Dimension 9150 stock Heatsink
Dimension products submitted by proto
12/07/07
So I was taking apart my Dell to clean it out, and for the first time in 4 years I actually removed the entire heatsink and cleaned it out.
What do I find? Well, I was expecting a pretty mediocre heatsink, nothing special. To my surprise, it's actually made quite well, and looks like a pretty decent heatsink. Along the lines of a smaller Thermalright styled hs. Altought I couldn't tell whether it was an Intel hs or a Dell proprietary.
Well, it seems the heatsink needs to be clipped and screwed in to the Dell 'air-duct'. Considering the stock CPU fan is rather week(and I mean week, like the kind of fan someone would use in a 'silent' PC), this air duct does nothing more than restrict the heat dissipation. Which, of course, is what a hs is all about right? Not only this, but the thermal paste that was used is so degraded that it's really not doing much anymore.
Here's my idea.
1. Replace Stock fan. Easy
2. Remove Air Duct. Easy.
3. Fabricate or buy brackets to install the heatsink without the air duct.
4. Should I really do this now, anyway? I mean, my Asus Maximus is coming for Christmas...and the Q9450's(which I'm buying one :D) comes out Jan 20th. I mean, I'll have a new system by Feb, so this probably isn't worth it. But could be a fun little mod to increase airflow and heat dissipation in the case. My 7950GT runs idle around 48, and load around 55/56. Not acceptable in my opinion for a GPU.
100
New Ubuntu Laptop With "see below"
Linux, Laptops submitted by tekhawk
12/08/07
I want to see the new Ubuntu laptops that are coming out a hope soon to have the below
Intgrated webcam that works with the new skype 2.x for linux that supports video for the first time ever
preinstalled skype 2.x
190
Dell Branded Linux Box
Linux submitted by jaydanie
12/16/07
When my 530 with Ubuntu pre-installed arrived, I was shocked by the quality of the hardware. Very quiet and nice to look at....
However, I was not please with the installation which has no Dell customization at all. Not even a Dell desktop background.
Although I am pleased with my system, the price was a little steep considering I did not order a monitor and the installation is basically just like if I ordered a barebones system and installed it myself. May I say again, no customization from dell on my box, no dell maintained update repository, and not even a dell icon on the entire system!
With the money you guys are making you would think that Dell could afford to give a couple of poor open source programmers a job and create a nice default dell desktop and fix some font issues.
Speaking of font issues, I believe the only problem is with not having a tool to adjust the cleartype aka anti-aliasing fonts. Take Vista for instance, with "ClearType" turned off even Windows fonts look like crap.
Just saying, it would have took very little effort to make this a great system instead of just another good box.
200
AVG Free Anti-Virus for life (Windows Users)
Operating Systems, Software submitted by rlakes
12/17/07
For Windows users, Dell must give their costumers a plus to compete against Mac. Always updated free anti-virus and anti-spyware like AVG for life! I think AVG is the option rather than Norton or Mc Afee beceuse it is very light and every day have new updates. AVG didn't affect the performance of the PC's like other Anti-Virus do.
210
Refillable Ink Tanks in Printers
Printers and Ink submitted by kcobley
06/13/07
Theres no reason for Dell to paticipate in the inkjet printer cartridge scam (that's what it is a scam, Iv'e opened cartridges from various manufacturers and ink content varies from 8 millilitres to 12 millilitres but I haven't opened one of the newer Large Dell cartridges so can't comment on them) If the cartridges sell for between $20-$40 depending on mfg and contain the quantity of ink above that values the ink between $2.50-$4.00 AU per Millilitre, man that's more expensive than Gold. Canon ink can be bought in Taiwan for around $24 AU per 100 millilitres so howcome ink valued at 16cents gets sold at $20 plus in a cartridge. CUT THE SCAM SELL PRINTERS WITH REFILLABLE INK TANKS AND SELL THE INK IN 1OOML BOTTLES, THEN THE NEED FOR LASER PRINTERS DISSAPPEARS UNLESS U NEED HIGH SPEED PRINTING.
320
Allow anyone to get any PC in any channel (home, business, etc.) on the Dell site.
Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by winoffice
12/18/07
Look at the Dell Home and Home Office page for the XPS M1710 and the XPS M1730 http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/xpsnb_gaming?c=us&cs=19&l=.... I can get the XPS M1710 in the Home and Home Office channel of the Dell site.
But look at this Dell Small Business page (which is for all XPS notebooks that are offered in that channel) http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/xpsnb?. The XPS M1710 is nowhere to be found in the Small Business channel! But why?
It is like saying that home users want the XPS M1710, but nobody in a small business would want it. But some people in small businesses do. For some people in small businesses, it might be exactly what they might be looking for. The same applies to all channels and all PCs actually.
For example, suppose that a home user like the designs of the Vostros and wants to buy a number of them. But they are not offered in the Home and Home Office channel, so he needs to go to the Small or Large Business channel to buy them.
Or suppose that a business user wants certain XPS systems that are offered only in the home channel, so he has to go there to buy them.
