arturovall

Sell a 200-300$ Dell ultra-portable

Sales Strategies submitted by razvan_cristian 05/20/07

Lots of students around the world and people, who don't feel like paying around 1000 USD for a laptop, want a cheaper alternative.
The Dell ultra-portable laptop (7-8 inches display, with a full qwerty/azerty keyboard, rugged, a low power CPU which is capable to run at low frequencies, USB 2.0, 256MB RAM,etc) would increase Dell's sales very much. Not only that it would sell in extremely large quantities, but it would also help those who can't afford a regular laptop.
Currently, in the US, some shops already sell some "cheapo" laptops, that is a "laptop on sale", which cost around 350$. Although those are cheap, they aren't suitable for every person:
1. they can only be bought in the US from certain places and in certain states
2. they are sold in less-than-small quantities
3. they are full sized laptops, not ultra portable ones

These Dell ultra-portables would sell in large quantities, there are millions of people around the globe who would buy such a device. Think of those who often buy mobile phones in the price range of 200-400 USD and notice how a large part of those would also like to spend some money to buy a Dell ultra-portable.

Some more specs:
- the BIOS has to be able to boot from external USB devices
- the BIOS must have a complete ACPI implementation ( no missing info, etc)
- must be able to run Windows XP / Linux / etc
- could have an SSD storage device with a Windows XP Embedded image or a Ubuntu Linux image
- provide drivers and support for Windows XP and for Linux (for people who might run a different OS from a USB flash drive or hdd)
- the battery should last around 5-6 hours and it must allow a large amount of recharge cycles
- the CPU should be able to go into a low frequency mode (you don't need the CPU to be running at 1Ghz when writing something in Notepad or KEdit, or when listening to music - the cpu usage is at about 2-5%, the rest is just a waste of power)

Hardware suggestions:
- CPU : Celeron ULV (have more choices for the cpu, from the lowest cpu frequency to higher ones, like 900Mhz, 1.xGhz, etc)
- Mainboard chipset: Intel 915
- Video: Intel GMA900
- storage: 1GB SSD
- memory: 256MB DDR2 (user upgradeable)

P.S.:
It's not meant to do everything a regular laptop can handle.
It's not related to the OLPC project.
It is meant to be a cross between a PDA and a laptop: the Lap-PDA.
It isn't meant to run 3D games.
It's recommended for processing activites that are "light on the CPU", you can: listen to music, run something like Office, etc.
Basically, anything that doesn't need an extremely powerful computer (or a computer with a dedicated display adapter) should run on it. 35 Comments »

No OEM Junk software, revival of recovery DVD/CD's NOT partitions

Desktops, Software submitted by mgin2k3 05/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

First, I hate it when I buy a computer and right when I turn it on out of the box, it's got a lot of junk software installed (AOL trial, Nortion Anti-Virus trial, etc). Get rid of these trial and non-trial OEM softwares or at least give the customer the option of not having them installed. I end up wasting so much time trying to uninstall all this junk anyways and I'm sure I'm not alone. I like having a clean install when I get a new computer (or when I'm recovering). And by clean I mean Windows (or whatever other OS the user may enjoy) and NOTHING else. Secondary OEM software can be included on a separate disc for the user to select manual installation (or request preinstallation of for new purchase orders).

Secondly, recovery partitions are terrible. Aside from the fact that they waste harddisc space, if the harddrive were to become toast or to be upgraded, not only would the user lose the original installation, but they would also lose the recovery data. Has this single point of failure not come to anyone's attention? CD's and DVD's can be preciously taken care and you never have to worry about losing both the installation and recovery partition all at once.



5 Comments »

"Trade In" Program

Advertising and Marketing, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by john_saddington 02/19/07

I'd love to see a "Trade In" Program and/or initiative, where a customer who's been a long time customer could trade in an old system for a new one, or at least, a good sized discount.

I've got an old laptop and seriously need a new one. It's been out of warranty for a long time, but, would love to get a discount for a new one if I could trade it in.

This would also be environmentally healthy! 34 Comments »

Don't make us buy Vista

Operating Systems submitted by icantseeyou 02/21/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

From all of the press I have read it is plain that Vista is a big bomb. To buy the cheapest version I hear it isn't even as good as XP SP2. At the same time you need at least 4 Gig to run it. Offer other options... I don't care if it's Linux, XP, or a rat running on a wheel. Don't make us buy Vista.

You can read more about this the OS options Dell offers here.






