Dell Kit Computer - Build it and Learn.
Education submitted by reg
05/02/07
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The Early Home Computers were possible to buy as a build it yourself kit.
Dell should have a basic kit:
- an unassembled motherboard, chips, resistors, capacitors, sockets, wires, etc.
It should be one of the cheaper set ups - under $500.
Kids, and hobby computer enthusiasts can solder together the motherboard components,
install the chips and RAM into the sockets, hook up cables, hard drive and CD burner.
All in a snap together case.
For safety sake - the Power supply and power supply wires are sealed and already built.
But for the motherboard, people get an instructional booklet that teaches them
resistors, capacitors, basic circuit logic, and what each sub component chip does,
from the I/O to the CPU.
Great Holiday gift! And Extremely educational.
I have met far to many people who have no idea whatsoever what goes on inside the box.
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130
Illuminated Dell Bezel on Notebooks
Laptops submitted by sean_p_tweedy
05/02/07
I've often considered my Dell notebook somewhat of a status symbol and feel proud when I am using it. I would love for more people to be able to enjoy the quality of Dell computers and thought that if the front of the laptop stood out a bit more than people would recognize it and want one too.
Here is my idea:
A backlight behind a semi transparent dell bezel on the front of the laptop behind the display. A multiple led backlight that can chance color (similar to what is on the xps 1710) would be really cool too.
110
Create an "upgradable PC" line
Desktops and Laptops submitted by stk
05/02/07
I have to throw away the case, power supply, etc. on upgrading every time.
Why not create a new "upgradable PC" line where I can upgrade to the latest cpu and RAM by just sliding in a replacement card and shipping my old card (CPU and memory) for you to either recycle or re-sell as a factory refurbished system.
This reduces my cost to upgrade my PC, reduces waste, and locks me in as a loyal customer.
220
Affordability and Durability for Student Laptop Initiative
Education, Laptops submitted by hdrews
02/21/07
If our district was to even consider a 1:1 student to computer ratio, we would need something much more affordable than what is out there now. Money could be saved by cutting storage space, video quality, and more. What our students generally need at their desks is the ability to surf the net and work in an "office" suite. Advanced projects can be done in our more robust labs.
Also, a laptop initiative is no good if in-house support increases 10-fold. These have to be durable. If they fall off a desk, they have to keep working. Replacement batteries need to be less expensive or an extra battery should come with each purchase.
4836
Solid State Drive as option in Notebooks
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by tablet205
03/28/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Definition
A solid state drive is primarily a data storage device, for use in computing applications that traditionally use a hard disk drive.
A solid state drive is based on non-volatile memory instead of the spinning platter and mechanical-magnetic head found in a conventional hard disk drive. With no moving parts, a solid state drive eliminates seek time, latency and other electro-mechanical delays and failures associated with a conventional hard disk drive.
Advantages
* Faster startup - Since no spin-up required.
* Faster read time – In some cases, twice or more than that of the fastest hard drives.
* Low read and write latency (seek) time, hundreds of times faster than a mechanical disk.
* Faster boot and application launch time - Result of the faster read and especially seek time. But only if application already resides in flash and is more dependent on read speed than other issues, eg. OS bootup that detects devices will not be significantly sped up even with faster seeks & reads.
* Lower power consumption and heat production - no mechanical parts results in less power consumption.
* No noise - Lack of mechanical parts makes the SSD completely silent.
* Better mechanical reliability - Lack of mechanical parts results in less wear and tear. High level of ability to endure extreme shock, vibration and temperatures, which apply to laptops and other mobile devices, or when transported.
* Security - allowing a very quick "wipe" of all data stored.
* Deterministic performance - unlike mechanical hard drives, performance of SSDs is constant and deterministic across the entire storage. "Seek" time is constant, and performance does not deteriorate as the media fills up (See: Fragmentation).
* Lower weight and (depending upon type) size
* Faster than conventional disks on random I/O
Check out the Idea in Action on the SSD enhancements Dell is making.
7449
Help create Open Source drivers - employ or hire a few developers
Linux, Operating Systems submitted by tingo
02/21/07
The Open Source market is growing - fast.
