thomasp94

No more plastic wrap, please

Environment submitted by falbert May 22

In the last shipment of computers I received I was shocked by the amount of plastic wrap used for items like power cords, USB cables, VGA/DVI cables. Do these items really need to be individually wrapped in a plastic bag. I can just imagine the tons of plastic used by Dell annually...

Something to think about 68 Comments »

Support Windows XP By Posting Drivers for PCs with Vista

Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by gear Apr 15

Now that the decision has been made by Microsoft to keep XP Home and other editions on the market at least until 2010, it is time to do more to add value to Dell's product and take advantage of your build to order model.

Recently, it is noted that:

a) the Inspiron 1520 has been brought back with XP for the home market.

This need to be greatly expanded with XP available pre-installed on every PC sold by Dell. The build to order model is indifferent to it.

b) Retail machines sold at Best Buy, etc. need to come with XP and not just Vista.

Want to be real brilliant? Find a way with Microsoft so that customer can choose whether they want Vista or XP installed when they first boot up a new machine. Make the choice revocable so that a customer can always change their mind later if they made the wrong decision.

c) Dell need to support their customers who had the misfortune to have bought Vista based machines before the full extent of the Vista disaster (few drivers that work properly, etc.) were known.

There are many people out there who have machines that were bought that cannot do what it was intended to do because of the failings of Vista.

Specifically, Dell need to make available "unofficially" or officially, XP drivers for all machines that are shipped with Vista to date.

While Dell can elect not to support these machine's software if they are reinstalled with Windows XP, providing the drivers is a must.

What Dell can do is to make clear what devices will work, what wouldn't work if XP were installed on it, and how much functionality a user converting a Vista machine to XP can expect.

If Dell is real clever, they would offer to these loyal customers the option of either downloading the drivers from the website, or alternatively, having the drivers / application programs disks mailed to them for a nominal cost.

Want to be real smart? Sell a retrofit kit including a copy of Windows XP (Upgrade edition) so users can easily upgrade their Vista machines to Windows XP.

-------------------

FYI, I bought an Inspiron 1525 at retail and converted it to XP myself.

The problem was difficult if you wanted to use AHCI rather than ATA compatibility mode. (Had to create my own boot disk from the XP disks).

I got it working, but had to hunt for drivers from the Inspiron 1520 (not all of them work properly), the Latitute D820 (some work), and then, some of the Inspiron 1525 drivers work with both Vista and XP.

As it stands, your competitors Fujitsu and Sony are both shipping XP installation disks and drivers with every Vista Business machine shipped.

Give customers a reason to choose build to order by offering something that is simply not available from your competitors HP, etc. 11 Comments »

Explaine why Dell recommends Windows Vista® ?

Dell Web Site, Education, Operating Systems submitted by yesmathew Mar 12

I saw many idea related to "Dell recommends Windows". Here is one more. Based on Home user or Business user, Dell website recommends either Vista® Home Premium or Vista® Business. Explain why?

So the idea is to educate user, why Dell recommends Windows Vista? Is there any page explaining why Dell recommends Windows Vista? hyper linked to heading "Dell recommends Windows Vista®".

Otherwise does not make any sense to just display "Dell recommends Windows Vista"! 28 Comments »

More Customization Options for XPS Sysytems

Sales Strategies, XPS products submitted by bundy88 Apr 8

I have been a Dell customer for about eight year's now and have recently visited their website to possibly purchase an XPS 630, me being a game enthusiast and all. It looked like a well put together system and I know Dell build's very good computer's haveing owned a Demension 4600 for seven year's with little to no problems. Upon checking out the customization options for the system I realized they were lacking certain item's that would appeal to gamer's such as a motherboard selection, cpu fans and heatsinks, power supplies, more processor selections like the new q9300 quad, and other name brand memory like Corsair xms2, and Muskin xp2 extrme then just Dominator as the only memory with a heatsink. Also Nvidia has there new 9 series of video cards out on the market, I don't know why Dell wouldn't be offering them instead of the soon to be outdated 8 series.

