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A new buying process

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by ccpljat Jul 14

I have seen lots of comments about the difficulty in finding the right computer match for them, especially in the laptops. Here is my suggestion on how to fix this.

Step No.1: Choose a "shell". With desktops this would be easy. But with the laptops, you would have to choose your screen size. All Dell's laptop "shells" should be built in such a way that you can put all configurations in all "shells" and each screen size should have all resolution options.

Step No. 2: Choose color (if applicable based on the "shell" that is chosen).

Step No. 3: Choose a processor. The customer should be able to choose any processor that Dell sells and put it in any of the "shells" that he chooses.

Step No. 4: Choose operating system. All versions of Vista should be options on all computer possibilities.

Step No. 5: Choose RAM: Each computer should be able to get configurations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 GB of ram.

Step No. 6: Choose a HD: The customer should be able to choose any HD size that Dell sells. There can still be differences between notebooks and desktops, but it should be 100% interchangeable between all the notebooks and 100% interchangeable between all the desktops.

Step No. 7: Choose graphics card. All notebook "shells" should be compatible with all graphics solutions. Obviously a user's processor, RAM, or HD choice(s) may limit the options, but everyone should have the option of getting every solution.

Step No. 8: Choose optical drive. Same as graphics. All drives should be available, but a user might knock off some choices based on his other choices.

Step No. 9 and following: Choose other options. Most of these are already available in most if not all laptop solutions.

Hopefully someone sees the pattern here: go for complete compatibility. Let the customer decide how he wants his computer. You can offer more stylish "shells" like the XPSs and offer some that aren't so "cool" such as the Vostro line in the Small Business section.

I know Dell just came out with a new notebook line, but I think implementing an idea like this would not only increase their sales, but would also make the customers happier because their computer would truly be exactly how they wanted it. Or, they could pick exactly which features they wanted for the amount of money they have to spend instead of having too big of a HD and too small of a graphics card, to give an example.

Please promote. This is for the dedicated Dell customers like me who are dying to buy a Dell, but are on a tight budget. Gas prices aren't going to be friendly to the high-end computer world. If you demote, I expect to see a comment with a very good reason why. 21 Comments »

Allow Dell Ubuntu models to be preinstalled with ATI graphics cards

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by laptoplinux Jul 14

I have noticed that the computers being offered with Ubuntu Linux preloaded only come with Intel graphics cards. While I realize that Dell might be hesitant to offer an Nvidia card on those models due to the closed source nature of Nvidia's current Linux drivers, I see no reason not to include an ATI card as an option on Ubuntu systems.

ATI now has an open source driver for its cards that is rapidly improving and on track to achieve feature parity with their proprietary driver very soon. Since there is now an open source driver, I see no reason why a Dell Ubuntu computer could not also come with an ATI card pre-installed with the open source ATI driver installed and configured.

Links to ATI driver news:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Open-Source-ATI-6-8-0-Driver-Released-79000.shtml
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ati_r500_3d&num=1


Furthermore, I see a significant use case for such offerings since Linux boxes are often used for 3D graphical rendering and modeling in both scientific fields and entertainment fields. For example, Dreamworks Animation makes use of extensive Linux-powered 3D rendering, and the Shrek movies as well as the recent Kung Fu Panda movie were produced entirely with Linux-powered Hewlet-Packard workstations.

In short, I see no reason why the Ubuntu offerings should be restricted to only Intel graphics solutions when a perfectly good and rapidly improving open source driver exists for ATI hardware. 2 Comments »

Recall Dell W3000 LCD TVs with "sound but no picture" problem

Monitors and Displays, Service and Support submitted by geobaum Jul 14

There is a huge number of owners with Dell W3000 TVs that when turned on will have sound and no picture. This problem usually occurs right after the warranty expires. If they are turned on and off repeatedly they may eventually work, but the problem worsens over time. Those with TVs past the warranty are stuck with the only option of having them shipped and assessed for repair for $261.54 not including the cost of parts. There is also only a 90 day limited warranty offererd after repair with no extension offer. This exact problem and high failure rate are that of a defective product. Promote this if your Dell w3000 tv and Dell customer suport has failed you. Comment »

Montevina in Studio Line. QUICK!

