eaglewonj

Low profile, solid state servers

Servers and Storage, Small Business, Simplify IT submitted by arbitraryconstant 3:20pm

We've had great success with lower profile servers internally and with clients. Some examples of OEMs that sell these machines:

http://www.soekris.com/
http://www.portwell.com/

There's a few key attributes that define these sorts of machines, and give them their advantages over more conventional entry servers, if an entry server doesn't cost much more:

-Cheap SSDs as the default storage (typically compact flash). If there's not much I/O, these are less of a maintenance headache than RAID. Hard drives are handy if they're optional.
-Lower overall system power. These machines use embedded or mobile CPUs for the most part, and this also leads to fewer fans (or none). This makes the system quiet, allows it to be deployed in poorly ventilated areas, reduces power usage in a rack, etc.
-Serial console in addition to VGA, since a display and keyboard aren't always convenient if the machine is in a closet somewhere (Linux can handle this). Many organizations are used to dealing with serial consoles on their switches, so this isn't that big a deal.

We've used systems like this as file servers, various things that don't virtualize well like busy DNS servers, firewalls, etc. The power available in lower power platforms has even expanded to the point where Windows servers aren't even a problem.

The big problem with Soekris and Portwell and OEMs like them are that they really leave you to your own resources in a lot of ways. The documentation is highly technical but doesn't cover OS support, and they don't offer fast turnaround support contracts or supported OSes and software. Ultimately this is worthwhile if you're using more than a few of the machines, but an OEM like Dell would be welcome because the support would be much better for shops too small to do the homework necessary to do support in-house. Comment »

Advertise some of the breathtakingly amazing stuff done by Dell computers.

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by jmxz 3:21pm

Why isn't stuff like this hyped by Dell's Marketing and PR firms.

Dell Cluster Performs Surgery

Dell Linux Cluster with 5,840 processors at the Texas Advanced Computing Center in Austin, performed laser surgery on a dog without the intervention of a surgeon.

When I read articles like that, my reaction is *OH WOW, DELL REALLY IS A HIGH TECH COMPANY* rather than just the budget wintel clone company that most people see it as. Comment »

MLG Gaming

Dell, Gaming submitted by gamer128 4:28pm

You know what I think? I think that Dell should be more involved with gaming. They already have one of the greatest o buy desktops ever, the XPS 630. Plus more gamers would want to buy from Dell. Maybe even hosts their own gaming competitions for XBOX LIVE. 3 Comments »

XPS Laptops

Dell, Gaming, New Product Ideas, XPS products, Laptops submitted by gamer128 4:37pm

I think this is the one question that most mobile gamers want to know. Will Dell make a laptop like the M1530 that is a gaming laptop? I don't mean like high end, just a laptop that can do well with most PC games out there. Think...imagine if Dell could partner up with NVIDIA to make a graphics card that is powerful to handle...like Crysis! And that when that graphics card gets old, or the motherboard, you could just get an upgrade just like the desktops. 4 Comments »

Fast Computers

Dell, New Product Ideas submitted by gamer128 4:54pm

On PCWorld and PCMag, they say that when Windows is loaded onto an Apple, Windows runs faster! That is a big shame to all Windows fans. I mean if Dell could make all their computers run as fast as possible, without their preloaded junk, which I'm pretty sure that's what makes it go slow, then consumers, especially gamers would start to consider Dell's computers 2 Comments »

Hover Laptop

submitted by badblood 7:49am

Create the first Hover Laptop.

Take the laptop fan in a dual processor computer and point it downwards. Put a skirt around the base of the computer.

Voila! It Hovers.....
. 4 Comments »

Have all options for all configs

submitted by mathew_rankin Yesterday

I've notice if you chose a system starting at $999 you get different options then the one at $1499. You may get a larger HD such as 320GB on $999 but for the 1499 the option starts at 320 goes up to 640GB Why? If someone wants to get a lower end graphics card at 999 but get a huge HD they should be able to do so....

Offer all options on all configs.... Comment »

house fire slides

submitted by tramainejones28 Yesterday

hello my name is tramaine and my big idea is called fire slides and the idea is that the slides work alone wit the smoke detector, so wen the smoke detector go off the slides automatic comes out under the window so the family wont be traped or have to run threw the house while its on fire. 13 Comments »

Buy a laptop, get free ipod SHOULD = buy a laptop, get free ZUNE

Advertising and Marketing submitted by chylag123 Yesterday

Dell could do more to target the college market. Apple is offering a promotion until September where ANY purchase of an apple laptop includes a FREE 8 GB IPOD touch for students. (www.apple.com for verification) I am attracted to the Studio series, and am impressed with the many improvements comparable with from the ibook pro (for example, backlit keyboards). However, a free IPOD touch blows Dell out of the water on comparable notebooks.

Also, Apple's student discount is ten times that of what Dell offers ($17 off at 10% of purchasing price from Dell vs. $182 off the least expensive systems listed at $999 from Apple.)

