Use magsafe power connectors

Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by badblood 05/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

MagSafe power connectors, by Apple, are magnetic power connectors that pull out harmlessly when the cord is tripped upon.



They are very cool and quite sensible.





91 Comments »

switch to LED monitors

Monitors and Displays, Laptop Power submitted by yardsale Jan 16

I dont know why dell hasnt done this yet. switch all monitors on desktops and notebooks to LED. did you know that you can run an LED screen at full brightniess and it uses less power than a LCD monitor at the lowest brighting level?!? its cheaper, its energy efficent, and it needs to be done! promote this, if you demote i wanna know why! 58 Comments »

GeForce 9M series of laptop GPUs on Dell XPS laptop

XPS products, Laptop Power submitted by helmecj01 Jun 3

Dell needs to have the New Geforce 9M series of laptop GPUs on Dell XPS laptop.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/nvidia-gets-official-with-geforce-9m-serie... 47 Comments »

XPS M1330: give techs the possibility to upgrade/enhance cooling (by exchanging the thermal pads for officially tailored copper sheets)

XPS products, Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by professa Jul 8

Dear Dell team,

I'm a (largely positive) owner of an XPS M1330 but I have to put it straight:

the cooling concept of the chipset and the GPU (geforce 8400M GS, in my case) is junk. Under load the GPU easily reaches 85 to 90 degrees celsius. I had a tech here lately to replace the motherboard of my M1330 (due to a fried / defective GPU!) who could have easily replaced the ineffective thermal pads with two copper sheets (which, in such a case, would have been provided by Dell and be specifically tailored to fit that notebook). The effectiveness of copper has already been proved by some people out there who have modded their M1330s with copper sheets by themselves (unfortunately loosing their warranty, so that's no option for me).

Is that possible, Dell providing such copper sheets to techs, for *OFFICIAL* replacement for the thermal pads, under warranty? These copper sheets can't be THAT expensive, compared to the significant number of fried GPUs out there.

Thanks for reading and considering my thoughts! :-)

Cheers, Michael 7 Comments »

Offer AC/DC Auto/Air adapter

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by techincc Jul 7

Many laptop manufacturers offer the option (a few include it as default) of a power adapter that runs off AC or DC and is compatible with the socket in a car or plane. Now one device can power your laptop in a building, car, or plane. This is definately handy.

Offering this as a option, would also solve the request to allow people to purchase a 2nd adapter while configuring the laptop. I frequently purchase an extra adapter to always have one in the office and one in the laptop carrying case. That way you aren't crawling under the desk, but just disconnect power, pop out ethernet and you are on your way. 4 Comments »

Hot-swappable laptop batteries.

Laptop Power submitted by jmxz May 31

I'd like to be able to swap the battery on my laptop without having to turn it off or hibernate it. It seems you could do this by putting a large capacitor or tiny internal battery that could provide power for the 30 seconds or so it takes to switch to a spare battery. Another way you might be able to do this is instead of having one big battery in each laptop, have 2 small ones instead; and you could swap them one at a time.

If it was really easy to swap them I'd probably buy more spare batteries; so I could go most of the day without plugging in the laptop (and then I'd want an external charger so I could charge them all overnight). 26 Comments »

Warn Buyers Dell Laptops Must Use Dell Charger

Service and Support, Laptop Power submitted by gear Jun 9

Dell laptops use a charger that has a built in "chip".

If you try to use a non-Dell Charger, it will only power the machine, but will not charge the battery.

So if you are traveling and lose your adapter or it failed, you have to get one from DELL.

The only problem is, DELL typically take days to weeks to ship a new adapter to you if you are in the USA, and if you are outside, much longer if it is available at all.

So a bad / lost Adapter means your DELL Laptop just became a paperweight. One too expensive to be thrown out.

The only non-Dell adapter that works is the Kensington brand adapter, but that is only distributed at Circuit City in the US, and even these ones may not come with the "tip" needed to work with a DELL.

DELL is the only major manufacturer to actively prevent people from using non-Dell adapters in their notebooks.

Apparently DELL hasn't figured out that people travel and may not be able to wait in one place for a while for a spare adapter to be sent to them from DELL.

Want some real fun? Try to get a spare Dell adapter in a mid sized city in China.... 2 Comments »

Cut the cost of a 9-cell battery upgrade

Sales Strategies, Laptop Power submitted by ccpljat May 6

Yes a 9-cell is more powerful and lasts longer, but $169? Come on. It can't be that much. Cut down the price to honestly reflect the difference. I mean good grief, you can buy a 9-cell replacement for an Inspiron 1720 for $154! An upgrade is always supposed to be less.

