New TV commercials!
Dell Community submitted by stella1609
05/29/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Let's see some new commercials! The recent HP ad campaign is incredibly appealing, incorporating famous people/characters and emphasis on the personalization part of the personal computer. All Dell is offering is the same old assembly line commercial with a little blip about a sale at the end. Surely you can do better than that.
Check out our latest commercials here.
380
Better Notebook sound and features
Laptops submitted by foxx
02/17/07
I was looking for a high end notebook for video editing. Every Dell model I looked at was missing something essential.
Most serious is the lousy sound. I can understand for low end notebooks, but high end need A REAL SOUND CARD. I would have been willing to buy a sound card, but that required a PCMCIA slot and you had elimintated those. I gave up.
4689
Looking for Ubuntu Linux?
Dell Web Site, Linux, Laptops submitted by steve2
05/25/07
On your laptop site you have a "still looking for Windows XP" link. Putting a "Looking for Ubuntu Linux" (or "Ubuntu GNU/Linux" if the purists want it so) right below that would almost not change the design of the site, but make it much easier to find your linux laptop offering. At the minute one hardly finds it without being told where it is.
I know, you are only allowed to meet demand for Linux, not to create it, but such a link would only be followed by people already looking for the Ubuntu laptop.
730
6 major issues to be fixed by Dell
Dell, Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by jervis961
02/17/07
Dell became a top company by providing choice and customer service to a customer that wasn't available at the time but has since fallen behind the pack in these areas. Needing a translator when calling customer support is unnacceptable and other companies are rapidly passing Dell in technology advancements. While this site is a good start, many things need to be changed for Dell to become the market leader again.
1. Customer support needs to be in well spoken English and with employees who are allowed to do more than just read from a script. If they are speaking with a computer savvy customer the rep should be allowed to deviate from the script as long as they don't go outside the relm of normal policy.
2. Better options: Other companies offer high end components in small computers but Dell only supplies intel video processors in its 14" laptop. Dell needs to allow customers to get the size computer they need but with options from low cost through the high end so they can get a computer that is "Purely you".
3. Less forced options: I hate that I am paying for and XPS with internet security when I don't need it because I already have a subsciption that will transfer over or AOL is installed when I know I don't need it. They need to add an option of none of the above to all the added software sections.
4. Better pricing: Why is it over $200 to upgrade from 1 GB of 533 MHZ ram to 2 GB of 677 MHZ RAM? I can go to Crucial.com and get the 2GB 677MHZ kit for under $200. Upgrading with Dell after you own is even worse at over $300 this is crazy.
5. Custom Dell website: Customers want to feel special why not make a MYDELL website that when you log in you get a site designed the way you want it. If you aren't interested in the small business site it gets removed, you don't like to go thru the accessories sections when customizing a system so you don't see that section. Click on customer support and a list of your computer pops up asking which one you need help with and only shows the options for that system.
6. Customer loyalty rewards: I have bought 6 Dell systems over the last few years, why can't I get better customer service or pricing due to my loyalty to the company?
6895
Dell + Opensource = Win!
Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jpe2000
05/30/07
I'm not really into pre-built but when my grandma got her $400 Dell I was impressed.
I am a user of Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS.
Anyway, I think that Dell needs to start making ads about their new Linux and FreeDOS systems. I think that Dell should look into more than just one Linux distro and at least look at two or more.
First (what I started out with) was PCLinuxOS. I was amazed at the difference it was between Windows. It was, however, one of the easest distros I've ever used (easer than Ubuntu). I think that Dell should offer PCs with Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, and Gentoo.
Sure, maybe Gentoo is taking it a bit extream for the average user but the user could learn from the ground up from using Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS (or even BOTH!).
As for Dell's Windows PCs, I believe that Dell should enforce opensource software for Windows. For example, new Dell computers should come with Firefox (along with Internet Explorer), OpenOffice, and many more.
610
Provide Linux compatibility information on all products up front
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by spm
02/21/07 **REVIEWED**
My company used to buy all out IT products from Dell. The main reason we don't buy any Dell products any more is that it is so difficult to get information from Dell on Linux compatibility, except from a few very expensive high end products. Calling Dell product support to find out if a particular product will work with Linux and where to get drivers is an offputting experience. Dell sales staff seem to take a perverse delight in telling customers that they don't support Linux, and when I tell them that I don't want support from them, only compatibility and driver information, they tell me that they can't give me that information, nor information on chipsets which might allow me to locate information from elsewhere.
