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439

improve notebook design -- keyboard, interfaces and noise

Latitude products submitted by macias 02/17/07

[ Latitude D610 user ]

1) look at the latest apple notebooks -- keys are much more separated, it is brilliant (mine, apple copied it :-D) idea -- the keys can be even smaller, with more space, the whole keyboard takes less space in effect, so...
1.a) you can make smaller notebook
1.b) you can put pgdn/up, home, end in vertical column at the right

2) make fn key not hardwired -- for example fn+0 is "/", good but it can be better -- I would like to assign various symbols to fn+any key -- T, V, B, any key. Notebooks suffer from keyboard layout so at least make it better at one point

3) audio controls -- those keys should be really hardware-audio buttons, I mean, I press "mute" and no matter what the system says, there is no audio -- in other words, they should be 100% operating system independent

4) could it be possible to add mouse "wheel" -- maybe dual, looking at my D610 at the top of "esc" and "pgup" key -- it would make navigating much easier. But I would opt not for standard tiny mouse wheel, but a bit wider, so you can rest your finger on it (1cm?)

5) remove all old, not used interfaces -- who really needs RS232, gosh. And if anyone really wants it, it is more efficient to plug usb connector. Better provide modern audio and video output (dvi) and drop all those centronics, modems, rs232, etc.

6) D610 nightmare -- NOISE. I have no idea, make the notebook aluminium, put vents on the sides (not below), cool down the memory (boy, it's getting hot), use ULV processors, but cool it! And keep it quiet.

My preferences are: light (w/o CD), quiet, cool notebook, ~10" _high-res_ (1400x1200) screen but not widescreen -- which when I am at home I could connect to external monitor. 4 Comments »

5327

Laptop Fans

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by davew 02/18/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Heat rises! Get the exhaust ports off the bottom of the laptops where it just blows back up into the machine. Put them out the side or the top and everything including processors, drives, batteries and the cooling systems themselves will run cooler and more efficiently. I already burned out one mother board, which thankfully was replaced under extended warrantee. I am so protective now that I never use my laptop without a supplemental cooling pad underneath, which blows the air out the sides. Unless this changes I would think twice about buying another or recommending a Dell laptop to anyone else without advising them of the problem.







64 Comments »

4719

Better Notebook sound and features

Laptops submitted by foxx 02/17/07

I was looking for a high end notebook for video editing. Every Dell model I looked at was missing something essential.

Most serious is the lousy sound. I can understand for low end notebooks, but high end need A REAL SOUND CARD. I would have been willing to buy a sound card, but that required a PCMCIA slot and you had elimintated those. I gave up.











119 Comments »

552

Gorgeous, beautiful eye-popping design

Desktops and Laptops submitted by foobar 02/18/07

Dell needs to aggressively move away from being perceived as cheap and boring. Corrall all the confusing sub-brands into a cohesive approach that shows us a new, fresh approach to design. There is no reason on Earth why Dell has to have worse design than SONY or Apple. Indeed with your new hires, this needs to be the target. There needs to be a "Dell look" that is not "gray, dull, box"

Think Target not Wal-Mart. It is now an age of design and Dell should create a moonshot to lead the market. If Mike can put his personal focus on it, I am totally confident it could happen. We are rooting for you!!!!!!

Comment »

454

Better paint finish quality on notebooks

Inspiron products submitted by scotsman 02/17/07

I wish the Inspiron series notebooks had a better quality paint finish. The silver paint wears through on the palmrest within a few months if the notebook is used a lot...this has happened on both my 9300 and 9400. 1 Comment »

564

More Graphic Card Options for 15.4 Laptops

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by bkmaxey 02/18/07

I would like to see more powerful graphic card options in the 15.4" consumer laptops (E1505/6400). At the moment, it tops out at an X1400, I would like to see the 7900GS offered. Comment »

1220

Transreflective LCDs for Laptops

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

Dell should consider introducing trans-reflective LCDs to its laptops. These screens allow the use of LCD screens in conditions with bright ambient light conditions such as outdoors in direct sunlight. In these conditions the backlight is not required further reducing battery consumption. Such screens are available but only a few specialist laptop manufacturers use them. If Dell were to adopt such technology they would become more economical to produce and cause a significant step forward in laptop display development.

The Dell Axim X51v PDA in fact has a transreflective display. It would be great to see this technology in laptops made by Dell.

This site gives some more information about transreflective displays http://www.irontech.com/industrial_LCD_displays_for_sunlight.html.

