Solid State Drive as option in Notebooks
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by tablet205
03/28/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Definition
A solid state drive is primarily a data storage device, for use in computing applications that traditionally use a hard disk drive.
A solid state drive is based on non-volatile memory instead of the spinning platter and mechanical-magnetic head found in a conventional hard disk drive. With no moving parts, a solid state drive eliminates seek time, latency and other electro-mechanical delays and failures associated with a conventional hard disk drive.
Advantages
* Faster startup - Since no spin-up required.
* Faster read time – In some cases, twice or more than that of the fastest hard drives.
* Low read and write latency (seek) time, hundreds of times faster than a mechanical disk.
* Faster boot and application launch time - Result of the faster read and especially seek time. But only if application already resides in flash and is more dependent on read speed than other issues, eg. OS bootup that detects devices will not be significantly sped up even with faster seeks & reads.
* Lower power consumption and heat production - no mechanical parts results in less power consumption.
* No noise - Lack of mechanical parts makes the SSD completely silent.
* Better mechanical reliability - Lack of mechanical parts results in less wear and tear. High level of ability to endure extreme shock, vibration and temperatures, which apply to laptops and other mobile devices, or when transported.
* Security - allowing a very quick "wipe" of all data stored.
* Deterministic performance - unlike mechanical hard drives, performance of SSDs is constant and deterministic across the entire storage. "Seek" time is constant, and performance does not deteriorate as the media fills up (See: Fragmentation).
* Lower weight and (depending upon type) size
* Faster than conventional disks on random I/O
Check out the Idea in Action on the SSD enhancements Dell is making.
7689
Now You Choose - Concept 2
Gaming, XPS products submitted by dell_admin1
04/25/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Participate in the product design process! Dell is using IdeaStorm to decide between two new product design concepts. Vote on your favorite and weigh in to tell us what you think. When we unveiled the XPS 710 H2C at CES this year, we also uncovered it. There were a limited number of systems sprinkled throughout the show floor that had a clear side panel allowing easy viewing of the patent-pending two-stage H2C liquid cooling system. Since then, more than a few people have suggested we offer a “panel with a view” as an option for our XPS 710 line. Now we need you to vote for one of these two options and, most importantly, share some reasons why you like it. This “Now You Decide” vote campaign will be open from Wednesday, April 25 to Friday, May 11. The design that gets the most votes will be featured in a future generation of XPS gaming desktops.
Check out the latest Idea in Action on the new XPS 730.
7760
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
840
Always include all software and driver reinstallation discs for free (or at least let us get the option to)... don't make us pay extra
Software submitted by winoffice
05/01/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Always include ALL software AND driver reinstallation discs for FREE (or at let us get the option do get the for free if we want as follows)...don't make us pay extra in case that we have a disaster and need to reinstall from scratch...!
No Discs Included (Included In Price)
All Discs Included (this means everything -- all software discs -- OS/Security software/etc., and all driver discs -- this means Windows or Linux drivers or both, whatever applies -- add $0)
Other options (OS disc only, all software discs only, driver discs only, etc. -- add $0)
For some computers, Dell does not include the reinstallation discs. Even if Dell offers them, Dell charges extra for us to get them. In fact, the only time I seen reinstallation discs being offered without charge were for Dell XPS desktops with the flashy lights -- that is, the Dell XPS 600, 700, and 710 systems, for those ware the only systems to offer operating system options like "Microsoft Windows XP Media Center WITH REINSTALLATION CD".
Also, most of the time when software reinstallation discs are not included, driver reinstallation discs (such as XPS flashy lights, as well as printers and monitors) are not included either. Therefore, don't just include the software reinstallation discs -- include as well the Windows/Linux drivers for the hardware (depending on the OS purchased with the computer, if any, which in turn depends on the user's preferences).
Besides, Microsoft as well as ALL software companies include the discs when you get the software seperately, so why can't Dell do the same when the software is preinstalled...?
Customers no longer have to pay extra for re-installation media.
21770
Dell Tablet PC
Laptops submitted by gautam
02/16/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
The XPS and E series notebooks are great, but a move into making 12.1 and 14.1 inch tablet PC convertible notebooks would be fantastic. I can easily see the m1210 and the e1405 being ported to the tablet medium.
Check out what Glenn from the tablet team has to say about the Latitude XT.
13223
$299 Laptop
Laptops submitted by jack_satan
Feb 1
Dell already sells a completely functional (albeit low-end) Vostro 1000 for $399 with a 15.4 in. screen, 80 GB HDD, Windows, and free shipping. If they just offered the same computer with a 14.1 in. screen, open-source operating system, and 60 GB HDD, they should be able to sell it at $299 with an even better profit margin.
Furthermore, besides for the public relations coup from offering the first fully functional sub $300 laptop, Dell would also be opening up a whole new market of buyers that have been clamoring to get their hands on the OLPC XO, Asus EEE PC, and Intel Classmate.