In any case, this is extremely annoying for those who get into such problems.
An idea has been submitted and suggests that Dell merge all channels into one for simplicity. But until then Dell, please offer all PCs in all of your channels.
460
Continue to supply Windows XP drivers for all systems.
Operating Systems, XPS products submitted by audiofree
07/10/07
Let’s face it, Vista regardless of how Microsoft is trying to possession is not what all customers want. Some of us want to continue to use XP, it’s a lighter faster OS that does what we need. Please continue to support XP drivers at least. I want to buy one of the new 1420s or 1520s but can’t because not all the drivers are available. If you’re not going to sell the laptops with and XP option at least make the drivers available so those of us that want to install XP on our systems can.
1640
Advertise Graphics RAM correctly
Advertising and Marketing submitted by joffe100
04/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
When we say we want to buy a 512Mb graphics card we really do want a 512Mb graphics card - not 512Mb with 256mb physical memory with 256mb shared! This is really BAD and misleading advertising - you do not see other RAM memory being sold 1Gb (512Mb physical, 512Mb shared!)
Should read: 512Mb physical memory and it actually be 512Mb physical memory
NOT: 512Mb** and then some tiny asterixed disclaimer on a linked page that points out that the 512Mb is some funky combination of 3Mb physical and the rest being pulled from virtual memory - this kills many graphic intense apps and games...
suprised no-one has sued over this? Not sure many buyers are even aware....
4060
Make a so called '100 dollar' laptop
submitted by badblood
11/30/07
The so called 100 dollar laptops for use in developing countries are going to make their mark as a useful computer system. Not only can such computers be used effectively in schools around the world, they will prove an attractive cheap and somewhat 'disposable' computer system for those in richer countries, as gifts for children, as computers for the elderly, for use in conference settings (due to the network abilities), and as useful systems for people working in field locations, due to their functional and robust nature and cheap price.
Should intel and OLPC make their computers available on the open market there will be considerable demand for such computers. They are cheap enough to buy as a second or third throw away computer, and have just the right amount of functionality. Basically they are value for money, whereas all other mainstream ultra portable computers are horribly overpriced and as a result we expect too much from them.
So develop a '100 dollar laptop' Even make it 200 dollars, but keep it at that. It will sell, not because it is the fastest, most powerful computer, but because rich people will see it as a disposable and useful addition to their expensive array of overpriced gadgets.
220
Recycle & refurbish old Dell PCs back to Dell for 10% discount
Environment submitted by reg
05/18/07
Recycle your old Dell back to Dell for a 10% discount on new equipment. Dell can then secure overwrite erase the hard drive, install Ubuntu + hardware drivers, then donate the hardware to unemployment, food stamp, and welfare offices Nationwide. The social services offices then can pass out the refurbished used equipment to its clients, and Dell can be given BIG tax breaks by the State and Federal Systems.
1. Recycle - Turn it in, don't landfill it.
2. Reuse - There is still life left in that old hardware
3. Reduce - Buy new electronics less often, get 5 years use out of every PC.
4. Refuse - wasteful spending, wasteful practices & wasteful companies.
5. Refute - Once wasteful practices or procedures are identified, correct the problem with Action!
12520
Less plastic please on the XPS M1330 and other things
XPS products submitted by rach
11/09/07
I bought an XPS M1330 and got it delivered in September. My computer is 2 months old and now the painted silver parts around the frame are starting to discolour and showing black underneath it. I am not happy about this. I would like to see more magnesium on the next XPS 13.3 inch please. I would like to see an AL keyboard like on the Apple MacBook Pro.
Also while i am here lol if Dell could allow us to fully utilise the 256 of dedicated VRAM that the 8400GS card allows i would appreciate this as well. The Sony SZ offers a 64MB dedicated card and hybrid graphics. By offering more dedicated VRAM on the XPS products would be one way as well to help differentiate the XPS M1330 from such competitiors.
I would also like to see Dell offering 64 bit Vista/XP on the Dell XPS M1330. Right now users have to try and install this themselves if they want to fully utilise 4GB of ram.
I would also to see higher capacity 6 cell batteries as well. It seems to me that these Dell 6 cell batteries degrade to fast so i would like Dell to address this as well.
I also wouldn't mind to see swithcable graphics on the next XPS M1330 also.
Apart from that i am really happy.
370
DVI or HDMI out on all laptops models?
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by tommarnk
07/06/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
this would be a big jump, if dell add "DVI out" on all dell laptops, so people can connect to there LCD Displays or LCD HDTVs natively
the picture quality will be grealy improved
this should be easy to do as most of new chipsets has dvi out
not many laptop manufacturers add "dvi out" to there lower end products, so it might be a wise move to do so
all LCD monitors and lcd hdtvs has dvi or hdmi in so it might work well
and meybe remove the old VGA out and put a singel DVI-I, it can be used as analog (VGA) to, by using VGA-to-DVI-I adapter like tose used on
standard computer graphic cards for years now
many people like me connect monitor via dvi or hdmi to get the best picture and color quality
The offerings for the XPS M1730: Dual-link DVI-I (support for 30-inch displays) and HDMI via DVI adapter. Check out all the specs for the new systems.
