Fix the BIOS to enable HIBERNATE & SUSPEND
Linux, Service and Support submitted by cement_head
05/03/07
Three major priorities should be addressed for the adoption of Ubuntu 7.04:
1) The Hibernate and Suspend functions should work with the BINARY (accelerated) graphics drivers from nVIDIA and ATI. nVIDIA has better linux support - consider switching to nVIDIA cards on laptops. HIBERNATE and SUSPEND are essential for laptops and for widescale adoption within the business/corporate world. DELL laptops have been notrorious for poorly written BIOSes that only will hook into Micro$oft windows and M$ ACPI scripts - while this has not been an issue in the past due to the monolith of M$; it is now an issue whose time has come. This BIOS (DSDT tables) issue has to addressed at the level of DELL, not Ubuntu. Consider the FreeBIOS project.
2) Wireless cards should "simply work". Major culprit is Broadcom Cards. They are a pain to install; and usually require an extra step. Consider adopting a different manufacturer that supplies & supports an open source WiFi driver.
3) AMD processors. They are better. They are cheaper. They use less power. The Turion (64 bit) is especially well suited to Linux. AMD & nVIDIA would be a formidable combination. Consider dumping INTEL.
Less important, but annoying:
4) iTUNEs. This is REALLY annoying. Goes to the heart of DRM. But, the pragmatic reality of today's world is that many people already have an iPOD. Maybe you (Michael Dell) has enough pull to get Steve Jobs to get his people to compile/script iTUNES for Ubuntu.
Looking forward to seeing Feisty on DELLs.
- cement_head
3270
Make a DEBIAN repository for DELL's drivers
Linux submitted by dutchfish
05/04/07
Ever had to install a linux desktop or server? Does the endless search for drivers and documentation how to install them ring a bell? Your problems could be over and make DELL your first choice of buying a linux desktop or server if there was a DEBIAN repository for DELL's hardware.
3120
Implemented: Ubuntu Dell is Le$$ Than Windows Dell
Linux submitted by thebittersea
05/05/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
see comment from Erik down below... [Dell's Pricing Team]
$774 Inspiron 1420 (Ubuntu)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Ubuntu version 7.04
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Integrated High Definition Audio
$824 Inspiron 1420 (Vista)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Basic Edition
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD writer/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated High Definition Audio
The difference in promotion pricing was due to an error on the site, which has been fixed.
33450
Do not hire nontechnical people for techsupport
Service and Support submitted by jbrogers
02/17/07
This is the main problem with the India call centers - they have no idea what they are doing. They are obviously reading a scripted diagnosing tool and have no personal knowledge of computing issues.
I have both home and business accounts with Dell. When I call in for support on my Business account, I get a good old-fashioned American geek, who instantly understands that I am fairly technical, and doesn't treat me like an idiot.
The Indian call centers, not having knowledge themselves, do not recognize that I know anything, and treat me like an idiot as they read from the diagnosis tool. Yeah, I know the computer is plugged in. Yeah I know that I have internet connectivity. Sheesh.
8986
Don't imply Microsoft IP in Linux
Linux, Operating Systems submitted by mhall119
05/07/07
Many Open Source and Linux users are troubled by Microsoft's recent deal with Novell where Novell seems to imply that their Suse Linux contains Microsoft intellecual property. Now Dell has also entered that agreement, and will be selling licenses of MS Windows with customers purchase Suse Linux.
I understand the need for compatibility between Microsoft products and Linux, but I, and many others, don't see how this agreement is improving that in any way.
I would like Dell to make an official statement that they do not believe there is any Microsoft intellectual property in any of the distributions of Linux they offer. I would also like to see Microsoft pressed to increase compatibility by opening their protocols for NetBIOS and Exchange, as well as the NTFS filesystem, to allow open source implementations.
2470
No OS Installed (at a lower cost!)
Dell, Operating Systems submitted by fuscob
05/06/07
We understand that there is already an option to have no OS preloaded on the machine, but it doesn't save any money. A copy of XP Pro OEM costs $139 - the consumer should get that money back if they choose not to have Windows preloaded.
