STEVE HARVEY ON HAVING BIG IDEAS
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-90

Special laptops with pivot screen without touch screen

Laptops submitted by vandutran Jun 4

Hi,

Sometimes, i just want to have my laptop in tablet mode (to watch movies) and do not need touch screen capabilities. What do you think of having a laptop with a pivot screen, and without the cost ($) of touch screen? I wouldn't mind paying 20-40$ extra for pivot options, as long as the screen bezel needs not be increased :)

3 Comments »

-150

Reduce popups

Software submitted by pilotbob Jun 5

Make dell computers have less popups. I have a Dimension and it has a lot of pop ups. This is very annoying. The computer would function much more easily with less popups. 5 Comments »

420

Make the "recent ideas" the default page

IdeaStorm submitted by ccpljat Jun 7

I think this is what most people are interested in looking at. The popular ideas page doesn't change too much. But new ideas are constantly showing up. I for one go there first. 1 Comment »

260

Some Suggestions for Your TERRIBLE WEBSITE

Dell Web Site submitted by jaws4096 Jun 7

Stop forcing users to start their build over and over, checking to see which product line magically gives them the options they want. Increase the flexibility and visibility of build options between model lines.

This is a general customer service comment about your website. My girlfriend is buying a laptop. After fiddling with your site for an hour, she asked for my help choosing a model. She said the website was extremely confusing. I assumed it was because Dell offers custom laptops, and she wasn’t sure which options she needed. But when we logged on together, it became clear that the website is complicated because you’ve attempted to dumb it down too much. You ask users to classify themselves according to home, small business, large business, or government. But most users don’t classify themselves this way. And it’s apparent that you are hiding models from users, based on that initial choice. Your model numbers are confusing, and depending on options, a “lower” model can easily cost twice as much as the next model “up” in your line.

Go to www.mcmaster.com and search for “tubing”. Notice how users can select specifications that they know, which narrows their search, but can leave out options they aren’t sure about? For laptops, I might want to narrow my search by case style, base price, type of processor, or any number of things. Perhaps it would be more helpful for your initial question to be, “Would you like to build a custom laptop by choosing technical features like memory, hard drive space, and processor speed – or would you like to describe how the laptop will be used, and we’ll try to recommend some features for you?” Then, instead of asking me if my PC is for home, small business, large business, or government / research use, why not ask me what I’m going to do with the bloody thing? Will I use it to run Microsoft Office applications like Word and Outlook? Will I be connecting to a wireless network at my home? At my office? Will I be playing 3D games? Will I be editing home photos? Editing photos for professional use? Watching movies? How long do I need the battery to last? Will I be working with large spreadsheets in Excel? Editing video? These questions tell you much more about what kind of features I need than your arbitrary and confusing questions about what “type” of user I am.

After a set of features is determined, show them to me in spreadsheet format, on one page. List each feature, like the amount of memory included, in the left column. Give a brief description like, “Memory is temporary storage used by your computer to run programs. For most people, 2 GB of 533MHz DDR2 memory is adequate. If you will be playing 3D games, editing photos professionally, or using large spreadsheets, 4GB is better, and you may want to consider faster (higher MHz) memory.” The, to the right, show me the current memory type, and the amount of memory, I’ve chosen. Next to the type, place an up arrow and a down arrow. The up arrow says, “Upgrade to 667MHz DDR memory” and lists an additional price. The down arrow says, “Downgrade to DDR memory,” and lists a credit amount. Similarly, up and down arrows next to the amount of memory give me options for increasing or decreasing the amount of RAM, and given an increase or decrease in price. For optional features, like software, give me a checkbox to indicate if I want it at all.

Anyway, this is my just-thought-of-it interface, and I’m sure you can improve the general idea. But you must do something better than the current system, which leaves buyers wondering if there is a model hidden on some other model line that would allow them to choose only the features they want, at a cheaper price. Your current website is a big, confusing guessing game, and I find myself going back and forth between pages, starting over several times, to get a configuration I like. Look at the web visit histories of your users and I’m sure you’ll find their behavior indicates a similar confusion. 1 Comment »

4760

Give XPS Notebooks Gigabit Ethernet

XPS products submitted by croftki Feb 17

I understand that Dell market research says home users in general are not interested in gigabit ethernet for home networks. Those who pay for the premium design in the XPS line, however, are more likely to want gigabit ethernet. I would rather buy something more exciting than a business class notebook, but I want to build on my home technology with each purchase I make. XPS Notebooks unfortunately do not help me do this. It seems my only option is to buy a Latitude. 28 Comments »

8470

switch to LED monitors

Monitors and Displays, Laptop Power submitted by yardsale Jan 16

I dont know why dell hasnt done this yet. switch all monitors on desktops and notebooks to LED. did you know that you can run an LED screen at full brightniess and it uses less power than a LCD monitor at the lowest brighting level?!? its cheaper, its energy efficent, and it needs to be done! promote this, if you demote i wanna know why! 47 Comments »

7448

Avoid Glare On Screens and Notebook Frames

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by bobetsue 02/20/07

Glare and reflection from high glare screens, screen frames, and notebook computers is annoying and distract from function and use.

In stores, this may be a marketing ploy. Consumers may not fully understand the problem of glare. Online sellers like Dell should inform buyers when shopping whether the screen and case are "glare" or "nonglare."

When "nonglare" was introduced to television, shoppers considered it an advantage worthy of extra expense. In the art world, nonglare glass is considered worthy of extra expense.

How did we ever get glossy screens?

Dell should offer customers a choice between "glare" and "nonglare." 226 Comments »

15310

Use magsafe power connectors

Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by badblood 05/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

MagSafe power connectors, by Apple, are magnetic power connectors that pull out harmlessly when the cord is tripped upon.



