How about another update on the highest voted ideas.
IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz
Jun 19
It seems many of the highest voted Ideas are the most neglected by Dell
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office (currently with 138079 points) has been one of the top-5-highest-voted Ideas on IdeaStorm since Feb 07. It has no "Status" regarding whether it's in progress, or rejected; and the only comments from Dell were just one employee's personal opinion.
No OS Preloaded (with 85050 points), has also been one of the top-5-highest for over a year. It's status is the same partial implementation (available on a couple models) that has been true from Dell since long before IdeaStorm was around (2004, if I recall). Clearly the Idea is popular because people want to see it on more models. Rather than just labeling the Idea as "partially implemented as always" - could you give some update on the progress on this Idea.
Firefox instead of IE (with 115593 points) has also been a top-5 idea for over a year. With the recent release of FireFox 3 - along with great press from the technology and business industry alike, another update on this idea would be very welcome. The recent Forbes article Why Firefox Matters clearly sees Firefox as the industry leader, and Wall Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal explicitly states that Firefox 3.0 Is the Best Browser for Web. Surely Dell would want to offer the best for their customers, no?
630
Sell all Products/Options in ALL Countries
Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by missdiva
Jun 8
As Dell is supposed to be an International Company, can it now get its act together and ensure that all Products/Options are available in every Country they sell to.
When a new Product/Option is introduced ,it should be available for sale on every Dell Website ....not just the USA.
An example of Dells poor marketing strategy is the ' when will the LED screen for the 1530 become available in the UK/Europe/Australia ' debacle.
There has been numerous posts on various forums asking if/when this option will be introduced, simply because Dell gives priority to US customers (LUCKY THEM!) We still have no idea if it will ever be reach our shores....
Please change this unfair sales practice.
250
Provide a way to update service tag info to show that PC has been reimaged with Linux
Service and Support submitted by ubondell
Jun 11
I bought a Latitude D830 with WinXP because that was the only way I could get Bluetooth (the D830N does not include BT, and a special request to add BT was more than the standard Win model [duh!]). I would like to update the system information for my service tag so that it shows that I am now running Linux on that laptop if for no other reason that I might get more support from Dell for HW drivers, issues, etc. I doubt that Dell (or its HW suppliers) would figure some issue out before the Linux community does, but at least it is another source of solutions for problems. If you log into the Dell support site using the "Enter your service tag" method there is a listing of the original system configuration of your PC, as shipped, but when I switch to the "Current systems configuration page there is a exclamation mark that says: "The current configuration tool is currently not available for your operating system/browser combination." I am running Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04LTS) and Firefox, so I should be equivalent to what Dell ships with the 'N' machines. Please update your tool for all the operating systems you ship, or allow some way to manually update that page, if there is no intention to move that tool from ActiveX, or whatever is Windows/IE-only.
250
Some Suggestions for Your TERRIBLE WEBSITE
Dell Web Site submitted by jaws4096
Jun 7
Stop forcing users to start their build over and over, checking to see which product line magically gives them the options they want. Increase the flexibility and visibility of build options between model lines.
This is a general customer service comment about your website. My girlfriend is buying a laptop. After fiddling with your site for an hour, she asked for my help choosing a model. She said the website was extremely confusing. I assumed it was because Dell offers custom laptops, and she wasn’t sure which options she needed. But when we logged on together, it became clear that the website is complicated because you’ve attempted to dumb it down too much. You ask users to classify themselves according to home, small business, large business, or government. But most users don’t classify themselves this way. And it’s apparent that you are hiding models from users, based on that initial choice. Your model numbers are confusing, and depending on options, a “lower” model can easily cost twice as much as the next model “up” in your line.
Go to www.mcmaster.com and search for “tubing”. Notice how users can select specifications that they know, which narrows their search, but can leave out options they aren’t sure about? For laptops, I might want to narrow my search by case style, base price, type of processor, or any number of things. Perhaps it would be more helpful for your initial question to be, “Would you like to build a custom laptop by choosing technical features like memory, hard drive space, and processor speed – or would you like to describe how the laptop will be used, and we’ll try to recommend some features for you?” Then, instead of asking me if my PC is for home, small business, large business, or government / research use, why not ask me what I’m going to do with the bloody thing? Will I use it to run Microsoft Office applications like Word and Outlook? Will I be connecting to a wireless network at my home? At my office? Will I be playing 3D games? Will I be editing home photos? Editing photos for professional use? Watching movies? How long do I need the battery to last? Will I be working with large spreadsheets in Excel? Editing video? These questions tell you much more about what kind of features I need than your arbitrary and confusing questions about what “type” of user I am.
