nerdylicious05

Avoid Glare On Screens and Notebook Frames

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by bobetsue 02/20/07

Glare and reflection from high glare screens, screen frames, and notebook computers is annoying and distract from function and use.

In stores, this may be a marketing ploy. Consumers may not fully understand the problem of glare. Online sellers like Dell should inform buyers when shopping whether the screen and case are "glare" or "nonglare."

When "nonglare" was introduced to television, shoppers considered it an advantage worthy of extra expense. In the art world, nonglare glass is considered worthy of extra expense.

How did we ever get glossy screens?

Dell should offer customers a choice between "glare" and "nonglare." 244 Comments »

Custom artwork on laptops instead of just a color

Laptops submitted by jo9100 Mar 7

It would be great if:
- Users choose a laptop
- Instead of choosing a color they can choose a custom artwork they upload 11 Comments »

Make a calendar with all COMING SOON and IN PROGRESS ideas

Advertising and Marketing, IdeaStorm submitted by krasmussen 09/22/07 **REVIEWED**

One of the biggest annoyances with IdeaStorm is that the horizon for an idea being implemented is very blurry, if at all existing. If you're lucky, you get "third quarter 2009", but mostly, there is no timeframe at all. This leads to the feeling that not much is being done, and exactly that feeling is what IdeaStorm should be eliminating.

Therefore, I propose that you make a list or calender with all the COMING SOON and IN PROGRESS ideas with timeframes for all of them. Just a "december 2008" would be nice, or better yet, "deadline 31st november 2008".

I don't know if this is connected with some goal management inside Dell, if it is, maybe you should work on improving that, too?






Today, the best way to know the progress of an idea is through Ideas in Action, our Weekly Update or Dell comments in the thread.






19 Comments »

Enable us to change an existing idea vote, if we make a mistake

IdeaStorm submitted by cosh 05/01/07

A few times I've accidentally clicked on the wrong button, or voted after reading the title of an idea but wanted to change it once I read the whole thing. Could you make it so we can still click the promote button after demoting or the demote button after promoting?

Better than having inaccurate vote counts because of clumsy people like me!

Thanks! 131 Comments »

Implement an Option of an Intel Core 2 Extreme and a Intel Core 2 Quad processor and the new PENRYN processor on XPS 1330 and 1530 and a higher Graphics Card 8700gt or above

Sales Strategies, XPS products, Laptops submitted by bryan14c Jan 9

dell should implement a Core 2 extreme processor as an option for the XPS 1330 and 1530 and a first quad core notebook , because the high end models have this , why not on the 1330 and 1530 XPS is high end right? and also why stick to 8600gt that there is a 8700gt or above graphics card , well the XPS 1530 and 1330 overall design is great slim light, well as an addition dell should also implement a PENRYN processor

27 Comments »

Future 15,4 laptop chassis shouldn't be wider than 35,8 cm / 14,09". At 15,4" the case should be as close in size to the display area as possible!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Monitors and Displays submitted by mandarinka Mar 15

15,4 Laptops are quite bulky, but many users choose them over smaller types because of the bigger screen.

Due to their inherently large size it is important to optimize the form factor as much as possible. The dimension that matters most is clearly the width; especialy after everything got worse with the adoption of widescreen displays - their width simply taxes the laptop chassis size too much.

What needs to be done is to squeeze the chassis as much as possible. There should be enough space for internal components and keyboard in 15,4" sized casing, the main concern is therefore the lid with the display. The construction of the lid needs to be designed so as to require as little dead space (=bezel) as possible - using ][ shaped profiles on the sides on the sides or putting the skelet of the lid behind the display. Also the border of the LCDs should be as small as possible to make this doable.

I have put 35,8cm as the goal - that's how wide for example macbook pro is, but I think it can be improved even better. This number translates (if I am right) into 8mm borders on the sides of the LCD, which should be possible to improve by 1-2mm...

