Avoid Glare On Screens and Notebook Frames
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by bobetsue
02/20/07
Glare and reflection from high glare screens, screen frames, and notebook computers is annoying and distract from function and use.
In stores, this may be a marketing ploy. Consumers may not fully understand the problem of glare. Online sellers like Dell should inform buyers when shopping whether the screen and case are "glare" or "nonglare."
When "nonglare" was introduced to television, shoppers considered it an advantage worthy of extra expense. In the art world, nonglare glass is considered worthy of extra expense.
How did we ever get glossy screens?
Dell should offer customers a choice between "glare" and "nonglare."
7848
Get GNU/Linux Machines in Retail Stores
Linux submitted by dpic
Feb 14
Imagine how successful Dell's Ubuntu offering could be if just one Dell Ubuntu machine was put in retail stores. If people knew of an alternative to Windows, they would go for it! So what do you say, Dell? Why don't you try to put at least one of your Ubuntu machines offered in retail stores?
6820
Dell EV | Design and Sell an Electric Car
New Product Ideas submitted by dhart
02/21/07
Dell possesses the fundamental resources necessary to produce an electric car for the 21st century:
- Dell brand name and a global market
- direct sales infrastructure
- global supply-chain network
- manufacturing expertise
- electronics expertise
- customer service expertise
Of course, driver and passenger computer systems in a Dell EV would integrate smoothly with Dell PCs at home and in the office.
As a bonus, merely announcing development of a an electric car for mass production would send Dell's environmental credentials skyrocketing.
Dell is in a unique position to launch disruptive technology into the auto industry with an inexpensive and unprecedentedly mass-produced electric car. Partnering with an existing small automaker would be a rapid route to design, regulatory compliance and mass-production. An EV as a product should be considered as a top-end evolution of the consumer appliance or gadget rather than its commonplace treatment as a relic of the 19th century.
60
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.)
450
Dell should discuss the rumored ultraportable with us
Latitude products, Laptops submitted by jervis961
Jan 17
There has been much speculation about a leaked picture of a possible upcoming Dell ultraportable. Some say 13.3 inch others think it is 15" and some even speculate it is the 16" from the XPS they showed at CES. Upon magnification you can see it has the following visable: Slot load DVD, 2 USB, Ethernet and 2 other ports (display port and power?) on the left side. Also visable is built in web cam on the LED lit screen. It doesn't appear to have media buttons or a fingerprint reader.
The guys in marketing and developement must be getting sick of being scouped by Engadget and with all the flack they have gotten over the other recent releases (XT, M1330 and M1530). Why not create some good PR, scoup Engadget for once and find out some of the complaints while there is still time to tweak the system. Discuss this system Dell as it can only lead to a better product and greater buzz for it in the process.
1010
Multi-OS selection via checkboxes
submitted by xivulon
11/29/07
What about having a checkbox for each operating system in order to allow users to select multiple choices? No checkbox = no OS, multiple checkboxes = Multiboot. The conflict resolution dialog notifes about conflicts between OS and other hardware choices.
Select My Operating Systems:
[ _ ] Free DOS (info) [$0]
[ x ] Ubuntu 7.10 (info) [$0]
[ _ ] Windows XP (info) [add $50]
[ x ] Windows Vista Basic (info) [add $50]
[ _ ] Windows Vista Home Premium (info) [add $100]
[ _ ] Windows Vista Ultimate (info) [$150]
[ _ ] Windows Vista Business (info) [$100]
Ubuntu, XP and all other operating systems should be made available on all machines unless there is a fundamental hardware issue that makes a particular OS unsuitable (an issue that cannot be resolved by selecting a different component). Each item should have an info button which opens a brief explanation, a fair comparison table of all operating systems should also be provided. Details such as bootloader choice in multiboot configuration and disk allocation algorithm are left to Dell engineers to have fun with.
Hopefully that will accomodate most requests relating to OS choice while keeping the interface simple and intuitive.
1350
Backlit Keyboards
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rarmasu
02/21/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I find myself many, many times in dark or poorly lit environments having to guess the various keys - would be fantastic to have a backlit keyboard - with backlit individual keys as the best option.
I would actually pay extra for that convenience if the option was available.
This could be done for desktops or notebooks.
Check out Vida_K's comment below on the New Latitude.
24100
Let Us Build A PC Without Microsoft Works or Office!
Software submitted by aikiwolfie
12/22/07
Dell I have absolutely no need for Microsoft Works 8.0. Especially on a PC designed for multimedia entertainment! Please give me the option of having a PC without any office software at all.
Please SIMPLIFY MY IT experience by giving me the opportunity to avoid the uninstall process.