After a set of features is determined, show them to me in spreadsheet format, on one page. List each feature, like the amount of memory included, in the left column. Give a brief description like, “Memory is temporary storage used by your computer to run programs. For most people, 2 GB of 533MHz DDR2 memory is adequate. If you will be playing 3D games, editing photos professionally, or using large spreadsheets, 4GB is better, and you may want to consider faster (higher MHz) memory.” The, to the right, show me the current memory type, and the amount of memory, I’ve chosen. Next to the type, place an up arrow and a down arrow. The up arrow says, “Upgrade to 667MHz DDR memory” and lists an additional price. The down arrow says, “Downgrade to DDR memory,” and lists a credit amount. Similarly, up and down arrows next to the amount of memory give me options for increasing or decreasing the amount of RAM, and given an increase or decrease in price. For optional features, like software, give me a checkbox to indicate if I want it at all.
Anyway, this is my just-thought-of-it interface, and I’m sure you can improve the general idea. But you must do something better than the current system, which leaves buyers wondering if there is a model hidden on some other model line that would allow them to choose only the features they want, at a cheaper price. Your current website is a big, confusing guessing game, and I find myself going back and forth between pages, starting over several times, to get a configuration I like. Look at the web visit histories of your users and I’m sure you’ll find their behavior indicates a similar confusion.
260
Notify Customer BEFORE Cancelling Orders
Service and Support submitted by n4aof
Jun 6
When Dell decides that they aren't interested in filling a customer's confirmed order it would be nice if Dell would bother notifying the customer (preferably before cancelling the order, but certainly at least immediately afterward).
290
Please stop using cheap LCD panels on your flagship XPS laptop line.
Monitors and Displays, XPS products submitted by tcpaulh
Jun 3
Please stop using cheap LCD panels on your flagship XPS laptop line.
For example the M1530 although specified with 90-100 degree vertical viewing angles, the reality is that there is at best a 15-20 degree vertical viewing angle before colour inversion occurs.
Vertical viewing angles at present do not appear to conform to stated specifications!
Dell have been promising better viewing angles since 2002 with Ultrasharp screens but these screens are still not available across the XPS line of laptops.
Please sort it out Dell and stop using the cheapest screen technology in your premium products.
Thank you.
660
Streamline configuration of systems
Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by sarena
Jun 6
I am frustrated by the fact that, depending on how I *get* to the customization process (e.g. through "as advertised," "savings spotlight," or simply various entry points to the configuration process of the SAME computer), I get DIFFERENT configuration options. Depending on how I get to the customization screen I can get different CPU options, RAM options, hard disk options, graphics options...and of course, different PRICES.
I think there should just be ONE customization process for each model. For example, instead of there being FOUR XPS options to customize on their starting page (http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1330?c=ca...) it would much more straightforward to have the full range of customization options available for each basic system.
280
Fix "My Systems & Peripherals" website
Dell Web Site submitted by audiofree
Jun 11
The idea behind “My system and Peripherals” is a nice one. You get to add all your service tags in one place and the site keeps track of things like when your warrantee is up etc. This is very nice if you’re tracking 20+ items.
About 3 months ago dell “Upgraded” the website making it almost useless in the process. The first big problem is when your sort by “Contract Expiration Date” it’s not sorting by numbers. IE rather then showing
11 Days
105 days
127 Day
They show
105 days
11 Days
127 Day
How dumb is that? Because 105 is before 11 if you’re sorting as text. Rooky mistake can’t believe it’s been 3 months and they haven’t fixed it.
Next useful feature they removed from the upgraded page is the ability to extend your service contract. Before you could check on an item and “View Purchase options” and it would show you how much it would cost to upgraded the warrantee for 1 year or 2 years etc.. now that has been taken away, and you have to call in and hope you can work your way though the Dell phone maze to find someone that will give you the info and take the order.
I have no idea why dell would have taken a useful part of their website and messed it up so badly on an “Update”. Yes they put in some new fancy things but man took out the one real useful part and left in such a bad bug in sorting I can’t believe they haven’t fixed it.
In short. Fix the bugs. And allow us to extend our warrantees over the web like we used to. We hate calling.
190
9600GT 512MB Gddr3 for xps 1530!!!
XPS products submitted by idangold
Jun 4
9600M GT/9650M GS are officially out on the market since Yesterday June 3, 2008!
Dell, I assure you, your future customers don't want to wait months before its out on a Dell xps 1530,Frankly speaking, I dont even want to wait one week... (oh and for the xps 1330 fans you guys should also get the 9300/9500 real soon as well :))
Its great for performance but more important is the battery power you save - Think about how this is combined with the LED and the new Penyran processors and a 9 cell on an xps!!!!
390
"Dell E" Find a new name for your new computer...
