zed260

All config options avail on small biz and med / large biz portals

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by stewie 07/22/07

I still can't figure out why this happens to me repeatedly, but it's happened three times on different systems in the last year and I'm sorely tempted to give up on Dell.

I'm using this pending purchase as an example because it's fresh in my mind, but I can't possibly be the only one experiencing this.

I'd like to purchase an M4300 but it seems the combination of options

I want is not available on either the small or large biz portals.

This is silly.

Small biz portal has 802.11 n option. its not avail. on med / large portal

med / large portal has turbo memory option. small does not

neither one has the hybrid drive listed.

I checked out a D830 as an alternative, but really want the better video card.

D830 has the similar issues...

Oh and just to make it fun, I can't find a DVD burner for either platform that actually says it's a dual layer.

Also, can't seem to figure out if there's a media bay HD available anymore.

I'd like to run the SSD as primary and a 7200 rpm drive for secondary storage.

Challenges like this really have me considering options other than Dell. Comment »

Selling Dell products to mom & pop businesses in Asia

Sales Strategies submitted by sindran 07/22/07

When Dell plans on implementing this stratgey (targeting mom and pop businesses in Asia) one of the financing options to look at is the micro-credit approach that was pioneered by nobel prize winning economist Mohammed Yunus in Bangladesh. Comment »

Offer a "Buissness Solutions" catagory.

IdeaStorm submitted by doomlord52 07/22/07

Pretty much what the title said, have a catagory for large buisnesses. 3 Comments »

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is: We're Monitoring You

Environment, Monitors and Displays submitted by googideas 02/17/07

Mr Dell, uour website states this about flat screen monitors:

1.) Performance and Value: Dell is the leading flat panel monitor supplier in the world, which gives us enormous economies of scale. That, combined with our direct business model, allows us to offer the latest display technology at competitive prices.

2.) Low power consumption and heat emissions - low electricity and cooling costs. Durable - predicted to have up to a 6-year lifespan. Disposal - expected to have low disposal costs. Lightweight and minimal plastic - easy to recycle. Few environmentally-sensitive materials.

If both are true, then why not take the initiative and completely discontinue regular monitors? I would venture that the additional per unit cost would drop more, and the resulting price would then be close to the current regular monitor's price.

You can brand this as an environmental contribution, and no one is going to object to "being forced" to own a flat screen.

The best companies take risks and set the pace. You can offset any loss of margin with optional add-ons like choice of plastic colour, chromed screen adjustment buttons, etc. Do we want a flat-only environment? It's coming anyway, so why not be the first? adam 51 Comments »

Stay aware of the ongoing Vista compatibility troubles - and do better at offering XP & Ubuntu alternatives on more models.

Operating Systems submitted by jmxz 07/21/07

Another interesting Reuters article this week:

Vista's growing pains leave room for XP

Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:27PM EDT

David Daoud ran into trouble when he started using Vista, the new version of Windows that Microsoft Corp. and PC makers have spent millions of dollars advertising since it came out six months ago.

He said it short-circuited key software programs he counts on: Quicken for balancing his checkbook, Lotus Notes e-mail and a networking program that connects his home to the office. His Sony camcorder also doesn't communicate with the PC properly.

"Basically they don't work," said Daoud, a computer industry analyst with market research firm IDC.
...
Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc. recently started selling XP machines on their Web sites. Lenovo Group Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. also offer similarly equipped machines.

Seems Ubuntu + Wine's got better Windows compatibility than Vista does (esp. when it comes to older hardware).

Perhaps this can be merged with some of the other cautionary ideas about Vista troubles - but it's not quite a dupe because the Idea here is to be aware that Vista's troubles are ongoing and still making major news stories half a year after they launched without signs of improvement. The followup Idea is to keep offering XP & Ubuntu so people can keep using their pre-vista software which often tends to work on both XP and Ubuntu. 3 Comments »

Fix the notebook memory card slots

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by jervis961 07/22/07

There is nothing worse than loosing 8GB of information because you accidentally bump the SD card loose and it falls out somewhere. Even if Dell just makes the card slot recessed back more so you can't bump it so easily. A cover that is slides over the card would be better though to avoid hitting it at all. 11 Comments »

Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/17/07

Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)

OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System

Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
562 Comments »

Dell's Website must work with Firefox running on Linux

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by qgonjon 07/16/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

It's discouraging to have a Tier 1 vendor (Dell) selling Linux products and yet not really tailoring to Linux. Don't get me wrong Dell, I am not trying to take away all the good you have done. Offering Linux is a step in the right direction and I would like to see more steps taken in a monthly or quarterly basis. But, it seems that the basis for your current Linux promotion is for the Open Source enthusiast like me. I use Linux at home and at work as my main operating system. I use Firefox as my browser and I'm trying to order a Dell Inspiron 1420N. However, it seems that the embedded flash script that shows the different colors choices for the Inspiron is not working under Linux. It also shows that I can't see the different images thereafter. It works with Windows running Firefox as my vmware machine verified. But that is not the type of user that will most likely purchase a Linux laptop.