The bottom line is that I expect at the very least to be provided compatibility and chipset information before I buy a PC. Neither myself or any other customer is going to buy a Dell PC to test it on Dells behalf - product testing and certification is the manufacturer's responsibility, not mine. White box suppliers, and other mail order suppliers on the other hand are only too willing to provide motherboard, chipset, and component information etc. to allow me to check compatibility.
The reason why we no longer buy any Dell products is simple - we use a small number of Linux PCs in our office and all the servers in our office run Linux. We buy all hardware, peripherals including low end desktop hardware so that they are deployable with both Linux and Windows. We do this for obvious reasons - for example, we might want to plug in a printer originally purchased for use with Windows into a Linux server print queue, and we may want server applications to print to the printer. We may want to redeploy Windows Desktops later as Linux desktops - for example to use as a shared data access desktop. Therefore, although our desktop PCs are overwhelmingly Windows, we won't buy any hardware that isn't Linux compatible, even if it is intended for use with Windows initially. Dell unfortunately doesn't meet those needs, and we cannot buy equipment from Dell. I am sure a lot of other companies which use Linux in the office have similar issues.
Here is what Dell needs to do to have a chance of winning our (and other's) custom:
1) Advertise and inform about Linux compatibility or otherwise. Finding out about compatibility before buying is the most difficult thing about Linux, not installation or configuration. Any company that can do this has a huge advantage for little or no cost.
2) Provide full Linux compatibility information on all Dell products - not just high end desktops. Ideally, certify products for the top distros - RHET, SLES, Debian, the latest free Fedora, OpenSuSE, Ubuntu if possible. Linux users don't necessarily want a preload - most Linux users are quite capable of installing Linux themselves and would probably install some other Linux distro if one was pre-installed. Preinstallation is only useful to us as an indication that the product is Linux compatible. If a feature is only partially supported by Linux, say so and say what is supported - Linux users will understand, and may not need all the features, or like us they may only want the Linux compatibility for possible future redeployment. If driver support is external (most will be) then provide links pointing to those sites in Dell support, and if you need to make a disclaimer to avoid liability for a third party products outside Dell's control, do so. Again Linux users will understand.
3) Exclude products from the Dell inventory that don't support Linux as far as possible. Generally for every part that is not Linux compatible, there is one that is Linux compatible for the same price.
4) Don't ask customers to pay the Microsoft tax. Linux machines or no-OS machines with zero cost OS and no support should cost significantly less than a Windows pre-loaded machine. Customers know when they are being cheated and don't like it.
5) Linux support (except for driver information) is not usually required (except for servers), only web based information. If the customer needs Linux support, it will probably be from an independent consultant/techie rather than from Dell. Sell your Linux PCs as "Linux OEM - no support" PCs at a significantly lower cost than the equivalent Windows PC.
6) Linux on the desktop is most competitive on the low end desktop - particularly for schools etc. Sell Linux PCs preloaded onto low end desktop computers with appropriate free software for that market, at a competitive price rather than on high end workstations.
Upfront Linux capability would be difficult to implement on our web store. But, check some of the alternatives john_h posted.
10300
Have Ubuntu loaded machines on display at Dell Direct Stores
Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by joeevil5000
05/31/07
If Dell is pushing for alternitve OS's to get in the mainstream, they should show them to thier customers in action. There should be at least one machine running Ubuntu at every Dell Direct Store kiosk. That way, dell sales reps can show it to customers, and compare it to Windows as to what it can do. Dell gets customers from computer savvy geeks, to the computer illiterate grandma, but thier core consumer is the computer illiterate. They are more than likely going to want to go with a Windows system, because it's what they have heard of, and known about for so many years, but, it will let them know that Windos is'nt the ONLY OS there is. Simply put, by displaying Ubuntu, people will get to know that it exists, and what it is, and spread the word.
1550
Environmental Laptop Based on Solar Energy/Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Environment, Laptop Power submitted by gchakra
02/17/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
What's smart for the environment is smart for Dell. Dell should build units that are degradable or can be easily recycled. Sure, its going to be a little more expensive, but it will be a smart product. It will use a lot less energy. The laptops could have a solar panel or be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The first microelectronic implementation of a fuel cell will give Dell a tremendous marketing boost. It will be incredibly popular with kids in college.
Gopal
4185
What Dell Needs to do to be # 1 again ..
Dell submitted by lindahewitt
02/17/07
Dell used to be #1 when it came to hardware configuration, engineering, customer support and documentation. In fact for years, Dell's technical documentation won national awards in every category that it entered in. I am not a hardware geek, but the documentation was so good that it make me want to get a Dell and do the hardware work. Now that is real marketing.
