jpm1009

Add USB cables to Bluetooth keyboards and mice

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Broadband and Mobility submitted by undead999 09/23/07

The USB cables would be used as a backup for when Bluetooth flakes out. The cords could be retractable and hidden under a panel or just tucked away to keep them out of the way and to not confuse end users.

If you have ever had to call Dell support with bluetooth keyboard or mouse problems you know how useful having a wired keyboard or mouse can be.. 3 Comments »

Dell: Jump on the USB v3.0 Bandwagon NOW! Beat your competitors to the punch!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by jorge 09/23/07

Get your hardware guys in Taiwan to start adding USB 3.0 to all your system boards now! Don't wait and think about it, just do it, be the first on the block, or globe which ever suites you better.

Tic Toc, money is a passing you a by. (bad grammar on purpose)

Oh yea, almost forgot the link:http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2184849,00.asp 54 Comments »

Offering pre-configured dual-boot installations is important for obtaining proper OS usage statistics

Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies submitted by patsoe 09/24/07

If Dell really want to know how important OSS drivers compatibility of their hardware is to their customer base, it will be useful to offer pre-configured dual-boot systems in addition to the single-OS (MS Windows or Ubuntu GNU/Linux) offerings. This way, buyers can express their appreciation for OSS drivers supporting hardware, while still obtaining a Windows license with their purchase.

Alternatively, a special configuration option would be nice, where you can just click a radio-button that says "only display hardware options with OSS drivers" - this option would "grey out" any hardware options that don't provide OSS drivers, and it would give Dell a good picture of the importance of this feature, regardless the OS that the hardware is then sold with. Comment »

Trade up

Service and Support submitted by lesleydexter 09/24/07

My name is Lesley Dexter and I have a question/suggestion. I know that Dell has refurbished computers so here is my suggestion. I'm not sure how this would work but that is why people like you run the company.



As you know computers change almost as fast as you can make them by the time one orders and gets one a newer and advanced computer is in the process if not already made. This is my suggestion have you ever considered doing a trade up on your computers. In other words after a person has a computer for 1-3 years contact the individual about trading up in computers. Then take the old ones and refurbish them and sell as usual. That way people would probably purchase a new computer more often with the help of trading up and not having to pay the full amount for a newer and more advanced system.



Just a thought and it probably has already been suggested but it doesn't hurt to do so again. Thanks for your help. 20 Comments »

DELL should provide a warning before they MERGE something.

IdeaStorm submitted by phubert 09/24/07

Merges have taken place that lumped UNLIKE ideas together.

UNIQUE submissions should NOT be merged, and merging should not take place without the submitter's _permission_. 6 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.





29 Comments »

I love and I hate DELL

Service and Support submitted by vladute 09/25/07

1. I love dell low cost prices
2. I love dell desktop build quality
3. I hate dell overcharging on customisations

When you buy my advice is this

Don't CustomiWISE Comment »

The most requested feature...

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by xivulon 09/26/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

There are several proposals that basically ask the same thing: SHOW UBUNTU IN THE LIST OF OPERATING SYSTEM ON ALL MACHINES [subtract $50]. And why not, add XP to the list as well. There are also many more proposals that would be made redundant IF the above was implemented. If you add them all together that is probably the most requested feature at the moment. Yes I think many of the ideas below can be merged.

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/73206/Make_Linux_and_no_Operating_syste...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72962/Put_Ubuntu_on_the_list_of_operati...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72880/Dont_make_it_difficult_for_people...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68182/Add_all_the_OSs_you_sell_to_the_H...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68515/Ubuntu_on_all_dells

Proposals that would be made redundant:

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68294/Same_discounts_available_on_Ubunt...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72902/Why_Cant_Dell_Put_Linux_On_Their_...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/73961/Make_Ubuntu_laptops_cheaper_than_...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68567/Make_the_dell_ubuntu_models_avail...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72525/Ubuntu_on_all_models_where_it_works
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67851/Ubuntu_on_121_or_133_inch_laptops
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72748/Better_selection_of_Linux_notebooks
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67631/Make_an_efford_to_includ_UBUNTU_i...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/73954/bDell_Just_Give_Choice_a_Chanceb_...
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67867/Shop_Dell_PCs_with_Linux_Require_...
http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/67692

...and many more...

