taumax

Dell: We are not all BLIND!

Desktops, Monitors and Displays submitted by winoffice Feb 8

Dell: We are not all BLIND! On your 17" NOTEBOOK dislays, you offer a 1920x1200 screen resolution (on that page "WUXGA" means "1920x1200"). Yet on your 17" DESKTOP displays, you offer only a 1440x900 screen resolution.

If you can offer 1920x1200 on a 17" notebook display, then you can definitely do the same for 17" desktop displays. Please offer 1920x1200 on your 17" desktop displays, just like on the 17" notebook displays!

And obviously, of course offer 1920x1200 on all 17"+ screens (by 17"+ I mean 17" or greater, so this includes the 17" screens, as well as the screens that measure greater than that), as Dell currently offers 1920x1200 only on 24"+ screens (by 24"+ I mean 24" or greater, so this includes 24" screens, as they have the 1920x1200 screen resolution). 20 Comments »

OS Choice

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by chi-7 Mar 1

For the last several months I have been in quest of “laptop” this is my first venture into laptop land and quite frankly, I find the total absence of OS choices appalling.

The only choices I have are XP or Vista, both of which are totally
unacceptable for my application, now this only leaves a third choice which is to pay for the OEM version of a bloated, insecure OS, enhance the bottom line and sales stats for an unresponsive, largely irresponsible soft ware publisher, allowing them to perpetuate the modern myth “there is only one real OS”.

This is also totally unacceptable.

Why not give the consumer the option of ordering a system minus OS or the ability to return backup disks, with the removed key sticker, if the product has not been activated or registered, mail a refund for the unwanted software.

This would certainly give you a real barometer on just what your clients want rather than forcing an unwanted product for them to blow off to data heaven and pay dearly for the “one size fits all” shrink wrapped mentality in an otherwise built to order world of laptops.

After doing some homework I really want a Dell laptop, but I refuse to support a publisher that conducts themselves in such a strong arm fashion as part of the deal. I don't like their product, don't want it, won't use it and will send it to data heaven on first power up.

Give me SuSe 10.3 or nothing!

I would rather give Novell $130.00 for a job well done than give 25 cents to MS. 8 Comments »

Publish a list of known problems with each product models and time frame to fix them

Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by programatix Mar 1

It would be nice if Dell publishes a list of known problems for their products and the progress that have been made to fix the problems.

Currently, the following problems for XPS M1540 are known to Dell and if contacted, Dell support will only reply that they are trying their best to solve them

• Pressing the CD/DVD media eject button on the dashboard causes the system to be unresponsive until the media is out.
  
• Choppy/skippy/pausing audio playback when played using Dell Direct Media and Windows Media Player. Dell blame this on Windows Vista. I'm currently using 3 other laptops from other brands. All of them does not have the problem.
  
• Touchpad unresponsive or cursor moves on its own after waking up.
  
• Hissing sound can be heard when connected with earphones provided. Clicking sound can be heard before and after audio playback. Tested earphones with other laptops (other brands) and there is no hissing sound. Dell support confirmed that some units (same model) shows the problem while some don't.
  

Anyone care to add more to the list? So far I've returned my unit for full refund and is waiting for Dell to fix them before reordering a new one. But of course, if during this time, there are interesting models from other brands, I'll go for it. So, during the waiting period, if Dell can show that it is working on the problems, I might change my mind and reorder even before the problems are fixed. 3 Comments »

$299 Laptop

Laptops submitted by jack_satan Feb 1

Dell already sells a completely functional (albeit low-end) Vostro 1000 for $399 with a 15.4 in. screen, 80 GB HDD, Windows, and free shipping. If they just offered the same computer with a 14.1 in. screen, open-source operating system, and 60 GB HDD, they should be able to sell it at $299 with an even better profit margin.

