hardway

Yet another request to not forget about the top-rated ideas (linux, firefox, openoffice preinstalled, etc.)

IdeaStorm, Service and Support submitted by bjquinn 09/01/07

Dell - please stay focused on the highest-voted ideas. Don't distract yourselves with the other ones until you've addressed the ideas below which have been the top-ranked ideas for at least 6 months without adequate responses..

1. 147,808 - dhart - Pre-Installed Linux [and not just on a couple obsolete models in limited geographies]
2. 127,719 - dhart - Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
3. 107,313 - robinjfisher - Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
4. 89,183 - ootleman - No Extra Software Option [only a couple models are crapware-free today]
5. 78,007 - gergnz - Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
6. 73,600 - agreer - No OS Preloaded [and not just on a couple obsolete models]

Or, at least give us some reasoning, timeframes, etc.? Several of the above idea would actually be far easier to implement than most of the other ideas on this site. Preinstalling solid free software like firefox or openoffice (or even thunderbird or others) provides your customers with more value, and it doesn't cost you or them anything. It's fairly simple, actually. Everybody wins. There's no downsides. Perhaps you could at least enlighten us as to why you might not agree?

P.S. Thanks to jmxz for the original idea and perhaps submitting a few more ideas like this would drive the point home? Or at least adding the above notice as a footer/disclaimer to every newly submitted "idea"? 2 Comments »

Power cord back/side swivel connection.

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by kwifler 09/03/07

Please make a power connection that swivels between the side and the back of the computer. It would also be nice to have it swivel to the bottom and top of the computer also.

My power cords keep getting bent up and worn out. They seem too delicate for my liking.

As they say, the least significant objects get used the most. To me this means that cheaper notebook computers need to be more durable and adaptable. 3 Comments »

External power button on laptop for use when docked

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by rsimon 09/03/07

I would like to see an external power button on laptops so that when it is sitting on the desk and plugged in to monitor/keyboard it does not need to be opened to turn it on or off.

To prevent it powering on when in a bag it could be disabled when on battery power / or off the docking station which should be available for all notebook ranges.

It should be positioned near the front so it easily accessed, and should have an option to be disabled for anyone who finds it annoying 1 Comment »

Option for 'Lap Friendly' underside.

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by kwifler 09/03/07

I'm sure many of you have noticed some burn warnings for notebooks, and some cautions against setting them directly on your laps, but this can be minimized or even prevented.

Just add the option for an underside that uses special materials/gridlines across the bottom of the notebook to act like a radiator and minimize the possibility to trap heat. I am not sure whether this should be a snap-on design or a permanent shell-redesign. 4 Comments »

If it is cheaper when it ships than when you ordered Dell should refund the difference.

Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by joshuacl 09/05/07

Have a policy so that if when a computer ships if it is cheaper when it ships than when it was ordered, to reduce the price to the current market price. For instance if I ordered a laptop in June and it was $1499.99 and it didn't ship until September and in September that same laptop would cost $1299.99, refund the difference as the customer isn't getting a $1499.99 laptop anymore. 5 Comments »

BLACK backlit keyboard for Dell XPS M1730

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), XPS products submitted by lorax1284 08/31/07

I know there are threads asking for Backlit keyboards: many of them merged into one.

Dell is introducing a backlit keyboard in the XPS M1730. Super.

But it's white-ish colour contrasts badly with the case.

Other comments about how "fugly" the XPS M1730 have been mitigated by the appearance of better photos (mostly with the screen / lid closed!) so maybe the outside of the M1730 case will be just fine... but that white backlit keyboard is a non-starter: opening the lid for the first time will be like seeing a beautiful stone along the forest trail, only when you pick it up, underneath is gross things crawling over other grosser things.

Consider this a backpedal from my "I'll wait for the XPS redesign" idea, cuz it's starting to look like I really only have to wait for Dell to source a black backlit keyboard. 5 Comments »

In car removable tablet PC

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by jervis961 08/31/07

In car PC has been brought up before but I don't think in this way. Dell could make a tablet PC with a screen the size of a double din car stereo. The PC would click into a dock in the dashboard and work as your PC, Radio, GPS, MP3 player and video player all in one. The dock would supply the power and connections for the stereo speakers and hold an amplifier to boost sound. When you remove the PC from the dock it runs on battery or a supplied power cable like a normal tablet. I think a removable PC makes more sense than a built in one. 7 Comments »

First Home Docking Router for Cellular internet PC Card.

Broadband and Mobility submitted by sophins 08/31/07

Docking Router for those internet pc card. When you are on the go take your internet pc card with you plug to you laptop, when you get home plug the card into the home docking router. Save you money on internet bill. What do guys you think? Comment »

Make A Wireless Dell

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Monitors and Displays submitted by reg 08/07/07 **COMING SOON**

Apple has a real, valid point: Too many cables in a typical PC setup.

I think Dell could make a combo cable, or a unified display (display/camera/stereo speakers).

Dell should work on a nice clean design - like Apple's clean design - less cable rat nests, more computing power. 220 Comments »

Vertical Docking Station for Laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by forgueam 08/29/07

Most Dell docking stations that I have used force the laptop to sit flat on my desk, with the cables all shooting out the back. This eats up valuable real estate on my desk, especially considering that once the laptop is plugged into the docking station, I don't need any interaction with it.

I would love to see a docking station that allows the laptop to stand vertically, such that I could place it behind my monitor and save tons of space on my desk. Ideally the laptop would stand vertically and the cables would come out of the docking station perpendicular to the laptop, thus forming an "L" shape. If done correctly, I would be able to dock/undock easily and still have access to the CD drives if need be. 6 Comments »

Give discount for the delays

Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by saleemohaib 08/29/07

These days there are delays with some of Dell products. I think as good gesture Dell should offer extra discounts to customers who order products with extended delivery time.

Vote and comment. 23 Comments »

Leather, Textile and other tactile designs

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by bg02446 08/30/07

I'd like to see well-designed snap-on covers offered in leather finishes (smooth leather, subtly embossed leather, perhaps croco or ostrich designs for those with more flair than I!) and other soft-touch designs. I'm not suggesting that the laptop actually be squishy, but rather that the hard surfaces are tracted with a nice-to-touch finish.

Basically, i'd like a lappie that look distinctive but isn't a bright color, can be changed up with the finish gets dirty or scratched and is a pleasure to hold and touch. You might consider:

Thin neoprene/"wetsuit" materials
Natural "linen"-look weaves of material
Natural wood-grain effects or even real wood veneers (the look of black wenge wood, teak, or even a nautical-inspired striped wood inlay design)

For a softer look, how about:
Satin aluminum finish
Satin Copper
Gunmetal/titanium look
"Rust" or patinated finish
Hammered (slightly pebbly) finishes 3 Comments »