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230

finer grade notebook fan controls and minimum speed

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by claudio_ch Aug 10

Seeing other ideas regarding either noise or too hot laptops I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to give users more fine grade control about the fans. This would need on one part hardware which allows fans to turn at a whole range of speeds at not just 1 or 2 speeds and software which would allow the setting of the minimum speed of a fan.

Thus if I want to avoid my laptop getting noise when the fan kicks in I could tell it to run at some minimum speed - at which it is still quiet enough for me - all the time, minimizing the need for the fan to go really loud.
This is also suggested in http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10091345/Dell_Studio_15_fan_noise

On the other hand if I want my laptop to stay cool because I actually have it on my lap and don't care about noise or battery consumption I could set it to full speed all the time to keep temperature low. This could be made more intelligent, by having me not set a minimum speed, but rather an upper limit on temperature. E.g. if normally the fan would kick in only when system temperature is above 60*C, I could select to lower it to e.g. 45*C. The fans would then kick in earlier to keep my laptop cool, even if the hardware itself wouldn't need it as it can stand higher temperatures. Comment »

240

Ubuntu distro for Studio Hybrid

Desktops, Operating Systems submitted by sirebral Aug 12

I just received my Studio Hybrid today and I am sorely disappointed I cannot install Ubuntu on it. The only problem is the drivers. I managed to install version 7.10 onto the desktop, but I could not connect to the internet, not even if I was connected directly to the router. I could not install 8.04 because I could not see anything.

8.04 does not revert to the generic VESA driver in my case.

I would really like to see a quick make of an Ubuntu distro that contained all of the drivers needed to run the Studio Hybrid instead of waiting for version 8.10.

Or, add the drivers to Alpha version of 8.10 ASAP. I am thinking about returning this computer because I despise Vista that much. The computer is nice, but Vista is a junk. 19 Comments »

360

Equip Upcoming Notebooks with ATI XGP Technology!!

Gaming, New Product Ideas, Laptops submitted by q0987 Aug 3

ATI XGP™ technology (eXternal Graphics Platform) is an external graphics solution for notebook PCs. ATI XGP is designed to deliver dedicated GPU performance on a notebook PC equipped with an external PCI Express® 2.0 connector.

Source: AMD Official Website I Watch video

PCI Express® 2.0 provides 4 GBytes/s bandwidth and supports ATI CrossFireX™ technology

Dell should equip their latest notebooks (Centrino 2 refreshes) with this functionality. Or atleast for their enthusiast line (XPS) as it is what we, the enthusiasts, want.
Imagine having true portability with the option to plug in more horsepower whenever needed without additional heat/weight. Once you have this installed it will be future proof as it is a new specification (PCI-e 2.0) and all you will need to do is swap out the existing graphics card for a future one, from its external housing, instead of buying a new notebook. How cool is that!?

Drive upto 4 displays with a single card!

This has ALOT greater performance than the unfinalized Asus XG Station!
And it is available now!! Fujitsu Siemens have already implemented it into their 13" Puma. Do the same with the next M1330 and every other notebook. Make it a standard! 5 Comments »

210

a new dell era!!!!

Dell submitted by comprevolution Aug 14

so when looking threw all of the posts i get a general prospective of what people are really looking for. I think that this idea if done properly could change Dell in the eyes of a huge group of people that have moved to other companies or custom built pc's.

Basically:

when people go to the dell site have some logo, or option that isn't a small link but large enough to be noticed.

When clicking on said logo it will take you to a section of the dell site like none before. where you can completely build a computer that is 100% custom to you. you start by picking a type

Laptop | Desktop | Server | other

you then choose a chassie

you could stick with the same options that are available today:

Inspiron | Studio | xps | Latitude |

or you could have it by size

14 | 15 | 17 | (other options for desktops)

then you can fill it with hard ware, where you will not just have 1 option but several for each peace of hardware.

Motherboard : intel, asus
Proc: Intel, Amd ...
Ram: size, brand,
GPU: Nvidia, ATI, PNY, ...
HDD: Seagate, Fugitsu, Samsung,
optical drives: brands and type
screen: size and quailty
even I/O's: logitec, microsoft, Dell

Then you go to software level:

Operating system: linux, windows, BSD
Preinstalled software: Anti virus, Photo Editing,
allow an option for no bloatware: I know these are advertisements to keep the price down... but AOL? really AOL? no one uses AOL!!