FIX IT, DELL!!!! 9 Comments »

Conventional Batteries in Laptops

Laptop Power submitted by penguinsa Jul 4

My trusty Nikon d70 has an "emergency" spare battery holder. If the rechargeable batteruy goes flat, you fill it with "standard" batteries. Could we have something similar for laptops?

This couples with the idea of LED backlit LCDs. Reduce the maximum voltage, and you reduce the number of cells required. 4 cells at 1.5v each gets you 6 volts.

Disposable C cells have plenty of juice (4500mAh typical). For the uber thin crowd, you might need multiple AA's (2500mAh each) in prallel. Long life isn't the issue- use IN AN EMERGENCY is the issue here.

I like the idea of a compartment at the hinge of a laptop, with a bayonet quick release and the ability to drop in fresh batteries. 5 Comments »

Environmental Laptop Based on Solar Energy/Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Environment, Laptop Power submitted by gchakra 02/17/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

What's smart for the environment is smart for Dell. Dell should build units that are degradable or can be easily recycled. Sure, its going to be a little more expensive, but it will be a smart product. It will use a lot less energy. The laptops could have a solar panel or be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The first microelectronic implementation of a fuel cell will give Dell a tremendous marketing boost. It will be incredibly popular with kids in college.
Gopal







133 Comments »

Adopt the truly Green and universal GreenPlug Power Supply standard

Environment, Laptop Power submitted by diggaddict Apr 30

Green Plug is the first developer of digital technology that enables real-time collaboration between electronic devices and their power sources. With Green Plug, however, intelligent power supplies communicate with electronic devices and agree upon device power requirements for all devices connected to them. All cables and connectors are uniform; so, they work with any device! Being intelligent power sources, they eliminate wasted “phantom power” (power that is wasted when chargers are plugged in and either connected to devices that are fully charged or have no devices connected to them) and improve power utilization and efficiency.

Come on Dell - Save the Planet and Support GreenPlug ( www.greenplug.us ) !!

We can do away with all those ridiculous powerblocks and have one power standard. If you dont do this I am sure Apple will soon. 2 Comments »

Portable battery charger

Laptop Power submitted by cazyray Jun 9

Can we get a portable battery charger. I have two batteries I switch back and forth and I always have to charge in the laptop. I know Gateway used to have one about 5-6 years ago but some how the idea died there?? 5 Comments »

ULV - Ultra Low Voltage Notebook Computer

Environment, Laptop Power submitted by reg 06/06/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Intel and AMD have both been developing Ultra Low Voltage CPUs, computer chips that run on 1/5 of the power of traditional computer chips. The CPU is a good start, now Dell can work with Intel and / or AMD to develop a FULLY ULV Notebook - ALL the subcomponents using significantly less power than standard notebook systems.

[Gateway's ULV CPU powered notebook.]

Another big component to change is the display, static 'ePaper' notebook screens that can maintain the image even when powered off. Electricity is only used when changing the display, and even then - power only used down to the pixel level, while non-changing pixels consume little or no power at all. Back-Lit by new ULV LEDs, that adjust their intensity based off of a ambient light sensor - using even less power when in a darker room, vs. a sunny patio. The screen size can be 12" widescreen, and still be able to provide a good movie viewing experience. No Hard Drive, No CD Drive - those power hungry components can be put into the ULV notebook docking station. Use Flash drives and USB memory sticks only.

I would imagine a SSD Flash drive equipped notebook that could run for hours off of a single 9 volt battery (rechargeable of course!)

The New ULV Dell Notebook
With an ULV notebook, you can replace the battery with a water powered fuel cell, and cover the notebook screen lid with the new 40%+ efficient solar cells, and have the FIRST 'free power' ULV notebook on the market.

Samsung has been a leader in ULV technology in Korea:












11 Comments »

Laptops power

Laptop Power submitted by y_eilom Jun 21

As D639 user, I find my self use the laptop as desktop for days (when I'm not on the roads).
I think it'll be nice Dell will give us the option to connect/disconnect battery from power without taking the battery out.
By that, we can extend battery life. 2 Comments »

Universal power adapter (power supply) for all Dell products

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by rguptaos-dyndns 02/19/07

How many of us have to buy multiple “AC / DC Adapter or power bricks” for each of electronic devices and laptops? I have power supply adapter for home, office and travel bag… about 2-3 of these for my laptop, cell phone and external hard disk or other devices I use.