730
Upgrade installed Windoze to Ubuntu on supported laptops
Linux, Laptops submitted by bluevoter
05/01/07
I have a year-old Inspiron E1505 that came with Windoze XP and various craplets preinstalled. It's under a Dell service contract. I'd like to send it back to Dell and get a fresh install of Ubuntu on a wiped disk. I suspect that there are others in the same situation who might even pay a nominal fee (under $100) for this service.
470
Dell Could Become the OpenGL Hero to the Open Source Community
Linux submitted by hmwamboldt
05/01/07
For a very long time, OpenGL support in the Open Source community has been spotty at best.
If Dell would take on the role of comprehensive testing, and repackaging (for updates) Nvidia or ATI drivers for several supported hardward (and software) configurations, that would make Dell a hero, at least to me. I've spent an inordinate amount of time installing, updating, patching, downgrading, and repairing damage done to systems by installing OpenGL drivers and OpenGL related system crashes over the last few years. It should be noted, (in defence of ATI and Nvidia) that many, if not most, of these problems stem from interactions with various chipsets, bridges, and bugs in various Xorg components. Hence my emphasis on testing.
Furthermore, if Dell could encourage Nvidia and ATI to release the specs for their oldest propriatary hardware (it's gotta be at least 4 or 5 years old now), that would probably provide a global benefit. But, if nothing else, comprehensive testing of new drivers and providing "Dell certified" update packages for Linux, would probably make Dell a prefered vendor for many, many midtier OpenGL users like myself.
-H-
1250
Recovery Hard Drive partitions are not needed, other solutions are better
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by carganegativa18
04/22/07
When I ordered my laptop, I selected the 120 HD, thinking it would be enough for my school work and photography. To my surprice when the laptop arrived, I only had 85 gigs available. I then took a look at "my computer" and wala, there it was
1. A ten gig partition for Recovery purpuses:
Althoug there are times when one really needs to have a computer back to its factory setting, I think its unfar that the user has to give up 10 GB of disk storage.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
1. Give the consumer a DVD of the recovery ISO,
2. Give the consumer the option, either have it installed or have a DVD for it, I rather pay for DVD, than pay for a larger HD.
2. There are tons of pre-installed software that takes up huge amounts of disk space. Some of that stuff we don't need it, and sometimes we dn't know how to get that software out of our systems.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
1. Ship installations CD's to consumers, and let the consumer deside which software they want to install. Hence allowing consumer enjoy more HD space.
2. Advice the consumer when they are buying the laptop/pc of how much "possible" available HD is going to be available upon arrival of laptop. Had I known I was only going to have 85 gigs left, I would have gotten a bigger HD.
I hope this gets promoted, and I hope that many people feel the same way, that we want what is adverticed (120 gigs, not 85 when the laptop arrives)
1010
Provide a no Windows Option or provide a refund in 24 hours or less
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dbyte32
04/23/07
The idea for Dell to offer desktops and laptops without Microsoft's OSes have been promoted for months. But little or nothing has been done on Dell's part in this issue. I'm not interested in the nSeries computers with ATI graphics drivers that don't work.
It would be great for Dell to offer the Microsoft OSs (Vista, Suse) as an option only across each and every compute sold on dell's website and not a requirement. So that the user can simply say no. I want to purchase a Dell XPS M1710 laptop, but I have no desire to purchase Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Suse. This is the only thing holding me back from buying this laptop at the moment. I do not have any use for Microsoft Windows/Microsoft Suse on any scale. I would much rather install Fedora Core 6 myself if Dell won't pre-installed it.
Dell at least provide a quick and clear outline for customers to get a full refund of their money in 24 hours or less for the forced purchases of Microsoft Windows/Microsoft Suse they had to buy when they order their laptops and PC's.
200
Skype VOIP feature in Laptop without booting up the OS
Broadband and Mobility, Laptops submitted by chien_chen
04/23/07
Just like the WIFI finder and the media playing feature on some of the laptops, a VOIP feature without having to boot up the OS will be an excellent feature for people to stay connected quickly in airport or any WIFI enabled places. For users, you use WIFI finder to locate wireless connection, you hit another button to signup Skype and you plug-in the headset to start calling people.
-110
Stop Insulting Customer's Intelligence re: Windows XP vs. Vista
Dell submitted by dog1
04/23/07
Dell announced with great fanfair that they listened to their customers, and agreed to bring back Windows XP for home customers.
However, when someone tries to buy an XP machine, this is what they are presented with:
On the Home and Home Office Desktop page (same on the Notebook page) there is NO MENTION OF XP (except in a sale for 'no interest' deal on XP systems).
One have to delve into the Dimension line, pick a machine in the line (from the cheap, OK, and premium), only to discover that there is no XP machines available on ANY offering.
In order to find it, you have to go back, find the tiny little tab under Desktops that says "Still looking for Windows XP?"
Click on that tab, and then customer is presented with a screen that touts the supposed "advantages" of Vista.