3800
Inexpensive Product/Refurbished Product for Nonprofits?
Dell submitted by spacejockeys
11/28/07
Organizations such as TechSoup make software products incredibly affordable for nonprofits, only charging them a handling fee. Hardware products are still woefully lacking. It would be great to see programs that get hardware, PCs, etc into the hands of nonprofits at cost.
160
Provide Linux compatibility information on all products up front
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by spm
02/21/07 **REVIEWED**
My company used to buy all out IT products from Dell. The main reason we don't buy any Dell products any more is that it is so difficult to get information from Dell on Linux compatibility, except from a few very expensive high end products. Calling Dell product support to find out if a particular product will work with Linux and where to get drivers is an offputting experience. Dell sales staff seem to take a perverse delight in telling customers that they don't support Linux, and when I tell them that I don't want support from them, only compatibility and driver information, they tell me that they can't give me that information, nor information on chipsets which might allow me to locate information from elsewhere.
The bottom line is that I expect at the very least to be provided compatibility and chipset information before I buy a PC. Neither myself or any other customer is going to buy a Dell PC to test it on Dells behalf - product testing and certification is the manufacturer's responsibility, not mine. White box suppliers, and other mail order suppliers on the other hand are only too willing to provide motherboard, chipset, and component information etc. to allow me to check compatibility.
The reason why we no longer buy any Dell products is simple - we use a small number of Linux PCs in our office and all the servers in our office run Linux. We buy all hardware, peripherals including low end desktop hardware so that they are deployable with both Linux and Windows. We do this for obvious reasons - for example, we might want to plug in a printer originally purchased for use with Windows into a Linux server print queue, and we may want server applications to print to the printer. We may want to redeploy Windows Desktops later as Linux desktops - for example to use as a shared data access desktop. Therefore, although our desktop PCs are overwhelmingly Windows, we won't buy any hardware that isn't Linux compatible, even if it is intended for use with Windows initially. Dell unfortunately doesn't meet those needs, and we cannot buy equipment from Dell. I am sure a lot of other companies which use Linux in the office have similar issues.
Here is what Dell needs to do to have a chance of winning our (and other's) custom:
1) Advertise and inform about Linux compatibility or otherwise. Finding out about compatibility before buying is the most difficult thing about Linux, not installation or configuration. Any company that can do this has a huge advantage for little or no cost.
2) Provide full Linux compatibility information on all Dell products - not just high end desktops. Ideally, certify products for the top distros - RHET, SLES, Debian, the latest free Fedora, OpenSuSE, Ubuntu if possible. Linux users don't necessarily want a preload - most Linux users are quite capable of installing Linux themselves and would probably install some other Linux distro if one was pre-installed. Preinstallation is only useful to us as an indication that the product is Linux compatible. If a feature is only partially supported by Linux, say so and say what is supported - Linux users will understand, and may not need all the features, or like us they may only want the Linux compatibility for possible future redeployment. If driver support is external (most will be) then provide links pointing to those sites in Dell support, and if you need to make a disclaimer to avoid liability for a third party products outside Dell's control, do so. Again Linux users will understand.
3) Exclude products from the Dell inventory that don't support Linux as far as possible. Generally for every part that is not Linux compatible, there is one that is Linux compatible for the same price.
4) Don't ask customers to pay the Microsoft tax. Linux machines or no-OS machines with zero cost OS and no support should cost significantly less than a Windows pre-loaded machine. Customers know when they are being cheated and don't like it.
5) Linux support (except for driver information) is not usually required (except for servers), only web based information. If the customer needs Linux support, it will probably be from an independent consultant/techie rather than from Dell. Sell your Linux PCs as "Linux OEM - no support" PCs at a significantly lower cost than the equivalent Windows PC.
6) Linux on the desktop is most competitive on the low end desktop - particularly for schools etc. Sell Linux PCs preloaded onto low end desktop computers with appropriate free software for that market, at a competitive price rather than on high end workstations.
Upfront Linux capability would be difficult to implement on our web store. But, check some of the alternatives john_h posted.
10300
Matte high-resolution screens
Monitors and Displays submitted by programmer001
03/05/07
Dell unfortunately jumped on the TrueLife display for laptops.
These are good for gaming and movies because of the colors and brightness, but are bad for working because they are too much reflective. I am a programmer and the reason for which I used to buy Dell is because of the very high resolution screens (UXGA, WUXGA). In facts I would like to see high-resolution screens available in more laptop models, possibly even in the 15" ones, and in particular I would like to see MATTE high-resolution screens available, not TrueLife.
I guess movies/gaming customers probably buy low-resolution screens, while programmers like me buy high-resolution screens (UXGA, WUXGA) and these are the ones that would benefit from a modern matte screen. A good choice for Dell would probably be to provide the low resolution screens as TrueLife and the high resolution ones as matte, while now it is more like the opposite.
Please offer matte high-res screens at least as an option.
590
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And it's not just performance:
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