I have background in electrical engineering and I know technically it is possible to use the same power supply / adapter unit with some intelligence built in to power up cell phones, hard-disk, laptops, speakers, mp3 players etc. I also understand that the accessories are one of the most profitable business aspects for electronic companies like Sony and Dell.

Dell wants to be the leader and differentiator? Well...

>> How about a smart universal power adaptor for all DELL products that intelligently recognizes the product and supplies the appropriate power.
One power supply and connector for all products!!!

I know technically it is possible – I did design this and did work on the patent application but, did not file because I got focused on some other activities. I am pretty sure there are enough smart engineers at Dell to design this. If you want a head start contact me for details. 9 Comments »

Make longer lasting batteries for better portability

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by winoffice 05/05/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Don't make us recharge our laptops' batteries so often! A recent Cnet article (posted at Cnet's news site at about May 5, 2007) explains that Windows Vista's Aero Glass feature gives you less battery life. So, if we want Windows Vista, then we either have to recharge more often, or pay extra for more and better batteries! Instead, make Dell get rid of the batteries which quickly lose their charge...and come up with something that would give us longer battery life as follows (under Windows Vista), without making us stay away from Windows Vista or pay an extra $99 for another and better battery.

Basic laptops: at least 2 1/2 hours battery life
Entertainment laptops: at least 3 1/2 hours battery life
XPS laptops: at least 4 1/2 hours battery life 31 Comments »

Media Bays for expanability on all laptop lines

Laptop Power submitted by sykosoft Apr 22

Not so long ago, nearly all Dell laptops had media bays (nearly all of the inspiron, latitude, and precision models). Expandability is one of the reason I come back to Dell again and again. Instead of having to purchase a new laptop to add a blu-ray (or whatever comes next) drive, I simply purchase the media bay device. Similarly, no matter how good battery life becomes, a single battery will NEVER be able to last as long as 2 batteries. 2 will always be more than 1. (rumor has it the e-series won't have a media bay battery, this would be very unfortunate!) 5 Comments »

Portable power supply

New Product Ideas, Laptop Power submitted by magiting May 5

Hi Mr. Michael Dell,

I would like to suggest if you can make another product line
which is a rechargeable 2.5 inch Li-Ion battery that is a plug-n-play design. I do not have doubts about the batteries that today's laptops have but each brand are making their own design. I wish a USB insert portable power supply would debut in the market sold by Dell which can have a battery power ranging from 2-5hours. This is especially good when in the mountains camping or making seminars in remote areas. It is a path towards standardized portable power supply for laptops.

Thanks,
magiting 4 Comments »

HeatDock for XPS laptops

XPS products, Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by funeagle Apr 26

Most of the XPS laptops would be used at home and the users would like to benefit from a quiet computer. The laptop does not have to be quiet on the go (that is the tradeoff to keep it affordable) but when using it at home would prefer a quiet solution.

I would welcome a heat docking solution which would touch a copper surface on the bottom of the laptop, pulling away the heat and ideally keep the internal fan off when the cpu is idle or nearly idle.

How to disperse the heat is a different question but you could offer passive and active (water cooling) solutions. My preference would be to able to connect to a Reserator like http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=182

The docking station should be stylish and could have monitor and usb connection with 4? extra usb ports to function as a real docking station.

Instead of copper touch nanotubes should be preferred (thanks jervis961):
http://www.dailytech.com/Sheets+of+Cheap+Carbon+Nanotubes+Now+a+Reality/artic... Comment »

Lower Prices of Batteries, especially Replacements

Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by gear Apr 18

I realize there is a temporary battery shortage that is driving up prices and also the high cost associated with getting bad batteries that have to be recalled.

However, I know that there are many Li-Ion battery suppliers in China that are currently not qualified as Dell Suppliers and will need a certain amount of work to come up to your quality specs.

Why not begin a program to upgrade their capabilities leading to a more diversified source of batteries, and hopefully, lower prices?

In the mean time, I understand that there are shortages, but it is unconsciousable to raise your prices for replacement batteries to $300 for a 9 cell battery.

That is the level of robbery associated with Sony.

If there is a shortage, hold prices stable but impose rationing instead. 3 Comments »