Another area I fell I should cover before I wrap things up is the case itself. Dont get me wrong its very sharp and sexy I was just hoping for maybe a side window option that maybe wont cost an extra $200 like the 630's big brother the 720, come on Dell thats alittle ridiculous dont you think. Also you should have the option to add extra fans to the case if the buyer deemed necessary.

In conclusion people love having options to choose from and in the case of spending anywhere from $1,500 to alittle over $5,000 for a good gaming computer we want more choices than God himself. 2 Comments »

Do not scale back build-to-order systems

Desktops and Laptops submitted by masterr Apr 5 **ALREADY OFFERED**

Today in the news I read that Dell "is moving away from its build-to-order model to reduce costs. Dell is limiting the degree to which buyers can dictate specifications while expanding its line of prepackaged models". Please do not do this. The options build-to-order system is what sets Dell above some of the competition. By scaling this back and removing customization choices you remove some of the appeal of buying a Dell machine online. Please do not scale this back.


Please scroll down to see Dawn's comments below.


21 Comments »

XPS One - Unecessary Adobe Elements Studio on XPS One.

Sales Strategies, Software, XPS products submitted by stormrider451 Feb 25

Hello there.. By coming standard on every XPS One model, we are technically being forced to buy Adobe Elements Studio. This program is listed as having a $350 dollar value, something that unecessarily brings up the price on these XPS One's. Now I realize we are probably not paying the full 350 dollar value of this program (as it was pointed out on the comments), but still we are paying something. Why not make it so that we can choose if we want this program or not, thus making this great computer more affordable. At the same time, you would be giving us the choice of using the money on something that might interest us more such as adding more RAM or a better video card (whenever you make it so that adding more RAM or a better video card is an option on the XPS One). Any lowering of prices, no matter how minute is always appreciated especially when you are short in money. Think about it dell!! Give us some flexibility please! I want an XPS One but I have NO use for the Adobe Element's Studio. It would be a total waste of money for me!

-Thanks! 10 Comments »

More feedback from Dell on popular ideas

IdeaStorm submitted by pjeff Feb 15

I would like to see more (official) feedback from Dell on popular ideas eg. +1000 ideas.
For example, many people have been requesting an LED backlit screen for the XPS M1530. Look on any forum where this model is being discussed and you will see people saying that they are holding off on purchasing until it becomes available (I'm one of them!) so it would be helpful to know what is happening.

Another example would be illuminated keyboards. Saying it is "partially implemented" doesn't really tell us anything. We know you have done that! If a popular idea is not practical or its implementation is problematic for whatever reason, communicate back so discussion can take place. This is how brainstorming works!

I also wonder how many good ideas are overlooked because Dell believe the cost would be too great for the product in question. Be upfront about your concerns regarding costs. For example, you may find that Inspiron/Vostro customers would not be prepared to pay extra for a premium screen and illuminated keyboard but XPS customers are. Post polls so that members can vote on these issues and provide you with accurate data. We are here to help so use us. 7 Comments »

Start Warranty periods when the system is received, not shipped!

Service and Support submitted by markj2k Jan 31

I have purchased several Dell systems over the last month or so for myself, and some consulting clients. I've noticed in each case that the warranty start date is the day the PC shipped, not the day the PC was received by the purchaser. This needs to be changed. The order status page changes to show when the system was delivered, so Dell knows when the delivery date is. That is the day the warranty should start.

