Linux Pre-Installed on Business Laptops
Linux submitted by dbyte32
07/02/07
Dell should offer Linux pre-installed on business laptops, not just home laptops.
Dell currently offers Red Hat Enterprise on the Dimension N Series, Optiplex N Series and Dell Precision Workstations for businesses. What's the problem with offering Red Hat Enterprise on the Inspiron, Latitude, Precision Mobile and XPS notebooks? Dell currently has the expertise in house for Red Hat Enterprise since they have been selling it for years. Support can be purchased directly from Red Hat with dell supporting hardware issues.
At the least allow customers to buy the business laptops without windows, so then they have the option of purchasing a copy of Red Hat Enterprise from Red Hat directly and installing it themselves.
580
Low Power Usage Machines
Environment, Desktops and Laptops submitted by bluefoxicy
06/12/07
This proposal suggests creating specifically low-energy systems, with mid-level performance. We suggest a market for this proposal; a handful of existing technologies useful to these ends; and theoretical initiatives to continue on with this initiative.
This proposal suggests low-energy, mid-level performance systems. These systems would serve for generic tasks taken by a number of individual groups; in a nutshell, the system would function as a generic machine running Linux, although further initiatives would allow running Windows. These machines would be geared more towards tasks such as Web browsing, E-mail, audio and video encoding, video conferencing, and graphics editing; but would find deficiency in running high-intensity real time scientific applications or leading-edge 3D games. Such machines would utilize less electricity and thus cost less to run; also laptops and computers running on UPS would last longer on battery.
Existing technologies include alternate processor architectures such as Intel's Xscale ARM processor as I suggested earlier[1]; Mary Lou Jepsen's new LCD design[4] as I suggested earlier[2]; a low-power wireless chipset; and flash-based disks.
The Intel Xscale ARM processor runs at 600MHz and only in 32-bit mode, dual processor SMP could allow 1200MHz total. The high efficiency of the ARM architecture allows high performance at these low clock speeds; more importantly to this proposal, the Intel Xscale@600MMhz consumes 0.5 watts of power[3]. An Intel Core2duo X6800@2.93GHz consumes 75 watts of power[3], while a Core2duo U7600@1.20GHz consumes 10 watts. A dual processor Xscale system would utilize 1 watt of power for 1.20GHz to run the processors; this translates into lower heat production and thus reduced cooling requirements as well, further reducing power usage and also possibly allowing for fanless, quieter systems.
Mary Lou Jepsen designed a new display technology[4] for the One Laptop Per Child project. This technology uses a bright white LED and refraction to project colors to individual pixels; power usage reductions come from removing the high-power fluorescent back light. The display has color artifact issues, currently solved by applying a slight amount of blurring; sharpness falls below 200dpi. I am unsure of the potential to improve this technology for sharper displays; however it does have a wider color gamut than a normal LCD, and a very low manufacture cost.
The One Laptop Per Child project also uses a low-power wireless networking chipset. I believe this chipset uses an embedded, low-clockrate, self-clocked ARM processor with built-in RAM used to store firmware (loaded by the driver). The chipset uses, overall, a few tens of milliwatts of electricity at most; the power footprint of this wireless chipset is almost nothing. The particular chipset is an 802.11b chipset; however, similar designs for 802.11a/g/n chipsets should be possible. Having such a low power usage chipset for wireless would obviously contribute to the lower power footprint of the system.
Flash based "hard disks" (main storage) also supply a method of reducing system power usage; unfortunately, the technology carries a high price tag. Newegg sells 16GB USB flash drives for around $130, so I estimate retail price of 96GB flash storage drives would fall at $780 currently. Still, the price point moves rapidly with this technology, so in a few years this will become quite viable; I remember around 2003 things like 128MB drives cost $90, and 2GB drives cost $200 in 2005. If we look at the 2005 price and assume at least an 8-fold increase in capacity for the same price, then 128GB flash drives should fall around $100-$150 by 2009; realistically, the fabrication processes for smaller semiconductors become easier and the capacity per price grows exponentially.
Further theoretical initiatives include a hardware x86-to-ARM translator chipset; low-power 3D graphics; and static graphics buffers that can stay on without the CPU or most of the graphics chipset.
