gregy

Add one (two is better) port to AC adapter on notebooks

submitted by fxmulder 11/30/07

I have my notebook with me most of the time, and use usb cables to power/charge other devices. It would be good to see a usb port on your AC adapter so I wouldn't need to power my notebook to recharge my phone. I could just connect the usb cable to the dell ac adapter - how lean that would be ! 4 Comments »

Fix CPU Whine On Intel Systems

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by codemonkeyx 08/08/07

This issue has been ignored by Dell, and other manufactures for far too long. I was hoping the issue had been addressed with the new M1330 laptop I just bought, but it has not.

When the CPU enters low power mode it makes a whining sound all the time. It's quite bad, and has been reported all over the web by thousands of users.

Dell needs to sit down with Intel, and figure out what is going on and stop ignoring the problem. 80 Comments »

Electronic paper displays

Monitors and Displays submitted by endolith 06/10/07

Invest in companies designing smartpaper displays, so that they can develop really high-quality and fast color versions like LCDs, and then use them in laptops, tablets, and standalone displays.



It's energy efficient (longer battery life), lightweight, and doesn't strain the eyes as much as an LCD; like staring into a light bulb all day. 5 Comments »

LED and OLED displays

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by mike2912 09/14/07

I would like to see more of the laptops and even desktop screens utilise the LED sisplays. The colors are richer and they consume a lot less power. The XPS 1330 is excellent so why not spread the technology to the rest of the products. 1 Comment »

linux hardware support

Dell, Linux, Monitors and Displays, Operating Systems submitted by xiandrow 06/06/07

There has been a lot of headway in the Linux support area of computer technology in the last few years. It would be awesome to see Dell lead the pack in general Linux driver support. I would be a more regular customer! The hardware on my Dell Inspiron 1501doesn't fully support Linux. Graphics and Wireless drivers are badly needed. This is a good machine, but Vista just isn't up to par yet. 2 Comments »

Multi touch, image sensing and power generating diodes in display

Desktops, Monitors and Displays submitted by j.bandringa 07/09/07

I would like to have an image sensing, power generating and multi touch display. Multifunctional organic diodes can do this.




Multifunctional organic diodes can:


• Show you something like a regular display (OLED);


• See you like a webcam (photodiode);


• Built multi touch sensing displays;


• Generate electricity like a solar cell.




I would like Dell to promote research in this field. Here you find a patent of a multifunctional organic diode. It's written in Japanese though. Take a look at the videos in the comments if you want. 4 Comments »

TrueLife LCD Display Screens Should Have An Optional Anti-Glare Coating (like camera lenses & eye-glasses)!

Gaming, Monitors and Displays submitted by hjwasson 05/09/07

There are many posts regarding the fact that TrueLife displays are far too reflective for brightly backlit conditions. User responses to the complaints suggest getting a business class display with anti-glare filter - but these displays have not kept pace, are too dim, have poor pixel response rates and often have poor color rendition.

My suggestion is a compromise: Have the option to have TrueLife displays with an Anti-Reflective coating applied - just like those found on photographic optics or eye glasses! Such coatings are not as effective as traditional anti-glare matte screens, but significantly reduce reflections without greatly impacting light transmission (which is why they are used in photographic optics - they actually enhance contrast and reduce unwanted light scatter). They would moderately eliminate most reflections, while still allowing TrueLife displays to be bright and punchy.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-reflective_coating 
 http://www.firstvisionmedia.com/uww/2005_ar/enhance_properties.html 
 http://www.firstvisionmedia.com/uww/2004_ar/ar_product_showcase.html

I'm sure that Seiko, Hoya, Essilor, iCoat and others would vie for the chance to open up a new market for their coatings, and thus bring more profits to them (and lower costs to us). Some IdeaStorm members might be concerned about scratching the coating - but consider:

1. LCD panels are already prone to scratching, and care must be taken in their cleaning.
2. Modern Anti-Reflective (AR) coatings, with their multiple layers, are far more resistant to scratching than they used to be.
3. AR coatings tend to repel dust, so the need for cleaning would be less frequent.
4. With the use of a microfiber cloth (and mild liquid cleaning formulations when needed), the AR coating and display will remain pristine for many years of service.