2000
Update drivers more often.
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support submitted by laxmanb
12/31/07
Dell hasn't updated drivers for the ATi Mobility Radeon in my notebook for 7 months. Since ATi, Nvidia, and most other manufacturers release new drivers on a regular basis to OEMs (once every month), And the early Vista drivers are buggy (my display driver stops working at times after hibernating), Couldn't you just post them onto your Drivers and Downloads page on a regular basis?
610
Stop lying.
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz
08/02/07
You just sent me another dead-tree-catalog full of "Dell Recommends Vista" on most pages; and practically everywhere I go on your web site I see it.
Yet the press reports that you guys are smart enough to hold off on deploying it yourselves no matter how strongly you "recommend" it to others.
Intel, Dell hold off on internal rollout of Vista
...
Dell has also not yet rolled out Vista internally, ..."We are pretty much in the same position as Intel within Dell," he said Thursday. "We knew we would roll out Vista internally faster than any other OS (but) if we are at the SP1 level it is going to be safer."
Please change your "Dell Recommends Vista" lies with "Dell recommends holding off like we're doing internally". on both your website and send print corrections to customers you lied with in print.
Dell - please stay focused on the highest-voted ideas, though. Don't distract yourselves with this one until you've addressed the ideas below which have been the top-ranked ideas for at least 6 months without adequate responses..
- 147,808 - dhart - Pre-Installed Linux [and not just on a couple obsolete models in limited geographies]
- 127,719 - dhart - Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
- 107,313 - robinjfisher - Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
- 89,183 - ootleman - No Extra Software Option [only a couple models are crapware-free today]
- 78,007 - gergnz - Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
- 73,600 - agreer - No OS Preloaded [and not just on a couple obsolete models]
990
Goal: Dell FREEDOM Box - A Fully Open System for Home Users by 2010
Dell, Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dpic
11/29/07
Set a goal of having at least one fully open system for home users by the end of 2010! This would be Dell's greatest endeavor yet!
The Dell FREEDOM Box | From the software, all the way down to the hardware, a completely open system
Software:
* A fully open source operating system with no restricted software like Gobuntu.
Hardware:
* All hardware must follow these rules--
1. The interface to the hardware must be explicitly made public, so the hardware can be used freely.
2. The design of the hardware must be made public, so that others can implement it and learn from it.
3. The tools used to create the design should be free, so that others can develop and improve the design.
This movement is already making headway and progress will continue to increase. Dell is already getting involved--
It has been stated that Dell has a goal to have open Linux drivers for all Dell products. Dell, keep the pressure on your vendors to open up!
Support OpenBIOS and Open Firmware!
"Among its features, Open Firmware provides an instruction set independent device interface. This can be used to boot the operating system from expansion cards without native initialization code.
It is Open Firmware's goal to work on all common platforms, like x86, AMD64, PowerPC, ARM and Mips. With its flexible and modular design, Open Firmware targets servers, workstations and embedded systems, where a sane and unified firmware is a crucial design goal and reduces porting efforts noticeably."
- http://www.openbios.org/
Already, there is huge support for replacing proprietary BIOS
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62549/LinuxBIOS_instead_of_proprietary_...
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/74358/Dell_Support_Open_BIOSes_for_Linux
And there is the Open Graphics Project
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72320/Help_The_Open_Graphics_Project<
This project would put Dell at the heart of the movement bringing Freedom, Reliability, and Innovation to the world of technology! Does one really need to ask why this would be better than proprietary technology?
1810
Donations for Ubuntu development
Linux submitted by dave-2
11/27/07
If Dell ever implements the idea (and this, and this, and this, etc) allowing users to select Ubuntu from a list of OS options instead of going to another section of the website to order a special "N" series model, the Ubuntu option should cost less than the Windows options.
In addition to the OS configuration buttons, offer two buttons that allow the user to contribute that savings back toward Ubuntu development:
o Donate $0 to Ubuntu (default)
o Donate $25 to Ubuntu (split the savings)
o Donate $50 to Ubuntu (donate the full amount saved)
The amount of the full donation should reflect the cost of the least expensive version of Windows (e.g. Genuine Windows(r) Vista Home Premium) .
440
All operating systems on all platforms!
Operating Systems submitted by markvs624
07/09/07
Do just what the title says: offer all operating systems on all platforms with full support. Don't restrict Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Unbuntu to certain models.
Make the base price for all base operating systems the same: XP Home = Vista Home Basic = Unbuntu. No discounts at the entry level. No $50 cheaper for Unbuntu. No $50 more for Vista.
Give no incentive either way The same customers who buy XP Pro and Vista Ultimate now will still buy those versions in the future. LET THE CUSTOMER DECIDE.
