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Fix The Awful Volume Control & Media Buttons Buttons On The XPS M1330

XPS products submitted by scubby 12:36pm

The media control buttons are the biggest downfall of this product for a variety of reasons:

1) There's no tactile feel...so when pressing F9 & F10 repeatedly (popular for anyone doing debugging), you constantly hit the eject button by accident. What's worse: when you do this: the laptop freezes for a second and the music skips.

2) You can't quickly adjust the sound volume. The current process is to just hold your finger on the button and wait for the volume to change. Very unintuitive.

My solution:
1) Give the media buttons tactile feel.
2) Replace the volume +/- buttons with a slider component, which would allow the user to slide a finger up and down the face of the laptop to adjust the volume. This would eliminate the need for a mute button: You could just slide your finger all the way to the bottom very quickly to mute the sound. 3 Comments »

Live Linux CDs for diagnostics

Desktops, Linux, Operating Systems, Service and Support, Software submitted by undead999 11:41am

Offer a live Linux CD/DVD or ISO for diagnostics and data recovery. A corrupt operating system that wont boot may result in unnecessary data loss, what if a user could get to their files and export them to a CD or USB drive using a Dell provided Live Linux CD, customer satisfaction will improve. While the dell diagnostics hidden on utility partition can be useful, they do not offer complete diagnostics such as testing a network cards, writing to CD or DVD.

I understand there will be driver limitations for new models initially, it may take months or a year to get all/most of the drivers for a new system, but this is still a better option than a Dell customer losing data or doing a complete reinstall to troubleshoot hardware.

This could also position Dell to put more pressure on hardware vendors to develop Linux drivers ultimately expanding Dells Linux product offerings. Comment »

Start A New Independent PC Company

submitted by gear 8:41am

What is now clear is that DELL's biggest enemy to doing things differently is DELL.

For example, I believe that DELL cannot get out from under the agreements with Microsoft that virtually compels the company to install Windows and Office on every single PC (except servers) sold in order to get the best price or to participate in their promotional programs.

Well, what if a handful of people were to "resign" from DELL, go out and start a brand new mail order PC company from scratch (with ahem, guess who investing) to do the things that DELL cannot do?

Like offer Linux, no OS, etc.

The company can be a virtual company and buy off the same suppliers, who would be,. nudge, nudge, willing to give the new company nearly as good prices as it gives DELL.

All except Microsoft, of course. 1 Comment »

speed dialing

Simplify IT submitted by bari4896 8:26am

Isn't it strange how, the faster things go, the more impatient we are?
Is there a way (there should be!) to "speed dial" frequently used sites without accessing the bookmark and then having to log into it. A separate data device that plugs into a usb could store all the data and run through the steps at a touch 1 Comment »

cable hook up

Simplify IT submitted by bari4896 8:07am

bear in mind that I'm part of the dinosaur generation that isn't exactly computer savy. Would it not be possible to add to a tower to allow cable tv hookup so that I wouldn't need a separate monitor and television? 3 Comments »

hybrid design

Dell submitted by bari4896 8:02am

I find laptops to be less than ergonomic. If I set mine on my lap it isn't stable and it's hot. I don't want another item to carry to solve these problems. If I set the laptop on a desk or table I am often not at a good working height and keeping off the front of the panel can be difficult.

I'd like to see a laptop hybrid where the keyboard is in the front of the unit and the mouse retracts into the bottom of the keyboard. I'd like to have the keyboard able to separate from the rest of the unit so that I can hold the keyboard on my lap while the rest of the unit sits safely on a table or desk. Pull out stability brackets on the back could keep the screen from tipping. 1 Comment »

Stop Advertising Windows Vista On Your Linux Pages

Advertising and Marketing, Dell, Dell Community, Dell Web Site, Linux, Service and Support submitted by aikiwolfie 6:06am

A while ago I noticed the Latitude XT promotional demo video in the Linux section of the Dell community page. And questioned it's relevance then. In the open source page on Dell.com Dell is still trying to steer open source users back to Windows.