93 Comments »

A single DVD that will install correct drivers on any model of Dell PC

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by danwarne 02/18/07

I've just posted an opinion editorial about this at APCMag.com -- http://apcmag.com/node/5359. Seems to me that a largely overlooked feature of Apple Boot Camp is the driver CD that will install drivers onto any model of Intel Mac with no searching/downloading required by the user. This could be a 'Dell crushing feature' unless Dell comes up with something similar. It has to be this easy: one click, and all drivers for that machine are identified and installed. And the CD or DVD image has to be downloadable. 18 Comments »

Let us choose a delivery date

Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by bitoclass 02/17/07

There's apparently no way to specify or choose a delivery date for computers or monitors from your site.

Given that most people are out of their house most days at work, and may need to arrange time off to take in a delivery, it would be much better if you could choose a convenient date for delivery when placing an order on the web site.

It would also give you some competitive advantage because I know from asking that (for instance) HP can't even do this by phone, let alone on their site.

Obviously the date would need to be after the product was ready but you could give a range of, say, a week after the product was due to be ready to ship, during the checkout process, for the buyer to select the delivery date from. 7 Comments »

Show the drivers/firmware updates I actually need

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support submitted by jgv999 04/20/07

In the drivers support section even when you enter your express service code, there are still a mess of drivers and firmware updates that do not apply to the machine as shipped.

Show a default view of the latest drivers and firmware updates that apply to the specific machine I have. You have the information so make my life easier :) 10 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 »

Recovery Hard Drive partitions are not needed, other solutions are better

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by carganegativa18 04/22/07

When I ordered my laptop, I selected the 120 HD, thinking it would be enough for my school work and photography. To my surprice when the laptop arrived, I only had 85 gigs available. I then took a look at "my computer" and wala, there it was

1. A ten gig partition for Recovery purpuses:
Althoug there are times when one really needs to have a computer back to its factory setting, I think its unfar that the user has to give up 10 GB of disk storage.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
1. Give the consumer a DVD of the recovery ISO,
2. Give the consumer the option, either have it installed or have a DVD for it, I rather pay for DVD, than pay for a larger HD.

2. There are tons of pre-installed software that takes up huge amounts of disk space. Some of that stuff we don't need it, and sometimes we dn't know how to get that software out of our systems.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
1. Ship installations CD's to consumers, and let the consumer deside which software they want to install. Hence allowing consumer enjoy more HD space.

2. Advice the consumer when they are buying the laptop/pc of how much "possible" available HD is going to be available upon arrival of laptop. Had I known I was only going to have 85 gigs left, I would have gotten a bigger HD.

I hope this gets promoted, and I hope that many people feel the same way, that we want what is adverticed (120 gigs, not 85 when the laptop arrives) 21 Comments »

Laptop Prices To High?

Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by jabak 03/05/07

I am 15 years old and I am just starting a buisness selling on ebay and amazon. What laptop companies need to understand is that there are more people that are not rich then there are people who are rich. I have seen Prices go up to $3000 and up. Who has that kind of money lying around, I mean sure there are some rich people who use that kind of money to blow their nose, but then there are others like me, my family and many others who have just enough money to keep the basic appliances and food sources and might have some other money that they can save or spend but not thousands of $$$ that they can go blow on a laptop. I have had two laptops in my life that I bought at different times at Computer's and More which was my first mistake because it took less than two months two figure out they were used peices of junk! They were $250 a peice which if i'd known I would have to pay my parents back and that they would actually buy the things I would have just gotten a new one. I need a new laptop and I only have $200 of my own, my mother won't help me until I pay the $500 I did not know I would owe for the other two. Eveen the laptops that Dell has with only DOS or whatever Are still Priced to high. The OLPC place came up with tat $100 laptop that would be nice if it did not look like something that came out of Toys R Us' Garbage can. I found a laptop last saterday that was $450 and had a $12 a month Financing option I told my parents I could afford that through them which I have the money if I do it monthly but they still said they want the $500 payed off first. Just ask yourself this which is better having only rich people afford your stuff or having poor and rich people by your stuff? 1 Comment »

Dell Should Make a XPS M1410

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Monitors and Displays, XPS products submitted by cyborganizer 03/05/07

Dell should make a 14.1" model of the XPS 1210. It should have a better graphics card (around the the 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS range). The Glossy 1440x900 display and the camera that rotates 180 degrees are also important. 8 Comments »

Pre-Installed Linux | Ubuntu | Fedora | OpenSUSE | Multi-Boot

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Offer the 3 top free Linux versions for free pre-installation on all Dell PCs.

Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. For example OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC. Cast your vote for OpenOffice and other free software.

Offer easy multi-boot options with Windows Vista, Windows XP, or NO Windows (yes, Linux can entirely replace Windows!)

Offer trade-ins and Linux CDs for older model Dell PCs. Cast your vote for the mini Linux Dell PC and the Universal Education Dell PC, both utilizing free software.

Would you try Linux if it were this easy?

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.


Please take a look at www.dell.com/open for linux options on the Inspiron.

1824 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 »

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 »