Another possibility is to make the main body narrower than the lid (Like in the venerable Latitude CPi), or make it as wide as the lid on the top side but narrower on the bottom to get more compact shape. 2 Comments »

Used Machines for Students

Education, Sales Strategies submitted by dgillam Mar 15

I read a blog here somewhere in which the person made a great suggestion. Letting DELL owners get a $100 trade in value on their old machines to purchase new DELL machines. The blogger suggested the old machines be donated to overseas. I have a better idea. Resell the cleaned machines to American junior and senior high school students for $100. This will not only encourage DELL users to remain DELL users. It also encourages new customers as the students come to like DELL machines and tend to have brand loyalty. DELL could dedicate an entire online site to official used machines for students in much the same way Toyota has certified used previously owned vehicles. DELL could even offer affordable upgrade packages to go with the certified used machines.

As a highschool Algebra teacher, I enjoy giving my students access to on-line support and homework help. The students who are able to take advantage of this are making great strides. Unfortunately, many of my students cannot pay even $500 for a machine. They could scrape together $100 and the monthly service fee though. 15 Comments »

hdmi in port

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by volcano Mar 19

dell laptops need a built in hdmi in port so people can plug in there ps3 or xbox 360 and play on there notebook. a hdmi in express card would work too. 5 Comments »

Stop Ripping us off: make Linux systems cheaper than equivalent Windows

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by brentonboy Mar 15

Currently the same exact systems with the same specs are CHEAPER if you buy Windows. Why are we paying more money for a system that doesn't include a Windows license?

Systems with equal specs should be cheaper if they don't include Windows BY THE EXACT VALUE OF A WINDOWS OS!!

For example Vista Home Premium sells for $200, so if you compare a Vista Home computer and a Ubuntu computer with the same specs, the Vista Home system should cost $200 more.

I had to buy a Vista system, (throwing off Dell's numbers) and install Ubuntu myself (thus voiding my warranty!!). 19 Comments »

Optional ram configurations (eg 2x1gb or 1x2gb)

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell submitted by theideasman Mar 12

It would be nice if dell offered the choice of different ram configurations depending on wether you plan to buy all the ram now or upgrade it later. At themoment in 2gb confiurations they only offer 2x1gb sticks which is an obvious way of making you have to buy two completely new sticks of ram if you wish to upgrade to 4gb. Cant we have the option of 1x2gb stick instead? 9 Comments »

Better heat dissipation for laptops

Laptops submitted by jervis961 Mar 4

A New Hampshire company has created a process to create large sheets of Carbon Nanotubes, making it possible for the technology to be used in construction of electronics.

http://www.dailytech.com/Sheets+of+Cheap+Carbon+Nanotubes+Now+a+Reality/artic...

Carbon Nanotubes are said to be 5 times more efficiant than copper in heat sinks. Part of the reason is that while copper moves heat radially, carbon nanotubes move heat in one direction.

http://www.dailytech.com/OCZ+Displays+Carbon+Nanotube+Cooler/article7571.htm

Other interesting qualities of Nanotubes are, shielding from EMI, superior wireless antennas, weight (only 20% of the weight of copper) and stregth.

Even though Dell is trying to reduce it's carbon footprint, the benefits of Nanotubes should not be overlooked. 6 Comments »

Dell needs to pick up the pace in releasing new designs

Dell, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jervis961 Mar 13

Dell is notorious for lack of innovation and has been making strides to change. Unfortunately they are still loosing out because they take to long to get to market and by the time they do someone else has usually beat them to the punch.

Here is an example: At CES this year Dell showed off an XPS 16 inch Laptop concept that has yet to make it to market.



http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/dell-showing-off-16-inch-xps-concept-laptop/

Yesterday Acer (who overtook Dell in notebook sales recently) came out with its Gemstone line of notebooks.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/acer-unveils-the-second-gen-gemstone/



"Coming in a special blue ("Gemstone Blue," how wild), the new 16- and 18.4-inch machines feature 16:9 1080p screens, 1.5GHz Penryn processors, 512MB NVIDIA 9650m GS graphics, and those Blu-ray drives we heard about. The graphics chip is at the center of Acer's new CineReal system, which offloads BD playback to the GPU and provides Dolby headphone output (and real 5.1 sound on the bigger model)."

Pick up the pace Dell. 30 Comments »

Tell us what WiFi chipset a laptop has.