Dell is making it clear it doesn’t value it's collegiate business. As a repeat Dell customer, this is very disappointing. Please reconsider. 7 Comments »

14 inch xps laptop

XPS products submitted by laxboy10 Yesterday

same as 1330 and 1530 but 14 inches. Also, have the larger battery stick straight out, NOT like the 1530 and 1330 15 Comments »

Dell Dock available for download

Dell, Dell Web Site, Software, Laptops submitted by junior Yesterday

for the new product line Studio, there is a release of the Dell Dock, Dell should make this Dock for download on their website for users of Windows XP and Vista. like this:

Dell.com > having a tab saying Dell Dock, new page opens, Dell Dock for Windows XP, Windows Vista tabs......opening Windows Vista tab......two option tabs saying

Windows Vista Tab

Windows Vista 32/64 bit OS
Windows Vista 32/64 bit SP1 OS

Windows XP tab

Windows XP 32/64 bit SP1/SP2 OS
Windows XP 32/64 bit SP3 bit OS
Windows XP 32/64 bit OS

Thats what I think. 6 Comments »

Dell Ultrasharp monitors

Gaming, Monitors and Displays submitted by gamer128 Yesterday

Could Dell make a monitor, that is specifically designed for gaming? And support consoles? And isn't very expensive? Because most HDTV's don't have very sharp quality, and those that do, are very expensive. 2 Comments »

Notebook edge in front

submitted by jjung Yesterday

Please design your notebook edge in front thin and round on top. This might give the illusion, that there is nothing on the table. 3 Comments »

Allow your customers to change the colour of the laptop lid

Laptops submitted by programatix Yesterday

I'm seeing that more and more colours are offered by Dell (after I purchased my laptop) and it really hurt seeing the colour I wanted so much finally being offered but is out of my reach.

It would be great if Dell allows customers to change the colour of the laptop lid (maybe with a small price) after the system is purchased. 13 Comments »

Add removeable drive trays to system configuration

Desktops, Dimension products, New Product Ideas, Small Business, Vostro products, Desktops and Laptops submitted by silver 2 days ago

I have two kids which combine with the requisite digital still and video cameras and digital audio to make for a whole lot of data to backup. To make life a little easier and less frustrating I've installed drive trays and secondary drives in all of our systems. To make a backup I simply turn the computer off, turn the keyswitch on, reboot, make my backup with Acronis True Image, shut down the system, turn off the drive and finally reboot the computer. This is so much faster and more dependable than USB drives. 5 Comments »

De-segregate Laptops

submitted by penguinsa 2 days ago

In my searches of laptops, under "Home & Home Office", I couldn't find any 15.4 inch WUXGA (1920x1200) machines. I foolishly concluded they didn't exist-

BUT THEY DO. They're segregated under "Small Business" but they exist- The Latitude D830, The Vostro 1510...

WHY? If I'm looking for a 15.4" laptop, why is a WUXGA "good enough" for Small Business, but "not good enough" for home users?
When I do a search on 15.4" screens- one of YOUR default Web searches- why are the Business machines excluded?

Are the Home Users simply expected to "Get to the back of the bus" ? How do you justify the segregatiion ? 5 Comments »

Starbucks & Dell

Dell submitted by yuvikaasharma 2 days ago

This is an awesome concept....I always thought that companies have a pro-active approach towards people n this is so perfect....cheers to the technology called internet...:D

I also found a few more companies doing the same thing:

see this: www.diesis.in a guitar school in india which has similar approach...rather the same apporach....thy r lookin at developing a good quality guitar education centre,...a small scale but good really good idea..:) 3 Comments »

Conventional Batteries in Laptops

submitted by penguinsa 2 days ago

My trusty Nikon d70 has an "emergency" spare battery holder. If the rechargeable batteruy goes flat, you fill it with "standard" batteries. Could we have something similar for laptops?

This couples with the idea of LED backlit LCDs. Reduce the maximum voltage, and you reduce the number of cells required. 4 cells at 1.5v each gets you 6 volts.

Disposable C cells have plenty of juice (4500mAh typical). For the uber thin crowd, you might need multiple AA's (2500mAh each) in prallel. Long life isn't the issue- use IN AN EMERGENCY is the issue here.

I like the idea of a compartment at the hinge of a laptop, with a bayonet quick release and the ability to drop in fresh batteries. 5 Comments »

Let us give all features of a mobile phone to laptop

New Product Ideas submitted by sks405 2 days ago

Today mobile phones are getting more powerful with GPS, windows mobile 6.0 and digital camera. They are kind of trying to become laptop.

Why can't a laptop try to give all utilities of a mobile phone? That will help me to keep just a laptop with me. I need mobile phone, GPS and a better camera in my laptop.

Today, I have 13.1 inch notebook which I can easily carry in car or small bag. When I have 2 additional batteries, I can always keep my laptop on. For mobile phone, one software can be made which will mimic virtual mobile phone. There should be any easy place to insert SIM card. For GPS, today I have to attach one hardware and need to install software. It can be made internal. The web camera can be made powerful.

I am sure, when all these features are put in notebook, it will become more useful device of our modern life. It will sale more and more and more.

Regards
Sudhanshu 1 Comment »

Plug and Play WiFi Repeater for laptops

submitted by badblood 2 days ago

I'd like a small USB plug and play repeater and clip on antenna for my laptop. Something to boost the internal antenna quite a lot for when you want to sit in the pool and use the computer, etc... But make it small, not like the whacking great things currently on the market - something to clip to the screen.

Thanks 2 Comments »