2200
Free updates of Dell Ubuntu versions
Desktops, Linux submitted by mkmaster78
10/23/07 **REVIEWED**
I know, of course, that Ubuntu is free (both free as in freedom and free as in beer), however, Dell is making their own customized versions of Ubuntu. I haven't really found any reference to this, but is Dell going to release their version for free to those who already have an older version of Dell's Ubuntu, and maybe to those who just want it, as a free upgrade? If not, this is the idea: Release the update for free so people can have the supported distribution of Ubuntu for their supported Dell's (and maybe others.)
Please see matt_d and john_h's comments
300
Set up an independent business unit for GNU/Linux systems
Dell, Linux submitted by glynmoody
03/02/07
Clearly, there is a huge pent-up demand for pre-installed GNU/Linux systems from Dell. But equally clearly, it would be difficult for Dell to make, sell and support such systems with its current business model.
Why doesn't Dell adopt the solution outlined by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen in his book The Innovator's Dilemma? That is, to set up a completely autonomous division, dedicated solely to meeting the demand for such systems - one that is not obliged to follow any of Dell's traditional practices.
Unconstrained by Dell's current methods or cost structures, it will be able to explore, devise and adopt innovative solutions to serve this very different market profitably. Dell makes money, people get their pre-installed systems.
5070
Provide OPEN Linux drivers for all DELL products!
Linux submitted by lucianotolfo
05/27/07 **REVIEWED**
I think it's important for DELL to provide OPEN and FREE Linux drivers for all their products (notboocks, desktops, printers, etc.) to mark the way for other manufacturers, to develop linux drivers too (or they can work together with the linux community to do that)
Also the Linux users can get an easy way to configure their DELL products on Linux. Because linux users also take into account which hardware will be compatible on their Linux systems
We have open Linux drivers on our server products today and are driving our desktop and notebook vendors to do the same.
2020
How About Not Selling Windows Computers For Cheaper Than Linux!!
Inspiron products, Linux submitted by joelinux
11/01/07
The Inspiron 1420 with Windows Vista starts at $699, while the Inspiron 1420 N with Ubuntu Linux starts at $724!! What in the world is going on here? Ubuntu is free software, while Vista can cost upwards of $400! Yet, somehow the Vista computer is less than the Ubuntu computer? I understand that Microsoft is paying Dell subsidies, but this is ridiculous. The Ubuntu offering should not even be a separate model, it should just be a different operating system choice when opting to purchase a computer. Why would Dell even bother selling Ubuntu, if it's more expensive? Who is going to want that? It's scary enough for Windows users to switch to Ubuntu, now it has to be MORE EXPENSIVE, too? I'm really to the point where I'm going to begin spreading the word to people NOT to buy from Dell, until this is drastically changed. What Dell is doing is nothing less than insulting to the Linux community. When you click "View All Notebooks", the Ubuntu notebooks don't even show up! When I searched the site for "inspiron 1420 n", I found the Windows version, and no Ubuntu version to be found! SOMEONE PLEASE CHANGE THIS BEHAVIOR!
It's like you accepted a nice picture frame from someone for Christmas and pretended that you loved it, and you display it on the top shelf in the garage! You can still claim that you display it, BUT NO ONE KNOWS IT'S THERE!
380
Ubuntu linux additional software options
Linux, Software submitted by deathguppie
11/03/07
One of the primary assets to a value added commodity like pre-built systems offered by Dell is the OPTIONAL incorporation of additional software packages pre-installed on the system during build time.
This not only helps the consumer to find the software he or she needs out of the box but also allows Dell to make some extra income off of bundled commercial software.
As a buyer of one of the systems I know that if Dell continues it's support of Linux on pre-built systems I will be upgrading at least once a year. Here are the software choices I would offer if I were in position to do so.
#1. Transgamings version of wine.. http://www.transgaming.com/
(for the gaming linux population)
#2. CodeWeavers Crossover.. http://www.codeweavers.com/
(allowing windows productivity software such as Office 2003 to run on linux)
#3. A legal DVD player such as Cyberlinks PowerDVD.. http://www.cyberlink.com/
(making it easier for those unfamiliar with Linux)
#4. Win4lin.. http://win4lin.net/content/
(For those who just must have a copy of windows running on their machine)
Much of the Linux world has already learned to live without any MS products. However, there are some people who would benefit from the addition of some software to either ease their transition and or a relative (or friend)s transition over to Linux.
Personally I would find it benificial to be able to click on a box and have software added at build time when selecting a system for a myself or a friend from Dell. Even with the extra price.
Thank you.
190
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