jakerivers

Dell should be the first company to offer Word with out the rest of Office.

Software submitted by sugarbear Jan 31

Many people don`t need or want any thing but a word program to write letters or email letters. 98 Comments »

Standardize Power Cables for Laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by badblood 08/27/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Nothing is more annoying than laptop power cables that are not interchangeable from one computer model to another or from one brand of computer to another. Power cables have been standardized on most electrical applicances, including desktop computers for decades.

Make an effort to promote and implement standard power cables for laptops.


Please see dawn_l's comments below.
93 Comments »

Allow operating system CHOICE

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by rahbm Apr 9

Please make the operating system a priced option on EVERY PC, so that people know how much they are paying, and for what.

This will allow Ubuntu users to buy any system, as opposed to the limited range now, increasing sales.

This will not disadvantage Windows purchasers; they can simply tick the box for XP or Vista, and have a choice not available now.

This will also open up sales to those who want NO operating system, so that they can load their own. So far I have always bought 'white-box' PCs, but would like the ability to buy a real brand-name PC with support and warranty.

Simplified ordering (just pick the PC), with more potential customers!

Thank you for your consideration. 2 Comments »

Let Us Choose XP For All Machines!

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by shamarkaleo 07/26/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Dear Dell Service Team,

After unsuccessful appeals to several levels of your support staff, I am writing to convey one last appeal regarding operating systems and purchasing options on your site.

I am the CEO of a small web and graphic design business. We decided to purchase a laptop for our staff use on trips, and after studying all our options, chose Dell as our computer supplier.

We were dismayed to find that most of the computer systems at Dell came pre-installed with Windows Vista, with only a few computers offering a choice of operating systems. Our computer of choice did not offer a selection.

I find this mindboggling, since Dell as a company won't use Vista on its own computers until after SP1 is released. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39286949,00.htm?r=8

And CNET gives Windows vista this dismal review:

"...essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade." http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/windows-vista-ultimate/4505-3672_7-32013603.html

What is more mindboggling to me is Dell's refusal to work with our company when we appealed for a change in our order. We wanted the specific machine we ordered, we simply didn't want Vista.

As it is, the only options we were offered were:

A.) Cancel our order- though we'd already waited weeks for the order to be fulfilled - and order a machine we don't want that offers the XP operating system choice

or

B.) Wait for our machine to arrive, then go buy XP ourselves at additional cost, reformat the hard drive, and install XP on our own.

These choices are horrible! Especially since one of your own staff told me by phone that Dell has received many, many complaints about Vista.

Neither option meets our needs. We either end up with a machine we don't want which has the right operating system, or a machine we do want that we must "fix" prior to use.

So I appeal to you to allow buyers to choose their operating system on ALL your machines, not just some. You don't have to offer a huge choice, but at least one more option than Vista!

Kelli Standish


Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about Dell offering XP.
49 Comments »

Removable / swapable hard drives on laptops for dual Linux/Windows systems

Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by jmxz 03/05/07

Our salesguys current demo our product using Linux-on-VMWare on their laptops.

Ideally they could boot directly into Linux to give the demo; but repartitioning the hard drives is a pain (having to re-install Windows and then Linux is painful); and reserving that much space for the Linux partition is not something they appreciate.

Better would be if they had easily-swappable hard drives (as easy as it is to remove the removable DVD drive) - and they could put in the Linux disk and boot from it for giving their demos. They could then swap back to their Windows drive for their Office/email stuff.

2 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 »

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.





28 Comments »

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.





184 Comments »

Linux Offereings

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by lsybrandt 02/26/07

Easy. Add the following:

On Inspiron and Demension - Ubuntu

On XPS: Dual Boot to Ubuntu

On PowerEdge - choice. SuSE or RedHat

1 Comment »

Dell Linux / Dual Boot PC

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by crescen7 03/11/07

Pre - loaded linux is a great idea. I'd like to up the ante though....

Dell should make it's own distribution of Linux. I'd call it "Dellinux" but hey, I'm no marketing guru.

It could be based on any of the main distros, but it should also extensively test and pre-load the "Beryl" desktop, complete with a Dell customization. (if you haven't seen beryl - check out http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZD7QraljRfM ) It should maintain it's own repository of packages and updates making the Dellinux the worlds most modern, secure, and functional "out of the box" computer in the world - Including Macs.

