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Don't make it difficult for people to find Ubuntu machines

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by xivulon 08/09/07

Ubuntu is now shipped to Europe, but it is hidden away and not that obvious to find. If you did not follow the news, you would probably have missed it completely. What link do people usually follow when buying a laptop at dell.co.uk? They follow the most preminent links:

Notebooks > Home > Home Essential Notebooks

This is where they usually end up to: http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_good?c=uk&...

The inspiron 6400 does come with Ubuntu, but do you see a "Select with ubuntu" button anywhere? I don't think so. If you want a Ubuntu machine you have to get there via a completely different route, by selecting the OS first (on the less visible left column) and then the machine... You can do that for XP too, but with XP you can also select the machine first and then the OS. Why is it not the same with Ubuntu? Moreover, if you click on the laptop image, it will automatically select Vista (thus giving it far more preminence).

So, I am glad Dell started shipping Ubuntu, but to me it looks like they only want to make informed geeks happy, while hiding the option to average joe. If Dell was really serious they should have Ubuntu listed in the customization section of each and every supported machine.

Customize your Operating System:

* Ubuntu Linux [subtract £30]
* Genuine Windows XP [Included in price]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English [Included in Price]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English [add £23.50]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate (32Bit) - English [add £117.50]

There is already a conflict-resolution message, so you could easily signal incompatible OS/hardware choices. The above is what I call "choice", anything else is muddling the water. 6 Comments »

Ubuntu on 12.1 or 13.3 inch laptops

Linux, Laptops submitted by miceagol 05/31/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Preload Ubuntu on your 12.1 (XPS M1210) or 13.3 inch (XPS M1330) laptops. As it is now, there's only one choice for a laptop, and that choice is not a light laptop. The 12.1 inch and 13.3 inch laptops are much better to carry around than heavy 15 inch++ laptops.




Check out the Idea in Action update.
73 Comments »

Sell Linux PCs Worldwide - not only the United States

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ergo 05/02/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Dell has now decided to sell computers with Linux pre-installed. GREAT MOVE! But for the moment, it only concerns the US... Here outside the US, we can't wait to buy a pre-installed Linux Dell PC! Please sell Linux PCs worldwide!


Check out the details on Dell Linux systems worldwide!
524 Comments »

Dell Must Use Ubuntu Stickers! {Pics Inside}

Linux submitted by thebittersea 06/10/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

97 Comments »

Dell's Commitment to Ubuntu doesnt seem strong enough

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by dwood 11/16/07

Seriously. Before I even pick a laptop I am being told that: "Dell recommends Windows Vista® Home Premium." How much do you get paid for that by Money-Soft? And then on the right side of your site there is this tab-banner that is asking me if I want Windows XP still. Where is the open source link? all the way down at the bottom left hand portion of the site (Least likely section to be looked at)

"You asked, we listened" yeah, right two cheap lines
" For advanced users and tech enthusiasts," Yeah. if only I ddint find Ubuntu easier to use than Windwos.
" we’re happy to offer a new open-source operating system," - and just how many ideas did it take for you guys to "listen" to us?"

"we are soon to be offering Opensuse to users in China?" <-> What about the rest of the world? < I noticed something was wrong there, and fixed it

Seeing little progress, is nice, but MORE would be GREAT!

Why arent you guys puruing Open Source more.... tenaciously? 64 Comments »

Retain XP as an option

Operating Systems submitted by tadpole 10/28/07

For months I have been trying to configure a new computer; but I want to do it with XP, NOT Vista. Dell is making it so difficult for me to do so - virtually everything I want (I am a home user and rekatively inexperienced) is only available with Vista. I am so annoyed by this that I have complained to the European Commission's Competition Directorate, suggesting that Dell and Microsoft are engaged in a concerted practice, seeking to boost respectvely hard- and software sales. I cannot imagine that Dell's intention is to lose customers - look at PC World's recebt Vista-related profits drop - but if they continue to foist Vista upon those that do not want it, then this will be the result, albeit reluctantly, in my case. Please, Dell, make XP available as an option on ALL your systems. 18 Comments »

Dell: When you finally offer the No-OS option on all your computers leave out the BloatWare, Thanks!

Operating Systems - Multiboot, Software submitted by jorge 10/26/07

So you don't get it wrong, when you finally offer the highly touted No-OS on all your computers on the Dell.com website and new 3rd party distribution stores and refurbished sites, leave out (don't include) the BloatWare you painstakingly include on your other bloat filled OS's. This included the FreeDOS CD by the way, the DellDiag CD/DVD is a welcomed option though. 8 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 »

Put a physical bluetooth switch on laptops

Broadband and Mobility, Laptops submitted by badblood 10/30/07

So you can easily switch it on and off and see that it's on or off.... 10 Comments »

Make it better known that you sell Solaris.