Furthermore, besides for the public relations coup from offering the first fully functional sub $300 laptop, Dell would also be opening up a whole new market of buyers that have been clamoring to get their hands on the OLPC XO, Asus EEE PC, and Intel Classmate. 20 Comments »

List electricity saved on "Green" Inspiron 531

Environment submitted by nathanb Jan 29

I'm very interested this year in continuing to lower my electric bill since I've had great success doing so by just exchanging light bulbs to the more energy efficient ones. Anyway, I'm in the market for a new PC--I purchased mine in response to the Y2K hype in 2000, so I'm due. I noticed you have a "green" PC with the Inspiron 531, but nowhere on the site could I find an estimate of the amount of electricity I could save by purchasing this PC. Is this information available? And, if so, wouldn't it be a good idea to list that along with the fact that the purchase would have the same effect as not driving for 8 weeks. I shopped for a new refrigerator last year for the same reason. . .and manufacturers there include amount of electricity saved per year by purchasing an Energy Star appliance. I realize that a PC can be turned off every night, unlike a refrigerator, but most of us leave ours on for many days on end. A handy table with different scenarios of use and electricity saved would be helpful. I'm guessing that businesses/schools would be interested in information like this as well since many I know are actively seeking ways to lower their bills. Just an idea. Thanks for the opportunity to post ideas too. 5 Comments »

XPS 1735/1630 to compete with the new lenovo ideapads.

New Product Ideas, XPS products submitted by greythanis Jan 29

I'm sure you've all heard: Lenovo is selling ideapads y710 and 510 with features and prices hard to beat.



the main advatages dell had over lenovo were it's multimedia features and pricing. the ideapads have taken away the advantage.
If dell needs to remain competitive, it needs to come up with some serious alternative(s). I would suggest something along the lines of an XPS 1735 (or possibly a 1630 with high-res 16" screen.)

The major problem in dell's lineup now is that when it comes to 17", there are only the budget inspirons and vostros, or the high-end precisions and XPSs. Needs a midrange fellas.

There are certain features of the ideapads that hold it back, and Dell should capitalize on them:

- Lousy I/O layout. give the 1735/1630 the same I/O layout found on the precision m6300 (just replace the DVI with HDMI) as it is truly a nice configuration. don't be tempted to make the screen bend back to block rear ports or to put the 3.5mm audio jacks on the front or a battery that sticks out. keep it as close as possible to the precision m6300, including gigabit ethernet.

- A little bulky. keep the performance/thinness ratio of the 1330/1530. Also make the perimeter as small as possible for the screen size.
- the screen. although frameless is cool, there are no high-res or LED options in the ideapads
- Lousy Vista OS. Provide windows XP MCE as an option.
- not many configuration options. just keep the Dell configuration (and add some maybe) and it'll be great.

Here are certain features that HAVE to be included for decent competition.

- Built in sound. I have voted for better speakers whenever i could, but looks like lenovo is using the idea. How expensive are the xps m1730 speakers? i can't imagine that bad, integrate those (or even 4 of them) with a subwoofer.
- Clean design. unadorned plasma/glass look is in, adorned plastic look is out. The new inspirons were good, but it needs more. although keep fingerprints to a minimum!
- heavy-duty design. aluminium and carbon fibre chasis seems cool:

- security. Yes, even multimedia notebooks need security. features already found on precision line ups such as encrypted disks are needed (as an option)
- don't forget the webcam!
- back lit hevy duty keyboard.
- make sure a dock is integrated
- green certifications are always good ;-)

otherwise that's pretty much it. 5 Comments »

IdeaStorm home: display NEW ideas, not 'popluar' ideas

IdeaStorm submitted by zanlok Jan 30

The 'popluar' ideas get lots of votes because they have lots of exposure. So, ideas on the popular ideas page just get more popular. As a result, everything else tends to get sidelined. The recent and category links are nice, but those lists are still ordered by posting date.