Dell's customer support was out of Round Rock and it was A+. As a result of Dell excellence in hardware, engineering, customer support and documentation, I never had a problem recommending Dell to family, friends, associates and clients. But that was in 1994-1999.
Dell needs to return to its high quality roots, if it wants to be #1 again.
It also needs to eliminate some of its deceptive advertising, where customers pay for a premium tech support warranty for "next business day" support, only to discover that the term "next business day support" is defined completely differently by Dell. BTW, my BSOD problem occurred on a 5 month old brand new computer.
Let the customer control what software is loaded on their new computer, so that it could be no OS, OS only or OS & Microsoft Office.
Set up the C partition to only contain the operating system and nothing else. Redirect all data files to the D partition for data files and set up the e partition for programs.
Then if the user gets a BSOD or Dell's tech support says that the OS needs to be re-installed, the OS can be re-installed without affecting anything else. Yes, I know that the programs will need to be re-installed but the user will not have lost any data. In this regard, all customers should receive a CD (or DVD) with their operating system on it, just in case they have to re-install it for some reason. In fact, I think that every computer should come with 2 hard drives, so that data files and programs are completely separate from the OS hard drive. In short, make the process as easy and simple for the customer as possible.
In the case of BSODs, why not develop some prepared documentation, which explains that a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) can be caused by malfunctioning hardware, the operating system or software applications, which is what makes trouble shooting so very difficult. Based on my experience and substantial research, most of the time the cause of BSODs are poorly written software. So, why not emphasize the importance of backing up before installing new hardware or software. Backup restoration should ALWAYS be tested.
If Dell wants to be # 1 and I know that Dell does, then why not deal with only those vendors that have the best products instead of putting Norton AV on the computer.
Companies that I would recommend that Dell consider developing a business relationship with are
Acronis for their True Image (backup) and Disk Director (partition) software
Kaspersky for their AV and Internet Security products
Raxco for their PerfectDisk defragmentation product
FYI ... I do not have a business relationship with any of these companies.
When Dell includes software or add-on hardware, it should always be top of the line quality. In a sense, they are endorsing or recommending this vendor, so the reputation of the vendor gets tied to Dell's reputation as well.
Make it easy, simple and a quality experience to do business with Dell. In 1994-1995, this was the reputation of Dell and it carried you to the # 1 spot. Now it is time to return to your roots.
Pet Peeve:
Every quarter, when your financial reports came out that said that Dell had increased its net profits 27% over the same quarter last year, it only served to remind me that Dell was focused on maximum profits and that they didn't care that they were short-changing their customers to get those maximum profits.
Your customers understand what is really going on and have made their purchasing decisions based on Dell's past actions.
Congratulations on IdeaStorm. This is a great idea and I think that it can work to everyone's benefit.
911
ubuntu on my computer: open source for education
Education, Linux submitted by raymako
03/23/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
I am a french teacher working in the south of France .The school's computers are Dell and Nec computers.
Like most of my colleagues, I am using "opensource" (free) softwares, and specially Ubuntu for 2 years.
It works perfectly and the pupils who tried Ubuntu like it very much. I hope it will be possible to buy a Dell computer without Windows very soon and I hope that all the Dell computers of my school will use Ubuntu.
Not only because Ubuntu is free (even if it's not insignificant in a french school...) , but because working with Ubuntu forces you to understand and to think how and why you are using your (Dell) computer.
I know that I'm speaking and writing english language like a spanish cow, so I'm sorry.
I just want to finish my message with this: please be the first big computer manufacturer offering Ubuntu or Windows (which is very performant, but not the only one and specially at school) .
7070
Make longer lasting batteries for better portability
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by winoffice
05/05/07 **IN PROGRESS**
Don't make us recharge our laptops' batteries so often! A recent Cnet article (posted at Cnet's news site at about May 5, 2007) explains that Windows Vista's Aero Glass feature gives you less battery life. So, if we want Windows Vista, then we either have to recharge more often, or pay extra for more and better batteries! Instead, make Dell get rid of the batteries which quickly lose their charge...and come up with something that would give us longer battery life as follows (under Windows Vista), without making us stay away from Windows Vista or pay an extra $99 for another and better battery.
Basic laptops: at least 2 1/2 hours battery life
Entertainment laptops: at least 3 1/2 hours battery life
XPS laptops: at least 4 1/2 hours battery life
3150
 track my votes
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