Sell the Vostro line @ Staples.
Sales Strategies, Small Business, Vostro products submitted by benjesuit
11/09/07
I was in staples today and noticed that the Inspirons with AMD processors were on display. Nice units BTW. Much nicer than what you see in the pictures online.
Staples is a business supply store. It would seem appropriate to sell Vostro's there also. Staples can handle the warranty repair issues the same way they purport to handle the Inspiron issues.
230
Next Gen Montevina XPS 1730...
XPS products submitted by benjesuit
10/14/07
When Intel's Monetvina comes out early next year, which includes the Cantiga Chipset, please have these options available for the next iteration of the XPS 1730.
1GB of GDDR3 Ram with Nvidia's top graphics processing unit.
Dual harddrive with OPTION of NON-RAID configuration.
BLACK/Dark Grey illuminated keyboard.
Option for greater degree of customization: for instance, no Blu-ray, solid color notebook shell.
Looking to buy an XPS but do not want to compromise so much. The fact that there is a DVI port on the side means having to see thick cabling coming out the side of the unit which takes up desk real estate is a downer for me, but not a deal breaker. The current configuration of the unit is a turn off for me. I can deal with the paint job, but 512MB VRAM is just too little for the price asked.
110
HDMI, HDMI, by God almighty, HDMI
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by benjesuit
09/25/07
HP has had it on their notebooks for 1 year now. Come on Dell! What's it going to take to put in an HDMI port? Most of the new LCD TV's today input HDMI.
And I'm surprised that the new XPS 1730 has no HDMI port. DVI is so yesterday and is not forward thinking at all.
Your next generation Montevina based models MUST have HDMI.
And yes, this is a dupe. A dupe of my own post even. But I want to buy a Dell. But without HDMI, it makes it difficult.
1490
Port Locations....
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by benjesuit
08/30/07
Here are some ports that MUST be in the back of a Notebook.
AND NOT ON THE SIDE.
1. Power input jack.
2. 2 USB ports - at least. One for mouse / wireless mouse dongle. One for USB hub, etc.
3. HDMI/DVI/VGA - because the cables are thick.
4. Ethernet
Let's keep the desktop clean and not have cables coming out the sides of the notebook which takes up valuable space. Not to mention being an eye sore.
Thank you.
460
Customer service via Skype.
Service and Support submitted by benjesuit
08/28/07
In addition to standard call in CS, add peer to peer customer service via Skype.
Advantages:
1. Customers can send screen shots.
2. Files and updates can be transfered directly to the customer.
3. Conference calls can be done when troubleshooting needs the expertise of another rep for a specific problem.
4. Can use the chat feature to assist customers with code they may need to type in. They can cut and paste the code during troubleshooting. Even links can be sent directly to the customer which they can cut and paste into their browser.
5. Video conferencing. The rep can show the customer what he/she is talking about visually. The rep may have the specific model on hand and be able to point visually to the object in question.
140
Dell needs more cowbell. For instance...
Dell submitted by benjesuit
08/13/07
The new XPS 1730 - preliminary
[photo removed]
NEEDS MORE COWBELL!!!
DELL's design department lacks a cowbell player. I'm convinced of it. He only got to play one song as a "guest" musician and this was it...
PLENTY OF COWBELL!!!
So much so, Dell couldn't keep up with the demand.
So Dell, simply put, y'all need mo' cowbell.
90
1520N and 1720N
Inspiron products, Linux submitted by benjesuit
08/10/07
What does the "N" stand for anyway? Nemesis? Non-restrictive?
Anyway, I have an idea why Dell chose not to sell pre-installed Ubuntu on the 1520/1720.
That said, why not set aside 500 units of each and see how fast they sell out with Ubuntu preinstalled. What is more, on the website have a real time "quantity on hand" indication like you do in the refurb site. Might be a fine way to build excitement.
Imagine the news headlines and blog chatter;
"Dell's selling Ubuntu notebooks like hot cakes."
"Dell sells 100 1520N's in 24 hrs."
"Dell's Ubuntu notebooks 1520N and 1720N sold out in first 2 weeks of debut."
Free advertizing.
Give it a shot Dell.
Oh and make at least one Vostro notebook available for Ubuntu pre-install. That all black theme is sharpish.
400
Build a new Inspiron 1720E and 1520E
Inspiron products, Sales Strategies submitted by benjesuit
08/10/07
New Inspirons that have as an option, the color scheme of the new Vostro. (all black)
Option of Nvidia 8600 GT w GDDR3 256mb & 512mb
Option of Nvidia 8700 GT w GDDR3 512mb
Option of TPM and fingerprint reader.
Option of Sata 300 HD 7200 RPM
Option of 1680x1050 Matte LCD on 1720E
HDMI port standard.
ESata port standard.
180
Compensation for "Dell"ays of the XPS1330 and Inspirons
Dell submitted by benjesuit
08/10/07
Many customers are experiencing unpredented build/shipping delays for orders placed weeks ago. Many of those customers are heading back to school/college in just a few weeks.
Dell should meaningfully compensate these customers for the unusual delay experience.
240
Start an Elite Dell subsidary that caters to tech savvy consumers.
