kasoroth

Make it easier to select a system on dell.com

Dell Web Site submitted by hve.dk Feb 8

First of all: I don't care if my computer is named Vostro, Latitude or Brian ;-)

Please let me:
1) Select / specify components: OS, Processor speed, RAM size, HD size/type, screen size (for laptops) aso
THEN
2) Allow me to buy a system simply by clicking a list systems that fit my needs. 1 Comment »

Allow me to narrow my computer search early if I know specific features I must have.

Dell Web Site, Desktops and Laptops submitted by sotopheavy Feb 21

I want to be able to select a feature I must have before I answer any other questions (perhaps in an advanced users section) that will narrow down the number of computers I will be looking at.

For example. I want to be able to select Wireless N, core 2 duo, gigabit ethernet and laptop and then have dell narrow my search results to only laptops where those options are possible. I want to further narrow my search results by the processor speed (1.8 Ghz, 2.0Ghz...) until I find a list of acceptable computers I can select from.

It would be nice but not necessary if before I selected an option to narrow the results if it showed how many computers in each category would be left (xps (2), dimension(0), latitude (1), and inspiron (0))

For something similar to what I am talking about see newegg.com 3 Comments »

high resolution laptop screens

Laptops submitted by chmbr 02/17/07

In May 2003, I bought a 15.4" screen Inspiron with 1920X1200 resolution. today -- and for most of the last year -- the best you sell in a 15.4 is 1600X1050. What gives? How long do we have to keep our old laptops before you create a product which is on a par with 4 years ago? (Not all of us want to lug 17" monsters -- and if we did, we would want more resolution than we could get 4 years ago in a smaller laptop.)

Also, why do you almost never make high speed drives available in laptops in larger size drives?

The basics, the basics, man! 5 Comments »

Give us a WUXGA or UXGA Linux laptop option

Linux, Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by nil0lab 10/04/07

I've been runnling Linux on my Dell Inspiron 8600 for the past four years. It's got WUXGA. And the Sony I ran for three years before that, it had UXGA.

I certainly applaud having Ubuntu available pre-installed, and I certainly don't want another unused Windows license, but how come the laptops you are selling have such low-end screens? XGA is /so/ last century.

Please, can you offer me a Core2 Duo with Intel graphics and wifi chipset (since Linus Torvalds says they've been very cooperative with the Linux kernel developers for the past couple of years) and a UXGA or WUXGA screen?

Thanks

By the way, I'll keep using my Inspiron 8600 till I can find a suitable (UXGA or better) non-Microsoft replacement. 1 Comment »

Have AMD CPUS As an option for the Ubuntu Line

Linux submitted by timberwolf753 Feb 8

Give the people choice of CPU's to use in your Ubuntu Line. I want to buy one but I don't use Intel CPU's becasue they suck up power and that is why I use Energy Efficient AMD CPUs. So please, Let us choice if we want an AMD or Intel CPU in our computers. 2 Comments »

Offer HighResolution screens for your consumer Laptops as you do for the business Latitudes

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by rseibel 04/22/07

Please offer the highresolution screen for you consumer Inspiron and XPS laptops as an option as you do for the business line of Latitudes. It is not much more effort, but makes them much more attractive.

Now you offer 1280x800 i.e. 1 Megapixel aka. WXGA Resolution on 15,4" screens of your Inspirons, that might be fine for some people. But it is not appropriate for others like me.

I suggest to offer 1400x900 i.a. 1,26 Megapixel aka. WXGA+ or even 1680x1050 i.e. 1,76 Megapixel on your 15,4 " screens that is 26% respectively 76% more usefull screen space.

You offer higher resolutions for your Latitude laptops, why not for the regular user also? Apple is using HiResolution screens also..

Pros:
- One have more space on ones desktop and can be more productive by using the applications more effectively such as office, photoshop, movieediting, mindmaps etc.
- Your screen is fit for HiDefinition movies coming to the market now.
- Windows Vista has a vector based graphic user interface able to scale fonts appropriately and should be made able to adjust them as the user demands.

Cons:
- Sure it is more expensive to produce/assemble, but I am willing to pay some extra $ for that.
- The fonts might be too small for some people, but there is a solution for that with Vista.

Just an idea, fell free to comment! 6 Comments »

Offer an AMD/ATI powered Ubuntu laptop

Linux, Laptops submitted by mgrunde 12/18/07

While looking at the only notebook option Dell offers with Ubuntu preinstalled, I noticed that my only choices for the CPU were all Intel, and the only choices for the video card were nVidia and Intel.