2970
Crapware
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by mcneiljohn
05/06/07
Completely eliminate all crapware on new computers, but provide access to all trial software versions on a dvd requiring conscious action by the user to install and provide a booklet with a brief description of the promoted products.
I will shortly replace my aging Inspiron 8000 and hope to not be initially frustrated by having to remove unnecessary and unwanted programs.
3340
Solid State Drive as option in Notebooks
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by tablet205
03/28/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Definition
A solid state drive is primarily a data storage device, for use in computing applications that traditionally use a hard disk drive.
A solid state drive is based on non-volatile memory instead of the spinning platter and mechanical-magnetic head found in a conventional hard disk drive. With no moving parts, a solid state drive eliminates seek time, latency and other electro-mechanical delays and failures associated with a conventional hard disk drive.
Advantages
* Faster startup - Since no spin-up required.
* Faster read time – In some cases, twice or more than that of the fastest hard drives.
* Low read and write latency (seek) time, hundreds of times faster than a mechanical disk.
* Faster boot and application launch time - Result of the faster read and especially seek time. But only if application already resides in flash and is more dependent on read speed than other issues, eg. OS bootup that detects devices will not be significantly sped up even with faster seeks & reads.
* Lower power consumption and heat production - no mechanical parts results in less power consumption.
* No noise - Lack of mechanical parts makes the SSD completely silent.
* Better mechanical reliability - Lack of mechanical parts results in less wear and tear. High level of ability to endure extreme shock, vibration and temperatures, which apply to laptops and other mobile devices, or when transported.
* Security - allowing a very quick "wipe" of all data stored.
* Deterministic performance - unlike mechanical hard drives, performance of SSDs is constant and deterministic across the entire storage. "Seek" time is constant, and performance does not deteriorate as the media fills up (See: Fragmentation).
* Lower weight and (depending upon type) size
* Faster than conventional disks on random I/O
Check out the Idea in Action on the SSD enhancements Dell is making.
7549
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.
24110
Pre-installed Linux must play commercial DVDs
Education, Linux submitted by jonmca
05/03/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
You probably know this, but a "show stopper" requirement for most consumers and many educators and business road warriers is having laptops and desktops that can play commmercial DVDs. I have a hunch that preinstalled Linux on Dell machines will be a terrific success if Dell Linux desktops and laptops have this capability. I've been told that http://www.videolan.org/ has one possible approach.
Having Linux playing commercial DVDs may also catapult Dell into the complex Digital Rights Management contoversy so it would be wise to get Dell's legal staff involved ASAP and also have this discussed this at the highest strategic management levels at Dell (if this is not already being done).
Check out the Ideas in Action post from Daniel Judd. And you can also check out this follow-up post from John Hull who leads our engineering efforts behind Linux on consumer systems.
4790
Extend offers like Linux pre-installation to the UK & Europe
Dell, Linux submitted by leftcase
05/03/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
First of all - well done Dell for listening to the people and making some brave decisions about the operating systems you provide your computers with.
Supplying pre-installed Linux (and XP instead of Vista for that matter) goes a good way towards giving customers what they want.
One thing that is slightly irritating however is that none of these offers are available outside of the US. Browsing through peoples comments, blogs and the Dell forums reveals that many people from the UK (for example), want the opportunity to get pre-installed Linux on their new Dell PCs.
The UK and Europe marketplace is not insignificant, and many people feel that you should extend your offer to this market too.
Please see Ideas In Action for additional information. Ubuntu Linux in other countries is coming soon.
7990
IdeaStorm should check to see if your post is similar to existing posts
IdeaStorm submitted by hjwasson
04/26/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
One of the greatest failings with IdeaStorm's otherwise wonderful concept is that many similar posts are created - and although they all get votes, no one post gets enough votes to rise to Dell's attention.
When you submit a post, I would like to see IdeaStorm search for similar posts, and if it finds any, prompt you:
Your post seems similar to this/these post(s):
1. Yes, it is. Please make my post a comment to the existing post instead (& I will vote on that post).
2. No, they are different - but related. Please associate my post to the existing post.
3. No, my post is not related - continue posting.
#2 is related to my suggestion to be able to be able to associate similar posts:
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66450/Provide_a_way_to_associate_simila...