The Latitude XT is a Microsoft Windows only product and is not offered with Ubuntu or any other form of Linux so far as i know. In fact the demo video shows the Latitude XT running Windows Vista. Please stop badgering open source users and stop hounding them with this Windows Vista nonsense. We've already decided we're not interested. 4 Comments »

Just the same CPU!

Sales Strategies submitted by sautiller 2:35am

At Dell Taiwan, the default CPU for Inspiron and XPS laptops is Intel T8300 now. But the prices for an upgrade from T8300 to T9300 vary! Isn't it just the same CPU? Why?

Inspiron 1520:
T8300 to T9300: Cost NT$ 3141.6-

Inspiron 1720:
T8300 to T9300: Cost NT$ 4983.3-

XPS M1530:
T8300 to T9300: Cost NT$ 2946.3-

Dell Taiwan website:
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=tw&cs=twdh... 4 Comments »

Vostros and left handed users

submitted by taipeimarc Yesterday

I recently purchase a Dell Vostro 1500. Its a great computer, but as a left handed mouse user, the heat vent on the left side of the laptop is excruciatingly painful. In addition, 3 months after I purchased this laptop, my LCD panel developed a yellow vertical line down the screen. I believe this was caused by my hand blocking the air circulation of the vent. (~just a guess, but I read on the Dell forums that heat is one of the reasons this occurs).

I was offered the option to return this computer, but other than this problem I am very satisfied with it and would prefer to keep it (with a repaired LCD panel) if Dell can offer a solution.

I suggest that Dell build a simple and cheap heat deflector for lefties and send it to any user that complains about this problem. If not, they should at the very least place a warning on the Vostro online store site and warn left handed users about this problem.

Here is my concept idea:



PS. I live in Taipei and can easily find someone to make this for next to nothing. Feel free to contact me as I would be glad to be your beta tester. Left handed people really need this. Its a big problem for us. Thank you. 5 Comments »

Ubuntu Linux systems Down Under

Dell, Linux submitted by finkisadink Yesterday

At present it's not possible to buy a Dell system with Linux preinstalled within Australia. This is something that I believe should be resolved as soon as practicable — at present I'm having to buy systems with Windows preinstalled, only to never use that license... and this also costs me time & money as I have to perform a full SOE build from scratch. 2 Comments »

Avability of LED LCD Screen in France

submitted by mdevoucoux Yesterday

I live in France and here, it's impossible to choose a LED Lcd screen, but it's possible to buy a DELL XPS M1530 with it in the US. So, it's also not possible to have a 7200 rpm hard disk...

I don't understand why we cannot choose the same parts in US and in France... 3 Comments »

How about now

Linux, Operating Systems, Vostro products, Simplify IT, Laptops submitted by tekhawk Yesterday

Idea marked status "Not Now" how about now

Ubuntu + Vostro Line

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/71869/Vostro_10001700_Ubuntu_Systems

Show your support in asking dell to take a second look are they ready now. 1 Comment »

Dummy Laptop for a high end cpu/computer

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell, Desktops, New Product Ideas, Desktops and Laptops, Laptops submitted by c_v_nag Yesterday

DummyLaptop = Laptop With Only (Monitor [17" min] + Keyboard + Mouse + Speaker + Mic + VideoCam)

I like my computers. I have a 2 high end quadpro computers loaded with various hardware and software.

But i want to move around, maybe sleep on a couch and i dont like to sit at one place. I just want a DummyLaptop (defined above) which could be just plugged in to any computer. I could use that at any place like my office, home, at a friend's place, or even at a public booth with just a CPU... 5 Comments »

E-shopping made easy

submitted by diegok Yesterday

As an online shopper, I find myself tired typing over and over, credit cards numbers, expiration dates, and all the info asked when you buy stuff over the internet.
My idea would be installing a payment device inside the, desktop or laptop, computer or even the paypass, and the only thing you have to worry about is find the right credit card. 2 Comments »

Fanless Laptop

Laptops submitted by phil.christs Yesterday

With the new Intel Silverthorne platform, all the Atom Z5xx processors have a TDP of less than 4W. It should be possible to design a completely fanless heat dissipation solution for laptops based on these, and I for one would find the reduced noise extremely desirable. This would not require any outlandish water-cooling, rather the power is low enough to rely just on convection, or simply distribute the heat through an alloy case for the laptop. Dell, please make a totally fanless laptop. Comment »