Only by scrolling to the bottom of that page, do you get to a choice of XP machines.
A few observations:
a) Your Home and Home Office Customers are not stupid.
Dell does not dare to impose this rigamoro on customers who are buying from Small Business, etc. who can determine immediately if XP is available on a particular model and go directly to an XP machine.
To impose this incredible leap to buy an XP machine require a customer who a) is already aware of Dell's offer to bring back XP, and b) is willing to invest the time and serious effort to find it on the site.
By presenting an "ad" for Microsoft Vista before a customer is allowed to view the XP offerings is perhaps, the ultimate insult.
Dell is in essence, participating in a game with Microsoft to falsely, deceptively claim to consumers 'benefits' of 'latest, greatest technology' without disclosing any of the known problems with Vista that is common knowledge among 100% of IT managers, and probably 50% of Home and Home Office customers.
While it is up to Microsoft to make that "latest, greatest" claim, is Dell a Microsoft subsidiary or a brainless slave that they have to repeat the Microsoft lies? How about some truth about Vista for your customers so they can make an informed decision?
b) Why are there no warnings to consumers who buy Windows Vista that their existing software and hardware applications will not necessarily be compatible?
Notwithstanding the generalities of the foregoing, specifically, iPods, Printers, Scanners, All-In-Ones, Digital Cameras, Portable drives, keyboards, mice, and software are not likely to be Vista compatible unless it is specifically marketed and equipped with Vista drivers as such.
c) Almost all consumers have legacy applications (such as software for digital cameras, printers, Music software like iTunes, Video or Photo Editing software that are NOT supported by Vista and it will cost $$$ to either replace the equipment with Vista compatible gear (IF and WHEN it is available).
So the purchase of a Vista PC implicitly presumes that one is prepared to dump much of their equipment and existing software, including such popular devices like iPods.
The problem is, many of the Vista compatible drivers / software are simply NOT availabe at ANY price even for products like printers that are 'current' products --- and may not be available for another 6 months or a year.
DELL need to warn customers that their brand new DELL branded Vista box risk being a virtual boat anchor for most consumers who have legacy hardware / software that they cannot do without.
d) Why is DELL not disclosing to customers that Vista comes with a new interface, which is different from XP and will require retraining / learning for those familiar with XP?
How about an honest, good faith estimate of the amount of time needed to do the retraining? How about comparing and contrasting the time required for retraining to go to Linux or an Apple?
Why is DELL not telling the truth to their own customers?
Last I checked, DELL is not owned or managed by Microsoft.
If Mr. Michael Dell would do the courtesy to check a representative sample of payments from Home or Home Office Customers, he might find that the checks / payments he receive are not from Microsoft, its subsidiaries or agents.
We the Home and Home Office consumers are your customers, and 90+% of us have no relationship to Microsoft and care NOT a bit about their 'latest, greatest technology'.
We have needs, like getting a word processor that works (ie Google Docs, which is free), a PC that lets us access the web (with a browser of our choice like Firefox), and a PC that lets us do the kind of things like play games, store / edit our digital photos, print things.
If Microsoft offers a viable path for us to do these things at a competitive price, we are all for Dell selling Microsoft.
But we are NOT for DELL being a shrill for what is rapidly turning out to be Microsoft's dud ---- Vista is for all practical purpose, the IBM OS/2 of operating systems.
We do care that as our vendor, DELL has an obligation to disclose to us the differences between options such as Microsoft Windows XP, XP Professional, Vista (and different flavors), Linux, etc. and give us an honest appraisal of what are the cost / benefits of going to each option.
When we go to a Ford Dealer, we do not expect them to sell us a Toyota. But we should be able to expect them to not sell us a Ford Focus when we told them we need to carry 7 passangers.
Try again ---- fix your site and give XP prominence equal to the demand from customers rather than try to force your customers to all become 'small businesses' to buy an XP machine.
BTW, I have not checked / compared prices for XP vs. Vista machines that are otherwise identical from DELL yet.
If DELL is charging the same for XP or Vista when the license cost that much less, I can assure you, that is going to give me a great reason to NOT buy from DELL at any price.
DELL has wasted enough of my time (which is valuable) trying to find an XP machine on the Home site to warrant me paying a premium for it.
-100
Free Security/Anti-Virus Software
Software submitted by eerway
04/23/07
Instead of charging separately, Dell should offer free security software (McAfee/Symantec) on every home system. No trials, no limitations.
The bulk cost of the licenses would be mitigated by the return and increased purchases by customers -- especially as we enter the >1 computer/family era.
-160
needed: display configuration for laptop suitable for outdoor usage
Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by howardnyc
04/23/07
needed: display configuration for laptop suitable for outdoor usage... it would have the best possible set of configuration tweaks to maximize contrast, readability and reduce eye strain when in brightly lit situations... like outdoor seating at my neighborhood Starbucks <smile>
I have tried dozens of adjustments, but I really have no idea of which would be best, lacking sufficient documentation...
1160
 track my votes
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