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Make Linux and no Operating system standard options on all future products

Operating Systems submitted by jervis961 08/17/07 **REVIEWED**

OK Dell you have committed to supplying Linux options in limited form. Since you have laid the groundwork already here is the next step. Every new product you release that needs an Operating system should have Linux and also no Operating System as an option in the configuration along side Windows. Since you have to write drivers and test compatability for Vista when making a new product just make it compatable with Linux at the same time. There will no longer be a need for a seperate sections for Linux or no Operating system since all of the products will have the option. this will help make your site easier to navigate for you customers. You can also create an ACCURATE help me choose section for the OS choices.





Check out what daniel_j has to say on the options we offer.





189 Comments »

Move the call centre to a English speaking country

Service and Support submitted by matt_h1 07/03/07

Im sick of ringing support and getting people I can barely understand, who constantly misinterpret what you have asked, A number of big companies in Australia tried the offshore call centers and most went back to Australian ones due to customer backlash. 16 Comments »

Dell drivers on a chip inside the computer

Service and Support submitted by explo5ivo 12/18/07

Well not exactly, I know other people has posted that Dell should use USB flash drives instead of discs to ship drivers., but how about this:

I really think that Dell needs to be the first computer manufacturer to add a chip inside the system that will allow access to the Internet and will automatically connect to Dell servers to download the drivers, it could be a very easy and simple to use interface, something like the F12 on boot menu.

This way it's easier and faster to get drivers rather than wait for a disc, and this chip will automatically download the right drivers.

This way the drivers will be available and ready to go after installing Windows. Anyone who has dealt with driver installation after a hard drive failure knows it's a pain to search for drivers online. 1 Comment »

Mike Dell for USA President!

Dell submitted by reg 05/29/07

Well, you see how being Vice President has helped Haliburton gain contracts,
if Mike Dell was President of the USA he could require all State, Federal schools to buy
only Dell computers - or end their government funded support.

Mike Dell For President of USA -
or do you want Hillary Clinton to win?

It's not like he could do a worse job - quite the opposite,
Mike Dell is sophisticated and educated,
a true real leader for the USA.

I PROMOTE THE MIKE DELL 4 PRESIDENT - WRITE IN CAMPAIGN !

When it comes time to vote for USA president, write in: MICHAEL DELL .

You got my vote, Mike!
59 Comments »

Dell for Soldiers

Dell Community, Service and Support submitted by haler 11/12/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

My step-son is leaving for Iraq in January. His mom can't afford a laptop for him and neither can I, but I thought it could be done if everyone in the family could contribute via a site, then when there was enough, you could ship him a laptop!

This could be a great "community" PR thing for Dell -- Set up a website, soldiers could register -- somehow they are qualified, then anyone could go and give $5 to a few people. When the solider gets their laptop, they could receive a list of email addresses of the contributors if the contributors cared to share it -- then they could be pen pals too.











27 Comments »

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.

459 Comments »

Ubuntu Dell Repo

Linux, Service and Support submitted by tekhawk 07/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

basicly a simple idea dell to support the ubuntu community a little bit by running a repo for its laptops and desktop if nothing more to support the software that they install on the system and to provide driver updates theses repos should be setup on the machines before shipping so that the users can get the driver updates quick and easy and offer driver on there for all the drivers that there are for dell machines that are support on linux not just the shipping lines

so that user might find that other machines then the ones you ship with ubuntu can easly be made into power ubuntu operating machines


As matt_d has said below, we have repositories for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, and a growing one for Ubuntu. Check it out here http://linux.dell.com.
76 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 »

Offering pre-configured dual-boot installations is important for obtaining proper OS usage statistics

Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies submitted by patsoe 09/24/07

If Dell really want to know how important OSS drivers compatibility of their hardware is to their customer base, it will be useful to offer pre-configured dual-boot systems in addition to the single-OS (MS Windows or Ubuntu GNU/Linux) offerings. This way, buyers can express their appreciation for OSS drivers supporting hardware, while still obtaining a Windows license with their purchase.