Of course not all hardware choices will go down well with Ubuntu, but you have a conflict resolution system in place to notify users that make incompatible choices, and that could easily be extended to address conflicts between hardware and operating system. The only reason not to have Ubuntu is when there are fundamental incompatibilities that cannot be addressed by swapping wireless card or video card (suspend/hibernation...). In this case show "No operating system" (no point in having "No operating system" when a free operating system is available).

So, don't hide Ubuntu in some dark corner of your website only known to geeks, give customers a REAL choice...





28 Comments »

How about Stainless Steel?

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Environment, Desktops and Laptops submitted by petzymathuram 09/26/07

How about Desktops and laptops purely in Stainless steel?
Recently LG has launched a mobile purely in stainless steel as "Born to Shine"....;)
If mobiles can be done with Stainless steel Y not Dell Desktops and Laptops.
is this possible?...perhaps a method of Green technology as well?
Atleast a few systems juzz to cover up the "Green Requirements"...;)
Will this work out?......;) 12 Comments »

Dell's Website must work with Firefox running on Linux

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by qgonjon 07/16/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

It's discouraging to have a Tier 1 vendor (Dell) selling Linux products and yet not really tailoring to Linux. Don't get me wrong Dell, I am not trying to take away all the good you have done. Offering Linux is a step in the right direction and I would like to see more steps taken in a monthly or quarterly basis. But, it seems that the basis for your current Linux promotion is for the Open Source enthusiast like me. I use Linux at home and at work as my main operating system. I use Firefox as my browser and I'm trying to order a Dell Inspiron 1420N. However, it seems that the embedded flash script that shows the different colors choices for the Inspiron is not working under Linux. It also shows that I can't see the different images thereafter. It works with Windows running Firefox as my vmware machine verified. But that is not the type of user that will most likely purchase a Linux laptop.

My request is simple. Can someone fix and verify that this page works well with Linux browser technology? So, that users can enjoy purchasing your Linux products and demonstrate that Dell really cares about their customer's operating system preference.

Dell I wish you the best in this venture as your success in this territory will help the Linux Desktop become a reality to the open source community.





73 Comments »

Allow Anti-Virus as Optional

Sales Strategies, Software submitted by rgb66rgb 09/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Some purchasers already have subscriptions to anti-virus products that can be ported to new systems. Not having a 'no anti-virus' option on every system order page forces those users to essentially buy two licenses when only one machine will be used.







61 Comments »

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 »

Add all the OS's you sell to the "Help Me Choose: Operating System" page

Dell Web Site, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz 06/08/07

These pages: titled "Help Me Choose: Operating System" (a Dell help me choose page,another one)
only list some of the operating systems Dell sells.

I assume you also recommend Ubuntu for some home users (those who want better security and performance, I imagine) and FreeDOS for business (since that's what you sell on your Latitudes - even though I can't imagine why you prefer FreeDOS there over Ubuntu). But unless you put them in those pages, we can't easily make an informed choice. 15 Comments »

Better selection of Linux notebooks

Linux submitted by kasoroth 08/07/07

An Ubuntu notebook with higher specs would be nice. At a minimum, I'd want a decent monitor option (1920x1200 resolution), a decent NVIDIA video card option, and gigabit ethernet. I'd also prefer an AMD processor, and a price point about $50 less than an equivalent Windows system. 5 Comments »

Make the dell ubuntu models available through the main webpage

Dell Web Site, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by rajeevbhatta 06/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Instead of having the model listings on a different webpage ( www.dell.com/open) have these models available from the product search you have on the main page or a link available through the main page (www.dell.com)

When I go to dell.com and I search for the product model numbers I never can find them I have to go to the other page and then I see it. The only thing I saw on the main page is a small flash ad which then takes you to the page.

Why cant you place these models with the other models on your page.........





30 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 »

Ubuntu-Vista Dual-boot

Linux, Operating Systems, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by badblood 06/08/07 **NOT NOW**

As Dell Ubuntu and Vista computer systems are priced roughly the same, then Dell could give us both OS' for the same price.

Sounds reasonable, no? 17 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 »

Why can't we get multi-boot Linux systems?

Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by winoffice 06/06/07

Many people would like Linux on their PCs (I don't want it now, but I might consider it if it is multi-booted with Windows), but some must get it multi-booted with Windows, as they may need Windows at home (they may love the new Vista looks, for example), work (they may spend the money for Windows because of requirements at work, for example), etc., or just to run some Windows-only applications.

First: Thus, please have Dell offer multi-boots too.

But do not just offer multi-boots.