Blockbuster.com accounts implement the mechanism I suggest: they "recommend" movies to you that you haven't rated. Once you've watched a movie and rated it, that movie isn't in the 'recommended' listing anymore. IdeaStorm should do this - and display a list of ideas on which you have not yet voted. This would be a great way to allow people to easily vote on as many of our different ideas as possible. Category links should do this, too.

Other than being a forum to post your ideas...
IdeaStorm should also be about getting as many votes as possible on our ideas. 3 Comments »

Recovery of Useable Electronic Waste

Environment submitted by idell111 Jan 30

We need to do something about the mass production of cheap computers that will become trash sooner than in the past. You as computer manufacture need to come up with a way to maybe out source recycling; you know what is valuable to you in computers that are junked. I would think there is at least one item in an old computer/electronic waste that you could reuse in some way shape or form. How much does it cost to make a heat sink for the CPU what if you could recover those? There is a lot of aluminum in a computer
Being disabled I would dismantle old computers all day if there were some way to make it profitable. We are killing our world and we need to start dealing with it in very serious manner. I know that Dell can’t reuse all of a scraped unit but I am willing to bet you can use something to save you money in new manufacture process. Anyway, just an idea. Give me a job. 7 Comments »

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 »

Dell should discuss the rumored ultraportable with us

Latitude products, Laptops submitted by jervis961 Jan 17

There has been much speculation about a leaked picture of a possible upcoming Dell ultraportable. Some say 13.3 inch others think it is 15" and some even speculate it is the 16" from the XPS they showed at CES. Upon magnification you can see it has the following visable: Slot load DVD, 2 USB, Ethernet and 2 other ports (display port and power?) on the left side. Also visable is built in web cam on the LED lit screen. It doesn't appear to have media buttons or a fingerprint reader.

The guys in marketing and developement must be getting sick of being scouped by Engadget and with all the flack they have gotten over the other recent releases (XT, M1330 and M1530). Why not create some good PR, scoup Engadget for once and find out some of the complaints while there is still time to tweak the system. Discuss this system Dell as it can only lead to a better product and greater buzz for it in the process. 45 Comments »

Dell... Offer Faster RAM!

Sales Strategies submitted by incubus240 Jan 20

Dell needs to offer faster RAM (i.e. If the FSB on the laptop is 800Mhz then match with 800Mhz RAM rather than 667Mhz RAM). I always have to buy the minimum amount of RAM for the system and end up throwing it away. They charge me $350 for 2GB of 667Mhz then I turn around and purchase 4GB of 800Mhz for $130. Since they make you buy at least 2GB... it is such a waiste! 7 Comments »

no more inspiron 1521?

Inspiron products submitted by joelson101 Jan 20

The Inspiron 1521 is no longer available on the website. This would be fine with me, but the new 1525 does not offer a graphics card that is better than the basic one. I would love to see the 1521 back or the 1525 with more options. The idea of building your own computer is the main thing Dell is about, so I dont understand why there is such a lack of options for the 1525. In the news release of the 1525 dell states that they offer more resolution choices which is not true becase the only choice is 1280x728.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2008/2008_...< Dell went with style this time, which is dissapointing. I am waiting on buying a computer because of the lack of choices in the 1525. 1 Comment »

DELL Wireless

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by vardanian Jan 21

I suggest to make DELL branded wireless cards with Intel chipset. Why not. The DELL bard is somewhat lower position when low priced in comparizon to Intel cards. I like intel, but my laptop is DELL!
thanks 11 Comments »

Improve the XPS One - I want to buy One!