Broadband and Mobility, Dell Web Site, Linux, Laptops submitted by tonyb2006 08/29/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Tell us the WiFi chipset used in a laptop before we buy it so we know if the WiFi chipset supports a feature we want, or if it supports Linux or another operating system that we intend to use. The WiFi chipset being like "Intel ipw2200" or "Broadcom BCM4306", or "Ralink rt2500".







19 Comments »

6 major issues to be fixed by Dell

Dell, Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by jervis961 02/17/07

Dell became a top company by providing choice and customer service to a customer that wasn't available at the time but has since fallen behind the pack in these areas. Needing a translator when calling customer support is unnacceptable and other companies are rapidly passing Dell in technology advancements. While this site is a good start, many things need to be changed for Dell to become the market leader again.

1. Customer support needs to be in well spoken English and with employees who are allowed to do more than just read from a script. If they are speaking with a computer savvy customer the rep should be allowed to deviate from the script as long as they don't go outside the relm of normal policy.

2. Better options: Other companies offer high end components in small computers but Dell only supplies intel video processors in its 14" laptop. Dell needs to allow customers to get the size computer they need but with options from low cost through the high end so they can get a computer that is "Purely you".

3. Less forced options: I hate that I am paying for and XPS with internet security when I don't need it because I already have a subsciption that will transfer over or AOL is installed when I know I don't need it. They need to add an option of none of the above to all the added software sections.

4. Better pricing: Why is it over $200 to upgrade from 1 GB of 533 MHZ ram to 2 GB of 677 MHZ RAM? I can go to Crucial.com and get the 2GB 677MHZ kit for under $200. Upgrading with Dell after you own is even worse at over $300 this is crazy.

5. Custom Dell website: Customers want to feel special why not make a MYDELL website that when you log in you get a site designed the way you want it. If you aren't interested in the small business site it gets removed, you don't like to go thru the accessories sections when customizing a system so you don't see that section. Click on customer support and a list of your computer pops up asking which one you need help with and only shows the options for that system.

6. Customer loyalty rewards: I have bought 6 Dell systems over the last few years, why can't I get better customer service or pricing due to my loyalty to the company? 78 Comments »

Proper/decent Bios for flagship XPS 720 desktop (e.g. A06)

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, XPS products submitted by huggy_bear Mar 19

Plz provide a proper/decent Bios to the XPS 720.
Latest revision (A05) apparently fixes some of the issues reported by customers but there are many more remaining, e.g.:
1) official/proper support for Quad-core Penryn-family CPUs (i.e. Yorkfield Q9450, Q9550 and QX9650).
2) proper support for EPP SLI memory (e.g. reportedly only a few brands/models currently supported...).
3) overclocking options in the Bios to let "advanced users" tweak the FSB, memory clock ratio, voltages, etc... 14 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 »

Make XP/Linux drivers available for all model even if only Vista is pre-installed

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Operating Systems submitted by vineets001 09/24/07 **REVIEWED**

There are good hardware models coming out. And only Vista is pre-install option. If people want to wipe off Vista and install XP or Linux, let them do that. Make a commitment to have the drivers available.


We're working on having drivers for the hardware we ship more widely available. Click here to learn more from john_h.





29 Comments »

Linux Hardware Compatibility List

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by s3indiana 02/20/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Create a listing of Dell hardware that's compatible with the major Linux distributions (Fedora, OpenSuse, ubuntu, Freespire) providing compatibility with not just systems (desktops and laptops) but include peripherals (printers, camera's, flash drives, compatible routers, etc.). Include levels of compatibility so the reviewer can make an educated choice. This would provide the greatest assistance for those looking at alternatives...

We're working to add something like this to our linux.dell.com wiki. Click here to see what john_h has to say.




30 Comments »

Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/17/07

Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)

OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System

Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
574 Comments »

Give XPS Notebooks Gigabit Ethernet

XPS products submitted by croftki Feb 17

I understand that Dell market research says home users in general are not interested in gigabit ethernet for home networks. Those who pay for the premium design in the XPS line, however, are more likely to want gigabit ethernet. I would rather buy something more exciting than a business class notebook, but I want to build on my home technology with each purchase I make. XPS Notebooks unfortunately do not help me do this. It seems my only option is to buy a Latitude. 28 Comments »