Don't imply Microsoft IP in Linux
Linux, Operating Systems submitted by mhall119
05/07/07
Many Open Source and Linux users are troubled by Microsoft's recent deal with Novell where Novell seems to imply that their Suse Linux contains Microsoft intellecual property. Now Dell has also entered that agreement, and will be selling licenses of MS Windows with customers purchase Suse Linux.
I understand the need for compatibility between Microsoft products and Linux, but I, and many others, don't see how this agreement is improving that in any way.
I would like Dell to make an official statement that they do not believe there is any Microsoft intellectual property in any of the distributions of Linux they offer. I would also like to see Microsoft pressed to increase compatibility by opening their protocols for NetBIOS and Exchange, as well as the NTFS filesystem, to allow open source implementations.
2440
What Dell Needs To Do 2.0
Sales Strategies, Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by marmaduke
02/28/07
While I applaud Linux et al. users for convincing Dell to offer alternate OSes, that was voted on by the same 5000 people 20x each. Focus on the big picture, Dell, and you can be selling millions of units, not just a couple thousand.
NOTEBOOKS:
1.) Redesign them with blacks, grays, metal casings, carbon fiber, etc.
2.) Add webcams with omnidirectional microphones.
3.) Offer next-gen graphics cards on all Inspiron models. Face it, when Centrino Pro comes out, the Crestline x3000 integrated chip will have the same base features as the ATI x1400. Go to x1700 or above.
4.) Give us back the multi-bay.
5.) Offer EVDO or HSPDA mini-pci cards on all models, not just business.
6.) Solid State Disks, from 64GB to 128GB. They may not be cost effective to build or cheap enough to buy, but some of us are willing to spring for it.
7.) Consolidate your entire line. XPS needs (4) models, i.e. 1210, *1510, 1710 and 2010. I promise if you add a 15.4" option, a great dedicated GPU, all in a package less than $3000, you will not be able to make them fast enough to fill the orders. Inspiron line has enough options, but once again, their aesthetic appeal makes them the lepers of the technological world.
DESKTOPS:
1.) Thank you for offering other OSes.
2.) No pre-installed software.
3.) Design "desktop cubes" in three flavors, low-end, mid-range and high-end, that do not take up much space and offer every feature of their larger brethren. Apple and a few other companies already have this, but Dell could make this a household item. Very little configuration by the user -- you could even sell the flavors at retail outlets to boost revenue.
ONE MORE THING:
At your numerous kiosks, give users the ability to actually interact with the machines, not just press buttons and examine the ports. The kiosks are like museum pieces without the glass case. We need to open programs, kick the tires, and most of all touch the machines without fear of setting off an alarm.
All of these ideas have been posted before but they are not getting enough votes. These are the very things Dell needs to investigate to return to #1.
Good luck.
90
Dell Japan
Dell, Service and Support submitted by wrieken
03/01/07
Recently I had to call my lawyers and threaten to sue Dell Japan for breach of contract on a problem with my new XPS M1710 Dell computer.
Along with this problem, I discovered that Dell Japan has NO "value added services".
I would suggest that to improve customer relations in Japan and to give "Value Added Services" Dell needs to bring in new blood with new ideas.
At this point; Dell Japan is simply a distribution point for Dell with very poor customer service and NO "value added" customer advantages in the market place.
These are the ideas of OLD people executives who are over 50 in Japan. These OLD people have no bearing in the real world.
Solution:
Fire all the top executives in Japan and all of the customer support executives and find someone in their 40's to run Dell Japan operations. Only someone in this age group in Japan would have the experience to carry out such an operation.
The other possibility would be to bring in an executive from abroad; similar to what NISSAN did to improve the market position. The reason; Japanese cannot act upon their own, because they neither have nor do they want the responsibility to make the right changes. This is the nature of the Japanese culture. Thus NISSAN brought in an outsider and went from the bottom to the top in just a few years. Dell could learn a lot from NISSAN.
For Dell, the most important thing in Japan these days is "Value Added Services" and not good, but "GREAT" customer service relationships. For now Dell Japan has neither of these and is going to fail just like Gateway did.
Many people in Japan are moving away from Intel Windows PC's and moving towards Apple's new Mac OSX. The biggest reason for this? Poor service and no Value Added products or services in the Windows market. I have purchased over 100 Dell computers in my workplace and 3 laptops personally. But now I am also considering that the next computers will be Apple for the very reason that I am writing these suggestions. For me; Dell is no longer the USER FRIENDLY company I used to know. I don't need the added stress to deal with such a company, it is easier for me to change platforms then to add the stress to deal with Dell computer company.
Dell would be wise to look at what happened to Gateway; the previous Top laptop and desktop producer in Japan in order not to repeat the failure.
William Rieken
Ph.D. Candidate
NAIST, JAPAN
rieken@is.naist.jp
70
Do what AMD did to ATI: Buy out AMD
Dell submitted by shams
02/23/07
Financially-struggling AMD is desperate; buy them for cheap. The consolidation will help cut parts expense. Transfer the savings over to the customer. Now you'd have a great product at a real competitive price.
220
Better looks and the ability to buy Dell and Alienware locally.
Sales Strategies submitted by akiba
03/01/07
Design has been a failure for most of the PC manufactures. Alienware got it right but they don't offer very much for the average budget. Mac has a nice style that does not apeal to everyone so I would look to your own guys at Alienware for case designs etc and not Appple.
The Alienware machines are soo much more impressive in person then on the web. Even Dell's look and feel better than a website can portray them. I'm buying a Dell or Alienware notebook as a secondary machine. The only reaons I chose elsewhere for my primary machines is becaue I am an impulsive shopper who like to see what he's investing in and recieve it right away. Overall I think the XPS M1210 is very attractive design and configuration. I would like to more compact notebooks (12 to 14" monitors)with decent graphics cards.
