moeminwin

Sneak-peaking new products...

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, XPS products submitted by benjesuit 08/05/07

Would be beneficial. Because you have this site and the Direct2Dell blog site, you can gather customer response to product you are about to release in a few months time. It'll help to somewhat streamline manufacturing as you'll be able to figure the mean preference of consumers.

For instance, the debacle with the XPS1330. Had you known that black is the preferred color, you would have concentrated your efforts there and perhaps would have stated that ordering white or red will delay your shipment. You could have known this by taking a poll of the preferred colour.

Another example: There is a photo leak on Engadget concerning the upcoming XPS 1730. Most who responded stated that they didn't like the design/colour scheme. In fact, the wittiest response, "now the XPS 1330 will have to lie at school and say its adopted."

In any event, you should make a habit out of leaking info on upcoming products. It generates buzz which in turn generates useful marketing info. Which in turn, if you respond to customer preference in the form of redesign or feature addition, will translate into sales upon product release. Comment »

Release date on products and pipeline on upcoming replacements

Dell Web Site submitted by dankster 05/14/07

It would be nice to see when certain components were made available so customers can see that they are buying up to date components. For example, [fill in model #] mobile graphics card, we should be able to click on a link that shows this was released on this date and available on dell computers on this date. They should also show which products are soon to come like the 8600M GT, and expected release date and availability on Dell computers. 2 Comments »

Follow Apple's example

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Software submitted by bandgeekmdo 02/23/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I don't mean to be... well mean, but i think it's a valid point. Let's just examine Apple's computers and business for a second. There are many aspects of Apple's computers that Dell could adopt to make their products so much better.

-Add a built in camera
-More software, better apps. Apple has great apps to organize and create and edit media.
-Better quality product. Apple's computers and software work extremely well together and they have one of the best customer satisfaction rates around. Make something that can last for the next 5 years.

-Why doesn't microsoft word come with a lot of the computers Dell sells?? What a rip. Honestly.
-Use better hadrware

If you can match your product to be as exciting, cool, and as well made as Apple then people would buy.


Built in cameras are available in the new Inspiron and XPS laptops even a Biometric Finger Print Reader available, as are new software choices. And between the Inspiron and m1330 you get lots of color choices to personalize your laptop too.

3 Comments »

USB port on keyboard, for users who forget their thumbdrive

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by jfpz 03/14/07

Put a USB port on the keyboard for thumb drives. Put it right in the middle, above the functions. And add some blinking lights around it to remind the user it's there. When they logoff or power down remind them to take it. 2 Comments »

Notebook portability

Laptops submitted by crgillies 02/19/07

How about a better way to carry a neotebook ie a handle, maybe that holds the battery a la M2010 or a shoulder strap that clips to the notebook directly? 19 Comments »

Offer Invisible Shield on Laptops and mp3 players

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by diabolikmachine 08/13/07

http://www.shieldzone.com/ makes great protection for electronics, its a little annoying to install, but well worth it. I would be willing to pay a extra to have this pre-applied to my next laptop. 2 Comments »

Media Center

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by ryan_ramsey 03/05/07

I would like to see a small form factor appliance that has windows media center (vista) running on it with a rewritable DVD and a digitial video editting suite that can replace a TIVO and a DVR that are currently required today.

This will not only save space but bring MUCH more functionality to watching television that just isn't available today. Comment »

The more solid keyboard.

