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Offer a Linux Media Center system

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jontheisguy 02/21/07

Dear sirs,
The guys at http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/tvease/StoreFront have the right idea and are beginning to get it done!! Bring them in as a partner to boost the Linux offering from Dell. It is a media center pc built on Ubuntu Linux technologies.

PS. Also work out a bulk deal with the owner of digital blasphemy. Offer a 6 mo. subscription with the purchase of any PC over $600 (or whatever your threshold). The membership is golden and provides many wallpaper choices to the new Dell family member.

Thanks.
jontheisguy 18 Comments »

Linux compatibility assurance

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by moseby 02/20/07

The first major PC vendor that provides a product line and an online ordering system that allows me to shop and configure machines that are assured of having 100% support by linux wins my business.

I would expect some hardware to require vendor supplied binary drivers. I would want an indication of that fact and be given the choice of choosing that device or other hardware with community support.

Other ideas offered here that I resonate with are: 1) I don't need machines preloaded with any distro but may choose that option if offered, and 2) I don't need Dell support for the OS, that is what the community is for. 5 Comments »

Linux based PDA!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by shrewduser 02/19/07

I would love to be able to buy a commercially supported linux based PDA, some exsist but they are difficult to obtain. I want to be able to use powerful linux tools on the go. 34 Comments »

Provide Linux compatibility information on all products up front

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by spm 02/21/07 **REVIEWED**

My company used to buy all out IT products from Dell. The main reason we don't buy any Dell products any more is that it is so difficult to get information from Dell on Linux compatibility, except from a few very expensive high end products. Calling Dell product support to find out if a particular product will work with Linux and where to get drivers is an offputting experience. Dell sales staff seem to take a perverse delight in telling customers that they don't support Linux, and when I tell them that I don't want support from them, only compatibility and driver information, they tell me that they can't give me that information, nor information on chipsets which might allow me to locate information from elsewhere.

The bottom line is that I expect at the very least to be provided compatibility and chipset information before I buy a PC. Neither myself or any other customer is going to buy a Dell PC to test it on Dells behalf - product testing and certification is the manufacturer's responsibility, not mine. White box suppliers, and other mail order suppliers on the other hand are only too willing to provide motherboard, chipset, and component information etc. to allow me to check compatibility.

The reason why we no longer buy any Dell products is simple - we use a small number of Linux PCs in our office and all the servers in our office run Linux. We buy all hardware, peripherals including low end desktop hardware so that they are deployable with both Linux and Windows. We do this for obvious reasons - for example, we might want to plug in a printer originally purchased for use with Windows into a Linux server print queue, and we may want server applications to print to the printer. We may want to redeploy Windows Desktops later as Linux desktops - for example to use as a shared data access desktop. Therefore, although our desktop PCs are overwhelmingly Windows, we won't buy any hardware that isn't Linux compatible, even if it is intended for use with Windows initially. Dell unfortunately doesn't meet those needs, and we cannot buy equipment from Dell. I am sure a lot of other companies which use Linux in the office have similar issues.

Here is what Dell needs to do to have a chance of winning our (and other's) custom:

1) Advertise and inform about Linux compatibility or otherwise. Finding out about compatibility before buying is the most difficult thing about Linux, not installation or configuration. Any company that can do this has a huge advantage for little or no cost.
2) Provide full Linux compatibility information on all Dell products - not just high end desktops. Ideally, certify products for the top distros - RHET, SLES, Debian, the latest free Fedora, OpenSuSE, Ubuntu if possible. Linux users don't necessarily want a preload - most Linux users are quite capable of installing Linux themselves and would probably install some other Linux distro if one was pre-installed. Preinstallation is only useful to us as an indication that the product is Linux compatible. If a feature is only partially supported by Linux, say so and say what is supported - Linux users will understand, and may not need all the features, or like us they may only want the Linux compatibility for possible future redeployment. If driver support is external (most will be) then provide links pointing to those sites in Dell support, and if you need to make a disclaimer to avoid liability for a third party products outside Dell's control, do so. Again Linux users will understand.
3) Exclude products from the Dell inventory that don't support Linux as far as possible. Generally for every part that is not Linux compatible, there is one that is Linux compatible for the same price.
4) Don't ask customers to pay the Microsoft tax. Linux machines or no-OS machines with zero cost OS and no support should cost significantly less than a Windows pre-loaded machine. Customers know when they are being cheated and don't like it.
5) Linux support (except for driver information) is not usually required (except for servers), only web based information. If the customer needs Linux support, it will probably be from an independent consultant/techie rather than from Dell. Sell your Linux PCs as "Linux OEM - no support" PCs at a significantly lower cost than the equivalent Windows PC.
6) Linux on the desktop is most competitive on the low end desktop - particularly for schools etc. Sell Linux PCs preloaded onto low end desktop computers with appropriate free software for that market, at a competitive price rather than on high end workstations.


Upfront Linux capability would be difficult to implement on our web store. But, check some of the alternatives john_h posted.




21 Comments »

pre-installed linux ubuntu on desktops and laptops

Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by fra9000 02/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

i think linux will be the future...so please make some model-line of desktops and laptops with ubuntu linux pre-installed... thanks


This idea has been implemented on select desktops and notebooks in the US, UK, France and Germany.