This proposal specifically suggests a low-power-usage ARM processor; however, modern operating systems run on x86. Modern x86 processors use a RISC language internally and apply translation to x86 instruction code to produce RISC instructions; in the same way, an expansion chipset could translate x86 code to ARM. The BIOS and its shadow would always run directly on the ARM; but a setting in the BIOS would control whether all other code runs on x86 or ARM. Setting this to x86 would activate a chipset which translates x86 instructions to ARM instructions upon fetch, and caches the output in an additional cache (Possibly a reserved segment of main memory, size adjustable in BIOS for performance). In the presence of a completely ARM operating system, this translation chipset could be completely disabled and unpowered, saving power.
Many desktop applications utilize menial 3D graphics, or can be accelerated by 3D graphics. A fully OpenGL 2.0 or higher and DirectX 10 or higher supporting 3D chipset could provide support to desktop environments like Aero and Compiz and simplistic games on the level of Armagetron or Nexuiz. This chipset could run at a low clock rate and utilize a low power footprint; not much power is needed to run simple 3D desktops. The chipset could alternately scale to high clock rates as needed, possibly supporting more intensive 3D applications.
The AMD Geode GX and Geode LX contain an integrated graphics chipset. This graphics chipset maintains the video buffer even when power to the processor is completely removed (power to the graphics area stays). I believe it also can maintain the display with most of the graphics hardware off, as long as the frame buffer stays powered; in this case, the same static image can stay on the screen, so as long as the cursor isn't blinking and the mouse isn't moving power usage drops drastically. A graphics chipset which behaves in this way would allow for large power savings if a properly coded operating system took advantage of it.
Once again, this proposal in general suggests low-power, mid-performance machines for desktops and laptops. The above ideas give some possible methods for implementing this; further research is required, but I believe I've given some interesting direction here.
[1] http://ideastorm.com/article/show/67331/ARM_PCs
[2] http://ideastorm.com/article/show/67334/LowPower_nomercury_LCD_Monitors
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_power_dissipation
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Machine#Display
1540
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.
1520
Dell - Let us know if IdeaStorm is still useful to you; or if you want it to just go away.
IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz
07/06/07
When IdeaStorm launched; Dell sounded like it would be an important part of a new (or perhaps reborn pre-Rollins) strategy of listening to customers.
But since the initial excitement it seems IdeaStorm is getting less and less involvement from Dell employees. For example the very easiest and highest voted ideas (no-OS across your products has got to be one of the easiest ideas here; and if I recall it's in the top-10 most popular) never receive any comments from Dell.
Some speculation is that you may be getting pressure from some of your software vendors since many - if not most - of the Ideas here are critical of some of the pre-bundled software you include on your systems.
But even if those software vendors want IdeaStorm to go away, I would hope that Dell sticks with it --- we Dell customers trust and respect Dell far more than we respect those software vendors; and would very much like to see you stand up to them.
Ideas:
* Dell, please continue interacting with IdeaStorm. IdeaStorm was a good idea when you launced it, and IdeaStorm is still a good idea today.
* Dell, if some of your software partners may not like some of the IdeaStorm Ideas, don't let them pressure you into ignoring your customers. The reason such ideas (no trialware/adware ; linux linux linux ; noOS) are such popular is because as much as your customers like Dell, your customers are extremely frustrated with your software partners. Don't let them silence your customers.
290
Dell - You did announce how many copies of Vista sold; and the percentage of Home Machines shipped with Vista - Do the same for Ubuntu
Dell, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz
07/06/07
Apparently someone from Dell apparently mistakenly responded to an IdeaStorm Idea by stating that Dell does not announce sales figures broken down by OS, and that's why they can't give out Ubuntu sales figures.
That's clearly false, because Dell does announce such numbers widely.
For example, after the Vista launch, Dell announced:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=226
Dell Computer began taking orders for Windows Vista systems this weekend. The first reports are in....according to CEO Kevin Rollins —
* 100 percent of its new consumer orders were for Vista machines
* Dell sold "tens of thousands of copies" of Vista out of the chute
So some Ideas: A. When Dell admins on IdeaStorm explain their actions or inactions as coming from some Dell policy - they should check if it's true first. B. How about announcing the Ubuntu figures in the exact same way you announced the Vista figures In particular: * What percent of new consumer orders are for Vista vs XP vs Ubuntu vs NoOS during the week following the Ubuntu launch. * What order of magnitude of Ubuntu systems did Dell launch. Both figures were announced for the Vista Launch. Why are you not announcing the same information after the Ubuntu launch? Fear of offending your masters?