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by wmealing 02/22/07

I'd like to see a different keyboard design where the keys can not be accidentally bumped off by an infant. Having the keys come up from a solid plate, and having a stop/guard so that it would not be possible to pull the keys off without breaking the plastic. 2 Comments »

Keyboard with Optical Trackball

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops submitted by oil-n-gas 07/11/07

Could you offer a desktop keyboard with a large integrated optical mouse (ball) below the spacebar, much like your old XP laptops used to be? Having one device vs two would ba good thing. 1 Comment »

be more competitive on accessories

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies submitted by undead999 06/17/07

on June 17, 2007 the price for a 1GB usb flash drive was $319.99 at dell.com
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&s...

at best buy the average price for a 1gb usb flash drive was under $30.00 - i could have more than 10 usb flash drives fro the cost of one at dell.

dell sales rep: So i have one xps 410 with a 20 inch flat screen and dell printer, would you like to add a 1gb flash drive for only $319.99

customer:I dont know if thats going to be big enough, how much for a 2gb model, be sure to quote a quality item, no cheap walmart junk for me.

dell sales rep:only $125.99 which includes biometrics to protect you data mr customer. if you loose it your data will be protected.

customer: let me get this straight i can buy a standard flash drive with 1 gb for $320 or a 2gb w/ biometric for leas than half the cost of a 1gb?

dell sales rep: yes, mr customer that is right

customer: maybe we need to look at the XPS 410 quote and see if there is a model with twice the stuff with more bell and whistles at less than half the price. 1 Comment »

KEYBOARDS and TOUCHPADS Enhancements

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by labtroll 03/13/07

Fancy keyboards. A nice plus on laptops and desktops!

Some possible keyboards for both laptops and desktops:
1)BACKLIT Like the Mac Pro (Great when working in low light... not everyone can type without looking)
2)LCD/OLED Customizable Keys (even if its just a few for custom keys and launching)

Touchpad:
1) Back-Lit Touchpad (LCD and customizable would be the best!)
2) Vista's handwriting recognition is great (one of the few features I felt really improved) Touchpad area can double as writing pad with special pen.

I Will pay extra for it!

Lastly:
Combine keyboard and Touchpad for the Media center keyboards! no space.. leave the keypad out and use a touchscreen keypad/touchpad combo. Expensive... so are the High end Media Centers. What's an extra $50-$75 for a real media center keyboard. Comment »

Memory / accessory prices are way too high

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

Charging full MSRP for memory and accessories is counter-intuitive. Lower prices and increase sales. There's far too many discounters out there to be paying full retail for cheap commodity items like memory and accessories!

Jack Durban Comment »

I love DELL screens - just keep the good quality!

Monitors and Displays submitted by l-roy 06/11/07

I just wanted to say "thumbs up!" for the great monitors. I hope that DELL
keeps the quality above all others. (which won't be too hard when you look at the Apple Cinema displays ;) 2 Comments »

Ergonomic Keyboards/Mice

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by dwilliam_houston 07/29/07

I think Dell needs to look more closely at ergonomic design of their keyboard and mice. Having to go to third party keyboard and mice add cost to systems for users that need/want ergonomic keyboard/mice. 4 Comments »

Mini PC

Desktops and Laptops submitted by wuki 02/20/07

Offer a mini PC (eg like MacMini or others of same form factor).

Make it energy efficient (including a *real* power off button) , silent! and stylish ;-)

Do not compromise in CPU choice: a broad spectrum should be offered, offering choice on price, power consumption, speed.

Give it enough RAM (up to 2 GB should be possible). Comment »

Improve your internal case designs (Improve airflow + Reduce wire clutter)

Environment submitted by bbr 07/10/07

I've had my Desktop for a couple of years now, and i still shudder having to open it.
It's a horrible maze of tangled wires, connectors and above all "dust" in there.
Sort of like : http://www.zdnet.de/graphics/reviews/pc/200207/dell4500-inside.jpg
or : http://images.digitalmedianet.com/2004/Week_39/z1yf5axb/story/dell_inside.jpg
Wires everywhere, making it very hard to reach any components you wish to replace or clean. It's crazy.

Now, compare that to this: http://www.macrumors.com/downloads/inside25g5.jpg
Yes it's an Apple, a G5 Dual processor model to be a bit more exact.
It looks so clean because Apple designs its own hardware.

Now, i'll leave out the obvious temptation of starting a Vista vs OSX comparison,
and stick to the hardware.