80 Comments »

Remove metallic Windows sticker

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by bastos 02/21/07

The unremovable metallic "Vista capable" or "Designed for XP" sticker serves no purpose as soon as the laptop is in use by the end-user. Dell should design its notebooks to be sleek, stylish and simple -- and a permanent stickers is the exact opposite. This is (in part) why Apple sells the most stylish laptops, and why the one you buy is never as nice as the one you see in the promotional-pictures (no stickers!)

Replace the metallic sticker with an easily removable one !!! Dell should be large enough to stand up to Microsoft (who no doubt enforces the metal stickers). 23 Comments »

Student Discounts!

Education, Sales Strategies submitted by cnmopt 02/18/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**

Similar to Apple, Dell should offer students a special discount on Dell Products. The Apple market share is currently growing in the education sector and offering [college] students a discount would be useful to counter Apple's strategy. 42 Comments »

Website Dedicated to Linux Support for all Dell Model Computers

Dell Web Site, Linux, Service and Support submitted by jthurst 02/19/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**

A website that dedicated to Linux On Dell. Recommendations for xorg.conf file configurations and power management configuration/drivers. It would be great if Dell would dedicate some resources to Linux Support on Dell. When I think of what laptop to buy I think about which Vendor is the most Linux friendly or else what Makes and Model's seem to be working out best for Linux users. Dell laptops seem to have a lot of new powerful hardware that's tough getting Linux to work well on it. For example, the drivers/modules for getting the power management features to work and the Alps/Synaptic drivers and configuration tools is also tricky. The X-windows monitor and graphics card detection and auto-configuration doesn't work well on many Dell Models. Dell has an opportunity to do a lot for the Linux community and in turn the Linux community could do a lot for Dell. I used to have a Dell D600 and now have a Dell 620 and I'm always spending weeks trying to get everything to work properly.


Please see comments below
13 Comments »

Linux Hardware Compatibility List

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by s3indiana 02/20/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Create a listing of Dell hardware that's compatible with the major Linux distributions (Fedora, OpenSuse, ubuntu, Freespire) providing compatibility with not just systems (desktops and laptops) but include peripherals (printers, camera's, flash drives, compatible routers, etc.). Include levels of compatibility so the reviewer can make an educated choice. This would provide the greatest assistance for those looking at alternatives...

We're working to add something like this to our linux.dell.com wiki. Click here to see what john_h has to say.




30 Comments »

No McAfee

Software submitted by doomlord52 02/19/07

I think everyone agrees here. No McAfee. i cant unistall my copy because it will take all my settings for the Microsoft firewall with it. That includes my outlook settings, internet, and just about every program. Why cant i say "no McAfee please"??? is it really that hard? use Norton.... 72 Comments »

Dont eliminate XP just yet

Operating Systems submitted by javaprog07 02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Ok, well I know I may be chastised for bringing this up, but vista is still a young operating system with its own problems etc... I would like to see both Home and Business computers, especially notebooks have an XP Home and Pro option on top of Vista until it has at least been out for a year. For those seasoned users like me who just feel that you need to let a new OS mature before jumping right in. I am planning on buying a new notebook, and I would like to insure I wont have to format it on arrival just to have XP.
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about Dell offering XP.




209 Comments »

Design & Form Factor

Desktops and Laptops submitted by logi 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

This forum is a great idea to get Dell back to #1.

What I like to see is new and innovative styling across the board on notebooks and desktops. Dell's product line looks 5yrs old and needs a total refresh.

As you can see Apple Inc. is winning conumers hearts because Apple owners are actually proud of displaying them in the living rooms instead of hiding them. Get rid of that XPS desktop design that thing is so ugly.. and come up with something consumers would be proud of displying in their media rooms.

Also I would like to see Dell create a sleak new design for a media center box so we can utilize vista home for the entertainment room and display it next to my audio and video units.

Thanks for listening Mr. Dell.



Hope_l talks about how passionate we are about design in this thread. To read more about how this idea is being put into action click here.

222 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.


591 Comments »

Become the open source OEM

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ntaylor0909 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I read the same question on Linux forums, all the time: What is the best brand of computer/laptop to purchase for Linux. I know that there is the n series of computers and notebooks, but it could go a step further. Accept the recent offer of free Linux driver development from the Linux Kernel Community so that DELLs "just work" with Linux. Maybe look at some ideas like LinuxBIOS and/or OpenBIOS. Become the OEM that everyone recommends. There is a growing market for Open Source friendly computers and DELL could own that market.


In the past year, we've made a lot of progress on getting Linux to work well on all of our products. Our goal is to become the hardware vendor of choice for Linux users. Click here to learn more from john_h.





45 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 »

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 »

Stripped down, fast Linux Box

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Linux submitted by pawprintz 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

How about a fast, Internet ready Linux desktop. Small form factor, pretty monitor, mouse & keyboard, the O.S., OpenOffice & Firefox. Cheap'n'fast


Dell sees the value of this idea, and is keeping the sugestions for a Linux small form factor on the radar. john_h will let the community know of any new information as it comes.




130 Comments »

Linux 2.6.16 ready (sticker)

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by chiuchu 02/19/07

Hello,
How about a sticker like windows' which show that the PC is fully compatible with Linux ? A sticker with "Linux 2.6 ready" or "Ubuntu 6.10 Capable" or something like this. Thanks. 112 Comments »

Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware

Linux submitted by gergnz 02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.




186 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.





1196 Comments »