For all of this to work, Dell would have to vastly improve it's search ability within IdeaStorm (perhaps collaborate with Google?)! Use Google's advanced search features, with www.ideastorm.com as the domain to search, if you want to see for yourself the differences in how well the search features function.
Duplicate ideas suggestion feature has been added.
5650
Don't make us buy Vista
Operating Systems submitted by icantseeyou
02/21/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
From all of the press I have read it is plain that Vista is a big bomb. To buy the cheapest version I hear it isn't even as good as XP SP2. At the same time you need at least 4 Gig to run it. Offer other options... I don't care if it's Linux, XP, or a rat running on a wheel. Don't make us buy Vista.
You can read more about this the OS options Dell offers here.
9120
Always include all software and driver reinstallation discs for free (or at least let us get the option to)... don't make us pay extra
Software submitted by winoffice
05/01/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Always include ALL software AND driver reinstallation discs for FREE (or at let us get the option do get the for free if we want as follows)...don't make us pay extra in case that we have a disaster and need to reinstall from scratch...!
No Discs Included (Included In Price)
All Discs Included (this means everything -- all software discs -- OS/Security software/etc., and all driver discs -- this means Windows or Linux drivers or both, whatever applies -- add $0)
Other options (OS disc only, all software discs only, driver discs only, etc. -- add $0)
For some computers, Dell does not include the reinstallation discs. Even if Dell offers them, Dell charges extra for us to get them. In fact, the only time I seen reinstallation discs being offered without charge were for Dell XPS desktops with the flashy lights -- that is, the Dell XPS 600, 700, and 710 systems, for those ware the only systems to offer operating system options like "Microsoft Windows XP Media Center WITH REINSTALLATION CD".
Also, most of the time when software reinstallation discs are not included, driver reinstallation discs (such as XPS flashy lights, as well as printers and monitors) are not included either. Therefore, don't just include the software reinstallation discs -- include as well the Windows/Linux drivers for the hardware (depending on the OS purchased with the computer, if any, which in turn depends on the user's preferences).
Besides, Microsoft as well as ALL software companies include the discs when you get the software seperately, so why can't Dell do the same when the software is preinstalled...?
Customers no longer have to pay extra for re-installation media.
21520
Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
Linux submitted by gergnz
02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.
84437
Now You Choose – Concept 1
Gaming, XPS products submitted by dell_admin1
04/25/07
Participate in the product design process! Dell is using IdeaStorm to decide between two new product design concepts. Vote on your favorite and weigh in to tell us what you think. When we unveiled the XPS 710 H2C at CES this year, we also uncovered it. There were a limited number of systems sprinkled throughout the show floor that had a clear side panel allowing easy viewing of the patent-pending two-stage H2C liquid cooling system. Since then, more than a few people have suggested we offer a “panel with a view” as an option for our XPS 710 line. Now we need you to vote for one of these two options and, most importantly, share some reasons why you like it. This “Now You Choose” vote campaign will be open from Wednesday, April 25 to Friday, May 11. The design that gets the most votes will be featured in a future generation of XPS gaming desktops.
-2130
Now You Choose - Concept 2
Gaming, XPS products submitted by dell_admin1
04/25/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Participate in the product design process! Dell is using IdeaStorm to decide between two new product design concepts. Vote on your favorite and weigh in to tell us what you think. When we unveiled the XPS 710 H2C at CES this year, we also uncovered it. There were a limited number of systems sprinkled throughout the show floor that had a clear side panel allowing easy viewing of the patent-pending two-stage H2C liquid cooling system. Since then, more than a few people have suggested we offer a “panel with a view” as an option for our XPS 710 line. Now we need you to vote for one of these two options and, most importantly, share some reasons why you like it. This “Now You Decide” vote campaign will be open from Wednesday, April 25 to Friday, May 11. The design that gets the most votes will be featured in a future generation of XPS gaming desktops.
Check out the latest Idea in Action on the new XPS 730.
7720
 track my votes
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