Here's a comparison shot mac-vs-pc : http://www.apple.bg/bul/Docs/apple/hardware/powermac/1102/clutter.jpg
As with others of apple's designs they've always been very clean cut :
http://www.zisman.ca/Articles/2004/g5imac_inside.jpg

Just look at it, perfect air flow : http://www.apple.bg/bul/Docs/apple/hardware/powermac/1102/cooling.jpg
Because of the airflow design it produces much less sound than a normal PC does..
With the fans placed inside the machine to reduce noise output even further.
(From personal experience, i'm able to say that i can barelly hear my mac at work)

Compare that to the front-bottom(dust intake) point intake design (whirlwind) with randomly placed fans inside the case (disrupt airflow) that most normal PCs use. PC Airflow is flawed.
Example : http://www.pcleek.be/Fotoshardware/pc%20case%20open.jpg
Standard PC airflow is inefficient, ignores most major components, and requires extra fans rotating at speeds which produce a "lot" of sound, require a lot of energy to operate, and suck in a lot of dust particles which will reduce the nominal efficiency of your hardware over time.
Because of this design you'll also notice that the edges around your CD/DVD drive will usually have clearly showing edges of dust, because the normal airflow is not aligned to the internal fans. (dust and CD drives does not mix, and can cause faillure of your CD drive)

Now, back to Mac:
Front metallic cover and sideplates : http://www.tweakers.net/ext/i.dsp/1056403028.jpg
Detailed side view G5 : http://www.wap.org/journal/powermacg5v2/powermacg5v2.jpg
Detailed side view Mac Pro : http://www.professional-pr.info/Apple/Bilder/06/macpro/macpro_inside.jpg
Notice the heatsinks on the right, and the 4 Hard disk panels in the center.
The CD/DVD drive(topleft) can be removed in 1 motion, just like the side panel for the CPUs

Easy to access all components,
Easy to switch hard disks, (single button eject)
Easy to plug in extra memory, (no wires blocking access)
Instant access to the processor (1 button panel remove)
And so much more.

In my opinion it'd be a great revolution if Dell stepped away from the "standard" PC design and improved their hardware in this manner. Easy access, Good air flow, Easy to clean. Less wires needed. (better for the environment as well)

The problem however, is that dell machines are limited to "standard" mainboards.
Because of this it's almost impossible to allow much creativity with the hardware placement inside each case.
Perhaps dell can sit around a table with Intel or another popular mainboard designer and come up with a more customized version for the improved desktop layouts.

Improving the case hardware layout to fix the airflow will make a cleaner look, yield better performance, reduce energy consumption, improve harware lifespan, and in the end you end up with a much more enviromentally friendly computer. 8 Comments »

Recycle & refurbish old Dell PCs back to Dell for 10% discount

Environment submitted by reg 05/18/07

Recycle your old Dell back to Dell for a 10% discount on new equipment. Dell can then secure overwrite erase the hard drive, install Ubuntu + hardware drivers, then donate the hardware to unemployment, food stamp, and welfare offices Nationwide. The social services offices then can pass out the refurbished used equipment to its clients, and Dell can be given BIG tax breaks by the State and Federal Systems.



1. Recycle - Turn it in, don't landfill it.
2. Reuse - There is still life left in that old hardware
3. Reduce - Buy new electronics less often, get 5 years use out of every PC.
4. Refuse - wasteful spending, wasteful practices & wasteful companies.
5. Refute - Once wasteful practices or procedures are identified, correct the problem with Action! 58 Comments »

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 »

Stop overcharging for upgrades (memory, hdd, etc. )

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by uklathemock 02/17/07

Almost everyone I know buys the smallest harddrive and the lowest amount of memory for their Dell notebook, and then upgrades later. Why make your customers turn to other sources to buy memory and hard drives? I think quite a few e-tailers were created and have flourished because everyone (Dell, HP, Apple, etc.) overcharges for upgrades. 17 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 »