You should then have external options:

Chassie color:
Led's:
chassie wheels:
choose the color of the dell logo or allow for custom messages.

_________
you could still keep the same thing that you have going on which will allow people who don't know much about computers but know what they want it to do, to purchase a pre build system.

But also add this new section which will give those who do know what there doing freedom to configure what you would like.

I know that for this option i could just go to new egg and build a pc, but i'd like to have it all together and covered by a dell warranty.

let me know if i missed any steps. 13 Comments »

340

Multimedia Buttons on Studio 15 laptop should be backlit

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by ddguy Aug 6

I recently got my Studio 15 which has touch sensitive mutimedia buttons at the top area. However these button are hard to make out against the black ground, specially in dark. I have a back-lit keyboard on this laptop but the backlit function doesn't do any thing to the multimedia buttons, making the operations during dark very difficult. In fact there is every chance that in dark one might by mistake Eject the CD mistaking it to be the Volume increase button...or some other mistake like that.

I would suggest that when the user back-lits the KB, the multimedia buttons should lit up too. This should be provided to existing users through a BIOS update, perhaps?

PS: You guys need a STUDIO category too !! 3 Comments »

240

explain why you don't apply ideas

IdeaStorm submitted by siger Aug 10

could you explian why you don't apply some ideas; It could avoid to have it posted many times.

For instance why don' tyou pre-install Open Office , where as it is among th etop ideas for a long time ? 3 Comments »

270

Centrino 2 for the studio line of laptops

Laptop Power submitted by chardeen Aug 15

With the decision made to phase out the XPS range; it would advantageous to introduce the Centrino 2 platform and better graphics into the studio range without delay for your digital nomads. 11 Comments »

240

Install legs on laptops

Laptops submitted by katiwala Aug 14

laptops overheat so quickly; why not install legs in the rear of the laptop as on keyboards to facilitate airflow 8 Comments »

390

No "Provided by Dell" in IE

Advertising and Marketing, Software submitted by adog317 Aug 5

We all know that we have a dell and no one will be able to see it for advertising, so please just leave it "Internet Explorer". 2 Comments »

370

More Updated Video Card Drivers

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support, Laptops submitted by kalparker Aug 7

Many of your laptops have ATI or NVIDIA video card drivers, but the only source to get drivers for them is through your site. You don't upgrade them anywhere near the schedule ATI and NVIDIA do for there desktop cards. It would be nice if you updated them more often or did something so that we can use the graphics card companies own drivers. There are bugs and performance issues in drivers that are fixed over time, and we dont have an option to get them. I mean if you buy a gaming machine like the xps laptops game manufactures encourage us to update your drivers, but the ones on your site are over a year old. Please find a solution so we can update the video card drivers more often to improve performance. 10 Comments »

210

Give EVERY idea a status tag.

IdeaStorm submitted by winoffice Aug 14 **REVIEWED**

Why should we have to wait so long for you to tell us what is your opinion on ideas. Plenty of the ideas are still here without ANY status tags at all! This makes us think that you just want not to implement those ideas. If you want not to implement an idea, then do at least tell us so that we know, and so that we have no false hopes.


Please see vida_k's comment
35 Comments »

240

Sell Ubuntu laptops or laptops without OS in the Netherlands NOW

Linux submitted by thaisi Aug 14

I really hate to wait for buying a laptop with big bill gates tax on it. Give me a laptop with worthy hardware, and I'll put Ubuntu on it if you don't want to provide it as a OS choice in the netherlands.

It is really ridiculous that I have to pay microsoft money for a product I won't use.

Give us a choice in the Netherlands!! 8 Comments »

320

Add the newer laptop processors (P7350, T9400, etc.) to the list of those offered as options

New Product Ideas, Desktops and Laptops submitted by wallyhorse Aug 9

One thing that needs to be done:

Dell should begin offering the newer laptop processors (including the P7350, T9400 and T9600) as soon as possible as those processors are the first laptop processors with 1066 FSBs, and along with the new Quad Core Laptop Processor (due this fall) should be in the mix. I would offer at least the T9400 in particular on ALL Inspirion and Studio laptops as well as the new Studio 9" desktop. 1 Comment »

230

Studio Hybrid that can play games

Desktops submitted by bostich Aug 14

Would it be possible to squeeze a mobile graphics card of some kind as an option on the Studio Hybrids? Just about the only thing holding me back is the poor-avreage gaming performance of the X3100.

