Up to date video drivers: ATI requires Dell's permission...
Gaming, Monitors and Displays, Service and Support submitted by zorgkang
05/08/07
Dell doesn't bother "forwarding" to us video card driver updates released by ATI. There is an easy solution though and all that Dell has to do is say "ok" to ATI. Please read on.
When trying to update directly from ATI, I am told that I can't update my system and I should ask my laptop manufacturer. Frustrated with this, I search for another way to update my drivers and find much information on
http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool/< found out that ATI is not to blame, but Dell is. ATI comments: "We are working diligently on attracting tier1 OEMs to participate in the mobile catalyst program. Once that happens, we will update the validation tool to allow the mobile catalyst drivers to install on those platforms."
So this thread is to strongly insist that Dell join the mobile catalyst program immediately! Please let Dell know we are not satisfied with the video card driver support they provide!
1270
Update Drivers for Laptops
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by benjamin89
09/22/07
Example: nVidia has released multiple new drivers continuing to tweak settings and making them more compatible with Vista and games. Dell has not updated its drivers for nVidia products since June, and one only can install Dell drivers for Dell laptops.
Update the drivers for your products regularly or allow the manufacturer of the product's drivers to install.
750
Put somebody in irc://irc.freenode.net/ubuntu 8 hours per day
Dell Community, Linux, Service and Support submitted by piratehead
10/23/07
Dell has support people that handle calls coming in from people whose computers aren't working great, and that's to be expected of computer companies these days.
It's understandable that you can't spare the resources to put together a sizable support staff for your open source machines running Ubuntu, especially when Canonical already fits the bill.
However, an easy way to connect and provide support to the Ubuntu user base would be to pay a few Linux guys to answer questions in #ubuntu on freenode. You wouldn't need a call center and you wouldn't need to train a huge new staff.
In return, you would get lots of goodwill from the community and increased product visibility. There would be a feeling among Ubuntu users that Dell is there to help and participate. Ultimately, participation is what counts, and even this relatively small bit of participation in the support channel would be very useful and well-received.
70
Mechanical Mouse? Come on...
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Vostro products submitted by eric7609
10/05/07
I recently purchased a Dell Vostro 400 and it came with a mechanical mouse.
Now, come on, really? A mechanical mouse in 2007? I spent over $1500 on this computer and the best you can "throw" in is a mouse with a ball inside it. Optical mice have been around for well over 20 years now, the first one being invented in 1980.
This mouse you gave away with this system is completely unusable as a mouse. I'll have to find something decorative to do with it, I'll go spend $10 and get an optical mouse at my local office store.
430
Website Improvements
Dell Web Site submitted by logi
02/23/07
Another thing Dell needs to work on is to improve their navigation on their website. Clean it up and simplify it. Right now we have to click so many times before we can even get to the area of ordering. Since Dell doesn't display it's products on shelves I would like to see more pictures (zoom ins and zoom outs).
For heavens sakes, look at Apples website or HP's and start turning your company around!!!! Simple, clean and easy to use.
170
All config options avail on small biz and med / large biz portals
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by stewie
07/22/07
I still can't figure out why this happens to me repeatedly, but it's happened three times on different systems in the last year and I'm sorely tempted to give up on Dell.
I'm using this pending purchase as an example because it's fresh in my mind, but I can't possibly be the only one experiencing this.
I'd like to purchase an M4300 but it seems the combination of options
I want is not available on either the small or large biz portals.
This is silly.
Small biz portal has 802.11 n option. its not avail. on med / large portal
med / large portal has turbo memory option. small does not
neither one has the hybrid drive listed.
I checked out a D830 as an alternative, but really want the better video card.
D830 has the similar issues...
Oh and just to make it fun, I can't find a DVD burner for either platform that actually says it's a dual layer.
Also, can't seem to figure out if there's a media bay HD available anymore.
I'd like to run the SSD as primary and a 7200 rpm drive for secondary storage.
Challenges like this really have me considering options other than Dell.
420
Be prepared to fulfill demand when new products launch!
Advertising and Marketing, Inspiron products, Sales Strategies submitted by udonkey
07/01/07
Dell released a full new lineup of inspirons on 6/26/07 with much anticipation and regard from review sites such at PC Magazine.
Unfortunately, Dell clearly was not prepared to fulfill orders on these new systems...
At launch, estimated ship dates on new inspiron products was on or before 7/10/07. Today, five days after launch, these same notebooks are showing an estimated ship date of 7/23-7/30.