If you would like to see modern Anti-Reflective coatings applied to TrueLife displays (as an optional upgrade) please promote this post.

6 Comments »

Up to date video drivers: ATI requires Dell's permission...

Gaming, Monitors and Displays, Service and Support submitted by zorgkang 05/08/07

Dell doesn't bother "forwarding" to us video card driver updates released by ATI. There is an easy solution though and all that Dell has to do is say "ok" to ATI. Please read on.

When trying to update directly from ATI, I am told that I can't update my system and I should ask my laptop manufacturer. Frustrated with this, I search for another way to update my drivers and find much information on

http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool/< found out that ATI is not to blame, but Dell is. ATI comments: "We are working diligently on attracting tier1 OEMs to participate in the mobile catalyst program. Once that happens, we will update the validation tool to allow the mobile catalyst drivers to install on those platforms."

So this thread is to strongly insist that Dell join the mobile catalyst program immediately! Please let Dell know we are not satisfied with the video card driver support they provide! 6 Comments »

Use OLEDs in Dell monitors

Monitors and Displays submitted by doomlord52 07/04/07

OLEDs are much more effieient, brighter, offer higher contrast ratio's AND are much smaller. for example, SONY is currently developing a 27" HD TV with OLED technology. It has a contrast ratio of 1 million to 1, and has a response time of 0.01 MILLISECONDS. Samsung is making an 80" HD TV that is less than 2cm thick. There IS a computer monitor 19" thats only 2.1mm thick. With that kind of tech, you could make a laptop a lot thinner. OLEDs are also much more energy efficient efficient, and can save up to 30% more energy than an LCD of the same size. You can also BEND OLED monitors, because the screen is like a film.

This picture will give you an idea of the flexablility and size of OLED screens.
http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/hardware/display/oled_01.jpg< just Copy paste the link into another tab)

12 Comments »

Line-in for the notebook screen

Inspiron products, Monitors and Displays submitted by ikea 08/25/07

My Inspiron 1721 has a Full-HD screen but I only use it for notes during studies. At home it only stands there with that nice screen.
Give me a way to use the laptop full-HD screen as a secondary with my monster PC. 6 Comments »

Buy Wipower who has developed wireless power supply

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Broadband and Mobility submitted by jervis961 09/24/07

"While it's far from the first to claim that wireless power is just around the corner, upstart WiPower looks to at least have some numbers to back up its boasting, and it also has the University of Florida in its corner. According to the two, their system not "approaches commercialization," but actually "exceeds the efficiency of most corded chargers." More specifically, they say that, "in a laboratory environment," their system achieves an efficiency of about 68%, a number they think could eventually reach 80%. That's opposed to the median efficiency of 58% found in many corded power supplies today, some of which drop as low as 16%, according to WiPower. While the company isn't quite ready to say exactly how close to commercialization the technology is, it apparently plans up the ante significantly within the next few months, when it says it'll "leapfrog" the competition by demonstrating the system charging a laptop

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/24/wipower-touts-breakthrough-in-wireless-power/ 1 Comment »

Put ports for eternal wifi antennas.

Broadband and Mobility, Laptops submitted by traker1001 11/28/07

I would love to be able to plug in some Hi gain antennas to my laptop without removing the bottom cover for my laptop.

Ideally all your laptops would have 3 external jacks that we could plug in 3 Hi Gain Wifi antennas and get the full 11n draft glory, But really I would be happy with this in any combination at the moment. 7 Comments »

Solar charged battery

Environment submitted by sean.cody 06/07/07

Allow PC batteries to be charged via solar panel chargers. Charging should work in the same way and alongside conventional mains charging. In the case of solar charging, wires should connect to a portable solar panel which can be located next to a suitable office or home window. 16 Comments »

Save energy: Beep when your battery is full

Environment, Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by pkchen 06/11/07

I know a lot of people who when charging their laptops, leave the laptop plugged in even after the battery is fully recharged. This definitely wastes a lot of power!