AMD/ATI has made a great step forward by releasing a good portion of the GPU documentation to the Linux community, and is even helping develop completely free and open source drivers for their video cards.

In order to support AMD/ATI in their great achievement, I would like to purchase a Ubuntu powered notebook with an AMD processor and am AMD/ATI video card. 6 Comments »

Get GNU/Linux Machines in Retail Stores

Linux submitted by dpic Feb 14

Imagine how successful Dell's Ubuntu offering could be if just one Dell Ubuntu machine was put in retail stores. If people knew of an alternative to Windows, they would go for it! So what do you say, Dell? Why don't you try to put at least one of your Ubuntu machines offered in retail stores? 736 Comments »

Don't make it difficult for people to find Ubuntu machines

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by xivulon 08/09/07

Ubuntu is now shipped to Europe, but it is hidden away and not that obvious to find. If you did not follow the news, you would probably have missed it completely. What link do people usually follow when buying a laptop at dell.co.uk? They follow the most preminent links:

Notebooks > Home > Home Essential Notebooks

This is where they usually end up to: http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_good?c=uk&...

The inspiron 6400 does come with Ubuntu, but do you see a "Select with ubuntu" button anywhere? I don't think so. If you want a Ubuntu machine you have to get there via a completely different route, by selecting the OS first (on the less visible left column) and then the machine... You can do that for XP too, but with XP you can also select the machine first and then the OS. Why is it not the same with Ubuntu? Moreover, if you click on the laptop image, it will automatically select Vista (thus giving it far more preminence).

So, I am glad Dell started shipping Ubuntu, but to me it looks like they only want to make informed geeks happy, while hiding the option to average joe. If Dell was really serious they should have Ubuntu listed in the customization section of each and every supported machine.

Customize your Operating System:

* Ubuntu Linux [subtract £30]
* Genuine Windows XP [Included in price]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English [Included in Price]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English [add £23.50]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate (32Bit) - English [add £117.50]

There is already a conflict-resolution message, so you could easily signal incompatible OS/hardware choices. The above is what I call "choice", anything else is muddling the water. 6 Comments »

Include Ubuntu as option for the Vostro line

Linux, Small Business, Vostro products submitted by jgjones 12/18/07

The Vostro line is a popular choice for small businesses because of its very very low cost (I use this for the business that I work for for example, and it's a small but rapidly growing business).

I want to see an option to pick Ubuntu (or other supported Linux distro, in my case I use Ubuntu) instead of just Windows XP or Vista.

Small businesses are interested in minimising cost, and trying to minimise the cost to just Linux allows me to save plenty for the business (it's not just the OS cost to save on, but there's the anti-virus, office suites, databases etc etc that all need to be gotten for each PC. For a Windows product that's expensive, for Ubuntu...it already comes with OpenOffice and doesn't require any antivirus etc - this is a huge cost saving for a small business that's trying to meet costs.

Summary - Please include Ubuntu (or other distro) as an option of OS for the Vostro range of PC's/Laptops.

Thanks 2 Comments »

make linux systems EASY TO FIND

Dell Web Site submitted by phubert 10/18/07

At other sites, I have seen comments by individuals who have BOUGHT Dell Ubuntu systems complaining about the difficulty FINDING said systems.

I think you'll get more sales if you improve the visibility! 30 Comments »

Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/17/07

Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)

OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System

Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
574 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.





189 Comments »

Put Ubuntu on a laptop with better specs

Inspiron products, Linux submitted by piratehead 10/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Offer an Ubuntu laptop (Inspirion or otherwise) with available discreet graphics, discreet audio, 8GB or more of RAM, a quad-core processor, bluetooth, next-gen WiFi, and integrated webcam.

I don't know how many of those are possible at this point, but each one is a step forward for people who are waiting on certain specs to bite on a Dell laptop.

Now that you offer laptops with Ubuntu on them, I really don't want to go to another company just to get the computer specs I want. I wish to vote for Dell with my dollars, paying for a laptop that has actually been tested and certified by the manufacturer to run Ubuntu. Please give me the opportunity!


Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about our Ubuntu offerings.
96 Comments »

Put Ubuntu on the list of operating systems when building a PC!

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by samb0057 08/10/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Ubuntu is hidden in a dark corner of the website. I work in IT support, and I have a client who was having virus problems a little while ago. I fixed the problem by installing Ubuntu on their PC. Very recently they called me asking for advice on a new computer, I told them about your new offer providing Ubuntu pre-installed on PCs and they wanted to purchase, but could not find the section on your site (this person is a very basic user, doesn't know what open-source means, probably didn't even see the open source link). There is no way they would have found your Ubuntu section on their own.

