lcx

Silent / Quiet Computers: Sound levels in decibels

Desktops and Laptops submitted by pchris 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I'd like Dell to provide the sound level in decibels for each of their desktops, under max load as well as at idle.

How a manufacturer can produce an expensive computer, and then have the user acoustic experience of that computer dominated by the noise generated by a cheap fan worth just pennies, for the entire lifetime of that computer, is incomprehensible. Computers are noisy when brand new, but those cheap fans begin to rub and oscillate and make additional annoying noises, frequently within a short period of time of purchase.

Personally, the peace and quiet of my personal workspace is very important to me, it's my sanctuary from the world where I can focus and be creative. To have that experience disrupted by cheap fans is sad, especially when slightly more expensive fans and some reasonable design would solve the issue. Another reason why I consider buying an Apple.

If the cost of a better sound design and fans is significant, it could be an extra cost option.
In general, Dell provides noise data of its products in the Environmental Datasheets. Tests are conducted according to ISO standards in a NVLAP accredited acoustics facility. Click here for more details




152 Comments »

More RAM!

Desktops and Laptops submitted by mwmtjm 01/30/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Do away with 512MB of memory as a base option to buy consumer desktops and notebooks. With Vista running best on 1GB at a minimum, don't make customers have a basic experience with the new OS because Dell wants to be able to advertise at a lower price point. The success of Vista -- and subsequently for Dell -- will be largely in word of mouth. Take a long-term view and build the momentum one great customer experience at a time right now!


113 Comments »

Stripped down, fast Linux Box

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Linux submitted by pawprintz 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

How about a fast, Internet ready Linux desktop. Small form factor, pretty monitor, mouse & keyboard, the O.S., OpenOffice & Firefox. Cheap'n'fast


Dell sees the value of this idea, and is keeping the sugestions for a Linux small form factor on the radar. john_h will let the community know of any new information as it comes.




130 Comments »

BOYCOTT VISTA!

Operating Systems submitted by reg 03/21/07

Dell Dudes,

Microsoft reserves the right to spy on your computer.

The more you learn how Microsoft EULA has the right to enter your computer, check out what software you are using, and also use the DRM tools in Vista to prevent you from seeing files, data, videos, or hearing 'unauthorized' music files - the more you get a sick, sinking feeling in your gut that someone else has taken control of your machine.

US Federal Government Agencies have BANNED Microsoft Vista, and for good reason.

The Microsoft EULA takes control of your machine, stating directly: "this agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights." Even potentially deleting files or disabling programs.

Compared to the costs of Apple OS X or any Linux Distribution,

The Costs of Windows Vista are Unacceptable.

Keep in mind that Microsoft was convicted by U.S. Courts for its criminal behavior, and is being forced to pay $4 million A Day by the European Union for being in violation of their judgments.

Anti-freedom Vista takes away your rights - do you want to Confirm or Deny?

BOYCOTT WINDOWS VISTA MACHINES!

If you support Linux, freedom, democracy, or just want to keep control of Your own machine that You buy with Your own money, PROMOTE this idea now.

Microsoft - Where in the world did you think you were going to go today?

Let Dell know - You Don't Want Windows Vista. 941 Comments »

Linux 2.6.16 ready (sticker)

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by chiuchu 02/19/07

Hello,
How about a sticker like windows' which show that the PC is fully compatible with Linux ? A sticker with "Linux 2.6 ready" or "Ubuntu 6.10 Capable" or something like this. Thanks. 107 Comments »

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.
72 Comments »

coreboot (formerly LinuxBIOS) instead of proprietary BIOS

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by yesmathew 02/20/07

coreboot (formerly known as LinuxBIOS) is a Free Software project aimed at replacing the proprietary BIOS (firmware) you can find in most of today's computers.
- Fast boot times 3 sec.
- Runs in 32-Bit protected mode almost from the start
- Can boot Windows too...

External links:
- http://www.coreboot.org/Welcome_to_coreboot
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxbios<

An Example:
- http://wiki.laptop.org/go/LinuxBIOS 91 Comments »

Include Fujitsu Video Chip in all new Dell Notebooks

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by reg 06/04/07

Fujitsu produces the world's first H.264 chip capable of encoding/decoding 1920 x 1080 (60i/50i) video in real time. The chip features 256MB of onboard FCRAM and ultra low 750mW power draw when encoding video.


22 Comments »

Show the Vista performance rating during system configuration.

Dell Web Site submitted by jervis961 02/17/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

People may not realize that Vista gives your computer a performance rating based on several factors (processor, RAM, hard drive and video card).
Dell should show the performance rating on the side as you build your computer and update it as you go along changing the configuation. This should give people a guage as to if an upgrade will really improve your overall performance and also what kinds of games and programs your new computer will be capable of.

MAINSTREAM Linux through MARKETING

Advertising and Marketing submitted by badblood 05/02/07

Raise public awareness about Linux, convince the mainstream! Coax them. Cajole them. TV, Radio, Newspapers. Do what you need to do to get it into the mainstream consciousness.