While your customers are excited about your new products (myself included, I ordered a 1420), realistically, I can't say that I'm excited enough to wait a month or more for something that I can get similar specs TODAY if I walked into Best Buy. Fortunately, I've got time to think about it, but I might seriously consider another brand in the meantime, because being brand loyal isn't going to get me a notebook any sooner, and currently, I have no computer at all.
380
Offer 32 bit OS and 64 bit OS on website
Dell Web Site submitted by nyyankees625
05/26/07
As a customer to have an option to whether have the computer come with a 32 bit operating system or 64 bit operating system would be great. I know you have to request it when you call into the Dell sales department, but the website does not give you an option for this. So give use an option as to whether to have the 32 bit OS or 64 bit OS.
330
Make a website for disgruntled Dell customers
Dell Community, Service and Support submitted by somdeb
06/19/07
Think about it... there are literally thousands of disgruntled Dell customers out there (counting myself). A huge majority of them do not have an outlet to express just how bad an experience it was to deal with Dell customer support, tech support, sales etc. Even this Dell IdeaStorm website is really geared towards new product ideas, not towards listening to the consumer's issues with specific experiences they have had with Dell.
Dell should look at this as opportunity. Have an online forum where these disgruntled customers can express just what went wrong with their Dell experience. Granted some of these will be mad rants from many, but I am willing to bet that many of these would expose just where Dell's customer experience is going wrong. Maybe each post will need to be backed up with some form of verifiable data to ensure the complaints are legitimate.
This forum can have a voting mechanism where other users vote as to whether they think a post is a mere rant or if they feel this is a valid concern. The number of +ve or -ve votes could be used as an index by Dell to identify potential areas that need to be addressed pronto.
From the customers perspective, there will be a central place to voice their concerns. The fact that it is on a Dell website will make them feel that some of their complaints will get heard.
From Dell's perspective, if they *really* cared for the customer, this is the acid test... direct from the horse's mouth. Dell will save thousands of dollars because they wont need to hire expensive consumer survey companies and get to know the real concerns people have.
Overall, this will be a bold move by Dell... Its like telling the world that you have the balls to take criticism in your stride and fix issues. It will also show that Dell is not afraid to admit that there are (understandably) issues with their customer experiences. Making all posts publicly viewable will show that Dell is not trying to hide anything.
While you are at it, the forum could also have a section which documents how Dell has/will addressed/address some of the more recurring problems that people have.
If Dell can pull this off, this will send the right signals of a company thats honest about its business and cares that extra step for its customers.
To summarize:
1. Forum will allow unsatisfied Dell customers to post their grievances publicly on Dell managed website
2. There may be a requirement for documentation to prove their claims
3. A voting system will vote out obvious pointless rants... so even if such a post sounds harmful to Dell, the number of negative votes should tell other visitors that it is not to be taken seriously.
4. Dell should actively follow up on regularly recurring problems. There should be a section where visitors can see how these problems are being addressed.
5. The priority of fixing problems can be ascertained from the number of positive or negative votes received by the post.
6. This will eventually clean up the IdeaStorm website considerably; right now, there are too many posts which are really just specific issues faced by the consumer and not a new "idea".
510
Dell is in a dire need of a COMPLETE image refresh
Advertising and Marketing, Laptops submitted by mentalman1369
08/15/07
Dell is in a dire need of a COMPLETE image refresh.
Dell needs to completely change the way the general public view their products and services (the only way Dell can repair the damage it has taken to its customer base).
Current opinion of computer users, from casual users to enthusiasts, regard many Dell products (notebooks especially) as ugly, cumbersome beasts. Many users find the sole reason they but a Dell is for its low prices and value. But even this reason is fading, as price-drops from competitors force buyers to consider other brands and deter users from Dell's sometimes truly ugly designs. Modern consumers now pursue sleek and elegant designs in almost everything they buy, and this applies to computers. Dell must re-innovate and redesign their computers to rouse the attention of ALL computer users (the new Inspirons look a little better due to their colour, but their fundamental design is still cumbersome and "brick"-like). This way, customers will choose Dell products to others because of its desirable looks AS WELL AS its low prices and understated customer service. Dell has the ability to engineer amazing products which have great functionality and practicality, but if the presentation of these products is not up to scratch, people will dismiss what lies within.