Alternatively, a special configuration option would be nice, where you can just click a radio-button that says "only display hardware options with OSS drivers" - this option would "grey out" any hardware options that don't provide OSS drivers, and it would give Dell a good picture of the importance of this feature, regardless the OS that the hardware is then sold with. Comment »

Dell Sell Flash Memory that is Ready Boost Compatible

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Servers and Storage submitted by jorge 07/25/07

Dell sell flash memory that is ReadyBoost compatible. Test it on your own laptops and desktops to verify it and add the resulting memory speeds to the product information page so customers know it is a viable product for ReadyBoost!

If you're going to sell Vista, at least make sure to sell its needed accessories for improved performance (it needs it).

[Note: Sorry Ubuntu but luckily we don't need that do we!] 25 Comments »

alienware

Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by nardzro 09/03/07

Can you sell Alienware on your website? would be easy to compare with your XPS product 3 Comments »

Blu-Ray Shouldn't Cost so Much

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies submitted by fgilley 09/04/07

With Blu-Ray being in competition with HD-DVD, and Dell supporting the Blu-ray option, the systems with Blu-Ray drives seem EXTEREMLY OVER PRICED. I love the idea of blu-ray, i have a Playstation 3 with a Blu-ray player, and the movies in HD look awesome, but i can't believe that a laptop with a blu-ray disk writer is so much.

Why cant you get a CHEAP system + Blu-ray

The only option right now is to get a HIGH END 2500+ system, and then ADD the blu-ray to that system making it 3000+ dollars!!

Wheres a Consumer Inspiron or Vostro notebook with good proc, mem, ect and a nice blu-ray? somewhere around the 1000 dollar mark.. ? *maybe 1500 dollar mark with the 1920x1200 display to view in HD, and hopefully avail in 15 inch not just 17 inch models?!* 19 Comments »

Computer Should be Free if it Doesn't Arrive on Time

Service and Support submitted by badblood 09/05/07

When Dell specify a shipping date for a product and when (if?) it doesn't arrive on time the computer or other product should be free. 27 Comments »

Plz include Open Office & Firefox on the list of software while customizing PC.

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by macmoh 09/10/07

Dear Dell,

Please include Open Office and Firefox with list of software so that every one can choose which software he should install on their PC, while customizing PC.

Thanks millions of tonnes to you in advance.

Mac 2 Comments »

Put wheels on the bottom of PC cases (as an option of course)

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by badblood 09/10/07

Put wheels on the bottom of PC cases (as an option of course). Mag wheels, alloy, spinners, chrome, gold or just plain shopping trolley plastic wheels. Put wheels on the bottom to make it easier to wheel in and wheel out the PC case when you're changing all the bloody cords at the back.

9 Comments »

Tell us what WiFi chipset a laptop has.

Broadband and Mobility, Dell Web Site, Linux, Laptops submitted by tonyb2006 08/29/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Tell us the WiFi chipset used in a laptop before we buy it so we know if the WiFi chipset supports a feature we want, or if it supports Linux or another operating system that we intend to use. The WiFi chipset being like "Intel ipw2200" or "Broadcom BCM4306", or "Ralink rt2500".







19 Comments »

Support your hardware, whether or not it came with Ubuntu pre-installed

Service and Support submitted by jon_anderson_ca 08/13/07

I just got off the phone with technical support. The tech told me that, even though I'm grappling with a hardware problem, he would only support me if I'm running Windows XP. Actually, he *would* support me if the computer came with Ubuntu pre-installed (and if that were an option a year ago, I would have went that way), but since it didn't, he refused to support me.

I can understand not training people to support tons of Linux distributions, but this is not a software issue... it is a Hardware Problem. What OS I run is irrelevant.

Here's a rough transcript of the end of our conversation:

[ after 10-15 minutes ]

Tech: I need you to check your Battery Properties.

Me: The design capacity is 7800mAh, the last full charge was 1400mAh, [etc.]

Tech: How do you know that?

Me: I use Linux. [ note: I'm running Ubuntu, which Dell sells on laptops now ]

[ long pause ]

Tech: We only support Windows.

Me: This is a hardware issue, not an OS one.

Tech: I agree, sir, it's a hardware problem, but I can't support you unless you run Windows, or unless we shipped the laptop with Linux on it.