As far as Linux goes just be mindfull that it was an organized effort that brought so many supporters here and not a primary concern of all of your existing and potential customers. I'm not saying a choice would be bad.
90
Firefox support on Japanese website
Dell Web Site submitted by tenrou
02/20/07
Unbelievable as it may be in these days of near 20% market penetration for Firefox DELL's Japanese website denies access to the system-configuration pages to any and all browsers except Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and above or Netscape 4.6 or above.
Having such an antiquated browser-check is totally ridiculous!
I was considering buying a XPS m1210 on my next visit to japan but unless this issue is fixed (and I thus can surf in and order my DELL with my Ubuntu-powered computer) I will most definitely look elsewhere for a laptop that suits my needs.
On an unrelated side-note I would very much like not having to pay Microsoft-tax on any machine that I might be purchasing from DELL as I have no intention of running any of their software on it. But i suppose that is discussed in other parts of this site as well.
335
Better speakes in notebooks
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by rhdv
03/02/07
I know that it is quite hard to produce good sound with the built-in speakers of a note book. But the Dell notebooks (even the high-end XPS M1710 I have) have absolutely horrible sound coming from their speakers. Before this notebook I owned a high-end Toshiba. That sound was actually bearable. The sound of my new Dell is horrible. So the suggestion is to go from horrible to bearable sound coming from the built-in speakers.
110
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.
151150
New Laptop
Service and Support, XPS products submitted by dkcan
02/17/07
I have been looking around many laptops from dell, and I must say I'm amazed. But even though the products seem fantastic overall, I still want XPS series to broadband itself to give more options.
My favorite laptop so far was XPS M1210; due to its amazing idea to pack a punch in something very small. My idea is to create next generation that focuses more on its size - since M1210 is very thick compared to other ultra portables. Anyone with me on the idea of creating ultra portable gaming laptop?
132
Customer Appreciation and Rewards
Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by ltcmurray
02/21/07
I have personally purchased six computers from Dell, from top o' the line XPS gaming rigs to workday laptops and desktops. How about a little something for the effort? as Carl would say.
Discounts
special offers
freebies and giveaways
I am loyal to you, how about you being loyal to us?
143
Touch Screens
submitted by smh
03/04/07
Make an affordable laptop with the ability to use a touch screen similar to a PDA. I don't know if it is available on the business notebooks but I would like to see it available on the Inspiron and XPS line as an option at a reasonable price.
130
Jump on New Hardware Before Competitors
Dell, Gaming, XPS products submitted by shiloh.meyers
02/17/07
Dell would benefit tremendously in their XPS line if they were to release new hardware as soon as developers released it. Take for example the Santa Rosa Intel laptop chipset. I believe that at least in Dell's XPS line, they should put it into their computers ASAP. I Dell will wait sometimes to see how hardware will fare in the general computing market, but with the XPS line, which is supposed to cater to gamers and more experienced computer users, I don't believe it benefits Dell to wait on the release of the hardware while their competitors grab all those gamers who were waiting specifically for that hardware and release it first. We, as gamers, already know what's coming out, and we'll want it as soon as it can be obtained. I think if Dell were to release it that early, gamers and more knowledgable computer users would make it worth the effort.
288
System Security - Fingerprint Scanners
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by guardianxps
02/17/07
I would like to see computers have some new technology added like Fingerprint scanners. Stolen computers are an issue and adding this will create a better level of security. The only downside I can see would be if one person sold the computer to another and didnt reset the scanner.
Still, I would like to see this and I am sure others would too.
652
Trickin' Out Your Dell
Dell Community, Dell Web Site, Desktops and Laptops submitted by john_saddington
02/17/07
Dell should provide ways to "trick out" your dell, or provide support for those who are interested.
For example, say a consumer of your XPS Desktop line wants to add cool looking LED lighting systems inside and outside of their box. Providing "support" for that (either using social media, like forums where other customers could help each other, or "official" support) would be nice.
Also, possibly providing places on a gaming system that allow "expandability" beyond just the usual memory upgrade... like addition of a cool attachment for headsets... microphones, mice, keyboard, whatever... or, creating "aftermarket" parts, like changing out the chassis or something. Just like a car!
717
Avoid Glare On Screens and Notebook Frames
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by bobetsue
02/20/07
Glare and reflection from high glare screens, screen frames, and notebook computers is annoying and distract from function and use.
In stores, this may be a marketing ploy. Consumers may not fully understand the problem of glare. Online sellers like Dell should inform buyers when shopping whether the screen and case are "glare" or "nonglare."
When "nonglare" was introduced to television, shoppers considered it an advantage worthy of extra expense. In the art world, nonglare glass is considered worthy of extra expense.
How did we ever get glossy screens?
Dell should offer customers a choice between "glare" and "nonglare."
438
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.
22916
Flagship Laptops
submitted by iano
03/03/07
How about some flagship high end impressive laptops with innovative features? OK, so the bread and butter may come from value for money products that can be a little staid, but why not a few 'funky but expensive' flagship products to help the brand image?
They need not sell in huge volume as long a the mags rave over them!
50
Too many confusing brands
Dell Web Site, XPS products submitted by silversow
02/17/07
Look at the XPS line on the US site. There are 4 systems to choose from, all basically the same, but with different base configurations and prices. Why not just offer 1 XPS system that the user can then upgrade to meet his/her needs. At the very least reduce the number of base configurations to 2 or 3 like on the Canadian site.
423
 track my votes
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