Advertising and Marketing submitted by badblood
Jun 13
Dell's upcoming netbook ultaramobile thing is apparently going to be called the 'Dell E' which sounds like Deli, where you can buy milk, bread and other nice things.
Please think of another name. Have a naming competition on Ideastorm.
I vote for the Dell Lite as in delight!
'Delle" in german means "dent"
670
Delivery Time - Please Reduce.
Service and Support submitted by pablohs
Jun 13
I love the fact that with Dell I can customize my pc or laptop and get exactly what I want. When I do customize and pick what I want, I have no problem to wait for my unit. However, today as an experiment I pick a laptop and DID NOT CUSTOMIZE anything and just click on BUY NOW. The estimated shipping time was July 18 2008 – I think this is crazy – if I am buying a unit that you are showing in the website as your standard, I should be able to get it next week not in 5 weeks. Also consider the fact that I am paying you TODAY and you are not delivering the product for another 5 weeks. That is a loan to DELL with no interest, and DELL is not giving me a discount for waiting either. Any comments?
290
Up to 16 GB of RAM on Dell Precision Workstation Laptops
Precision Workstations submitted by workpenguin
Jun 11
I use my Dell laptop as a VMWare-based virtual lab workstation with 32 bits Linux host for (supporting up to 32GB of RAM available to applications), and I do not plan to buy a new laptop until it supports up to 16GB of RAM.
This would allow running all of my virtual LABs and working on my virtual architecture for testing and planning purposes before further hardware testing and deployment. And I need a laptop as I'm always moving. I am often working with 5-9 virtual guests, and more, some of them requiring more than 1GB RAM to work.
I know that I am not the only one in this situation. I wish this would be available until 1 year, when my Dell support will expire.
240
Portable battery charger
Laptop Power submitted by cazyray
Jun 9
Can we get a portable battery charger. I have two batteries I switch back and forth and I always have to charge in the laptop. I know Gateway used to have one about 5-6 years ago but some how the idea died there??
290
Have a high resolution *option* for the Inspiron Mini (or other mini laptops)
Inspiron products, Monitors and Displays submitted by chipzero
Jun 4
With a higher resolution screen option, you can effectively fit more on the screen using the same physical dimensions, making mini laptops suited for photo editing/viewing or development environments such as Eclipse. It has been an continous development over the past decade to have increasing screen resolutions, and modern software -- ranging from web applications to operating systems such as Windows Vista -- have adapted to that. Going back to low resolutions such as 800x480 or even 1024x600 has a detrimental effect on the applicability of these mini laptops.
Since the recent rebirth of mini laptops, it's clear that people are willing to give up a lot in terms of specs if for a well-priced and portable laptop. These UMPCs often have 4 or 8 GB storage and a limited CPU and memory specs. A lot of people are very happy to make this trade off (as am I), but the screen resolution may not be one of those things that should be turned down. Doing so affects every day use and impacts the applicability of the laptop.
Using a high DPI on a small screen may not be suited or desirable for everyone, which is why this should be an option. One resolution may be to low for some and two high for others; people should be able to choose whatever DPI they would like to use for their mini.
440
Make Linux a choice on all systems
Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by synful
Jun 8
Guys, why is it when you can allegedly get Linux on desktops and laptops, that it is never an option in the configuration of a product prior to purchasing?
All we seem to get as an option is Windows and then there is no option to not have Windows as an operating system. I understand that you may have reasons behind the system not having Linux as an option but surely you do not use hardware that is so non standard that either Ubuntu or SuSE will not work on it?
In the event that the computer that you use is not Linux compatible, then note this on the configuration page accordingly. For arguments sake have a pop up advising that some hardware is not compatible with Linux if it is selected as an OS choice.
1230
Warn Buyers Dell Laptops Must Use Dell Charger
Service and Support, Laptop Power submitted by gear
Jun 9
Dell laptops use a charger that has a built in "chip".
If you try to use a non-Dell Charger, it will only power the machine, but will not charge the battery.
So if you are traveling and lose your adapter or it failed, you have to get one from DELL.
The only problem is, DELL typically take days to weeks to ship a new adapter to you if you are in the USA, and if you are outside, much longer if it is available at all.
So a bad / lost Adapter means your DELL Laptop just became a paperweight. One too expensive to be thrown out.
The only non-Dell adapter that works is the Kensington brand adapter, but that is only distributed at Circuit City in the US, and even these ones may not come with the "tip" needed to work with a DELL.
DELL is the only major manufacturer to actively prevent people from using non-Dell adapters in their notebooks.
Apparently DELL hasn't figured out that people travel and may not be able to wait in one place for a while for a spare adapter to be sent to them from DELL.
Want some real fun? Try to get a spare Dell adapter in a mid sized city in China....
520
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