It might even be required from a legal standpoint in some areas, not sure about that. 15 Comments »

Give XPS Notebooks Gigabit Ethernet

XPS products submitted by croftki Feb 17

I understand that Dell market research says home users in general are not interested in gigabit ethernet for home networks. Those who pay for the premium design in the XPS line, however, are more likely to want gigabit ethernet. I would rather buy something more exciting than a business class notebook, but I want to build on my home technology with each purchase I make. XPS Notebooks unfortunately do not help me do this. It seems my only option is to buy a Latitude. 28 Comments »

Linux Drivers for All Dell Devices

Linux, Monitors and Displays submitted by grifter 10/24/07 **REVIEWED**

If Dell truly wishes to promote their Ubuntu line of computers then they should make sure that all of their devices work properly with the OS. For instance, the SP2008WFP monitor, while it does display everything fine, does not have drives for Linux systems of any kind. This is most certainly a hamper for any Ubuntu users to want to buy a Dell peripheral.


Please see john_h and matt_d's comments
14 Comments »

Total Control

Dell Web Site submitted by ajmukon Feb 12

This idea is simple.

Allow users to make a PC from scratch.....

Allow them to choose the ANY chassis, CPU, PSU [Power Supply Unit], GPU [Graphics Processor Unit], ANY OS (including 32/64 bit), ANY Peripherals wanted, ANY RAM amount....... etc 15 Comments »

Never allow backlit keyboard

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Healthcare submitted by pell Feb 1

Please, Dell, never produce or sell backlit keyboard or keyboard notebook light.

The thing is to work at night without strong enough ambient light can cause the strong injure to eyes health. Do not encourage your customers to become invalid and loose ability to work.

Health is more more important than fashion, and beauty, and requirements and requests of sometimes careless end-users.

Moreover backlit keyboards are often bought by parents for kids. How shall you live with knowing your business injure health of thousands of children?

Ref. http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62983/Backlit_Keyboards
Ref. http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/75782/Improve_the_Keyboard_of_XPS_m1330... 13 Comments »

Offer Different Power Supply Options

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by syrics06 Feb 4

Let people have the option to choose if they want a higher wattage power supply. 37 Comments »

Please have Dell Customer Care Reps that Speak CLEAR ENGLISH

Service and Support submitted by syrics06 Feb 4

I don't know how many times have I called in for service and not been able to understand my Dell Customer Care Rep.

Says it in the title.

Dell Help! 10 Comments »

Automate BIOS, Driver, Firmware Update for ALL systems

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by phubert 09/17/07 **REVIEWED**

**
I thought I'd already posted something like this...
*
Dell already has an ISO available for servers that will scan a range of Dell servers and update BIOS, firmware (e.g. PERC RAID controllers), and drivers in a single reboot.

I don't know whether Dell has this for Linux as well.

However, let me suggest this could also be done via an ONLINE -scan- of the system similar to Microsoft Update ... only for ALL OSes Dell sells and for all _systems_, servers, desktops, workstations, and notebooks!


Please see matt_d's comments
13 Comments »

XPS

XPS products submitted by rdiegel Feb 4

Offer XP Pro on XPS high end systems 10 Comments »

Keep XP on all models until WIndows 7 comes out - even Microsoft seems to be pointing that way

Operating Systems submitted by jmxz Jan 28

With industry speculation that even Microsoft is already giving up on Vista and is setting up business users to switch from XP to Windows 7 - please please keep XP as an option on all systems until Windows 7 comes out.

In the name of your "Simplify IT" campaign please please please don't force an unnecessary software migration to Vista on people when it looks like next year businesses will be migrating from Vista to Windows 7 (or, as the link suggests, other operating systems). 47 Comments »

Metallic Paint

Laptops submitted by toyota_supra Jan 30

Provide Metallic Paint (metal flake) like finish on Dell notebooks in various colors. 6 Comments »

Unwanted Free Antivirus Upgrade

Software submitted by davlts Jan 31

Not everybody wants the free McAfee Upgrade. There are many free and reliable Antivirus software in the market and for people like me, we dont need the free antivirus especially when you need to renew it after 1 year or so.
Please give us upgrade of hardware instead. Comment »

AVG security on new Dell computers

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by garth_g21 Jan 31

As per poplular choice should Dell introduce AVG free on Dell computers. I definitely believe this will be a hit with the Dell customers 17 Comments »