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Ubuntu PCs need more video card options Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by nkmhutirv 06/13/07
Dell desktops and notebooks preloaded with Ubuntu should have more video cards to choose from! End PC Payola | Pioneer a PC Builder Code of Conduct Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/20/07
Dell's image was damaged by the $1bn Intel kickback scandal. Many in the computer industry believe that Microsoft's grip on Dell and other PC Builders is airtight due to secret deals and marketing kickbaks. Consumers appreciate lower prices on new Dell PCs thanks in part to bundled 3rd party software, however we are not permitted to choose the software that is pre-installed, and kickback deals are not transparent. Identify products compatible with Ubuntu Operating Systems submitted by trocupei 07/24/07
The main concern with a linux user is full hardware compatibility with linux. Explain the customer's hardware choices Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by peyre 08/21/07
It would be helpful, especially to less computer-literate customers, to offer explanations for the hardware choices you have available when customizing your computer. This would be especially good for the CPU: telling the difference between Pentium D and Core2 Duo, for instance, and the significance of the Front-Side Bus. The video card section could tell you why you might want an NVidia vs. an ATI vs. the onboard Intel card. That sort of thing. Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by safaci2000 06/19/07
Should dell, start certifying the vast majority of their laptops/towers as being Ubuntu compatible. Not necessarily pre-package Ubuntu on all laptops (though that'd be nice), but just like msft has their certified msft hardware, dell should test out each model they sell and either flag it as compatible or not with Ubuntu. (which odds are, would translate over to most other distributions anyways). http://www.dell.com/open shouldn't steer people towards Windows Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by limulus 08/02/07
Easy access to fans for cleaning on laptops Laptops submitted by celticgibson 04/22/07 As we all know, the inspiron laptops get hot once dust builds up on the CPU/GPU grills and it's impossible to clean them without having to resort to taking the latop apart. It would be awesome if you could put blank plates on the bottom of the laptop, where the fans take in air, to allow for easy access for removal of fans and hence the cleaning of the grills. This would save many a problem with overheating hardware and endless tech support problems. 17 Comments » Dell Include a Ubuntu CD with every purchase of a Non-Ubuntu OS System for every System you sell. Dell, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jorge 08/14/07
Dell Include a Ubuntu CD with every purchase of a Non-Ubuntu OS System for every System you sell. TheOpenCD.org should be an option for any Dell OS, regardless if Windows or Ubuntu Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jorge 05/26/07
With Ubuntu PCs dell should... Linux submitted by kevintrooper 07/05/07
provide an Ubuntu CD! Fix issue regarding OS installation vs. SATA Hard Drive Servers and Storage, Vostro products submitted by rpricket 09/02/07
The suggestion is that Dell must update the bios/firmware for its Vostro computers to give better support of the SATA drives. This – or otherwise create a means by which to install the operating system of choice, without a prob.Why is this needed? - In short, without proper SATA matrix drivers installed, the user may (as I have) encounter severe problems when trying to install a fresh copy of the operating system of choice. These problems may include anything from locking up during installation, or even the Blue Screen of Death. The sad part is, that in my experience, there is no option to load these matrix drivers during XP install – meaning, one cannot install XP. The root cause? – its hard to say, but obviously there is a hardware conflict if drivers are needed just to properly install an OS. My Experience: I ordered my dell Vostro 1700 late July of 07, and received it the first week of August – well ahead of the expected delivery date. Having spent about $1,700 on my setup, I was very excited to open the box and start enjoying my new laptop. (Tech specs listed below) In the first hour of use, I encountered my first problem - a popping in the sound playback. Wonderful. Simply Wonderful. (I will address this issue in a separate proposal) After some searching I found this issue addressed on the dell forums, with no real solution. Thinking it couldn’t get much worse, I went on. Problem number two – the case of the failing video drivers. Specifically while gaming, my NVidia GeForce 8600 GT drivers would suddenly stop working for about 15 seconds – this would happen again, and again, reoccurring every hour or two. I have yet to find the solution. My Vostro is slowly losing its appeal, but I remain faithful… (Will also be fully addressed in a separate proposal) Here’s where the fun begins: (…sometime later) After running into some problems that were seemingly unfixable with a program I was running, I decided to reformat my hard drive and do a fresh install of Windows Vista Home Basic. – Something I do regularly to keep my computers running smoothly. Upon opening the box however, I found that the Vista install DVD was not included. How dare they! - after talking to a tech for 15 minutes I get them to ship me a copy of the DVD. THE REAL PROBLEM- 2 days later, the DVD arrives and I’m all set to reinstall. I pop in the DVD, boot from CD/DVD drive, and off I go. I click through the installation jargon, format the drive, and hit next. Windows starts installing… the first step completes… then the next… and the next – Last step! (the computer reboots here) the last step is listed as “Completing Installation…” and the yellow progress bar at the bottom of the screen is maybe 2/3 full. This is where everything breaks loose – I wait…and wait... and wait… and wait (4-6 hours). (still displaying “Completing