Dell should invest a small amount in this, in order to gain a huge market share and sales.
Employ or hire a few Open Source developers to create drivers for your products (for Open source operating systems).
Make sure that
- you support as many of the Open Source OS's as you can (Linux, *BSD, others)
- the drivers are completely open sourced (no binary blobs)
- that you take a long time view on this and support the drivers for as many years as you can
- you create open source drivers for ALL new products
- there are no strings attached to the use or further development of those drivers (ie. use an acceptable FOSS license)
This idea is completely free - the first company to use it wins.
6572
Product enhancement for Dell power adapter
Laptop Power submitted by gbrugman
02/21/07
For your information: daily winding and unwinding the notebook connecting cord, will eventually cause the cable shield and isolation to tear down, just outside the housing. It happened to many Dell notebook cords at work, causing the power flow to stop or, even worse, to short-circuit.
The cord at the other end of the AC wall mount doesn't have this problem because this cord already points at the right angle. So as to avoid said problem in the future, both cords should leave the housing in the proper winding-angle: problem solved.
I hope to have been of help, because I think it's a shame that a minor cord problem makes it this risky to work with an otherwise good product. It seems easy enough to remedy. :-)
5855
Organize the sales pages by need, not product line
Dell Web Site submitted by sernovitz
02/03/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
The Dell shopping experience is all about Dell -- not the user. Currently, you have to walk through each product line, narrow by model, etc.
This isn't very useful to my mom, or anyone new to Dell. Even the latitude/inspiron choice is never explained.
Start with features -- walk the user through the choices until they get the perfect PC.
What size do you want? What are you going to do with it? Etc.
Check out our new Assistance Seeker to shop by what you need, not by price!
7644
Backlit Keyboards
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rarmasu
02/21/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I find myself many, many times in dark or poorly lit environments having to guess the various keys - would be fantastic to have a backlit keyboard - with backlit individual keys as the best option.
I would actually pay extra for that convenience if the option was available.
This could be done for desktops or notebooks.
Check out the white LED backlights on the <ahref>XPS M1730.
22310
"Trade In" Program
Advertising and Marketing, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by john_saddington
02/19/07
I'd love to see a "Trade In" Program and/or initiative, where a customer who's been a long time customer could trade in an old system for a new one, or at least, a good sized discount.
I've got an old laptop and seriously need a new one. It's been out of warranty for a long time, but, would love to get a discount for a new one if I could trade it in.
This would also be environmentally healthy!
6205
Don't make us buy Vista
Operating Systems submitted by icantseeyou
02/21/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
From all of the press I have read it is plain that Vista is a big bomb. To buy the cheapest version I hear it isn't even as good as XP SP2. At the same time you need at least 4 Gig to run it. Offer other options... I don't care if it's Linux, XP, or a rat running on a wheel. Don't make us buy Vista.
You can read more about this the OS options Dell offers here.
9050
Use only the best and brightest LCDs for all laptops! No sub-par manufacturers need apply!
Laptops submitted by astudios
02/17/07
From what I understand, today's Dell LCDs on laptops are made by Toshiba, LG, Samsung, etc.. why make it an anticipating "waiting game" for the customer to see which quality of LCD they get when their laptop comes in? The LCD display is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT part of any laptop. Dell.. please, use ONLY the best and brightest LCDs on all of your laptops.
Quick story of my experience.. I'm a huge Dell-fan and buy lots of PCs and laptops from them for myself, my business, and for my friends and family. The LCD on their 700m laptops were the *absolute best* .. After that, I purchased the XPS1210. The LCD was "duller" and I was disappointed. But then I ordered the XPS1410 for a friend and when it came in, I was horrified with poor viewing angles of the LCD. The only way you could comfortably view the screen was when it was PERFECTLY square with your eyes! I was almost ashamed to give it to my friend. Finally, recently, I ordered the Inspiron 6000 (SXUGA?) and was relieved that is was much better. But still nothing like the 700m I used to own.
What happened to Dell's LCDs? Please make this top priority and bring the "wow" back into your laptops! (And oh, another thing, if you could somehow make your laptops thinner and lighter, that'd be great too!).