330
Linux promotion
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by alfadaemon
06/19/07
I don't know about you, but I noticed the label that you get when entering the only part of Dell site that you get for sure to see Ubuntu Linux.
The label that you first see on the site (The one with BIGGER LETTERS). I don't know about you but when someone ask me where they can find the "famous" Ubuntu-Dell computer I redirect them to www.dell.com/open, and what do you get in there? I frightening: "Not sure Open Source is for You?" What's this kind of marketing? You tell someone, hey there is Dell selling Linux computers but if you not sure if Linux is for you, come get a Windows PC!!!!
I believe that Linux is not only for the "Already an Open Source fan", Ubuntu, and Linux, is ready for much more of that. Why don't change that with something that motivate people to search and get involved in the Linux world?
I know that Dell is getting more $$$ for the Windows' computers, but I don't think this is the right way to promote a "new" product.
1580
Idea For IdeaStorm contributors - don't deface the site.
IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz
07/06/07
There have been recent discussions about a couple recent defacements (replacing the text of popular voted ideas with nothing ; nonsense-idea floods ; off-topic images) on IdeaStorm stemming from frustration from a lack of interaction from Dell. Apparently people are thinking that reacting negatively will make Dell want to interact more rather than less.
An alternative view is that I suspect Dell has been getting some pressure from one or more of it's existing software partners to kill this site (many of the ideas are critical of various crapware packages -including Vista - suggesting that people respect Dell so much that we continue to buy Dells in spite of the unpleasant software they choose to bundle).
While it'd be too bad PR for them to just ax the site outright; neglecting it and hoping it goes away; as well as driving people to frustration so they deface it with profanities and deletions are the best excuses they'd need to shut it down.
Idea: If people want IdeaStorm to survive and be important to Dell, I think the best way is to continue to be as constructive as possible; and make sure that the ideas and content here are so valuable that Dell wants to look at them.
Dell - please stay focused on the highest-voted ideas, though. Don't distract yourselves with this one until you've addressed the ideas below which have been the top-ranked ideas for at least 6 months without adequate responses.. - 147,808 - dhart - Pre-Installed Linux [and not just on a couple obsolete models in limited geographies]
- 127,719 - dhart - Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
- 107,313 - robinjfisher - Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
- 89,183 - ootleman - No Extra Software Option [only a couple models are crapware-free today]
- 78,007 - gergnz - Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
- 73,600 - agreer - No OS Preloaded [and not just on a couple obsolete models]
360
Advertise Ubuntu a little more loudly
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by zhinker
05/16/07 **NOT NOW**
I may be wrong about this but it doesn't seem to me like Dell's done any sort of advertising at all for the new Ubuntu pc's that it'll be rolling out soon, except for it's initial declaration I haven't heard a word about on any non-linux media (everyone using linux knows about it of course).
Unless Dell is planning on marketing this solely to linux users, it might want to let the rest of the world know that it's going to be selling Ubuntu soon (a simple photo and note on their website would be enough to make a bunch of pc buyers at least interested, and the ad wouldn't even cost anything). The problem with going after only current linux users is that you're substantially lowering your market base (which of course, is already pretty low--I realize this is just an experiment) to people who might already have pc's their perfectly happy with for the next couple of years, and I'm also worried that this perceived lack of interest might give Dell, and hence other pc manufacturers, the idea that selling linux computers is still a failing enterprise.
That's my 2 cents
5100
Allow customers to come to Dell.com and Order just "Plant a Tree"
Dell Web Site, Environment, New Product Ideas submitted by clocks
06/27/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**
Allow users to work with dell to imrpove Dell's "green" image. Make an "Accessories" product to allow people to just order "plant a tree" or to order as many "Plant a tree"s as they want. This option was not presented when I bought a desktop just a few days ago and I personally would go back right now and order "Plant a tree" because I would like to.