The XPS M1330 is a great first step (including adding small extra touches such as the remote, fingerprint reader, touch controls and WLED screen), and Dell MUST continue this trend of designing objects of pure desire if they wish to become market dominant (and even adding more, like backlit keyboards, adaptive display brightness, etc.). Dell cannot seem to be lagging behind other companies in product aesthetics (adding different colours to laptops simply ISN'T enough to attract the attention Dell needs and deserves), for this is what general consumers see representing company. Dell needs to start imitating other companies who are promoting their products by making everything to do with their company and products attractive (though using spin doctors similar to those employed by HP (who create laughable and senseless adverts) is NOT recommend). However, it is important that new computer designs DO NOT compromise on functionality or integrity of the product (e.g. cases should be strong but still attractive (problems like the M1330 paint debacle must first be overcome, of course)).
It is imperative that Dell improves on the way they project themselves to the general public (a good recent example is Jeff Clarke's outfit while unveilling Dell's new amazingly thin Latitude tablet (a professional business unit): that outfit really isn't great for Dell's general image (even if the video won't be view by the general public, and no personal offense intended, Mr. Clarke)). Dell should unify the image of its products and services, designing sleek and elegant computer cases, advertising its excellent customer service and promote itself in a more prominent way, such as opening more Dell Kiosks, a new logo and the like.
Dell, it's time for action!
480
Dell Paypal Payment with dell.com & dell.co.uk
Dell, Dell Web Site submitted by helmecj01
06/01/07
Offer PayPal as a payment option on dell.com
What Is PayPal?
PayPal, the trusted leader in online payments, enables buyers and businesses to send and receive money online. PayPal has over 100 million member accounts in 103 countries and regions. It's accepted by merchants everywhere, both on and off eBay.
Is it safe to use?
PayPal helps protect your credit card information with industry-leading security and fraud prevention systems. When you use PayPal, your financial information is never shared with the merchant.
Why use PayPal?
* Make purchases or send money with PayPal – it’s free
* Shop and pay conveniently by saving your information with PayPal
* PayPal is accepted by millions of businesses worldwide and is the preferred payment method on eBay
200
Easy link to Linux offering from homepage
Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by kweiner
06/21/07
Currently it is very difficult to discover that Dell offers computers preinstalled with Ubuntu Linux. There should be a link to the Ubuntu offering somewhere from the dell.com home page. There should also be a link from any of the product pages that describe a Dell system with Windows.
500
Stop lying.
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz
08/02/07
You just sent me another dead-tree-catalog full of "Dell Recommends Vista" on most pages; and practically everywhere I go on your web site I see it.
Yet the press reports that you guys are smart enough to hold off on deploying it yourselves no matter how strongly you "recommend" it to others.
Intel, Dell hold off on internal rollout of Vista
...
Dell has also not yet rolled out Vista internally, ..."We are pretty much in the same position as Intel within Dell," he said Thursday. "We knew we would roll out Vista internally faster than any other OS (but) if we are at the SP1 level it is going to be safer."
Please change your "Dell Recommends Vista" lies with "Dell recommends holding off like we're doing internally". on both your website and send print corrections to customers you lied with in print.
Dell - please stay focused on the highest-voted ideas, though. Don't distract yourselves with this one until you've addressed the ideas below which have been the top-ranked ideas for at least 6 months without adequate responses..
- 147,808 - dhart - Pre-Installed Linux [and not just on a couple obsolete models in limited geographies]
- 127,719 - dhart - Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
- 107,313 - robinjfisher - Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
- 89,183 - ootleman - No Extra Software Option [only a couple models are crapware-free today]
- 78,007 - gergnz - Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
- 73,600 - agreer - No OS Preloaded [and not just on a couple obsolete models]
970
Promote student discount on a large scale
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site submitted by gatorbay
07/12/07
I know that there is currently a post similar to this already, and perhaps this could be merged to it. The previous post just asks for a student discount, which i know exists already. My proposal is to advertise and promote the student discount on a large scale. based on this site alone, a lot of people don't even know it exists. if not advertising it, at least make it easy to get to the discounts from the dell.com home page.
300
Dell post a Dell Stock Ticker on the front of the Dell website to indicate your strong stance in your company!
Dell Web Site submitted by jorge
06/13/07
Putting the Dell Stock Value on the front of the Dell web page will state your value in buying a Dell computer!
I.E.
OR,
Dell Inc.
(Public, NASDAQ:DELL) - Add to Portfolio - Discuss DELL Find more results for Dell
27.25 Open: 27.04 Mkt Cap: 61.90B P/E: 23.52
High: 27.31 52Wk High: 28.04 F P/E: 18.70
+0.33 (1.23%) Low: 26.92 52Wk Low: 18.95 Beta: 1.09
Jun 13 - Close Vol: 15.93M Avg Vol: 18.29M EPS: 1.16
PS: dell_admin1 has yet to add a finance category so had to use other, sorry about that. Good help is hard to find, I know.
80
 track my votes
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