Me: Okay... but you can see the problem as soon as the machine turns on, *before* the OS boots! It's a problem with the battery's control circuitry!

Tech: I'm sorry, sir, but we are trained on Windows, and won't support you unless you are running Windows, or unless Dell supplied you with Linux.

Me: Thank you for your time, goodbye. 9 Comments »

Stay aware of Vista's problems. - PC Magazine's Chief Editor just wrote a great column.

Dell, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz 08/18/07

Jim Louderback, the Editor in Chief for PC Magazine just wrote a great article summarizing some of the issues with Vista. It's not just a fringe group of XP luddites and unix users having issues with Vista - Major frustrations go to the top of the leading windows advocacy publications.

Also relevant for IdeaStorm - in the article he bashes a Dell notebook with Vista.

09.04.07
By Jim Louderback.
After five years at Ziff Davis Media and nearly 16 years in editorial content ...

...my latest beef is with Vista.

Maybe it was something in the water? I've been a big proponent of the new OS over the past few months, even going so far as loading it onto most of my computers and spending hours tweaking and optimizing it. So why, nine months after launch, am I so frustrated? The litany of what doesn't work and what still frustrates me stretches on endlessly.

Take sleep mode, for example. ...totters off to sleep but never returns. I have to cold-start it to bring it back. This after replacing virtually every driver inside. It's gotten so bad that I've actually nicknamed it Chip Van Winkle. And I've nicknamed my primary Dell notebook Philip Marlowe. ...

Networking, too, gives me huge headaches....I've configured every PC on my home network to share drives and printers, yet owing to some undiscovered element, there's no guarantee that any of them will be visible at any given time....

...Vista has replaced XP's quick reaction time with molasses....

could go on and on about the lack of drivers, the bizarre wake-up rituals, the strange and nonreproducible system quirks, and more. But I won't bore you with the details. The upshot is that even after nine months, Vista just ain't cutting it. I definitely gave Microsoft too much of a free pass on this operating system: I expected it to get the kinks worked out more quickly. Boy, was I fooled! If Microsoft can't get Vista working, I might just do the unthinkable: I might move to Linux.

Sorry for the long quotes - but it's important for Dell to know that it's not just long-time Unix users (like me and a few others on IdeaStorm) frustrated with Vista and suggesting Linux. PC Magazine's Editor in Chief and long time Windows advocate has come to the same conclusion.

Idea 1: Dell - please stay in touch with how much people outside of Microsoft's Salesguys are frustrated with Vista.

Idea 2: Dell - please don't force this OS on your customers on *ANY* model computer you sell and make sure both XP and Linux options are available.

PS: why's there no "Vista" category on IdeaStorm. 19 Comments »

Dell Include a Ubuntu CD with every purchase of a Non-Ubuntu OS System for every System you sell.

Dell, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jorge 08/14/07

Dell Include a Ubuntu CD with every purchase of a Non-Ubuntu OS System for every System you sell.



Your other non-Ubuntu OS offerings are hurting due to viruses, Trojans, e-mail bombs, worms, random system errors, un-reproducible memory handling errors, the list goes on. Offering them a second option once they experience the pain and agony is the best thing Dell can do.

Show your customers you care and provide them with a Ubuntu OS install CD (which can run in Live mode as well). 15 Comments »

Has Vista been a bullet to the foot for Microsoft????

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by kdubber 07/28/07

Despite the hype.. it is starting to appear that Microsoft may have fired a real shot..right into their own collective foot with Vista!
I have recently seen a lot of murmuring and reporting on IT managers looking REALLY hard into Linux or Macintosh for a replacement operation system.. the cost of upgrading to Vista is fueling the speculation into what other OS's are out there to do the job!
Looks like a perfect time for a consortium of suppliers..both software and hardware to work together on a lower cost option for these IT managers..
If not this MS upgrade then the next one could possbily spell the END of MS's domination of the market in the OS world!
So who is going to step up to the plate? Dell? Google? Macintosh? If it is Mac Dell is out for the count isn't it? SO?? Time for Dell version of Linux? I have been promoting it since the early days of IDEASTORM.. so maybe it is time to listen to all of us that are promoting the idea.. look for DelLinux and other ideas ..
FWIW...
Kent 12 Comments »