New Product Ideas submitted by dansrfe Jul 14

Please quickly integrate Montevina platform into Studio Line otherwise HP or some other company will come ahead and many are wanting to get their Studio laptop but with the Montevina right before they go back to school or college in the August time period. Some just want to get their hands on it soon but want it with the latest Montevina platform. 1 Comment »

Need Update on Ideastorm Team

IdeaStorm submitted by badblood Jul 15

Seems the Dell ideastorm team, moderators and what not, are falling apart again. Look to your right and you'll see Dawn and the gang pics gone.

What's happening? Give us an update on the Ideastorm Team. Have they been disbanded, fired, thrown to the alligators.....


Please see Vida_K's comment below
8 Comments »

6th generation servers and below

Servers and Storage submitted by anandsoftin Jul 15

hi all
we have to post dos based bios updates for the 6th and below generation servers so that lot of coustomers can benifite by updating thier servers to latest bios and other frimwares because according to coustomers if they do any bios update or frimware update the data is gone.so need more clarity in this issue 1 Comment »

Upgrading dell laptop

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support, Laptops submitted by gomzi Jul 15

Ive dell inspiron 1525, when i bought it i forgot to get game card installed in it (MY MISTAKE), when i try some heavy graphics games they are not supported,
When i have a word with dell tech team regarding upgradition of game card they said it cannot be done, if you want game card you should buy new configuration dell laptop,
Dell should put a provision of upgradition of cards,
till now only ram, hdd or processor are upgradeable.
This is imp and dell should take care of this coz for small things one cannot buy nwe thing again. 1 Comment »

Wishlist

Inspiron products submitted by edoovel Jul 15

I hope that Dell Inspiron Mini has:

1 GB RAM (DDR2)
At least 40GB (i dont mind HDD, although SDD is better)
Intel Atom processor
At least 533MHz
Windows XP Home
6-cell batteries (at least for better battery life)
Large keypad (black wqith white letters)
The mouse pad please don't like Acer Aspire One or HP Mini
Fast startup
Good broadband speed. 5 Comments »

cell phone

Broadband and Mobility submitted by jt4615 Jul 15

A viedo conference phone as well as a pocket pc. 2 Comments »

Targt Disk Mode over Firewire and USB

Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ravi723 Jul 15

This is a feature that has been on Macs forever. It allows your to access your computers drives as if it was a firewire/USB external drive. This makes it easier to retrieve data off of a machine who's OS is having problems booting up. 6 Comments »

Montevina Released! Update Notebooks NOW!!

Laptops submitted by q0987 Jul 15

Nuff said. 7 Comments »

Make the FreeDOS operating system option available on your webpage

Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by laptoplinux Jul 15

After going through several phone calls with sales associates that vehemently refused my request of either no Microsoft OS preloaded on a computer or a refund for the unused Vista license as granted in the Vista EULA, I eventually came to find out that some Dell models can be ordered with the FreeDOS operating system preloaded, but that option is not publicized in any way, and it can only be done through a phone order. For the models for which FreeDOS is an option, why not make that known on the website. Perhaps somewhere easily accessible you could post a listing of the models that can be preloaded with FreeDOS, and then that can show up under the choice of operating system when customizing the computer.