Hardware numberpad on all 17 inch laptops

Laptops submitted by phil.christs Yesterday

On 17 inch laptops there is plenty of space for a full size keyboard with a hardware numberpad to the right of it. All 17 inch laptops should have them. This is one way in which Dell's workstations could be better than the Macbook Pro. 3 Comments »

Offer Open Office for Buisness Market

submitted by siger Yesterday

Offer Open Office for Buisness Market 7 Comments »

Offer Microsoft Office Home & Student in Small Business section

Advertising and Marketing, Dell, Sales Strategies, Software, Small Business submitted by ccpljat Yesterday

The title is pretty self-explanatory. I don't see a reason that small business customers would not be allowed to get the Home and Student edition. If those are the products they want and don't want to pay higher prices for software they won't use, they by gosh let them have it! 6 Comments »

HDMI/DVI input on HD laptops.

Dell, Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by impulse Yesterday

It's great that Dell offers HDMI and DVI-D outputs on their XPS laptops, but is it possible to add HDMI and DVI inputs as well?

For those that already have a Blu-ray player or Playstation 3, it kind of sucks that we can't take advantage of the 1080p capable screens that Dell offers on the M1530 and M1730.

I think being able to use the HD screen available on at least the M1730 as a monitor for consoles or Blu-ray players would be a great idea, as it would save people such as myself from having to buy an external monitor or new TV. 1 Comment »

13/15" Dell Touch

Laptops submitted by pablohs 2 days ago

I believe that one of the reasons Dell started Idea Storm is to get some feedback, and capture some ideas from us (customers and users) that will make Dell products better. These are usually call incremental improvements. I am also sure that they would like to get from us some quantum leap improvements. Ideas were not all details are worked out, but give them a glimpse of the next blockbuster product. This is what this idea is about.

The first time a heard about tablet PCs (10 years ago) I thought, “That’s the future of the laptop”. However time has proved me wrong; I have not find one that I really like, the available units are just laptops with sophisticated hinges to turn around the monitor, it seems that they have not catch the attention of serious users, they are under power, very few operative systems can handle this input mode, and almost no software is designed for tablets.

The problem is the proverbial chicken and the egg – hardware manufacturers don’t want to build it because there is no software, software companies do not want to spend too much time on this because it is a small niche market. I think Dell should invest sometime designing a serious tablet PC.

What I would like to see? Regardless of the price and market size (I let Dell decide that) I would like to see a thin & light, well design high resolutions LED screen, with no clamshell keyboard, just the LED screen with everything integrated within. I would like a 13-15” screen (size depends on the user so you can have all the way to 20”+). (Visualize a 15” “iPhone / iTouch”). With a good protective (scratch resistant) material in the screen, all connectors on the side. In the back a mini wireless keyboard can pop out or slide out and be used for large data entry when we absolutely need a keyboard.

I would like a new / fast processor options just like any other laptop (not an under power version). 64-bit operation – good ram size (not less than 4). Multi-touch screen (something like the perceptive pixel technology) that allows me to zoom, rotate, find (a la rolodex), etc. things in my computer, or interaction between multiple people (the board game of the future). The option of getting Blue Ray DVD, good video card, and high resolution (my personal HD TV). The option of getting Solid state HD. My option of Linux OS – Actually, I think Dell should support a Linux project and develop a really good tablet GUI to assure success of this project.

In addition it will be great to see; my choice of glossy / flat finish, multiple USB ports (at least one powered) and at least one fire-wire, wireless a/b/g/n/x, bluetooth, maybe wimax, multiple media readers (Reads CF, SD, miniSD, microSD, MMC and more), express card, power Switch, Wireless Switch, Driver Light, magsafe power connector, speakers, audio out, microphone in, network connection (Gigabit Ethernet).

I now this is a huge wish list, I also know that it will take several years and probably several tries to get a product like this right, but I think it is the future. Whoever, get it right first will get dominance in the market. 1 Comment »