Advertising and Marketing, Dell, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz 11/13/07 **IN PROGRESS**

matt_d from Dell wrote this comment under another Idea

Dell does already sell Microsoft Windows versions, several Linux distributions, and yes, even Solaris to some customers.

Really? Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that Dell sells Linux workstations you can satisfy most any company's needs in the office/desktop/laptop space. The only reason we'd need to go to any other vendor is for some servers running Solaris (which Sun and IBM are both happy to sell us). At work the low end servers have Linux, but the high end ones are still Sun/Solaris/Oracle.

1. Let us know which Dell Models support Solaris. Apparently some of them do, since you say that you sell Solaris.
2. Get it into your advertising material that you sell not only Linux, but also Solaris, so our execs can see it and think of you when they're buying serious servers
3. Let us know how to buy one -- I can't find it anywhere on your site.

Making it known that you sell Solaris could go a long way from changing your brand image from "that discount commodity wintel vendor" to "someone serious who can meet all IT needs".

Seriously -- while Dell counts for most of our servers (counted by number of servers) Dell probably isn't most of our server-budget because right now we only consider Dell for low-end, cheap servers. If our execs knew you had Solaris on your highest-end servers; that'd be an opportunity in a segment we don't even consider Dell for today. 46 Comments »

Linux Customer Survey

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by aikiwolfie 11/12/07

I've noticed Dell likes it's on-line surveys. So why hasn't one been done for Linux? If it has can we see the results?

Conduct an on-line survey of customers asking them if they have;

1 ) Heard of Linux?

2 ) Used Linux in the past?

3 ) Intend to use Linux in the future?

4 ) Currently use Linux?

5 ) What are/were the systems specs of the PC Linux was installed on?

6 ) Which distributions have they used?

7 ) Which distribution do they prefer?

8 ) Why did they stop using Linux?

9 ) What problems have they encountered using Linux?

10 ) If they haven't heard of Linux, what do they think Linux is?

11 ) Do they want to buy Dell PCs with Linux installed?

12 ) List the applications you use the most on Linux.

13 ) Are there any applications you would like moved to the Linux platform that are not currently offered on Linux.

14 ) Is there any particular piece of hardware you'd like to see supported in Linux?

15 ) Would you like to see better hardware virtualization support, better bleeding edge support and better thread handling (processors are hardware too) 96 Comments »

Restore disk for Ubuntu

Linux submitted by limerat 11/13/07

People who use Windows get a restore disk,people who use Linux should get a restore disk as well.
I just bought a Dell last week...The update manager stopped working in Ubuntu.. So I went to the Ubuntu forums and pasted in the correction into the terminal which should have fixed the problem.-
It did not work.
I reinstalled the OS.
The machine would no longer go on line.
I finally end up at Dell tec support for Linux where I'm told there are missing drivers..So since Dell already knows about this,why are the drivers not installed on Ubuntu or supplied on a recovery disk,along with instructions for people new to Linux?
Anyway, I'm sent to a web page to download the drivers. Lucky for me a friend has let me borrow her computer,or I'd be up the creek without a paddle. I have yet to burn the disk though,as I'm only a guest on said computer.

I have to wonder who else this has happened to and if they can't download the drivers,what have they done? Have they set the machine on the curb for trash pickup?
This foul up is going to make a lot of people really unhappy and Dell needs to have fixed this before they decided to load Linux on their first box. There is no excuse for such inept sloppiness on the part of a professional company.
Had I known about this, I NEVER would have bought a Dell.

Anyway,I just so you know,Dell did provide a video drivers disk with Ubuntu...The problem was the disk had only Windows drivers....Which is useless..
Somebody at Dell needs to get a clue. 7 Comments »

Make the dell ubuntu models available through the main webpage

Dell Web Site, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by rajeevbhatta 06/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Instead of having the model listings on a different webpage ( www.dell.com/open) have these models available from the product search you have on the main page or a link available through the main page (www.dell.com)

When I go to dell.com and I search for the product model numbers I never can find them I have to go to the other page and then I see it. The only thing I saw on the main page is a small flash ad which then takes you to the page.

Why cant you place these models with the other models on your page.........





