aalary

Finger Tip Sized Touch Pads

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by aikiwolfie 10/28/07

Personally I don't use laptops very often. So when I do I find the touch pad gets in the way. Why is it so big? It only needs to accommodate one finger!

My idea is that Dell reduces the size of the touch pad and moves it from front centre to somewhere out of the way. Perhaps the right hand side. I'd also recommend providing mouse buttons on both sides of the keyboard. This would allow the touch pad to integrate more seamlessly with the rest of the keyboard. 5 Comments »

coreboot (formerly LinuxBIOS) instead of proprietary BIOS

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by yesmathew 02/20/07

coreboot (formerly known as LinuxBIOS) is a Free Software project aimed at replacing the proprietary BIOS (firmware) you can find in most of today's computers.
- Fast boot times 3 sec.
- Runs in 32-Bit protected mode almost from the start
- Can boot Windows too...

External links:
- http://www.coreboot.org/Welcome_to_coreboot
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxbios<

An Example:
- http://wiki.laptop.org/go/LinuxBIOS 92 Comments »

Ubuntu in more countries

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by nkmhutirv 08/19/07

I would like to see Ubuntu laptops & desktops coming to more countries in Europe.
Germany, France & Great Britain are not close enough, and shipping costs are high. 5 Comments »

Pre-install Linux with option of licensed codecs

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dominicwise 02/20/07

Provide customers with the option to have Linux pre-installed as an alterrnative to Windows when purchasing a PC or laptop. As there are a huge number of Linux distributions available it might be sensible to offer from a few of the most popular ones e.g. Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Fedora which can be freely distributed at no cost. This would provide a competitive advantage as with zero licensing fees lower prices could be offered to customers.

Because of patent laws in some countries many freely downloadable Linux distributions do not provide certain 'essential' software such as decoders for commercial DVDs and other comon media formats as part of their core distribution. There is at least one company (whose name escapes me for now) that allows a user to purchase a bundle of licensed media codecs that can be legally installed on Linux in most, if not all jurisdictions. Offering somehing like this as an option at purchase would make it possible for users to access common media content without having to jump through hoops or risk straying onto the wrong side of the law.

9 Comments »

Twin Webcams - 3D images

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by badblood 06/17/07

Build a special webcam with two cameras to project 3D images....can it be done?

2 Comments »

Same discounts available on Ubuntu and Windows

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by jonsmirl 06/12/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I'm ordering a Vista XPS 410 right now. I wanted a Ubuntu one but I'm going to throw away yet another copy of Windows. The Vista XPS 410 has $200 off today and free ship for a total of $869. The identical Ubuntu machine is $1019 plus $29.99 shipping. So today Ubuntu costs $170 more than Windows instead of $50 less. Why can't I have the same discounts on the Ubuntu machine? 50 Comments »

Produce a PC 1st Aid Kit

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by badblood 10/05/07

Make a little, portable, 1st Aid Kit full of all the things you need to do emergency work on a PC, including tools, recovery and diagnostic discs, and lots of other things besides.



14 Comments »

Better selection of Linux notebooks

Linux submitted by kasoroth 08/07/07

An Ubuntu notebook with higher specs would be nice. At a minimum, I'd want a decent monitor option (1920x1200 resolution), a decent NVIDIA video card option, and gigabit ethernet. I'd also prefer an AMD processor, and a price point about $50 less than an equivalent Windows system. 5 Comments »

Dell Provide More Detailed Pictures of Your Products

Dell Web Site submitted by jorge 07/20/07

(old title :Dell Include a view of the Bottom of your Laptops!)