Thank you for allowing us this forum.
6475
Better Styling, More Choices on Video Cards and a Hybrid Video Design, and Definately less or NO pre-installed Software.
Sales Strategies, Software, Laptops submitted by kman79
02/16/07 **REVIEWED**
Dell probably does build one of the best performing notebooks that one could order, well at least you could make it to be one of the best performing notebooks, but they lack in style. Of course the priority of having the notebook is having good performance, but having a stylish exterior adds value and want for the notebook/laptop. The white and gray casing gets old, and needs updating. I like the simple yet stylish look of the M1210, the rest of the line should be updated. Maybe it's just me, but the rest of the XPS line of laptops need to be toned down, it just looks to kidish and has too many things going on with it. Design a better looking notebook with the current hardware performance you have available right now, and you can guarantee it will sell better. The design does not have to be complex, but anything is better than white and gray plastic exterior you currently use. Get ideas from Apple, Asus, Sony, Toshiba and even HP. Give the exterior look of the notebook some curves......maybe evem a glossy finish, and a little texture. People spend thousands of dollars on their Dell Notebooks, at least make them feel better by making the notebooks look like it's worth the money spent on them. Give the notebook some attitude, a personality and a soul and not just a piece of plastic with a keyboard and a screen.
Dell should also give customers more choices with the video cards. I wanted to get an M1210, but was dissapointed that it only had a Geforce Go 7400 as the only choice for video card. I was more than willig to spend the extra cash on a higher end video card. Also, if sony has not patented this design/idea, what about a Video Hybrid design where you have a choice between intel graphics while on battery, and purve Nvidia graphics when plugged in. I think the idea is genious and very useful. You can use intel graphics when your running on battery to save and extend battery life, and switch over to nvidia graphics for full-on graphics power when the notebook is plugged in.
More importantly, let it be the customer's choice on which programs and services they want installed on their ordered computer. I hate turning on my newly ordered computer and having all these unwanted software and services already installed. I hate having to spend the first minutes to hours after receiving my computer uninstalling programs or doing a clean OS install.
Over the past year we launched several laptops that were developed purely for the consumer. Check out all the details on mike_h's post.
7626
Do not hire nontechnical people for techsupport
Service and Support submitted by jbrogers
02/17/07
This is the main problem with the India call centers - they have no idea what they are doing. They are obviously reading a scripted diagnosing tool and have no personal knowledge of computing issues.
I have both home and business accounts with Dell. When I call in for support on my Business account, I get a good old-fashioned American geek, who instantly understands that I am fairly technical, and doesn't treat me like an idiot.
The Indian call centers, not having knowledge themselves, do not recognize that I know anything, and treat me like an idiot as they read from the diagnosis tool. Yeah, I know the computer is plugged in. Yeah I know that I have internet connectivity. Sheesh.
8926
Could Dell Own Green?
Environment submitted by adrian
02/01/07 **REVIEWED**
Environmental concern and sustainability are today real issues with consumers and voters in many of Dell's markets. It looks as if a genuine commitment to reducing carbon and cleaning up their footprint will become a more important factor for companies wanting to strengthen consumer loyalty in the coming years.
Dell has already made its environmental commitment clear.My suggestion is that this could become a hallmark of the company - why not make the products, literally, green? If Apple can own 'pretty' and IBM/Lenovo can own 'serious', why can't Dell own 'green'?
Dell continues to do a lot to support our environment like our Plant a Tree for Me program and other activities documented on our Environment blog on Direct2Dell. Click here for more details.
11870
Notebook Shells Are Plastic - Offer Metal Casings Too
Laptops submitted by googideas
02/17/07
Notebooks get carried everywhere. Shouldn't Dell offer an aluminum or otherwise metal casing/construction as an option?
If I am going to drop two grand on a laptop, which I just did, I sure as heck want it as rugged as possible. I don't care about weight or additional cost. I want it to last.
Plastic is brittle. A dent in the metal is better than a crack in the plastic. It's also easier to recycle.
What do you think?
9976
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