fellrun

Modular Card Reader System For Sub-/Notebooks

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by wolfgang 02/23/07

Do you know how many memory card systems are available? I don't know. I only know that I cannot find a Dell subnotebook with the card reader I need. (SD & CF) -> Solution: Select the one you need yourself! Comment »

Linux Hardware that Works

Linux, Laptops submitted by steveneddy 03/13/07

I would like to have a laptop that runs a version of Linux that I want (Fedora or Ubuntu) and have all of the hardware just work.

I think that this Dell project will bring something to the Linux community that we need. I believe that this is a good move for Michael Dell, I just hope that this doesn't get swept under the rug or used only as a publicity ploy.

Imagine all of the people that you could introduce to another operating system besides windows or Mac. dual booting as a basic set up with all of the hardware working on both sides could become the wave of the future in safety and security for the masses.

Maybe the work done by Dell could also help others get hardware running that use other types of laptops and unique laptop hardware.

I just bought a new laptop from a manufacturer that installs Linux from the beginning and not using a windows PC, with the only caveat being the dial up modem and built in camera is inop. This is really disappointing, but it is not the end of the world as the rest of the system works beautifully. this is a great PC, runs Ubuntu Edgy 6.10 and is the coolest laptop I have ever owned.

Michael, you are a very brave fellow to venture into this area and with the extreme dissatisfaction of a large majority of Vista users, this is an opportunity for your company to shine

If Dell offered a laptop with Ubuntu 64 bit Edgy preinstalled or the same version of Fedora, I would buy a version of that laptop that would match the performance option of my current laptop.

Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2 Ghz
2 Gig RAM
nVidia video card w/ 256 mb VRAM
DVD/RW
wireless, bluetooth, PCM/CIA, SD Card reader, IEEE1394

If you build it, Mike, they will come.

PS....I paid $2000 for this laptop and I would spend a couple hundred more if everything worked with Linux. Really.

-Steven Eddy Comment »

Scroll bar control for laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by carlolsen 04/20/07

Add a simple "mouse wheel" device to the edge of a laptop (possibly in multiple locations for convenience) that simply causes the vertical scroll bar of any active winow to scroll.

That way, there is no need to move the mouse pointer over to the scroll bar, in order to scroll, which can be awkward with the little mouse touch pad thingies 4 Comments »

Make Dell desktop systems "QUIET"

Desktops submitted by jtome 04/20/07

I currently own a Dell XPS tower. It works great, but while doing professional design work it gets hot and starts making an awful amount of noise. I've tried turning on the AC during the summer, this helps but the system even gets hot in the winter time! I have another smaller Dell desktop in the other room which does not make noise, but it is not as powerful. I've upgraded my XPS system to have a TV Tuner and watch live TV. This works great but after a few hours of watching the fans are running hard.

I've used Apple Mac Pro systems which are more powerful than my 3.2Ghz XPS system and they are super quiet. I've even gone into computer labs which have all XP Intel extreme systems and another lab with all Mac pro systems and the noise difference is astonishing. You could hear pins dropping in the Mac Pro lab while they have to have the AC on 24/7 in the XP Lab to keep the buzzing noises down.

I've had clients over my house before to record audio for a video I was editing, and I had to ask them to be patient while I powered down my XPS system to cool off !! 6 Comments »

Removable Laptop LCD

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by marco925 04/20/07

Laptop LCDs should be easily removed for replacement or upgrade. Also they should be connected to the laptop using a non-proprietary connector(IE: DVI or MiniDVI) so that they can be salvaged if they outlast the rest of the laptop. Nothing is worse than a perfectly good part that doesn't work with anything but one machine. I also suggest having options for laptop LCDs for sale too in case of an upgrade, and attachable mounts so that the old monitor can be used in perhaps a Desktop environment or external laptop monitor. 1 Comment »

"Trade In" Program

Advertising and Marketing, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by john_saddington 02/19/07

I'd love to see a "Trade In" Program and/or initiative, where a customer who's been a long time customer could trade in an old system for a new one, or at least, a good sized discount.

I've got an old laptop and seriously need a new one. It's been out of warranty for a long time, but, would love to get a discount for a new one if I could trade it in.