XPS products submitted by techiedude Jan 15

How to make the “XPS One” a PC I (and others) would want to buy:
Offer options, not requirements:
- Allow us to upgrade to 4GB RAM
- Allow us to refuse the “free” Adobe suite (there’s markup somewhere in your price for a software suite I don’t want).
- Allow us to refuse the “free” MS Works or Office (see comment above)
- Allow us to upgrade the video card in the basic system without having to purchase the mid or high-end model
- Allow us to refuse the “free” TV tuner – most of us want an All-in-One PC, not a cable/satellite-TV-connected One.
- Allow us to refuse the keyboard and mouse – some of us have a set we’re already very happy with.
- Also, even though I’m an IT professional (have been for almost 20 years), I wouldn’t mind buying the three year extended warranty – just not for $250.
- This would make a great family PC for those with limited space for a computer (kitchen nook, et al) – price it and build it accordingly and “they” will buy.
- I want the Dell XPS One - just not the bundle you’re currently forcing on us.

My ideal One:
+ 4GB RAM (might be willing to settle for 2GB but don’t want to)
+ Minimum Dual-core 2.4GHz CPU
+ 250GB hard drive with 16MB cache
+ Most of us are opting for external disk arrays to protect our data anyway - we just need room for the OS and apps.
+ 256MB video card (would prefer 512MB, but 256MB may suffice)
+ No forced-to-buy software that is pre-installed other than the OS
+ I have my own Office suite, my own A/V suite and my own photo suite – let me use ‘em, please!
+ Optional TV tuner, keyboard, mouse but not required (I have my own wireless K&M that I’m very happy with)
+ An affordable extended warranty (make it affordable and I may even opt for the “CompleteCare” option)
+ I love the idea of the free recycling and the plant-a-tree – Keep it up!

The above config is real close to the “Performance One”, but it should be around $1500-$1600 once all of the newly optional items are declined (Office 2007, Adobe Elements Studio, wireless Keyboard/Mouse, a 250GB hard drive instead of 320GB, no TV tuner with remote) and the two items are upgraded (RAM, from 2GB to 4GB; warranty to three years). If the RAM can’t be upgraded, this machine should cost no more than $1500.

Dell built their business on build-to-order. Let me build my XPS One and I’ll be happy to order.

Sincerely,
A 12+ year Dell customer looking for a reason to buy a new system. 3 Comments »

Stop mounting substandard displays on high end notebooks please...

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by sergioo Jan 15

If I go to buy a cheap notebook, I can blame me or the reasons why I have no money to buy a better one.
But if I buy a GOOD notebook, as a Dell is expecting to be, even more if a Latitude or Precision, and you put a WSXGA+ Samsung like the SEC3350, or the other WXGA+ by Auo, and I paid a high end notebook to get a sandy, oily, dirty, yellowish display, with light leakage, whites not white, blacks not black, porr colors and bad viewing angles, may I get a bit angry?
And why must I get angry and fax an angry letter to Escalation to have all solved, if it is my natural right to have a good to very good display out of the box?
Don't you realize yet how often people avoid Dell for:
1) bad displays
2) bad customer care
???
TO me it is a pity. I really like all the rest in Dell.
It is a pity... 13 Comments »

Enough with the blue LED's already!

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by chewd Jan 15

A small, sharp, pinpoint of blue light is absolutely the worst thing you could possibly do to your night vision! Theres a reason the panel lights in aircraft are always red, red light does not leave retinal artifacts that impair night-vision.

I know blue LED's are trendy, everythings got them these days. And bluetooth has "blue" right in the freakin name. But those of us who use notebooks for work, and work at night, find blue LEDs very irritating.

Blue being a very short wavelength is very penetrating. You can light an entire room with one blue LED, whereas red being a long wavelength is ideal for indicators & such as it does not carry as much.

Give us the option of changing the color of the LED's either through BIOS, software, or even physically replacing them (or just replacing a colored lens). Maybe it would be possible to let us turn down the brightness a tad.

It would be nice not to have to cover my new laptop with little bits of tape. 30 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 »

Smaller rubber feet that don't fall off

Inspiron products submitted by jtrpop 07/02/07

The rubber feet on my Inspiron are big and get snagged when slipping into my computer bag. One has already fallen off. Make them slimmer and less prone to falling off. 24 Comments »