Service and Support submitted by benjesuit
08/09/07
subsidiary name: DELL Premium (Thanks to premcv for the name)
A subsidiary that caters to the needs and desires of tech savvy computer users who are willing to pay a reasonable price to get precisely what they want. A service that constantly surveys these tech savvy users to find out exactly what they want and need.
This subsidiary should always strive to have the best and tested state of the art components.
Option to specifiy the exact manufacturer of a part. For instance, if they want a Hitachi or Seagate Sata 150 or 300, they should be able to specify that.
Or Nvidia card with GDDR2 or GDDR3.
Option to specify manufacturer of Ram. Kingston, Crucial, etc.
Option of No Os/ driver CD only.
Each system should include a parts list manual.
Ability to order exact subsystem parts by part number. For instance, if a battery charger board is determined to be bad, the Elite customer should be able to purchase that exact subassembly part instead of a new motherboard.
Elite users tend to not mind waiting for a customized system as they understand that quality and customization takes time. So Build and ship times should not exceed 30 days. And a more pro-active in progress status should exists so ELITE consumers can know precisely where their system is.
But should an elite consumer want their system sooner, the option to expedite their systems build and ship should be available fo a fee.
220
Develop an exclusive Linux only notebook specifically optimized for Linux.
Advertising and Marketing, Linux, Laptops submitted by benjesuit
08/05/07
Fact: Most who switch over to Linux, do not switch back to MSFT.
That said, why not design a Linux only, high performance, customizeable, upgradeable, Linux optimized notebook.
1. Windows key is a the TUX penguin.
2. Only hardware which supports the open source community is used.
3. All hardware is modular. (Harddrives, optical drives, socketed chipsets, socketed wifi mini PCI, etc.)
4. Upgradeable Bios with socketed bios chip.
5. Comes preinstalled with exclusive to the system, optimzed open source software.
6 State of the art design. Cutting edge features. Similiar to the XPS 1330. But far from the Inspirons.
Gather feature request information from the Linux community to tweak this optimally. Take the first step towards exclusive Linux products in order to commercialize Linux on the desktop/notebook realm.
Above all, ADVERTIZE this system.
And advertise comparitive performance vitals as compared to a similiarly equipted MSFT machine and MAC.
Have a Dell repostiory of both optimized and community based open source software. And have a store where for a fee, customers can order customized media loaded with their software of choice. Important since not everyone has broadband to download software from the repository.
Turn Linux into a MAC-like experience of exclusivity, chicness, and wow, by attaching Linux to exclusively Linux hardware.
640
Post WinMark/PCMark/3DMark or other performance scores in product details and ads with comparison to your competition.
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by benjesuit
08/05/07
Dell more often than not, has higher WinMark/PCMark scores than their competitors. Seeing as you sell products through the direct marketing method (i.e. without being able to feel or touch) you need as many incentives as you can to entice buyers.
And your styling really isn't up to par with competitors like HP.
But imagine if your ads and product info pages on your website had performance vitals? (PCmark 05-06, 3D Mark 05-06, Wprime, Vista Score-full panel.) It would probably justify the price premium that you usually have over the competition. Or feature lack.
Most people don't read third party reviews when making a purchasing decision. The more comparitive info you provide, the more seemingly educated the consumer feels in general.
350
Sneak-peaking new products...
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, XPS products submitted by benjesuit
08/05/07
Would be beneficial. Because you have this site and the Direct2Dell blog site, you can gather customer response to product you are about to release in a few months time. It'll help to somewhat streamline manufacturing as you'll be able to figure the mean preference of consumers.
For instance, the debacle with the XPS1330. Had you known that black is the preferred color, you would have concentrated your efforts there and perhaps would have stated that ordering white or red will delay your shipment. You could have known this by taking a poll of the preferred colour.
Another example: There is a photo leak on Engadget concerning the upcoming XPS 1730. Most who responded stated that they didn't like the design/colour scheme. In fact, the wittiest response, "now the XPS 1330 will have to lie at school and say its adopted."
In any event, you should make a habit out of leaking info on upcoming products. It generates buzz which in turn generates useful marketing info. Which in turn, if you respond to customer preference in the form of redesign or feature addition, will translate into sales upon product release.
570
Respond to more comments on the Direct2Dell Blog...
Dell Web Site submitted by benjesuit
08/05/07
Don't just leave respondents hanging. It seems that Lionel only responds to the most flattering entries. I understand that it's not prudent to respond to flamers and trolls. Or even vitriolic posts. But I've seen many legitimate questions and concerns go answered.
If there is something that can't be disclosed, say so.
If there's not enough information available in order to properly address the concern, say so.
Don't just leave posters hanging hoping that they're concerns will die as soon as blog entry they've posted to gets buried under new entries.
260
Dell Ideas Liason/Emissary.
Service and Support submitted by benjesuit
08/02/07
Dell should designate someone within management to be a liason for pre-customer/customer submitted ideas. This person would discuss either briefly or indepth why or why not Dell would implement a particular idea. What specifically they're reviewing about the idea. Possible time frame for implementation. (This one is especially important as it would possibly prevent a potential customer from purchasing from the competition.) Difficulties of implementing an idea.
Also to discuss why Dell made certain design choices.
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