Dell you need to provide more detailed pictures of your products, yes you have the 360 viewer but it does not shoe the bottom of those systems. More importantly the bottom of the laptops we won't buy till we know there are no holes on the bottom and we can't currently see. Also, even though the bottom of your desktops are not pretty it does matter to some customers what it looks like to determine some physical installation parameters. 15 Comments »

Show effects on weight & battery life when building a laptop

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by ashley 08/30/07

As you add or remove components it would be nice to see how it is affecting the weight and battery life of the laptop. 8 Comments »

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.
301 Comments »

Silent / Quiet Computers: Sound levels in decibels

Desktops and Laptops submitted by pchris 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I'd like Dell to provide the sound level in decibels for each of their desktops, under max load as well as at idle.

How a manufacturer can produce an expensive computer, and then have the user acoustic experience of that computer dominated by the noise generated by a cheap fan worth just pennies, for the entire lifetime of that computer, is incomprehensible. Computers are noisy when brand new, but those cheap fans begin to rub and oscillate and make additional annoying noises, frequently within a short period of time of purchase.

Personally, the peace and quiet of my personal workspace is very important to me, it's my sanctuary from the world where I can focus and be creative. To have that experience disrupted by cheap fans is sad, especially when slightly more expensive fans and some reasonable design would solve the issue. Another reason why I consider buying an Apple.

If the cost of a better sound design and fans is significant, it could be an extra cost option.
In general, Dell provides noise data of its products in the Environmental Datasheets. Tests are conducted according to ISO standards in a NVLAP accredited acoustics facility. Click here for more details




152 Comments »

Linux Drivers

Linux submitted by fjgaude 08/03/07

Get more drivers working out-of-the-box for Ubuntu, including zen and raid. 1 Comment »

Add linux option to Canadian dell computers!

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by furtivefelon 05/06/07

Please add linux option to computers sold to Canada! 11 Comments »

Computer that uses the heat from the CPU for aromatherapy

New Product Ideas submitted by diytuner 10/17/07

Since Dell doesn't seem to care about good ideas, I though I would waste more time 20 Comments »

Sell Linux PCs Worldwide - not only the United States

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ergo 05/02/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Dell has now decided to sell computers with Linux pre-installed. GREAT MOVE! But for the moment, it only concerns the US... Here outside the US, we can't wait to buy a pre-installed Linux Dell PC! Please sell Linux PCs worldwide!


Check out the details on Dell Linux systems worldwide!
524 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.
574 Comments »

Ad Campaign: What can you do with Ubuntu?

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by limulus 09/04/07

There are currently ideas under review, such as "make ubuntu shine" which relate to advertising Dell's Ubuntu systems. If Dell decides to do some ads, here's an idea for an ad campaign:

"What can you do with Ubuntu?"



Find one or more people who have bought a Dell Ubuntu system and have them show off what they can do with their systems; string the clips those together into a commercial. Some themes that should become obvious:

* easy software installation and updates

* command line not necessary (Ubuntu is very much a GUI OS)

* compiling software not necessary

* full range of applications

* 3rd party proprietary apps, like Flash and Google Earth

* all the little games you could ever want (e.g. Sudoku)

* 'it just works'

* "wobbly windows" and other spiffy cool effects for fun :)

[see also my other ad campaign ideas: Families Switching to Ubuntu and Meet Mark Shuttleworth ] 26 Comments »

Dell Do Not Use Carbon Credits to Satisfy Your Green Stance!

Environment submitted by jorge 10/19/07

Dell Don't go using Carbon Credits instead of actually reducing the carbon foot print of your company..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_credits 7 Comments »

A simple "Why Ubuntu?" webpage on your site that's easily accessible

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by benjesuit 06/25/07

A webpage that lists all the merits and capabilities of Ubuntu called "Why Ubuntu?" To help consumers at least get a better understanding of it.

It should include:

- screen shots of Ubuntu.



- All the software (especially open office, firefox, evolution, gimp, rythmbox,F-spot) included w/ popup links to screen shots



- Popup of repository of software available.
- List of third party commercial software available
- Highlight of Codeweavers Crossover (allows many MS apps to run under Linux)

C'mon Dell, give Ubuntu the old college try. 4 Comments »