for graphic card. 4 Comments »

Develop A Linux/Ubuntu Compatibility Testing Tool

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by aikiwolfie Jan 24

It's clear now that implementation of Ubuntu across Dells range of desktop and notebook systems is going to be a slow and arduous process. Undoubtedly there's a tone of compatibility testing and bug fixing to be done before Dell can sell most systems to customers that just work. Dell however are holding things back by not utilizing the Linux communities greatest assets. Linux users!

The idea is quite simple. Distribute an automated test pattern to Dell customers who are already running Linux/Ubuntu on their PCs. The automated tool will probe the systems configuration and ask the user about any technical difficulties they face and report the results back to Dell.

With an army of users out there Dell could quickly amass a wealth of valuable test data with respect as to what works and what doesn't work. This would allow Dell to concentrate their Ubuntu efforts on the systems that are most compatible. Which would in turn allow Dell to quickly provide a good range of choice for it's Ubuntu and Linux customer base.

Think of it as a way of Simplifying IT! 8 Comments »

Please have Dell Customer Care Reps that Speak CLEAR ENGLISH

Service and Support submitted by syrics06 Feb 4

I don't know how many times have I called in for service and not been able to understand my Dell Customer Care Rep.

Says it in the title.

Dell Help! 10 Comments »

Make it easier to select a system on dell.com

Dell Web Site submitted by hve.dk Feb 8

First of all: I don't care if my computer is named Vostro, Latitude or Brian ;-)

Please let me:
1) Select / specify components: OS, Processor speed, RAM size, HD size/type, screen size (for laptops) aso
THEN
2) Allow me to buy a system simply by clicking a list systems that fit my needs. 1 Comment »

Stop selling the leftovers in Mexico and at least give the option of buying the same products you sell in USA

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, XPS products submitted by kanoneno Feb 5

I'm interested in buying the M1730, but the thing is that I live in Mexico and here you don't sell that model with the same specs that you offer in the web page of the United States. When you offered the 2.8 Ghz processor in USA you only offered the 2.6Ghz in Mexico. And now you offer the 2.8Ghz processor in Mexico but you dont offer the new Nvdia 8800 GTX, you only offer the 8700. I really want to buy the most actual computer, I work producing video and audio so I need a computer that will last for a long period of time supporting the tasks that I will be asking for (I mean: is not a cheap computer at all). At least offer the chance to buy that.
The thing is that you make me believe that you are only offering leftovers in here, and I dislike that idea big time.
Probably it's only that the web page in Mexico is not actualized. In that case please speak to the web master in Mexico. 1 Comment »

Have AMD CPUS As an option for the Ubuntu Line

Linux submitted by timberwolf753 Feb 8

Give the people choice of CPU's to use in your Ubuntu Line. I want to buy one but I don't use Intel CPU's becasue they suck up power and that is why I use Energy Efficient AMD CPUs. So please, Let us choice if we want an AMD or Intel CPU in our computers. 2 Comments »

64-bit Vista DVD

Operating Systems submitted by cjbarth Feb 4

At the bare minimum include this link http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx on the Dell website next to the option to order a machine with 4GB RAM so that we can all get the proper version of Vista, the 64-bit version.

Chris Comment »

Hard Drive Airbag aka Active Protection System

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by ahazan Feb 9

Dell should offer the featuree available on Thinkpads that senses when the laptop is in freefall and within milliseconds stops the hard drive from spinning 8 Comments »

Dramatically Slash the prices of Large Displays

Monitors and Displays submitted by lugo02 Feb 8

I was considering buying the 2407-HC monitor but then I saw this:
http://www.gateway.com/accessories/product/1541351R.php?seg=hm<

http://www.gateway.com/accessories/product/1541272R.php?seg=hm< of the suddent Dell monitors does not seem so attactive anymore.

Although I would preferably prefer a large Dell monitor to go with my XPS desktop that I will purchase within the coming weeks. the gate 24 incher is certainly attractive and it's very comparible to the current Dell 2407-HC

The Gateway has HDMI imput and 3MS response time in additional to all of other features of the 2407 (except for the media card reader, but for $200 less, it's a no brainer) 2 Comments »