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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 »

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 »

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 »

Promote Vista Upgrades - Offer A Package Of Drivers And Hardware

Dell Web Site, Service and Support submitted by jvinton 02/16/07

Despite the available of "assist" programs, like "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor" it remains difficult to know ahead of time whether existing Dell computers will actually work "better" after a Vista upgrade. Sorting through, and acquiring the necessary driver and hardware updates can be a daunting task, to the extent that many Dell owners will simply "opt-out" until some future year when they can afford a new Dell computer.

While selling a new computer now may be attractive to the Dell Corporate bottom-line, Dell could score big points in the area of Customer Satisfaction, if a package of necessary driver and hardware updates could be offered for download, by Dell, to help current customers get into Vista without the hassle of trial and error. Tailoring a package for each current customer could be based on a customer's Service Tag number and use of a program to scan the customer's computer for current configuration/driver version data. How about it Michael? 3 Comments »

Dell should go from being a publicly traded company to being a private company

Dell submitted by icantseeyou 02/24/07

The need for Dell to manage earnings to make Wall Street happy is most likely what resulted in the Overseas Call Centers and a wealth of other problems. Take the company private... take the pressure off from Wall Street. 7 Comments »

Mirrored Laptop drives

Laptops submitted by kempj18 02/26/07

Create a laptop with Dual drives. Laptops are prone to having more drive failures than any other computer. I would gladly sacrifice some battery life for mirrored disk drives. 1 Comment »

Working Temp Sensors

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by lightdragon 02/26/07

Please add working temperature sensors and hardware monitoring to your Desktop / Notebook products which are readable by standard software like Everest. Or release some programs who can read them. It would make things like overclocking and repairing so much easier. Comment »

Fully Test Computers

Laptops submitted by tracetheory 02/26/07

I have had 3 Dells and two of them have had failed hardware due to overheating. I want Dell to put all laptops under stress tests to make sure the fans can handle it and hardware does not fail. 2 Comments »

Don't waste time on Linux or any other Open Source software

Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by aiac13 03/05/07

Disregard all calls from these Open Source fanatics to offer Linux or any other OSS. Focus your attention on improving service and support to your existing lines of business. Any efforts to provide and support Linux or other OSS will most likely cause support and service to your existing lines of business to suffer. Don't legitimize Linux or other OSS, these are softwares and technologies only for the hobbyist, ignore them and soon they'll fade back into the woodwork, where they belong. 19 Comments »

Frequent Buyers Program

Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by sgrabinar 02/26/07

I've nought two Dell notebooks in the last 7 years. Now, I'm wondering if I should be buying an XPS. Or a cute little iBook .

Maybe I should look at the Sony and Tosh too.

If that 4th or 5th Dell notebook were free...

If I could use my Amex or Qanats reward points at the Dell store _in conjunction_ with my previous Dell purchases....

Michael, all my bases would belong to you. 26 Comments »

Built-In Webcam and Microphone Option on Inspiron

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Inspiron products submitted by olegturaev 02/20/07

Built-in webcams are available on some XPS models. Why not on Inspiron? Right now, it's the reason I'm leaning toward HP rather than Dell.

HP offers a cheap built-in webcam and microphone option on almost all of their laptops. Since price on Dell and HP laptops is almost the same, small differences like that become important.

People use laptops more and more for VoIP. In places with internet connections and at homes, a laptop can become a free phone through programs like Skype and Google Talk. Dell should not be missing out on this new wave of customers.

I hate all wires, which is why I switched to laptops. Removing the webcam wire would be a big step up for Dell. 9 Comments »

Replacement Battery Program

Service and Support submitted by john_saddington 02/19/07

Dell should provide a Replacement Battery Program that would enable portable customers to have a cheap and effective way of replacing batteries. The fact of the matter is that replacing batteries is not cheap. It's expensive. If there were an option, say, to pay a life-time fee for replacement batteries, that would be cool. Or a subscription program to cut the costs of new batteries. Anything to lower the cost for people who are using their computers for a long time! 2 Comments »

3 Years of Warranty Free

Service and Support, Laptops submitted by kartikanand 02/21/07

Dell,

If you believe your computers are the best of the best, then I really challenge you to give your customers 3 years of warranty for no additional cost. This would say a lot about your own confidence in your products!!! This would bring unbelievable number of customers.

Last year, I planned to purchase a new laptop, I decided on 1 simple things i.e. not to purchase DELL. This is because I have heard so many complaints about the laptop manufactured by DELL breaking after 13-14 months.

7 Comments »

Backlit Keyboards

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rarmasu 02/21/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I find myself many, many times in dark or poorly lit environments having to guess the various keys - would be fantastic to have a backlit keyboard - with backlit individual keys as the best option.

I would actually pay extra for that convenience if the option was available.
This could be done for desktops or notebooks.


Check out Vida_K's comment below on the New Latitude.
301 Comments »

ONE SHOPPING CART PLEASE (dell.com)

Dell Web Site submitted by ootleman 02/16/07

Why split it up into 4 different shopping carts (home, small business, etc)? I still don't know how it works. 1/2 my products go into one cart, 1/2 my orders go into the other, possibly depending on where I was browsing from.

And, then, seems like the shopping carts expire after a few hours. After all that time spent configuring, why not keep it around longer.

Matter of fact, why not split the site up at all? If I click on desktops - show me all desktops. Do I, as a small company, need differ computers then a medium business? Please show me everything and let me figure out what works best.

6 Comments »

"Trade In" Program

Advertising and Marketing, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by john_saddington 02/19/07

I'd love to see a "Trade In" Program and/or initiative, where a customer who's been a long time customer could trade in an old system for a new one, or at least, a good sized discount.

I've got an old laptop and seriously need a new one. It's been out of warranty for a long time, but, would love to get a discount for a new one if I could trade it in.

This would also be environmentally healthy! 34 Comments »

Have Michael Dell try actually buying a PC using Dell.com

Dell Web Site submitted by onethumb 02/16/07

I think he'd quickly see that the customer experience could use a lot of work. 23 Comments »

New Dell Retail Store! Death to Mall Kiosks!

Advertising and Marketing, Sales Strategies submitted by evilspell 02/16/07

Dell should open a retail store very similar to the Apple store. I know that they have small kiosks inside malls that they try to sell Plasma TV's and a couple laptops next to a guy selling knock off sunglasses and verizon cell phone sales sharks! Very unprofessional. Open a classy Dell Store and offer Tech support right in the store just like the Genius Bar in the Apple Store. 144 Comments »

Gorgeous, beautiful eye-popping design

Desktops and Laptops submitted by foobar 02/18/07

Dell needs to aggressively move away from being perceived as cheap and boring. Corrall all the confusing sub-brands into a cohesive approach that shows us a new, fresh approach to design. There is no reason on Earth why Dell has to have worse design than SONY or Apple. Indeed with your new hires, this needs to be the target. There needs to be a "Dell look" that is not "gray, dull, box"

Think Target not Wal-Mart. It is now an age of design and Dell should create a moonshot to lead the market. If Mike can put his personal focus on it, I am totally confident it could happen. We are rooting for you!!!!!!

Comment »

Eliminate Discount Coupon Codes

Sales Strategies submitted by vernwolfe 02/20/07

When I am ready to checkout, I see a space for a special discount coupon code. WHAT IS THIS? Am I missing something? Am I paying too much?

This is silly; a poor business practice.

At the moment that your buyers are satisfied with what they intend to buy and what they are prepared to pay, you insult them by saying - in effect - others are getting a better price.

What are you accomplishing? Nothing postive.

Eliminate this practice - or - tell us where to go to get the code! 4 Comments »