Even if it limited some of my other options that would be worth it. 12 Comments »

300

Display similar refurbished computers after a customer configures a new Dell

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Environment submitted by getgreg Aug 10

To me one of the biggest frustrations of buying a Dell, is after you configure and buy your dream machine, you sometimes have to wait weeks for it to be built and shipped. Refurbished Dells, on the other hand, are already built and ready-to-ship.

It would be great if after you finish configuring a Dell, the site would search the refurbished inventory for computers matching your specs and give you the option to buy a refurb instead.

I bet a lot of customers who won't ever find their way to dell.com/outlet would take a cheaper, quick-shipping refurb if it's presented to them this way. Doing this would probably help move refurbished computers faster which will further ensure that Dell sees top dollar for them.

Also, moving refurbished computers before new computers will also help Dell's commitment to go carbon-neutral. By selling already built refurbs first, Dell ensure that they don't consume energy and materials building new computers when a refurb will suffice.

Seems like everyone wins on this one. 17 Comments »

280

Seperate BlueTooth Switch from Wi-Fi Switch

Broadband and Mobility, Laptop Power submitted by kknd1015 Aug 13

it can save more power if i can control bluetooth and wi-fi saperately, so that the bettary can last more time.
and as far as i know, wi-fi and bluetooth are both use 2.4GHz frequency, so it is better if we can turn off one of them when uer another, or we can avoid the interference. 6 Comments »

550

Give us an update on the Dell Inspiron Mini / Dell E / Dell E Slim

Dell, Dell Community, Dell Web Site, IdeaStorm, Linux, Laptops submitted by brokencrystal Jul 31 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

We have been waiting very patiently. Please give us an update on the Dell Inspiron Mini / Dell E / Dell E Slim. Include some specs, an estimated release date, or simply tell us what you are and are not willing to discuss about the upcoming product.


Please see Vida_K's comment below
10 Comments »

320

Specify the real name of the WifF components not the Dell name

Broadband and Mobility, Linux, Laptops submitted by bjrosen Aug 13

The wireless chip in the Studio 15 listed as a Dell 1397, that doesn't tell me anything. Dell doesn't make wireless chips.

I want Intel wireless in my next laptop so that I'm absolutely sure that it's Linux compatible. Just because you have a component in your Ubuntu laptops doesn't guarantee that it has native Linux support, you could have used Ndiswrapper + a WIndows driver which is not an acceptable solution.

Please don't obscure the components that you use. 3 Comments »

420

When prices drop, just credit the difference!

Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by pmucha Aug 7

Yesterday, I bought a memory module. Today, I see there's an "instant" discount of $10.50. During a chat about why no instructions came with the module (hello!), I was told I could not get the discount credited back to me. I asked for a customer service number where one person said, yes, Dell has a 21-day price guarantee (great!) but the next person said the only way to get this was for Dell to ship a return package and ship the item back, then wait for Dell to ship it back to me again! Is this insane or what? Nothing "green" about this system -- wastes fuel, time and money. Being in the computer business, uh, wouldn't it make sense to just "electronically" credit my credit card? I even offered to accept a coupon or credit toward a future purchase. Make me suspect this system is design to avoid giving anyone the credit, since many of us need what order right away. 2 Comments »

420

Stop transfering or hanging up on tech support callers

Service and Support, Simplify IT submitted by jervis961 Aug 9

It seems that more and more people are having problems with Dell tech support transferring them all over the world or simply hanging up. Sure we have all read some post by a frustrated customer and thought they were exaggerating but this case is different. KETV in Omaha recently did a piece about a woman who tried to contact Dell tech support for a sticky keyboard during her warranty period. She was transferred overseas several times, hung up on and eventually had to take the computer to a repair shop.

http://www.ketv.com/news/17127523/detail.html?rss=oma&psp=news#

The repair shop tech contacted Dell as well and got the same treatment and during the process the screen died as well. Eventually (several days and hours on the phone later) Dell asked them to send in the computer for repair. When the computer was returned to the owner as "fixed" it was discovered that Dell had not fixed any of the issues.

Not only should Dell fix its support system but they need to help this lady out. 10 Comments »



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