This would also be environmentally healthy! 34 Comments »

Help create Open Source drivers - employ or hire a few developers

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by tingo 02/21/07

The Open Source market is growing - fast.
Dell should invest a small amount in this, in order to gain a huge market share and sales.
Employ or hire a few Open Source developers to create drivers for your products (for Open source operating systems).
Make sure that
- you support as many of the Open Source OS's as you can (Linux, *BSD, others)
- the drivers are completely open sourced (no binary blobs)
- that you take a long time view on this and support the drivers for as many years as you can
- you create open source drivers for ALL new products
- there are no strings attached to the use or further development of those drivers (ie. use an acceptable FOSS license)

This idea is completely free - the first company to use it wins. 15 Comments »

Linux compatibility assurance

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by moseby 02/20/07

The first major PC vendor that provides a product line and an online ordering system that allows me to shop and configure machines that are assured of having 100% support by linux wins my business.

I would expect some hardware to require vendor supplied binary drivers. I would want an indication of that fact and be given the choice of choosing that device or other hardware with community support.

Other ideas offered here that I resonate with are: 1) I don't need machines preloaded with any distro but may choose that option if offered, and 2) I don't need Dell support for the OS, that is what the community is for. 5 Comments »

Linux based PDA!

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

I would love to be able to buy a commercially supported linux based PDA, some exsist but they are difficult to obtain. I want to be able to use powerful linux tools on the go. 34 Comments »

pre-installed linux ubuntu on desktops and laptops

Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by fra9000 02/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

i think linux will be the future...so please make some model-line of desktops and laptops with ubuntu linux pre-installed... thanks


This idea has been implemented on select desktops and notebooks in the US, UK, France and Germany.

80 Comments »

Remove metallic Windows sticker

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by bastos 02/21/07

The unremovable metallic "Vista capable" or "Designed for XP" sticker serves no purpose as soon as the laptop is in use by the end-user. Dell should design its notebooks to be sleek, stylish and simple -- and a permanent stickers is the exact opposite. This is (in part) why Apple sells the most stylish laptops, and why the one you buy is never as nice as the one you see in the promotional-pictures (no stickers!)

Replace the metallic sticker with an easily removable one !!! Dell should be large enough to stand up to Microsoft (who no doubt enforces the metal stickers). 23 Comments »

Sell more desktops without monitors, keyboards, etc

Desktops, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by gordonbrown77 02/16/07 **COMING SOON**

Make it an option to not get things people may already have when upgrading a PC such as monitors, mouse, keyboard. This would be good environmentally and save people some money if they already have theae things and will not be keeping the old PC. 34 Comments »

Respect of the EULA terms (refund of OS)

Operating Systems submitted by grosguillaume 02/19/07

On every EULA from Windows OS, it's clearly write that a consumer who disagree with the term of the EULA contract can be refunded, but it's not possible with Dell's computer. 19 Comments »

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.





45 Comments »

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 »

coreboot (formerly LinuxBIOS) instead of proprietary BIOS

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by yesmathew 02/20/07

coreboot (formerly known as LinuxBIOS) is a Free Software project aimed at replacing the proprietary BIOS (firmware) you can find in most of today's computers.
- Fast boot times 3 sec.
- Runs in 32-Bit protected mode almost from the start
- Can boot Windows too...

External links:
- http://www.coreboot.org/Welcome_to_coreboot
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxbios<

An Example:
- http://wiki.laptop.org/go/LinuxBIOS 92 Comments »

Linux 2.6.16 ready (sticker)

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by chiuchu 02/19/07

Hello,
How about a sticker like windows' which show that the PC is fully compatible with Linux ? A sticker with "Linux 2.6 ready" or "Ubuntu 6.10 Capable" or something like this. Thanks. 112 Comments »

Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware

Linux submitted by gergnz 02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.




186 Comments »

Stripped down, fast Linux Box

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Linux submitted by pawprintz 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

How about a fast, Internet ready Linux desktop. Small form factor, pretty monitor, mouse & keyboard, the O.S., OpenOffice & Firefox. Cheap'n'fast


Dell sees the value of this idea, and is keeping the sugestions for a Linux small form factor on the radar. john_h will let the community know of any new information as it comes.




130 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 »