My request is simple. Can someone fix and verify that this page works well with Linux browser technology? So, that users can enjoy purchasing your Linux products and demonstrate that Dell really cares about their customer's operating system preference.

Dell I wish you the best in this venture as your success in this territory will help the Linux Desktop become a reality to the open source community.





71 Comments »

put the original cd of windows and not a .iso cd of windows

Software submitted by siger 07/18/07

it's better when the custmer has to reinstall only a part of windows such a s the master boot record Comment »

Replace All Chairs in Dell with Beanbag Chairs

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by reg 05/13/07

Very comfortable Typing ...

29 Comments »

How about limiting user name length?

IdeaStorm submitted by mistern 06/24/07

Yeah right, jorge_is_my_hero_he_is_so_cool_and_smart_i_think_he-should_be_president is a funny guy. Still, his name is too long.

How about limiting user names to 20 characters (or maybe even less)?

Come on, you bloody like this idea! 4 Comments »

Child-Friendly environment to protect parent's files.

Software submitted by lizblake 06/04/07 **REVIEWED**

After my child and his friend erased our family photos and somehow inverted the display of our family computer... I purchased a software program to give the kids the equivalent of a "gilded cage" to run only software and websites I approve. Similar software would make a great addition to the Dell home computer line-up and could be aimed at families with toddlers, daycare centers, churches, daycare centers, kindergartens, etc.

The software I purchased was called Peanut Butter PC [content removed by moderator] If you don't wish to develop your own, maybe you could license Peanut Butter PC... We absolutely love it.

Liz Blake


We constantly evaluate products that can improve data safety, Internet Safety and access controls. Read jeremy_f's post for more details, and stay tuned for additional enhancements.




97 Comments »

Explain the status tags somewhere

IdeaStorm submitted by mistern 07/20/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

It seems like you just added a whole lot of status tags like "** NOT NOW **" or "** NOT LIKELY **". Could you please add an official list what these wonderfully laconic codes mean? Most codes are of course self-explaining but there's still some uncertainty left.

Thank you.


Click here for status tag definitions.




23 Comments »

More RAM!

Desktops and Laptops submitted by mwmtjm 01/30/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Do away with 512MB of memory as a base option to buy consumer desktops and notebooks. With Vista running best on 1GB at a minimum, don't make customers have a basic experience with the new OS because Dell wants to be able to advertise at a lower price point. The success of Vista -- and subsequently for Dell -- will be largely in word of mouth. Take a long-term view and build the momentum one great customer experience at a time right now!


113 Comments »

No Extra Software Option

Software submitted by ootleman 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.


Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.


590 Comments »

Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser

Software submitted by robinjfisher 02/19/07 **REVIEWED**

Does what it says on the tin! Most people only use IE because they aren't aware of other browsers - they think Internet Explorer is the Internet! What would really drive take up of alternative browsers is if Firefox was pre-installed as the default browser so that when people look for the "Internet" in Windows, they are using FF.
Firefox advocates at Dell have initiated discussions and driven action around exploring alternative internet browsers and experiences. As you can tell from our response to the Linux community, open source continues to be a part of our conversations about new products and services.





775 Comments »

Pre-Installed Linux | Ubuntu | Fedora | OpenSUSE | Multi-Boot

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Offer the 3 top free Linux versions for free pre-installation on all Dell PCs.

Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. For example OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC. Cast your vote for OpenOffice and other free software.

Offer easy multi-boot options with Windows Vista, Windows XP, or NO Windows (yes, Linux can entirely replace Windows!)

Offer trade-ins and Linux CDs for older model Dell PCs. Cast your vote for the mini Linux Dell PC and the Universal Education Dell PC, both utilizing free software.

Would you try Linux if it were this easy?

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.


Please take a look at www.dell.com/open for linux options on the Inspiron.

1822 Comments »

ReactOS

Operating Systems submitted by fireball 03/07/07

There have been a number of ideas for offerings computers with some flavour of Linux preinstalled, and that's great. But, there are customers, who would still want to have benefits of Windows (still the majority of software applications are targeted at Win32 API and .NET Framework, not to speak about drivers for various consumer devices).

Would DELL be interested in supporting a project aimed at creating a compatible implementation of Windows (the same architecture, API and ABI), but under a GPL license?

This would sound crazy if it's to be done from scratch, but we already spent quite some time for development and even came up with a few releases (they are more like proof of concept, not usable at the moment for preinstalling on PCs).
If you like to read more - http://www.reactos.org

Thanks. 120 Comments »