STEVE HARVEY ON HAVING BIG IDEAS
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540

Win XP Pro Choice

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by rjrich 04/19/07

Win XP Pro should be provided as an alternative to Win Vista on all laptop models (XPS and Inspiron as Lattitude and Precision). 1 Comment »

280

Thin and Light Laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by yaletownkid 04/19/07

I used to be all about performance and display with my choice of laptop. But I went "thin and light" about 3 years ago, and I will never go back!

I know the majority of buyers prefer the 15" (or bigger) screens, and big wrist-wrest keypads, but have you ever tried to use one on a plane? Send the Product Manager on a few cross-country, economy class flights and they'll see what I mean. I have an office, home office, and i"m mobile daily. Honestly try carrying around 8lbs and 15" form factor - its like carrying dumbbells.

Please look into:
1. Form factors of 12" screens, Less than 3lbs
2. try magnetitic power connection
3. solid state memory possibilities
4. Dire need of a style/design update. My 640m has all the sex appeal of a dial tone.
5. I would pay a premium to NOT have all that bloatware pre-installed.
6. the optical drive - can we make this totally optional?

Thanks for letting me participate. 1 Comment »

220

Standardized Spec Sheet PDF

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rjrich 04/19/07

Please provide a stadardized spec sheet for each laptop and desktop. Ideally, this would be a 2-page PDF file that would contain salient features organized in a way that would facilitate comparisons across models. For example, all laptops should have the dimensions and weight, keyboard pitch and travel, etc. in the same relative position in the spec sheet. 1 Comment »

250

Slot-Load DVD Drive

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by rjrich 04/19/07

Incorporate slot-load DVD drives into the next line of notebooks/laptops. Compared to tray-load DVD drives, this would enhance the portability, durabilty, and esthetics of the laptop. 6 Comments »

712

System Security - Fingerprint Scanners

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by guardianxps 02/17/07

I would like to see computers have some new technology added like Fingerprint scanners. Stolen computers are an issue and adding this will create a better level of security. The only downside I can see would be if one person sold the computer to another and didnt reset the scanner.

Still, I would like to see this and I am sure others would too. 31 Comments »

130

Basic crunching machine

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by stephecr 04/20/07

I am a member of SETI@home from the university of California in Berkeley. We crunch workunits for the SETI project, and I use 6 various models of Dell computers in this.

I would like to be able to buy a modern dual/quad core Dell pc for this task. I only need the base unit, mouse & keyboard. Minimal graphics is required and no dvd rewriters or software etc. All I need is a base pc with a fast processor, and say 1gig of decent RAM.

There must be others out there that have a need for a pc of that sort of spec just do do scientific calculations without all the usual frills added on.

How about it Dell? Comment »

1090

Make laptops with numpads !!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by johell 02/28/07

Please make laptops with numpads !! 11 Comments »

15024

No McAfee

Software submitted by doomlord52 02/19/07

I think everyone agrees here. No McAfee. i cant unistall my copy because it will take all my settings for the Microsoft firewall with it. That includes my outlook settings, internet, and just about every program. Why cant i say "no McAfee please"??? is it really that hard? use Norton.... 72 Comments »

260

Offer better LCD screens

Monitors and Displays, Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by rockprog 04/20/07

I wish Dell would offer better LCD screens on their laptops, with wide viewing angles and a crisp and bright display. Similar to the FlexView screens available on some Lenovo Thinkpad laptops using IPS technology.
Maybe an option for the Precision M90 and M65 ? 1 Comment »

160

Extra-Depth Laptop Shoulder Bag for the Working Person

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by mwcpayne 04/20/07

There remains a need in the market for an extra DEEP / THICK laptop bag (I think the term "width" has already been used for a wide screen).

The trend has been toward slim bags that hold the laptop, cord, and a few files. That may be fine for some, but many of us need - on a daily basis - the computer AND cords AND a couple inches of files AND a small textbook AND a few other electronics AND to eat for lunch.

Backpacks work, yesmaybe even something , but aren't exactly professional. The multi-bag option is available, of course, but again suffers from lack of professionalism and organization - and also uses up both carry-ons allowed when flying. Non-computer bags might work, but always at risk of harming the computer.

I suggest a practical, top loading, working shoulder bag with a) padded computer slot, b) handy side pocket for an organizer, pens, memory keys, etc., and c) an additional 3 or so inches over the regular dimensions to accomodate other papers.

