SMALL BIZ ADVICE
What would you ask Michael?
The Dell Community has contributed: 9795 ideas | promoted 668235 times | 76253 comments

How IdeaStorm Works:

Post Promote Discuss See

imago54

Dashboard  |  Ideas Submitted  |  Ideas Voted On  |  Comments  |  Saved Items

24080

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 Vida_K's comment below on the New Latitude.
301 Comments »

11190

Make XP/Linux drivers available for all model even if only Vista is pre-installed

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Operating Systems submitted by vineets001 09/24/07 **REVIEWED**

There are good hardware models coming out. And only Vista is pre-install option. If people want to wipe off Vista and install XP or Linux, let them do that. Make a commitment to have the drivers available.


We're working on having drivers for the hardware we ship more widely available. Click here to learn more from john_h.





29 Comments »

10570

switch to LED monitors

Monitors and Displays, Laptop Power submitted by yardsale Jan 16

I dont know why dell hasnt done this yet. switch all monitors on desktops and notebooks to LED. did you know that you can run an LED screen at full brightniess and it uses less power than a LCD monitor at the lowest brighting level?!? its cheaper, its energy efficent, and it needs to be done! promote this, if you demote i wanna know why! 63 Comments »

38480

coreboot (formerly LinuxBIOS) instead of proprietary BIOS

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by yesmathew 02/20/07

coreboot (formerly known as LinuxBIOS) is a Free Software project aimed at replacing the proprietary BIOS (firmware) you can find in most of today's computers.
- Fast boot times 3 sec.
- Runs in 32-Bit protected mode almost from the start
- Can boot Windows too...

External links:
- http://www.coreboot.org/Welcome_to_coreboot
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxbios<

An Example:
- http://wiki.laptop.org/go/LinuxBIOS 92 Comments »

84357

Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware

Linux submitted by gergnz 02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.




186 Comments »

860

Give me a Linux Latitude! (D630, if only one...)

Latitude products, Linux submitted by lordxale 05/25/07

The D620 is a great machine. The D630 is an even greater machine. When dedicated graphics are finally offered on it, I'll be buying one as soon as I can. However, I am also a Linux user. The options for getting rid of Windows on any of the Latitudes are unattractive at best. If I could either buy without Windows or, even better, buy one with Ubuntu 7.04 preloaded, I would be ecstatic.

To me, it makes little difference other than price. I will likely install my own Linux distro anyway (Kubuntu, in fact), but I would love to support Ubuntu any way I can, or just not pay any MS tax. I'll certainly need to dual boot it with Windows for some apps I can't get away from (games only!), but I've got a Vista Business license waiting for it, so I won't need to pay MORE for another one I won't need. Surely there must be many others in the same boat I am! Lucky for you, Dell, I'm a diehard Latitude fan - a D630 will be my 4th; even if it came with WinME I would still buy it. But, I digress...

Give me a Linux Latitude! 16 Comments »

1530

Provide a Dell Update function on the Dell support site

Dell Web Site, Service and Support submitted by scotty 02/26/07

Provide a Dell Update function on the Dell support site.

Updating Dell-specific system files on Dell computers is ridiculous. The way the updates are classified, you need to browse each category, click each update and read each description in order to even just see the date and version - so that you can decide if you need each. Then for each, you must either remember whether or not you have it already, or you must look through the computer's updates to see if it's already there.

There should be a website function (a la Windows update) or a universal updater application that you can download and run (one that would work with ALL Dell models - not one for each model). Either way, you should be presented with which ones are important, which are optional, which are already installed, and when they were posted/installed/etc. And then the download and install can be managed by the app as well. Again, like la Windows Update.

This should be made available to all owners of any dell computers - not only to enterprise or large businesses. 23 Comments »

21630

Make Linux and no Operating system standard options on all future products

Operating Systems submitted by jervis961 08/17/07 **REVIEWED**

OK Dell you have committed to supplying Linux options in limited form. Since you have laid the groundwork already here is the next step. Every new product you release that needs an Operating system should have Linux and also no Operating System as an option in the configuration along side Windows. Since you have to write drivers and test compatability for Vista when making a new product just make it compatable with Linux at the same time. There will no longer be a need for a seperate sections for Linux or no Operating system since all of the products will have the option. this will help make your site easier to navigate for you customers. You can also create an ACCURATE help me choose section for the OS choices.





Check out what daniel_j has to say on the options we offer.





189 Comments »

33450

Implemented: Ubuntu Dell is Le$$ Than Windows Dell

Linux submitted by thebittersea 05/05/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

see comment from Erik down below... [Dell's Pricing Team]

$774 Inspiron 1420 (Ubuntu)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Ubuntu version 7.04
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Integrated High Definition Audio

$824 Inspiron 1420 (Vista)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Basic Edition
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD writer/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated High Definition Audio
The difference in promotion pricing was due to an error on the site, which has been fixed.






412 Comments »

690

Enable Advanced Configuration Options in BIOS

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by ski4404 05/01/07

It's great that Dell is using the latest chipsets from Intel, but really what use is it if we cannot take advantage of the new features offered? Many if not all of the advanced BIOS configuration features that are present in Intel boards not supplied by Dell are missing in the Dell bios. Simple items like SATA mode switching are strangely absent (at least in the desktops -- don't know about servers). I might understand if Dell doesn't want people to overclock for support reasons, but there are many other options that should be available in the bios. 3 Comments »



Rss track my votes