Sometimes glossy, high-contrast screens such as the Dell TrueLife screens are referred to as transreflective but they are not. 2 Comments »

466

Laptops

Latitude products submitted by kannan_r 02/14/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

The Latitude 620 is pretty powerful when it comes to performance. However there are a coupld of things i miss when i compare it with an IBM TP.

1. A kepboard light is extremely useful, especially when you are working in poor lighting conditions

2. A scroll button is somthing that would help when you are on the move and dont have an external mouse

3. The laptop could be a little lighter


Please see Vida_K's comment below
6 Comments »

627

Dedicated Graphics Option for e1405

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Inspiron products, Sales Strategies submitted by gautam 02/17/07

Bring back a dedicated graphics option for the e1405/640m series 14.1" notebook. 8 Comments »

569

Improve Inspiron Laptop Design.

Inspiron products submitted by arry 02/17/07

The look of inpsiron is pathetic. The white border around the laptop looks very ugly. Please do cosmetic changes in Inspiron design to make it look better.
On viewing "ideas in action" on Dell ideaStorm, I see no mention of improving laptop Design. Though i agree this may not be relevant as far as technical things are concerned. But still being a fan of Dell , i feel Dell should improve laptop design so that it should look more like a professional laptop like HP, Toshiba, Sony Vaio etc. So Guys log in and vote for this :) 8 Comments »

2611

15.4 size XPS system

XPS products, Laptops submitted by lilredfoxie 02/16/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

I think theyre needs to be another 15.4" size XPS system, currently the XPS lineup has no middle ground, theres either the m1210 which is too small, or the m1710 which is too large ( I dont count the m2010, since its not really a laptop, its more of its own hybrid desktop/laptop comptuer thing) use the e1505 chassis, give it the cool XPS lights, and a D-dock connectior below
Check out the Idea in Action post for details about our new 15in system.




44 Comments »

1739

Would be Nice to Get the New Hybrid Hard Drives As Soon As Possible

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by guest_houston 02/17/07

Sometime this year some hard disk makers are to release "hybrid hard drive" technology, which is supported by the new Windows Vista.

This technology could possibly provide greater speed and energy savings, as well as making the computer quieter.

I can't wait for this to become available. 4 Comments »

2409

A Dell Laptop I can use on my lap! (without being burned)

Laptops submitted by oldsalerogls 02/17/07

I proudly own a 2 year old dell laptop 600m- but it's got heat issues.. who can use their Laptop for 20 minutes before then Laptop begins to get more than warm..and your going to get possibly burned.

Things aren't getting better for new Laptops

Factory Hard Drive and Factory Memory and Processors are running really hot... Noticing it also with other PC Manufacturers (Even with the latest Laptops)

Beat them to the punch...and solve this problem.

Glad to see Michael Dell is Back! 12 Comments »

1440

Notebooks - better quality, better options, better design

Sales Strategies submitted by dspector 02/17/07

I have been in the market for a laptop for almost 6 months now. I have avoided buying one as I havent found one that actually fit my needs perfectly.

14.1" widescreen notebook are arguably the perfect balance between the small, yet mobile, 13.3 or 12.1" screen, and their mid range 15.4". For those of us who want a laptop that is portable yet viewable, 14.1" is the ideal candidate.

Now if we take the 14.1" even further as a multimedia portable machine, it should incluce all the bells and whisles like memory card readers, svideo (d620 doesnt have) and even a webcam. And it should all be packaged in a thin and light casing that is still durable and stylish.

That is my recommendation to dell. Comment »

1795

Better looking PCs

Desktops and Laptops submitted by shanx24 02/17/07

If Dell wants to regain relevance with its target audience, it should seriously hire a couple of leading designers and make machines that don't look like poor man's tin clunkers. Yes, even that 'luxury' line of machines you've started look hideous. Take inspiration from Vaio SZ or the small full-black Fujitsu or just about anything from Apple. I used to be an avid Dell evangelist for nearly 5 years, until it became to make less and less sense to me (even your 'international support' was useless. It does NOT work). 3 Comments »

3406

Lighter laptops - some suggestions

Laptops submitted by amri64 02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Would like to see more laptops below 2kg (4.4lbs).

Suggestions:

1. Replace Hard Disk with solid state storage device. Advantage: 1) lighter 2)no moving parts means less probability of breaking down (esp due to wear & tear)

2. External DVD drives. On the road, most things needed are already in the laptop. Leave the movie-watching & software-installing to the home/office/hotel room. The DVD drive can be checked in the suitcase.