They are very cool and quite sensible.





87 Comments »

24740

Standardize Power Cables for Laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by badblood 08/27/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Nothing is more annoying than laptop power cables that are not interchangeable from one computer model to another or from one brand of computer to another. Power cables have been standardized on most electrical applicances, including desktop computers for decades.

Make an effort to promote and implement standard power cables for laptops.


Please see dawn_l's comments below.
93 Comments »

9976

Notebook Shells Are Plastic - Offer Metal Casings Too

Laptops submitted by googideas 02/17/07

Notebooks get carried everywhere. Shouldn't Dell offer an aluminum or otherwise metal casing/construction as an option?

If I am going to drop two grand on a laptop, which I just did, I sure as heck want it as rugged as possible. I don't care about weight or additional cost. I want it to last.

Plastic is brittle. A dent in the metal is better than a crack in the plastic. It's also easier to recycle.

What do you think? 32 Comments »

520

XPS Notebook

submitted by fezdell 12/02/07

For the new XPS M1530, a LED screen should be available, preferably standard as with the MacBook Pro. The screen resolution should also be available in resolutions higher than 1280 x 800 to take full advantage of the blu-ray disc drive. 1 Comment »

710

XPS Notebooks

submitted by fezdell 12/02/07

Gigabit ethernet should be standard on all XPS notebooks. 2 Comments »

150

Dell M1330 Top Bezel and Dell M1530 Top Bezel Difference

submitted by nsenman 12/02/07

One thing I noticed on the new M1530 Laptop comparing it to the design features on the M1330 is that there is a difference in the Lid Top and Side Bezel. On the m1330 there are no bumpers or pads for the lid to rest up against when it is closed thus causing the bezel to mar from the touch-pad. This looks like it was added to the M1530 design though. Any chance the m1330 Bezel will receive a redesign?

Also, additionally:

Will the Blu-Ray Drive be offered as an option on the m1330? Comment »

1320

XPS M1530 Resolution ??

XPS products, Laptops submitted by avnanda 11/27/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

SCREEN RESOLUTIONS for XPS Laptop Line

Why on God's green earth would Dell throw in such a cheapy LCD screen into the XPS 1530 ? I've been waiting for this laptop religously since it was 'announced', in the hope of a 1680x1050 screen, or at LEAST 1440x900. What is this, Dell ? Are you trying to scare away your customers with blocky icons and low resolutions ?

Ok, on a less rampaging note ..

Is there any possibility this might change in the future ? Would i be foolish to order immediately, only to see a couple of LCD options pop up over the next few days ?

We now offer 1440 x 900 and 1680 x 1050 panels as an option. Take a look at the Direct2Dell blog post on the idea.





36 Comments »

10990

Tell us what WiFi chipset a laptop has.

Broadband and Mobility, Dell Web Site, Linux, Laptops submitted by tonyb2006 08/29/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Tell us the WiFi chipset used in a laptop before we buy it so we know if the WiFi chipset supports a feature we want, or if it supports Linux or another operating system that we intend to use. The WiFi chipset being like "Intel ipw2200" or "Broadcom BCM4306", or "Ralink rt2500".







17 Comments »

5550

Dell: Support Open BIOSes for Linux

Dell, Linux submitted by phubert 10/10/07 **REVIEWED**

An Open BIOS for Linux would free it from the DOS legacy code and speed boot times.

The current BIOS is a legacy throwback... it's time to replace it!






Our current priority is to expand Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Read what daniel_j has to say.





26 Comments »

21722

Laptop Web Cam and Microphone

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by terrymain 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

All new laptops should have a built in web cam and quality voice recorder/microphone.


Webcams are standard on all XPS laptops and an option on all Inspiron laptops.




134 Comments »

22926

Design & Form Factor

Desktops and Laptops submitted by logi 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

This forum is a great idea to get Dell back to #1.

What I like to see is new and innovative styling across the board on notebooks and desktops. Dell's product line looks 5yrs old and needs a total refresh.

As you can see Apple Inc. is winning conumers hearts because Apple owners are actually proud of displaying them in the living rooms instead of hiding them. Get rid of that XPS desktop design that thing is so ugly.. and come up with something consumers would be proud of displying in their media rooms.

Also I would like to see Dell create a sleak new design for a media center box so we can utilize vista home for the entertainment room and display it next to my audio and video units.

Thanks for listening Mr. Dell.



Hope_l talks about how passionate we are about design in this thread. To read more about how this idea is being put into action click here.

222 Comments »

4060

Advertise Graphics RAM correctly

Advertising and Marketing submitted by joffe100 04/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

When we say we want to buy a 512Mb graphics card we really do want a 512Mb graphics card - not 512Mb with 256mb physical memory with 256mb shared! This is really BAD and misleading advertising - you do not see other RAM memory being sold 1Gb (512Mb physical, 512Mb shared!)

Should read: 512Mb physical memory and it actually be 512Mb physical memory

NOT: 512Mb** and then some tiny asterixed disclaimer on a linked page that points out that the 512Mb is some funky combination of 3Mb physical and the rest being pulled from virtual memory - this kills many graphic intense apps and games...

suprised no-one has sued over this? Not sure many buyers are even aware....





64 Comments »

1490

HDMI, HDMI, by God almighty, HDMI

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by benjesuit 09/25/07

HP has had it on their notebooks for 1 year now. Come on Dell! What's it going to take to put in an HDMI port? Most of the new LCD TV's today input HDMI.

And I'm surprised that the new XPS 1730 has no HDMI port. DVI is so yesterday and is not forward thinking at all.

Your next generation Montevina based models MUST have HDMI.

And yes, this is a dupe. A dupe of my own post even. But I want to buy a Dell. But without HDMI, it makes it difficult. 30 Comments »



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