Most people ordering a computer with FreeDOS intend to replace that with the operating system of their choice once the machine arrives, but Dell doesn't have to provide software support for every conceivable OS that might be loaded on the machine, and they can state that explicitly and very clearly on the site as well. This removes any further obligations on Dell's part. If necessary, Dell can even add something on the customization page to explain to the buyer what the No-OS option entails so that a buyer does not inadvertently choose that option. (But please *please* make the explanation a neutral statement of facts and not a big bold "DELL RECOMMENDS WINDOWS VISTA!!!!!" advertisement like the rest of the website)

(As an aside, while neither software nor hardware support from Dell is necessary with these models, I suggest that it would be a wise course of action for Dell to lean toward hardware configurations of FreeDOS models that are compatible with Linux, since that will most likely be the OS that will ultimately reside on the machines. Again, Dell would not be obligated to such a course of action, but people looking to buy new computers without Microsoft's OS usually do their research and know which vendors/models are friendly and which are not. These types of customers are well informed and usually chained to no vendor, but they can also be fiercely loyal to a vendor that sincerely listens. Again, just an aside.) 4 Comments »

smaller screens more available

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by hollyberry Jul 15

I think that in your products there is an absence of 13.3" and 12.1" models. The only low priced 13.3" model is the Vostro 1310. I believe that in this age where mobility is a must, there should be more machines with smaller screen sizes more readily available at a lower price, because there are many people who are travelling around a lot looking for a small screen size for better mobility and a lighter laptop. Thank you for reading my comment and considering my idea. 4 Comments »

Media Direct 4 for everyone

Software submitted by mrzero Jul 15

Dell, it makes no sense not to allow users of Media Direct access to the new version (version 4). Version 4 (see http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=... for details).

Consider posting this as a download... 1 Comment »

low cost laptop

Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by dicky.parhar Jul 15

If Nicholas Negroponte can do this on meager donated money, why can't Dell - a multibillion dollar corporation - do the same. Strategicaly, it will bring in lot of goodwill and halo effect for the dell products. 4 Comments »

Provide clean Postscript Drivers

Printers and Ink submitted by pfismvg 3 days ago

Network printers with postscript support should have clean drivers available for download. Nowadays every printer seems to have a bloated driver with some useless per printer custom port monitor. If you have only one printer on your computer that is usually no problem, if you have a few they may allready make your system unstable. if you have lots ln your windows 2003 print server it is a nightmare.

After some digging I found that you can always use the default windows PS printer driver as long as you have a correct PPD file.

but finding the PPD files on the Dell site is a nightmare and you need to download a lot of huge files before you get everything.

I created a driver pack with the following printers (these I have on my network)
Dell 1600
Dell 1700
Dell 1720
Dell 1815
Dell 3100
Dell 5100
Dell 5110
Dell 5200
Dell 5210
Dell 5310

To find all correct files I had to download more then 200 Mb
the final version is only 2 Mb and supports XP/2003/Vista 32 and 64 bit

http://cid-5059424a2ac3e7cc.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/PrinterDrivers/CleanD...

please check the above file and start providing drivers like this for all your networked postscript printers. I know lots of System administraters will love this. 3 Comments »

Display Noise level and Watt usage for systems

Desktops submitted by bbr 3 days ago

Expected 3D Mark score (if able)
Total expected Watts usage for a system.
Expected noise level dB.

All interesting things to know. but impossible to backtrack on the Dell hardware building pages. 3 Comments »

Discount coupons for top Ideastorm users

IdeaStorm submitted by bbr 3 days ago

Frequent users of ideastorm would probably enjoy an extra 5-10% discount coupon. 8 Comments »

World Wide Hotpoint (WWH)

Broadband and Mobility submitted by roderic8 3 days ago

Hotpoints should be like cell phone coverage. With WWH you would sign up for a service like ISP but WWH is set of towers that transmit wireless signal. This would standardize the wireless network. 1 Comment »

All Dell monitors must support 32 bits color

Monitors and Displays submitted by winoffice Apr 29

Just now I came across a Dell widescreen flat panel LCD monitor, the E198WFP (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&...). Alongside the fact that this monitor does not have 1920x1200 (which already makes me unlikely to buy it), even worse, the monitor only supports 24 bits color (click "Tech Specs" and see "Color Support' under "Display")! Today there exists much software that will not even install or run (without 32 bits), and yet some Dell monitors come with only 24 bits! That makes this monitor completely not viable for most use. Dell needs to upgrade all non-32 bits monitors to 32 bits color. 1 Comment »