3. Option to power off graphics card, camera, etc when not used for task at hand. Prolong battery life.

4. Lithium polymer batteries? For comparable charge densities, aren't they lighter?

Challenge: Fujitsu already has a 15" notebook at 2.4kg, though specs aren't so impressive, imho. Can Dell produce one at 2kg or less, & with specs "to die for"?


Please see jackie_c's comment
24 Comments »

6565

Use only the best and brightest LCDs for all laptops! No sub-par manufacturers need apply!

Laptops submitted by astudios 02/17/07

From what I understand, today's Dell LCDs on laptops are made by Toshiba, LG, Samsung, etc.. why make it an anticipating "waiting game" for the customer to see which quality of LCD they get when their laptop comes in? The LCD display is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT part of any laptop. Dell.. please, use ONLY the best and brightest LCDs on all of your laptops.

Quick story of my experience.. I'm a huge Dell-fan and buy lots of PCs and laptops from them for myself, my business, and for my friends and family. The LCD on their 700m laptops were the *absolute best* .. After that, I purchased the XPS1210. The LCD was "duller" and I was disappointed. But then I ordered the XPS1410 for a friend and when it came in, I was horrified with poor viewing angles of the LCD. The only way you could comfortably view the screen was when it was PERFECTLY square with your eyes! I was almost ashamed to give it to my friend. Finally, recently, I ordered the Inspiron 6000 (SXUGA?) and was relieved that is was much better. But still nothing like the 700m I used to own.

What happened to Dell's LCDs? Please make this top priority and bring the "wow" back into your laptops! (And oh, another thing, if you could somehow make your laptops thinner and lighter, that'd be great too!).

Thank you for allowing us this forum. 24 Comments »

10056

Notebook Shells Are Plastic - Offer Metal Casings Too

Laptops submitted by googideas 02/17/07

Notebooks get carried everywhere. Shouldn't Dell offer an aluminum or otherwise metal casing/construction as an option?

If I am going to drop two grand on a laptop, which I just did, I sure as heck want it as rugged as possible. I don't care about weight or additional cost. I want it to last.

Plastic is brittle. A dent in the metal is better than a crack in the plastic. It's also easier to recycle.

What do you think? 33 Comments »

7696

Better Styling, More Choices on Video Cards and a Hybrid Video Design, and Definately less or NO pre-installed Software.

Sales Strategies, Software, Laptops submitted by kman79 02/16/07 **REVIEWED**

Dell probably does build one of the best performing notebooks that one could order, well at least you could make it to be one of the best performing notebooks, but they lack in style. Of course the priority of having the notebook is having good performance, but having a stylish exterior adds value and want for the notebook/laptop. The white and gray casing gets old, and needs updating. I like the simple yet stylish look of the M1210, the rest of the line should be updated. Maybe it's just me, but the rest of the XPS line of laptops need to be toned down, it just looks to kidish and has too many things going on with it. Design a better looking notebook with the current hardware performance you have available right now, and you can guarantee it will sell better. The design does not have to be complex, but anything is better than white and gray plastic exterior you currently use. Get ideas from Apple, Asus, Sony, Toshiba and even HP. Give the exterior look of the notebook some curves......maybe evem a glossy finish, and a little texture. People spend thousands of dollars on their Dell Notebooks, at least make them feel better by making the notebooks look like it's worth the money spent on them. Give the notebook some attitude, a personality and a soul and not just a piece of plastic with a keyboard and a screen.

Dell should also give customers more choices with the video cards. I wanted to get an M1210, but was dissapointed that it only had a Geforce Go 7400 as the only choice for video card. I was more than willig to spend the extra cash on a higher end video card. Also, if sony has not patented this design/idea, what about a Video Hybrid design where you have a choice between intel graphics while on battery, and purve Nvidia graphics when plugged in. I think the idea is genious and very useful. You can use intel graphics when your running on battery to save and extend battery life, and switch over to nvidia graphics for full-on graphics power when the notebook is plugged in.

More importantly, let it be the customer's choice on which programs and services they want installed on their ordered computer. I hate turning on my newly ordered computer and having all these unwanted software and services already installed. I hate having to spend the first minutes to hours after receiving my computer uninstalling programs or doing a clean OS install.


Over the past year we launched several laptops that were developed purely for the consumer. Check out all the details on mike_h's post.





10 Comments »

35927

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 »



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