Nothing or Linux
Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by r0xx
02/21/07
I would like to see systems without any software on it or just Linux. Most of us already own a copy of Microsoft Windows, or are Linux/Other OS users and are forced to buy a new Windows copy everytime you order a new PC.
Thanks for the attention.
756
Full Linux
Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by fgarpe
02/26/07
Ubuntu for Desktop enviroinements, Debian for Servers, free and Open Source software for base install, OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird...
No XP, no Vista, no M$ Software
1040
Freedom of choice : os & applications (us & row)
Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by shaoul
02/20/07
Hi,
i am not the first one and probably not the last one.
a freedom of choice for the OS
means you may have (& pay for) ms windows
but can choose for a linux (mandrake, suse, novell, ubuntu)
here dell may or may not sell an additional subscription
or have NO os installed at all. (cheapest)
a freedom of applications
ms office, word, works, ....
or equivalent 'open' softwares
this will also result in some financial benefit for the customer
if you want to stick to a microsoft all-in at a good price -> be welcome
if you do not need or want the m$ tax, you pay less
now, why take a machine with an os while i can download it ?
- maybe you will not have to pay for the open os when installed by dell
- installation is done, no need to look after drivers.
this can be difficult under linux, but also under windows
hp support in france refused to help me install win xp pro because the machine
was sold with xp media. close to none of the hw was recognized
(no driver to be found on hp web site)
i thought to call hp us and i got the drivers. rather long intl call...
the same is true for the applications
some customers already have paid for 'office' or windows, why double ?
last word and conclusion :
it is a matter of :
CHOICE
LIBERTY
CHEAPER PRICES
1007
No OS Preloaded
Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by agreer
02/17/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.
Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.
86090
Linux-Compatible Components
Linux submitted by jtoegel
02/22/07
I think Dell should choose Linux-Compatible components for its PCs, i.e. no components from manufacturers which are supported by the linux kernel, a GPL Driver or at least a binary driver provided for major linux distributions. That would also force manufacteres to publish the specifications of their Products, which would make Life much easier for both Linux and Windows users as well as for PC manufacturers like Dell.
1170
More OS choices
submitted by platinumriver
02/20/07
Offering a Windows only option might have been a good idea years ago, but now even Apple's Mac OS X runs on Intel hardware and Linux is certainly a great alternative.
Buyers should have a choice of OS installed. At least one OTHER choice than just Windows. How about Linux?
1418
Touchpads suck! A new internal mouse invention for Notebooks
Laptops submitted by liurical
02/16/07
Touchpads suck. I don't get why they've been around for so long. None of the big companies offer a good alternative besides us having to buy and carry around an external mouse.
I came across this invention that is effective like a normal mouse, but can be contained within a notebook computer. It can definitely remove the issues I face with the touchpad .
I characterize it as the trackball of an optical mouse, but would actually work well if designed properly.
I came across this invention after stumbling on the inventor's site. http://www.nextintuit.com He has a prototype simulation of the simple invention in flash.
The Wii and iPod were both hits, the way they input data had a lot to do with that success. I want to see something different from Dell for a change.
2117
More OS choices
Dell Web Site, Operating Systems submitted by yop
02/19/07
I would like to see more choices of OS like... No OS, Linux, Windows.
Also Better Linux driver support, but better Linux support in general.
Make the fan on laptops make less noise please.
Also more choices of software like Firefox, OpenOffice, Thunderbird etc,etc.
Don't like to be forced to buy an OS that I'm not going to use, like MS Windows.
Don't see the point of wasting money of stuff that I never going to use, since I always install Linux based system like Debian, Ubuntu and soo.
3904
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.
10490
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.
25150
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
35987
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.
34078
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.
120804
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/17/07
Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)
OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System
Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.
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.
140619
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.
152560
 track my votes
|
|