It should be available as Stand alone or dual boot. I can see a knock off of those Mac ads with the Dorky PC and the cool Mac - this time a third character shows up. A cool, tough, fast (maybe on a motorcycle) guy. Maybe he's wearing 2 boots, while the other characters have 1 bare foot.. Like I said, I'm no marketing guru!

The point is, Dell could market a single product that is both hardware and software, that would come with incredibly powerful ready to use software, Open Office, Firefox, Evolution (Outlook clone) Sribus (Desktop publishing) Gimp (image editing) and dozens more. The functionality would dwarf the competition. Consumers would win by getting more value and less headaches. Dell would win by differentiating itself from competitors and providing a real reason to buy a Dell over any other PC - or even MAC. 2 Comments »

Preinstalled Multiboot OS (Linux and XP)

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by coiledwire 02/24/07

I am so amaze that all this people (90% of them (I am pretty) sure never used linux) want suddenly LINUX.

I am not AGAINST LINUX at all. But we need to baby step toward LINUX. dell should offer preinstalled XP and LINUX to make peoples life easy.

- Do u guys know that U have to be PROGRAMMER in order to use current LINUX.
- lots of HARDWARE dont have linux drivers (not linux fault)
- DELL will need one hack of customer service if only Linux is offered (not every person is programmer).

That is why I suggest they should offer preinstalled Linux and XP for smooth transition. 4 Comments »

Linux duel boot with Windows XP or other OS

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by ramnar 08/04/07

Dell should offer this with the new systems that are Linux friendly. 8 Comments »

Dual Boot, Have the Choice of Ubuntu and Windows

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by daniel117 08/17/07

Why settle for only Windows without Ubuntu and vice versa? Dell should have dual boot on Windows and Ubuntu. Compromising is sometimes good and in this case, its great! 16 Comments »

Separate virtual instances for different home users (i.e. for work and kids)

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jmxz 02/22/07

When I do work on a computer I don't necessarily want my Kid's viruses on the same OS; and my kids do not want my database, etc running.

I want a computer that they can boot into their game/browsing OS ; and I can boot differently into into a OS that's purely for work.

Even back when I worked in a Windows shop I wanted my computer set up that way --- dual-boot - with different instances of Windows on each partition, one for work and one for play; so one can't affect the other. I understand that might need an extra cost.

Now that I work in a Linux shop, I'd want both installed OS's to be Linux, which shouldn't have any extra cost. 2 Comments »

Dual boot with peoplefriendly free software

Operating Systems - Multiboot, Software submitted by jan 02/28/07

1 Comment »

Visible Link to IdeaStorm on main Dell site

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, IdeaStorm submitted by ipaw 07/01/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

IdeaStorm should have a visible link and explanation on the main Dell site as well as a Desktop shortcut on all new installations.

I've been a Dell customer since my XPS-500 back in the mid 90's and I only just found out about IdeaStorm through a PodCast.

If people know they can have a voice and make a difference, they'll use it.

Thanks


This idea has been partially implemented, as our new home page now has a prominent link to "Dell Community" - within that page are links to IdeaStorm and our other community properties, including Dell Community Forums, Direct2Dell, StudioDell, etc. Thanks for the idea!!!
34 Comments »

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 »

put open office in options such as office

Sales Strategies, Software submitted by siger 09/19/07

in options for a computer there are different versions f microsoft office , but why not putting open office, to offer more choice. it is also less expensive than office, and it could be interesting for students or persons who don't want to spend a lot of money. 6 Comments »

Dell; PROMOTE Linux and OSS in Education

Advertising and Marketing, Education, Linux submitted by phubert 09/24/07

*
Learning Linux and _using_ OSS in education at all levels (primary, middle school, secondary, college and university, trades) will provide BETTER, FOUNDATIONAL education than the proprietary alternatives (Windows and Apple OS).
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In addition this will result in significant cost savings for schools.
*
My original idea was _merged_ with one that did _not_ address these points! 24 Comments »

Vote if you want FreeDOS as an OS Opton on configuring your System!

Operating Systems submitted by jorge 08/16/07

Vote if you want FreeDOS! As an option in the OS selection phase of configuring your computer. 5 Comments »