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Continue 12.1 inch notebook

Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by gatorbay 08/03/07

I personally own an XPS m1210. I absolutely love the notebook size, and was sad to see that the 1210 was being discontinued. I dont necessarily think the 1210 should be continued, but I know a lot of people like the 12 inch option. A 12 inch widescreen modeled after the 1330 would be really nice, or even a 12 inch option in the inspiron line at least. 5 Comments »

Linux duel boot with Windows XP or other OS

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by ramnar 08/04/07

Dell should offer this with the new systems that are Linux friendly. 8 Comments »

Sneak-peaking new products...

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, XPS products submitted by benjesuit 08/05/07

Would be beneficial. Because you have this site and the Direct2Dell blog site, you can gather customer response to product you are about to release in a few months time. It'll help to somewhat streamline manufacturing as you'll be able to figure the mean preference of consumers.

For instance, the debacle with the XPS1330. Had you known that black is the preferred color, you would have concentrated your efforts there and perhaps would have stated that ordering white or red will delay your shipment. You could have known this by taking a poll of the preferred colour.

Another example: There is a photo leak on Engadget concerning the upcoming XPS 1730. Most who responded stated that they didn't like the design/colour scheme. In fact, the wittiest response, "now the XPS 1330 will have to lie at school and say its adopted."

In any event, you should make a habit out of leaking info on upcoming products. It generates buzz which in turn generates useful marketing info. Which in turn, if you respond to customer preference in the form of redesign or feature addition, will translate into sales upon product release. Comment »

target schools and companies for linux equiped computers

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by siger 08/05/07

for your marketing strategy you should and must target schools and companies because they are places where computers are often used and they eduactes people to computers and using a computer. if people use linux atwork or t school they will want or need to use it at home . 2 Comments »

No monitor

Monitors and Displays submitted by kushboy 02/19/07

One of the only reasons I won't even consider purchasing a computer from Dell is that I was told I could not purchase a system without also purchasing a monitor as well. I don't need a monitor, so don't make me buy one, and I won't. 17 Comments »

Allow orders to be canceled online (or streamline phone process)

Dell Web Site, Service and Support submitted by neil_c 08/06/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

I've been very pleased with Dell's online ordering system - for initial ordering - but extremely disappointed with it's inability to change or cancel orders, even when those orders are weeks away from production. I just ordered an Inspiron 1520 laptop, and realized I should have ordered a 1420. When I attempted to cancel the 1520 order (only hours after it was placed, and still FOUR WEEKS before its ship-by-date) my only option was to call sales support. When the phone center finally opened (I'd ordered over the weekend), I had to wait on hold 5 different times for 5 different people (some in India, some elsewhere) and was repeatedly told that I needed to talk to someone else and that I would be transfered - and several times was just dumped back into the initial call menu. I was very carefully selecting the correct menus each time, and every time time (from the same menus) got a different excuse from the rep as to why they were unable to help. In the end I got someone in India (by selecting exactly the same phone-menu-options) and the order was canceled, but it took over an hour on the phone!

Why not allow recently placed orders (or orders for items that are clearly out-of-stock and weeks away from production) to be canceled online? Clearly phone support is Dell's biggest weakness at the moment. And solving this particular problem online would be such a simple issue - most other online ordering companies have provisions for canceling or changing orders..

I've owned dozens of Dell systems over the years, but it's a good thing I'd already ordered my Inspiron 1420 BEFORE I managed to cancel the 1520, because after this I would have really considered going with a Thinkpad. Maybe IBM/Lenovo's extra cost is worth it - even just for the customer service.











16 Comments »

The Dell Experience, Reloaded | on Linux & Windows

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 07/17/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Offer as an OPTION on all Dell PCs a well-chosen collection of add-on software, "Dell's best picks", including Dell visual themes and other software settings.

- Create a unique and distinguishable Dell look & feel (like Apple has done)

- Use advanced interface design with transparency, compositing, 3D effects, etc.

- Make it slick, polished, dead-easy to use and well integrated (e.g. make Vista look better than Microsoft has done)


- Make the Dell software pack look & feel similar on Linux, Windows XP and Vista

- Offer the Dell software pack on all new PCs, and for download for old Dell PCs and competitors' PCs

- Promote Dell software and services such as Online Backup & PC TuneUp

- Deliver updates for drivers and ALL other bundled software

- Include other rich online applications, with Firefox add-ons and themes

- Generate extra revenue with subscriptions, extended theme galleries, thematic tie-ins to movies, music, toys, and other consumer stuff (e.g. Spiderman™ theme by Dell™, etc.)


- Allow the user to easily revert to OS-default settings, and back again (with one click!)

- Allow the user to selectively choose to enable/disable each component (like Google Pack has done)

- Allow the user to select between profiles such as "Simple", "Family", "Power User", and "Custom"


- Set a high standard for any software to become part of the Dell software pack (e.g. components must be well-behaved and not popup-infested crapware)

- Make clear distinctions for each component whether it is open source, proprietary freeware, proprietary trialware, subscription-ware, etc.

- Make clear the impact on system resources for each component (e.g. startup items, estimated percentage of use of system resources such as memory, storage, CPU, network, etc.)

8 Comments »

Status report: Linux worldwide?

Service and Support submitted by mistern 08/06/07

You already promised a few weeks ago that you'll start shipping Linux computers outside the USA soon. I'm getting a bit impatient. Could you tell us where and when we will see actions?

Thank you. Information is what I desire the most. Comment »

Install 64 bit ubuntu on ubuntu computers from Dell

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by tashmooclam 08/06/07

This may seem odd to many, but the version of Ubuntu installed on Dell computers with 64 bit processors is actually the Ubuntu PC (32 bit) version. 13 Comments »

Merge With Lenovo Group

Dell submitted by gferrigno 08/06/07

Dell should merge with Lenovo Group. This will put them back as #1 pc maker in the world. 32 Comments »