I think that if nothing else, the few minutes it would take Dell to setup this option would give you guys something to point to, even if it wasnt an option that a lot of people had taken advantage of.
if you wanted to take the concept a step forward, build a few add banners/buttons etc to make freely availible with the code to insert one on your web page. The button would be something along the lines of "Join Dell in planting trees". Your logo is associated with an environmental practice, blue logo on green with various tree abstracts in the image, etc. Reputation boost, plus you have genuinely provided a capability to your user base and various concerns on the internet to actively take part in helping Dell be green.
Sure, maybe you are using a few hours of the time of your salaried workers who you already pay for to add the item to the site and create some logos but if you really care about improving your reputation in this area, it might be an investment well worth it.
700
Smaller Power Bricks
Laptops submitted by drew08867
06/28/07
I know they've gotten smaller with the new line of inspirons, but lenovo's are still something to be rivaled. What is the point of having a thin/light laptop and a heavy power brick you have to carry around with it?
1150
Market Ubuntu / Linux Certified Accessories under Dell Open
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell Web Site, Linux, Printers and Ink submitted by jaybird
07/04/07
I love my Dell E1505N and the pre-installed Ubuntu Linux works great. I'm interested in upgrading / acquiring some new peripherals but it can be confusing determining which manufacturers and models inter-operate well with Ubuntu and Linux in general. It would be wonderful if Dell would provide a place to shop for Ubuntu certified accessories such as printers, cameras and MP3 players.
Customers purchasing such items from the Dell Open site would know that they either included the necessary software to integrate well or were already well supported by the OS. This would not even need to be an especially large selection of items - perhaps a low end and high end entry from each category. Having the assurance that my new printer, print server or MP3 player would integrate well with my new Ubuntu based laptop would allow me to stop researching and finally buy some new peripherals.
950
Use OLEDs in Dell monitors
Monitors and Displays submitted by doomlord52
07/04/07
OLEDs are much more effieient, brighter, offer higher contrast ratio's AND are much smaller. for example, SONY is currently developing a 27" HD TV with OLED technology. It has a contrast ratio of 1 million to 1, and has a response time of 0.01 MILLISECONDS. Samsung is making an 80" HD TV that is less than 2cm thick. There IS a computer monitor 19" thats only 2.1mm thick. With that kind of tech, you could make a laptop a lot thinner. OLEDs are also much more energy efficient efficient, and can save up to 30% more energy than an LCD of the same size. You can also BEND OLED monitors, because the screen is like a film.
This picture will give you an idea of the flexablility and size of OLED screens.
http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/hardware/display/oled_01.jpg< just Copy paste the link into another tab)
990
DVI or HDMI out on all laptops models?
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by tommarnk
07/06/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
this would be a big jump, if dell add "DVI out" on all dell laptops, so people can connect to there LCD Displays or LCD HDTVs natively
the picture quality will be grealy improved
this should be easy to do as most of new chipsets has dvi out
not many laptop manufacturers add "dvi out" to there lower end products, so it might be a wise move to do so
all LCD monitors and lcd hdtvs has dvi or hdmi in so it might work well
and meybe remove the old VGA out and put a singel DVI-I, it can be used as analog (VGA) to, by using VGA-to-DVI-I adapter like tose used on
standard computer graphic cards for years now
many people like me connect monitor via dvi or hdmi to get the best picture and color quality
The offerings for the XPS M1730: Dual-link DVI-I (support for 30-inch displays) and HDMI via DVI adapter. Check out all the specs for the new systems.
3810
Extend offers like Linux pre-installation to the UK & Europe
Dell, Linux submitted by leftcase
05/03/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
First of all - well done Dell for listening to the people and making some brave decisions about the operating systems you provide your computers with.
Supplying pre-installed Linux (and XP instead of Vista for that matter) goes a good way towards giving customers what they want.
One thing that is slightly irritating however is that none of these offers are available outside of the US. Browsing through peoples comments, blogs and the Dell forums reveals that many people from the UK (for example), want the opportunity to get pre-installed Linux on their new Dell PCs.
The UK and Europe marketplace is not insignificant, and many people feel that you should extend your offer to this market too.
Please see Ideas In Action for additional information. Ubuntu Linux in other countries is coming soon.
7950
 track my votes
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