Let us get any version of Linux available (let us choose more than one), and any version of Windows available (again, let us choose more than one). Dell should offer the following operating systms in a fashion shown below, but do not force us to get Windows, and do not force us to get Linux either (in other words, people should be able to pick one from each group of operating systems):

Windows XP (choose one): None, Home Edition, Media Center, or Professional
Windows Server 2003 (choose one): None, Web Edition, Standard Edition, Small Business Standard Edition, Small Business Premium Edition, Enterprise Edition, or Datacenter Edition
Windows Vista (choose one): None, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate
Linux (choose one): None, Ubuntu Desktop Edition, Ubuntu Server Editon, or Other Linux (if applicable or available)

By the way, about Windows Server 2003, Dell offers it on compatible servers, and since most Dell PCs meet the requirements, Dell can certainly offer Windows Server 2003 on compatible PCs, for managing web sites on a local network, for example. But I still included the "None" option there if anyone does not need it or does not want it.

Second: Also, once Dell does offer the multi-boot systems, offer all the stickers too -- but make them optional. Of course, keep the processor sticker as one of them. However, add all of the relevant OS stickers as well. For example, if a user selects a choice other than "None" for all four operating systems, then include five stickers: the processor, XP, 2003, Vista, and Linux stickers. If a user selected only Vista and Linux, then include three stickers: the processor, Vista, and Linux. Finally, add a page to the "Build my system" wizard called "Choose your stickers". Only if a user did not select "None" for a particular OS should a user be able to get the sticker for that OS.

The "Choose your stickers" dialog box should look somewhat like this. I assume here that all four operating systems are included. If not, then the dialog box should be changed accordingly.

Do you want the processor sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Windows XP sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Windows Server 2003 sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Windows Vista sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Ubuntu (or other Linux if applicable) sticker? Yes No

And, finally, the stickers should be all be put in the same, and in a reasonable, area, where they always have been (if only, of course, the user said that he/she wants them). Examples: For desktops/servers, this means the bottom-left corner of the front. For notebooks, this means the lower-right corner of the keyboard/touchpad area.

Third: Since a user will almost certainly get both Windows and Linux this way, make three types of keyboards (keep the original Windows keyboards; the other one should be for Ubuntu Linux; the third should be for both):

One should bear only the Windows logo on both start keys (they are between the Ctrl and Alt keys), and should be used on systems on which only Windows is selected.
Another should bear only the Ubuntu logo on both start keys, and should be used on systems on which only Ubuntu is selected.
The last should bear both logos on both start keys, and should be used on systems on which both Windows and Ubuntu are selected. 27 Comments »

Ubuntu & Win XP Dual boot; Open office and Firefox /Thunderbird

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Desktops and Laptops submitted by bsteff 02/20/07

Sell desktops (and yes laptops) with dual boot of Ubuntu AND Win XP. My particular work environment cannot tolerate Vista and I don't like the control Microsoft is attempting to exert over my PC. Consumers are NOT mindless idiots!!! GEt rid of DRM. I will gladly pay for digital content and I will not sell/give it to a friend or acquaintance (read pirate/thief). GWA is bad enough with threats from Microsoft to crank up the pressure on non-genuine PC's. I am a physician and I control, to a large extent, at my hospital system what type of software we get in the form of PACS (computerized x-ray digital image viewing on local PC's - thin client) Almost all of imaging is now digital.

The threat of Microsoft DRM degrading images used for the critical diagnosis of patients is intolerable such that we are exerting considerable pressure on vendors to provide clients that run under open source. Why open source? Simplyu because it puts us back in control. If images are degraded and critical diagnoses missed, we docs and our patients are going to pay the price. Ubuntu, and other GUI's of LInux (such as Xandros) can let us avoid this. I run Ubuntu routinely and find it dependable and easy to use. I can trust it. Microsoft has lost my last shred of trust with Vista and its DRM and driver situation.

On another front, we in medicine are under tremendous pressure to cut costs. For a faculty of over 400 at my medical school and staff of about 1500, the cost of MS Office is tremendous. Open Office Org. software is a great help in this regared and even has features that MS Office does not offer. MS has lost our trust. We will probably all use Open Office Org in the future - so why not offer it as loaded at purchase time. I would be willing to pay a nominal fee, say $30-50 for the loading up of the software on my PC so htat i can use it immediately when I receive it.

Dell should know that the loading of all the JUNK software that comes on my PC's from Dell is a Large factor in my reluctance to order new PC's at shorter intervals, no matter what the technical hardware advances.

Brad A. Steffler, MD
Medical School Professor 2 Comments »