I urge you to offer Ubuntu as a choice of OSes in the system configuration wizard, the only way to really sell Ubuntu is to offer Ubuntu as a primary option, rather than a hidden alternative. I personally am looking to buy a new laptop, and you guys have always been my number 1 PC manufacturer (I don't think I've ever bought a new retail PC except from you guys), but I feel that your Ubuntu offerings are lacking. If you offered Ubuntu on some of the great deals you offer on your home page, I would be willing to pay just as much as I would for a Windows Vista system and I probably would have already ordered.







158 Comments »

Submit hardware specifications to the Linux Driver Project

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux submitted by upstaked 10/05/07 **REVIEWED**

Back in January kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman from Novell started a project offering companies free Linux driver development.

This proved so successful that Novell made it his full-time job and turned to a project with over 200 kernel developers: http://www.linuxdriverproject.org/ .

So Dell, submit specs and convince your hardware providers to do so too. I want to spend my money on great new hardware that runs on Linux.





We constantly work with our hardware partners to develop and maintain open-sourced drivers. Also, we make it clear that through their own developers (or other projects like the Linux Driver Project) they need to deliver on drivers.






13 Comments »

http://www.dell.com/open shouldn't steer people towards Windows

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by limulus 08/02/07

If I want to look at the open source offerings on Dell's site, there's a nice short URL that redirects to the appropriate page: http://www.dell.com/open

However, some of the wording on the page sounds like it was written to DISCOURAGE people from buying those systems and steer them towards Windows; an excerpt:

---
Not sure Open Source is for You?

The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don’t get a Windows® operating system. If you’re here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link.

Shop Dell PCs with Windows
---

To make the page better:

* remove the "Not sure Open Source is for You?" and "Already an Open Source fan?" sections or change them to something like this:

---
New to Open Source?

A very important thing for people familiar with Microsoft Windows® but new to open source to note before buying is that it is an alternative to Windows®, not a cheap version of Windows®. Programs specifically designed to run on Windows® will NOT run by default on Dell's open source systems. If you want to run programs such as "Microsoft Office® 2007", "Adobe Photoshop® CS3", "iTunes® 7.3" and "The Sims® 2" you're in the wrong place! (Dell's Windows® systems may be found here.)

If you already knew that or are ok with it, please continue shopping below...
---

* if its to be kept, move the "You asked, we listened." part down into the Ubuntu description, but get rid of the "advanced users and tech enthusiasts" mention; installing an OS (regardless of the OS) is usually the most difficult step (and one not done by 'average users') but Dell has done all the hard work (most notably by selecting compatible hardware) and after that Ubuntu is really not that hard to use :)

* in the "What Is Open Source?" section, the following sentence needs work: "A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use, and in the case of operating systems, may not be compatible with the same software applications and hardware as Windows operating systems."

What is the reference for "advanced knowledge to use"? Are we talking about the command line? Ubuntu can be used without ever seeing it. Perhaps consider striking that. The real meat of the issue, of course, is that Windows embraces proprietary things and its an uphill battle to try to support them in an open OS. Perhaps use the following:

"A downside is that consumer software applications and hardware choices which are compatible with the proprietary Windows operating system may not work in an open source environment or may require significant tweaking to make them work."

(for software, the tweaking is a reference to Wine... for the hardware, we can hope for support in future Ubuntu versions ;) 42 Comments »

Business class Linux notebooks with large screens.

Linux, Monitors and Displays, Small Business submitted by nategoose 09/19/07

I check the dell.com/open everyday looking for the day when you have a higher end Linux notebook. Bigger screen and possibly 2 hard drive bays. Maybe a docking station, but not necessary. 1 Comment »

Ubuntu on 12.1 or 13.3 inch laptops

Linux, Laptops submitted by miceagol 05/31/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Preload Ubuntu on your 12.1 (XPS M1210) or 13.3 inch (XPS M1330) laptops. As it is now, there's only one choice for a laptop, and that choice is not a light laptop. The 12.1 inch and 13.3 inch laptops are much better to carry around than heavy 15 inch++ laptops.




Check out the Idea in Action update.
73 Comments »

Same discounts available on Ubuntu and Windows

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by jonsmirl 06/12/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I'm ordering a Vista XPS 410 right now. I wanted a Ubuntu one but I'm going to throw away yet another copy of Windows. The Vista XPS 410 has $200 off today and free ship for a total of $869. The identical Ubuntu machine is $1019 plus $29.99 shipping. So today Ubuntu costs $170 more than Windows instead of $50 less. Why can't I have the same discounts on the Ubuntu machine? 50 Comments »