Maybe Dell could build in an alert system (a kind beep every 30 minutes maybe?) to remind the user that their battery is full and they can unplug their notebook from the wall socket.

I know that Nokia is going to be building in this same functionality into some of their cell phones ... check the press release: http://www.nokia.com/A4136001?newsid=1125979"Nokia has launched the first mobile phones to include alerts encouraging people to unplug the charger once the battery is full, a move that could save enough electricity to power 85,000 homes a year."

Think of all the power we could save with just a simple beep! :)

21 Comments »

Battery Alternative

Laptops submitted by s43 07/16/07

I think that Dell should try powering a notebook using a micro fuel cell. That way, one would only have to replace a small fuel cartridge(containing something such as hydrogen or other fuel, if the fuel cell had a reformer), instead of recharging the battery. 10 Comments »

Allow Third Party Power Adapters

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by zcrane 11/12/07

Currently Dell won’t allow a user to charge their batteries with a third party charger, such as a Targus Universal Power Adapter. Dell has some sort of a power adapter identifier that will only allow you to *power* the notebook, but not *charge* the batteries with the said charger.

This is a horrible case of forcing customers into purchasing the Dell branded power adapter, even if a different company produces one that fits the user's needs better. This is like saying only a Dell branded mouse will work with a Dell notebook... ridiculous!

Dell, this needs to be changed, and changed soon. 22 Comments »

MagSafe - Magnetic powercord plug

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by thorin_2 02/21/07

Awesome feature that all my Mac user friends have on their MacBook Pros.

From WIkipedia.com: The MagSafe connector is a new power connector introduced in conjunction with the MacBook Pro at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco on January 10, 2006. The MagSafe connector is held in place magnetically. As a result, if it is tugged on—for instance, by someone tripping over the cord—it comes out of the socket safely, without damaging it or the computer or pulling the computer off its table or desk.

I checked, and Apple doesn't have a patent on it...yet. They have a patent pending status however there are plenty of examples of prior art. See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20060112/1555226.shtml for example. 13 Comments »

Universal Notebook Power Adapter

Laptops, Laptop Power submitted by slateslate 08/24/07

1. I've owned Dell Latitudes and Inspirons since 1998.
2. Your power adapters have a life expectancy of 12-18 months under daily mobile use. It is annoying for have these adapters fray.
3. Subsequent generations of notebooks each have unique adapters. Make all adapters the same after this generation of notebooks. So that should one power adapter fray, I can swap with another Dell adapter even if it's from a different notebook model.

OR

1. MAKE YOUR POWER ADAPTERS LESS PRONE TO FRAY AT THE END WHERE THE ADAPTER MEETS THE COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 Comments »

Port Locations....

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by benjesuit 08/30/07

Here are some ports that MUST be in the back of a Notebook.

AND NOT ON THE SIDE.

1. Power input jack.
2. 2 USB ports - at least. One for mouse / wireless mouse dongle. One for USB hub, etc.
3. HDMI/DVI/VGA - because the cables are thick.
4. Ethernet

Let's keep the desktop clean and not have cables coming out the sides of the notebook which takes up valuable space. Not to mention being an eye sore.

Thank you. 11 Comments »

Work with GRUB developers to make Media Direct work with GRUB

Linux, Laptops submitted by maccam94 04/30/07

Right now if a notebook user installs a standard Linux dual-boot with the GRand Unfied Bootloader (GRUB), Media Direct stops working. Please release a list of GRUB options, make a fix, or work with GRUB developers to make a patch so Media Direct works.

Also, when Dell starts offering Linux on laptops, I'm assuming you are going to go with current designs that have the Media Direct button. I'm fairly certain that Media Direct is a stripped down version of Windows NT, so maybe you could either put together a lightweight Linux setup that provides the same capabilities as Media Direct does now. 2 Comments »