Installation…” I reboot and try the process again. Guess what. It did the same thing again…and again… and again. I tried installing Vista in the exact same manner 6 times! I don’t get it, is my DVD bad? Is my hardware bad?? I log on to dells tech support chat. During the 2 hour chat, I did everything from run a system diagnostics, to try installing again – and all I got was a “…this is a very special issue.” to “…why don’t we just send you another hard drive, pre-flashed with vista.” - a temporary fix. Feeling discontent with Dells tech support, I continued to search Google for information on this issue, and maybe find people with similar problems. I did. If you follow this link here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=149762 you will see what I found – a lot of people with the same problem with Vostro notebooks, or notebooks of a similar build. The two existing solutions are as follows: 1. Disable the AHCI for your SATA Drive in the BIOS. - Doing this will allow you to install without a prob. BUT, disabling your AHCI will cripple your drive capabilities and reduce speed. – so this is definitely not a good fix. 2. Load the SATA drive Matrix drivers before selecting the partition during vista installation. - Doing this will allow an install – but in my experience, only Vista. The version of XP I have (dell XP cd), because there is no driver prompt, begins to load its components but after a few minutes it ends at the BSoD. Other OS’s may have very similar problems. - Heres the link to those Matrix drivers btw: - 32bit: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&relea... - 64bit: http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&re... So you tell me - should we have to put up with this, or should Dell actually do something about it? I’m not sure if this problem could be solved with a BIOS update, but if it can be, then do it…NOW!! If it can’t, then Dell needs to recall all the Vostro computers experiencing this problem and replace the conflicting hardware. – It’s hard to say if the SATA drive is actually the core cause; it may be the video card, the memory, the mother board, or any number of other components. Lastly, I find it extremely disheartening that Dells own techs didn’t realize this problem existed, maybe because not many end users have had to reformat yet, much less know how. Further input or recognition of this problem by other users would be much appreciated. 1 Thank You! Additonal Information and Resources: Copy of my 2 hour conversation with the Dell Tech – minor humor included. Some information has been “****” starred out for privacy. Get it here: http://download207.mediafire.com/alya1yxujrng/9zno8mngmji/dellconvo.html My Tech Specs: Vostro 1700 Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2GHz, 800Mhz FSB 4M L2 Cache 17.0 inch Wide Screen UXGA TL LCD 3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM$ 256MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GT 160G 5400RPM SATA hard drive Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic Dell Exclusive MediaDirect Instant Play Software Application Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem, for Inspiron Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.08 Vostro 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0 Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini Card No Built in Camera 1700 Norton Internet Security 2007 30 Day Trial WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, Vostro 1700 Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR) Windows Vista Home Basic 16 Comments » Just say "Thank You" to all Dell Employees and Mean it. Service and Support submitted by robert 08/31/07
Dell had a great turnaround quarter and made some amazing and positive changes, at a rapid fire pace. Now is the time to just say, "Thank You" for a job well done during tough times to "all" Dell employees...and mean it. A simple, thank you, goes a long way. Stock options are great, but a thank you gets people to climb the next mountain. In Dell's case, that mountain is pretty high. Dell must recognise the people that will make the company number one again. Sales Strategies submitted by realskript 08/29/07
Why not have Student Discounts.... on all products/? IdeaStorm, Service and Support submitted by bjquinn 09/01/07
Dell - please stay focused on the highest-voted ideas. Don't distract yourselves with the other ones until you've addressed the ideas below which have been the top-ranked ideas for at least 6 months without adequate responses.. Make the Precision work stations better looking. Precision Workstations submitted by jervis961 09/04/07
Linux submitted by yesmathew 05/03/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Dell announced to pre-load Ubuntu on Notebooks and Desktops for US market. What about for Europe? We want for Europe market too... users from Switzerland, Germany, France, UK, Austria, Spain, and others are requesting the same. Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by badblood 09/06/07
Widescreen laptops are nifty for watching movies, yet they are rubbish for writing documents. 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 Dell Web Site should be 100% W3C compliant Dell Web Site submitted by yesmathew 08/12/07
Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. W3C's mission is:
W3C primarily pursues its mission through the creation of Web standards and guidelines. Since 1994, W3C has published more than ninety such standards, called As Dell hardwares are OS independent, Dell Web Site should be 100% W3C compliant. To validate your site please proceed to http://validator.w3.org/ and make it 100% compliant. Also consider validating your CSS style sheet at http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ Ad Campaign: Families Switching to Ubuntu Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by limulus 09/04/07
There are currently ideas under review, such as "make ubuntu shine" which relate to advertising Dell's Ubuntu systems. If Dell decides to do some ads, here's an idea for an ad campaign:  track my votes
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