30 Comments »

Linux Drivers for All Dell Devices

Linux, Monitors and Displays submitted by grifter 10/24/07 **REVIEWED**

If Dell truly wishes to promote their Ubuntu line of computers then they should make sure that all of their devices work properly with the OS. For instance, the SP2008WFP monitor, while it does display everything fine, does not have drives for Linux systems of any kind. This is most certainly a hamper for any Ubuntu users to want to buy a Dell peripheral.


Please see john_h and matt_d's comments
14 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 »

Im not Feeling the serious-ness of your TWO Ubuntu lines

Linux submitted by dwood 11/11/07

seriously, Dell, I found the computers you offer to come with Ubuntu a joke. seriously, no one is going to want to even try Ubuntu with the way you advertise it on your site.

I dont find how you guys can actually be taking Ubuntu seriously with the way you guys sell it.

On customization of the ONE Ubuntu laptop:
First off, changing the color on a laptop, should be included in price, because its just the back of the laptop screen thats changing, not the entire laptop.

Why cant I select more kinds of processors? three isnt exactly overwhelming me. Wheres Amd? you dont even let them compete with Intel in that sector? Also, those Intel Processors are junk compared to whats really out there.

About the support section:
IF we didn't customize the computer we would not be getting hardware support? WHAT? and it costs $275 to get any better support?
Ubuntu 7.04 is the only one you offer? what if I wanted 7.10? whats up? I thought you guys were supposed to constantly update your site.

I also noticed under the little asterisk the following:
"pricing, shipping & handling and monthly payment information is subject to change without notice"
So if I payed 25 monthly it could go up to 50 a month *without* notice?

On display: 14.1" for Ubuntu is kinda wimpy. where are my options if I was going with Ubuntu?

On graphics card: ONLY an INTEL graphics embedded card? what the heck? are you guys REALLY serious about Ubuntu?

On Memory: Its okay. cant complain there.

On HDD's What if I want an 80GB HDD but more RPMs? I have to get a 160 GB HD drive to get 7200 rpm's ($100 more than the 5400 rpm one)

Your optical drives are WI-MPY 24x for (CD) R is stupid, but it can only READ DVD's? 6x for a DVD-RW with Dual layer RW? bull. my drive cost 50 dollars. and it can do all that at 46x Write, 52x Read

Only an Intel wireless device? thats still Bull. you know, it would be nice if you guys actually showcased their competitor's Wireless devices.

Your batteries are okay there.

Better sound card choices would be GREAT!.

I might as well buy another computer than get your 4 yr warranty.......

I find it funny how you guys give away free recycling kits with your computers.....

As last, wheres an integrated webcam? an option for one of those would be cool.

I know, after looking at the choices for open source Dell is not serious about Ubuntu but I am and I know millions others are (up to 30 million)

Give us more powerfual choices in customizing and other pcs.

to see where I got this info look here: here 9 Comments »

PCIe Flash Drive for OS

New Product Ideas, Laptops submitted by coachcg 11/14/07

This would be great to get in new Dell laptops:

SanDisk revealed Vaulter, a 8GB or 16GB flash drive that can hold your entire OS, designed to sit on the PCIe port inside a laptop. In Windows, this creates a separate letter drive, which speeds the heck out of your computer, without taking the place of your 2.5" SATA-connected HDD. It's not a Santa Rosa "Robson" thing either—it's a real drive, not some caching assistant. (In case you're wondering, Mac support is coming.) Performance acceleration comes from "pre-controlling the distribution of storage data between itself and the hard drive." The fact that it's on the PCIe port means that both storage devices can work in parallel. Now, the bad news: SanDisk is only offering it to OEM partners at first. We won't be able to buy them a la carte for a little while.

Even better if we can get them for upgrades to current laptop models. 14 Comments »

No OS Preloaded

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by agreer 02/17/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.


Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.

459 Comments »

Tell us what WiFi chipset a laptop has.

Broadband and Mobility, Dell Web Site, Linux, Laptops submitted by tonyb2006 08/29/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Tell us the WiFi chipset used in a laptop before we buy it so we know if the WiFi chipset supports a feature we want, or if it supports Linux or another operating system that we intend to use. The WiFi chipset being like "Intel ipw2200" or "Broadcom BCM4306", or "Ralink rt2500".







19 Comments »

Dell: Support Open BIOSes for Linux

Dell, Linux submitted by phubert 10/10/07 **REVIEWED**

An Open BIOS for Linux would free it from the DOS legacy code and speed boot times.

The current BIOS is a legacy throwback... it's time to replace it!






Our current priority is to expand Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Read what daniel_j has to say.





26 Comments »