Use the Penguin. People LOVE PENGUINS. Make them laugh and smile at the Penguin make them sing along with the Penguin Song. 23 Comments »

Eliminate 'Ready for Vista' Case Badges - Do Not Get Sued

Operating Systems submitted by reg 04/11/07

<font>

Woman files a class action suit against Microsoft, the low end PC she bought with a "Windows Vista Capable" sticker can't run Windows Vista Ultimate.

</font>



Seems some people took exception to bare minimum PC configurations having
case badges that say they can run Vista, but can not run Full Vista Ultimate with
all the GUI eye candy.

<font>Dell should make sure NOBODY
can drag them into this lawsuit ! ! !

</font>
( Dell has enough worries of its own. ) 31 Comments »

Kid's Notebook

Laptops submitted by jason_mcguire 05/27/07

I believe Dell should sell notebooks for kids. My 2 year old daughter is always on my pc, and she has a difficult time using my desktop.

A notebook or tablet PC that is designed especially for her age group would be perfect. It should include the following features/attributes:

-Portable

-Include a DVD player to play movies at home or in the car

-Large keyboard for letters and numbers that are color coded, i.e a red A, a blue B, a green C, etc...

-Ruggedized

-Lightweight

-Colorful

-Offer a docking station for home use as well as a docking station that's mountable in the car

-Include software for kids, i.e. learning tools, games, etc...

-Include easy to use buttons for launching a browser, mail, movies, etc...

Jason McGuire 16 Comments »

Remove: "Dell recommends Windows Vista™..." from any publication

Advertising and Marketing submitted by tho.meier 02/21/07

It would be nice to see advertising without any Micro$oft, from Dell. I think there is enough advertising for MS from MS it self.

Somthing linke: "Dell supports muli-OS" would look good! Od: "Dell gives you the real choice" 61 Comments »

System Security - Fingerprint Scanners

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by guardianxps 02/17/07

I would like to see computers have some new technology added like Fingerprint scanners. Stolen computers are an issue and adding this will create a better level of security. The only downside I can see would be if one person sold the computer to another and didnt reset the scanner.

Still, I would like to see this and I am sure others would too. 31 Comments »

Linux Gaming Box Initiative

Gaming, Linux submitted by las1372 02/22/07

Offer a Linux Gaming Desktop and/or Laptop.
- Work with Transgaming and/or the Wine Community to create the best linux gaming platform
- Load it with the most compatible linux gaming hardware
- Use this platform as a baseline to partner with linux friendly gaming developers to use (id, bioware, etc) as a de-facto standard

Essentially offer the box that makes it a no-brainer for folks to game on linux. 7 Comments »

Professional Apps and Popular Games..for Linux??

Gaming, Linux, Software submitted by kdubber 05/01/07

Until a Linux distro will support such popular apps as PhotoShop or AutoCAD and others that are necessary for some of us to make a living Linux is stuck in the also ran category.. this is unfortunate.
Dell could lead the way by working with AutoDesk, Adobe and others to provide this application availability in Linux. NO these apps would not be free.. but if the price to buy a Linux version was in line with the Windows version? Not immensely higher like some Mac application of WinSoftware.. then a REAL alternative is showing up on the scene..
If this same distro was to support most games that are hugely popular.. WHOLESALE migration would start to take place.. IMHO anyway.. what do you think?
I think a DellLinux distro makes sense.. or some other named distro supported by a consortium of non-Windows hardware and software suppliers.. do they all like being tied to Windows for their success?
Kent 8 Comments »

Build a Dell Linux Distribution

Linux, New Product Ideas, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jemfisher 02/20/07

With the wave of support for the Linux kernel to power desktop PC's, I think its time for a company with the quality build that Dell has to provide users with PC's that work for them. The adoption of Linux to power Dell PC's would give Dell a greater freedom to move forward with innovation. With the adoption of a Linux kernel Dell would be able to sell PC to meet users' demands. Businesses demand different machines than home users, students demand different machines again, machines targeted at younger users, etc. 100 Comments »

Dell's own Linux OS

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by rehtneug 07/06/07

Dell should develop it's own Linux based OS. Allow the open source community to provide drivers and any other software necessary. Partner with open source groups and provide resources to allow further development of necessary apps, such as OpenOffice. 10 Comments »

DELL Make Greener DELL + Ubuntu Linux! DESKTOP Wallpapers and include it in every Ubuntu Install.

Desktops and Laptops submitted by reg 06/14/07

Ubuntu has a great selection of wallpapers.

DELL should make Desktop Wallpaper images that are GREEN (Environmental, beautiful to look at), with a DELL logo on it and a Ubuntu Logo watermark on it...

When people first turn on their New Dell Linux machine, they will have a variety of beautiful natural photography as a background choice, every picture includes the DELL logo and Ubuntu logo.

Product Placement, Built in Marketing, and reminding people DELL is the Greener choice. 3 Comments »

Upgradable Linux Media Center

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by swirtun 02/20/07

A media center PC with expensive and nice box, with an amplifier, and other stuff to satisfy a HiFi user, but with the replaceable PC parts. PCs get obsolete much faster then good music gear so why replace the whole thing, it should be possible to just replace the PC parts, and it should of course run Linux. 4 Comments »