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Build a Dell Linux Distribution

Linux, New Product Ideas, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jemfisher 02/20/07

With the wave of support for the Linux kernel to power desktop PC's, I think its time for a company with the quality build that Dell has to provide users with PC's that work for them. The adoption of Linux to power Dell PC's would give Dell a greater freedom to move forward with innovation. With the adoption of a Linux kernel Dell would be able to sell PC to meet users' demands. Businesses demand different machines than home users, students demand different machines again, machines targeted at younger users, etc. 100 Comments »

Support higher speed memory

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Gaming submitted by shirk 05/19/07

Stop offering quad core CPU, SLI graphic cards, and terabyte hard drive systems that are limited to older low speed memory. Customers who purchase these higher end systems want their components to be up to date and cutting edge, so drop the ancient 533-667 mhz memory. Also stop crippling motherboards so that they wont support higher speed memory so customers are stuck without a choice. Give customers current memory, 800 mhz and up, for their brand new systems. 2 Comments »

Higher end Graphics card in 14.1"

Laptops submitted by notquitehere188 02/17/07

Dell needs to stop pretending that they can't fit a higher end graphics card into a smaller laptop. ASUS puts x1600's and 7700's in their 14.1" laptops and dont have to make them much thicker or anything. 2 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 »

Linux Gaming Box Initiative

Gaming, Linux submitted by las1372 02/22/07

Offer a Linux Gaming Desktop and/or Laptop.
- Work with Transgaming and/or the Wine Community to create the best linux gaming platform
- Load it with the most compatible linux gaming hardware
- Use this platform as a baseline to partner with linux friendly gaming developers to use (id, bioware, etc) as a de-facto standard

Essentially offer the box that makes it a no-brainer for folks to game on linux. 7 Comments »

Professional Apps and Popular Games..for Linux??

Gaming, Linux, Software submitted by kdubber 05/01/07

Until a Linux distro will support such popular apps as PhotoShop or AutoCAD and others that are necessary for some of us to make a living Linux is stuck in the also ran category.. this is unfortunate.
Dell could lead the way by working with AutoDesk, Adobe and others to provide this application availability in Linux. NO these apps would not be free.. but if the price to buy a Linux version was in line with the Windows version? Not immensely higher like some Mac application of WinSoftware.. then a REAL alternative is showing up on the scene..
If this same distro was to support most games that are hugely popular.. WHOLESALE migration would start to take place.. IMHO anyway.. what do you think?
I think a DellLinux distro makes sense.. or some other named distro supported by a consortium of non-Windows hardware and software suppliers.. do they all like being tied to Windows for their success?
Kent 8 Comments »

XPS Gaming Commercial

Advertising and Marketing, Gaming, XPS products submitted by robq 02/16/07

We have been building around the Purely You commercial, and considering the new Dell.com/gaming website and the new gaming forums, how many new customers really know anything about it?

I think we should run a gaming type commercial, similar to the one I helped with last year for the Game Developer Conference(GDC).

Lets show customers who are interested in gaming just how versatile and powerful our XPS Gaming systems are. We have sponsorships with gaming teams which are already recognized in the gaming industry, maybe they could be part of the commercials.

I think this would be a tremendous boost for Dell in entering the gaming industry and advertise first for an OEM company around gaming.

What does everyone think?

Lets get psyched and go after that cool factor for Dell and XPS.

Thanks,
Rob Q. 4 Comments »

Make all parts optional

Sales Strategies submitted by yank 05/20/07

Plenty of people spend a LOT of time shopping around on Dell's site for a great deal. They trust the brand and haven't the time or interest to build there own PC so when they see a good deal they try and buy that new Dell PC with as few options as they can manage.
Let them!
Allow them to remove:
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Hard Drive
Video Card
Etc.
Keep just the minimum basics and allow them to pick and choose what they want! 12 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 »

Should Dell recommend five operating systems?

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by winoffice 06/18/07

By the time Dell began to offer Ubuntu on its computers, it began offering five families of operating systems on home computers (Dimensions and Inspirons): Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux. Also, on servers, it offers Windows Server 2003 and various editons of Linux/Unix (which editions and version numbers I do not know for certain), and now Sun Solaris. So why shouldn't Dell begin reccomending five operating systems -- three for PCs and two for servers? Maybe something like this (change all pages so that they have this heading next to the Dell logo and contact information):

Dell reccomends:
for PCs (desktops, all-in-ones, notebooks):
for Windows Vista: Ultimate edition
for Windows XP: Professional edition
for Unix/Linux: Ubuntu version 7.04
for servers:
for Windows Server 2003: Small Business Server Premium edition
for Unix/Linux: Red Hat Linux, Novell Suse Linux, Sun Solaris, or...? (See note above concerning Linux)

By the way, about servers, Dell does recommend some edition of Windows Server 2003, but this is often buried in the server configuration pages. I suggest that Dell should make the recommendation clearer and easier to find and see for customers, just as it recommends Windows Vista on PCs.

Besides, this way customers would be more informed about all operating systems, not just Windows Vista (this is not intended to suggest that I am against Vista, on the contrary I like it, but honestly, users should be more informed about everything that they may potentially purchase, especially if they made no "default" choice prior to looking for a computer -- or server for that matter).

jmxz recently submitted an idea concerning Sun Solaris and advertising it. There, he suggested that Dell should advertise Sun Solaris, and I agreed with him. So I decided to mention it by editing it. However, concerning Unix/Linux for servers, Dell offers multiple versions, and Ihave not used any and thus I cannot give a recommendation myself. So I decided that other members of the IdeaStorm community comment and tell Dell what version they would see Dell recommend. 7 Comments »

No more power transformer !!!!

Servers and Storage submitted by corbo12 07/10/07

some 10 years ago, laptops were only slightly bigger. At the time, 2 schools were battling : Internal vs. external power adapters.

Some models (like Toshibas Satelitte) had their power transformer INSIDE the laptop... All you needed was one of those thin power cable (fits in a pocket).

In the age of wireless and "all included", why can't we have laptops with power transformers inside. It would avoid to need "Laptop bags" (you know, with the big bulge on the from where the power transformer and cables are).

A 620 that has everything inside, with power included : put a handle on it, and I can take a plane with nothing else (cord in the pocket). Or I can put it in just any bag, making it a lot more discreet than those laptop "steal me" bags.

From a road warrior... 22 Comments »