Thanks. 10 Comments »

530

Clearly mark all cables and powergenerators

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by lysglimt 04/20/07

I have been with Dell for 10 years and have bought dozens of machines.
I have a room full of Dell stuff.
Whenever I need say a extra Laptop power converter I look in the room first.
But all the stuff is not marked, so I have to spend a lot of time finding out what is what.
Please just label everything, what it is. With a number I can look up online and order more , see it it fits new equipemt etc. 5 Comments »

900

Make batteries compatible

Laptop Power submitted by lysglimt 04/20/07

I have a Dell Latitude laptop where I have bought spare batteries for when I travel. I was about to buy a new Latitude, same model - just newer. But my spare batteries won't work! They are the same voltage but the design is slightly different. So I have to trash 3 perfectly fine working batteries and buy new ones. Please think long-term - think 5-10-20 years ahead. Make sure the batteries and other parts are standardized and always fit. 9 Comments »

410

Make coloured cases

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by mauricio_martins 04/20/07

The market has elected computer cases colors a standard: or you got it black or you got it white. This resembles the old days where the only colors for cars was only black.

Why do not tightly work with the customers leaving them decide about the colors of their computers? This is a thing that car industries does... a set of basic colours (at no cost) and a set of custom shiny-cool-beautiful-colors at some cost. 10 Comments »

280

Update Vista Video Drivers More Often

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell Web Site submitted by rprouse 04/20/07

Dell video driver releases always lag well behind the release of drivers by the card manufacturers. Please try to update more often, especially with Vista drivers which are fairly buggy and unstable at the moment.

The video drivers for the NVIDIA GeoForce Go 7950 GTX on 32 bit Vista are crashing repeatedly. The drivers that you offer on the website are v.98.09, but NVIDIA is currently at v.101.41.

Please update your video drivers for Vista when NVIDIA releases new ones. My brand new XPS M1710 laptop crashes or freezes up daily and it is almost always the video drivers. This is not the experience I expected with a new laptop. 2 Comments »

510

Loyalty Scheme

Sales Strategies submitted by jspuds 04/20/07

I would like to suggest a Dell Loyalty Scheme. I like most techies help family & friends buy pc's and laptops and always suggest they buy Dell.
What if as a techie or helper I could register with Dell and when people we help purchase are buying machines from your website they should be able to put in a name or member number of the Dell member who helped them buy or choose their purchase.

This Dell Member would then earn points per purchase and this they could use to get discounts for themselves.

Regards
John Murphy 1 Comment »

200

Scroll bar control for laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by carlolsen 04/20/07

Add a simple "mouse wheel" device to the edge of a laptop (possibly in multiple locations for convenience) that simply causes the vertical scroll bar of any active winow to scroll.

That way, there is no need to move the mouse pointer over to the scroll bar, in order to scroll, which can be awkward with the little mouse touch pad thingies 4 Comments »

220

Charger for Additional Batteries

Laptop Power submitted by jthurman 04/20/07

You have a large, multiple battery charger (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&s...) but you do not have a small external battery charger. As a power user, I have an extended run battery in addition to the standard battery for my M1210. It would be nice to charge one of them while I am off using the other. Lenovo has a 2 battery charger (http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/uscat.nsf/$ which would be ideal coming from Dell. You use the existing AC Adapter to power the charger saving your customers. 2 Comments »

-230

Windows Live OneCare

Sales Strategies, Software submitted by class2008 04/20/07

Offer Windows Live OneCare as an anti-virus option. It is a great program, and easy to use. I have it on my Dell Inspiron 6400 and 1150 and love it. 6 Comments »

310

Better search options on the Dell Outlet site.

Dell Web Site submitted by tgmaniac 04/20/07

I would like to be able to search for a system on the dell outlet easily. For example - put in a minimum processor speed or search for a specific wireless card on laptops or a minimum number of cores in the processor. Also I would like to see more details about the servers like how many processors the server comes with. 3 Comments »

420

So, now give me XP!

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by acannyoldminx 04/20/07

I called Dell yesterday to extend my warranty and informed them I was removing VISTA from the laptop I have had for a couple weeks. But now, I have to purchase XP on my own!

I think Dell should send XP to those of us who recently purchased our Dell laptops with the "Dennis the Menace" OS of VISTA. 4 Comments »



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