OS X??
Dell, Operating Systems submitted by slatermd
02/23/07
If Jobs will let you do it (doubtful) you should try to work a deal with Apple to license out OSX, or Leopard when that comes out. I can't imagine you could possibly sell a more expensive computer than Apple, haha.
170
Survey IBM, Apple, and Rackable customers to get a broader perspective than IdeaStorm can offer..
IdeaStorm, Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz
05/11/07
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There are a few IdeaStorm ideas [1] suggesting that Dell might get more balanced opinions by surveying its customers rather than listening to IdeaStorm. However that would also produce skewed results because the group of their own customers is self selected for wanting a low-margin discount commodity supplier - because that's what Dell is already good at.
Better advice (I think)
- Dell, go out and survey Apple customers - these are the guys paying healthy profits on computers and have unmatched product loyalty in the industry. These are the customers you need to win to become a high-margin vendor instead of a commodity vendor. (Apple's profit margin : 12.92%; Dell's profit margin: 5.10%)
This is the consumer market you want.
- Dell, go out and survey IBM customers - these are the large businesses and governments that pay top dollar for serious computing infrastructure. (Dell's sales: 57 Billion; IBM's sales: 97Billion with a profit margin of 10.38%)
This is the government / large enterprise market you want.
- Dell, go out and survey Rackable customers - Rackable is the hardware supplier to Google and Yahoo and understands internet compute clusters better than anyone. This is the emerging new business segment you want.
. Surveying your own customers is fine if your main goals are to keep them and keep the status quo. Surveying your competitors is better if you're trying to win new customers and new markets. And as a footnote - of the companies I listed - I'm pretty sure a minority of the systems they sell use Windows. [1] http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67192
130
adopt Apple iPod, MacBookPro and related systems with pizzazz and appeal
Advertising and Marketing, Sales Strategies submitted by educateme
02/26/07
The Dell brand is tired and old hat, the closest thing to innovation Dell has ever done was to quickly change the beige ugly PC boxes to a more subtle back and gray or silver like Apple did many years ago. The tool-less case design was another (not) innovational move that Dell copied from Apple some time ago.
Other attempts by Dell to copy apple with the DJ music player were a Flop, and the recent decision by microsoft to "stick it to" its partners who embraced "plays for sure" and instead got Zuned results in a lopsided and crippled DRM and media player device for all PC users.
It would boost Dells marketing panache if it were to agree to sell Apple hardware such as the iPod and put a new sparkle in an old PC builder who has lost touch with the consumer side of design or the details about owning a PC rather than just trying to build the cheapest box of parts from Taiwan with lame support from India.
-20
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.
1260
Start offering Apple hardware as well!
Dell submitted by dscheste
02/25/07
Many people use new Intel Macs and run Windows on them. Many customers order new Dell boxes and have to go to Apple to throw in some Macs...
Why not strike a deal with Apple to resell Apple's hardware (Dell's volumes will give some room to margin negotiations).
The only problem to overcome, actually two problems of the same nature, is the ego of Steve and Mike.
-40
Follow Apple's example
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Software submitted by bandgeekmdo
02/23/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I don't mean to be... well mean, but i think it's a valid point. Let's just examine Apple's computers and business for a second. There are many aspects of Apple's computers that Dell could adopt to make their products so much better.
-Add a built in camera
-More software, better apps. Apple has great apps to organize and create and edit media.
-Better quality product. Apple's computers and software work extremely well together and they have one of the best customer satisfaction rates around. Make something that can last for the next 5 years.
-Why doesn't microsoft word come with a lot of the computers Dell sells?? What a rip. Honestly.
-Use better hadrware
If you can match your product to be as exciting, cool, and as well made as Apple then people would buy.
Built in cameras are available in the new Inspiron and XPS laptops even a Biometric Finger Print Reader available, as are new software choices. And between the Inspiron and m1330 you get lots of color choices to personalize your laptop too.
110
Optional Apple Operating System
Operating Systems submitted by skyking
02/22/07
It would be desirable to also have the choice of loading the "Apple Operaing System". Tired of all of the security patches that windows downloads. Friends of mine who have Apple computers using it as a "Virtual machine" with both OS Windows & Apple are using the windows side less and less.
-70
Should Apple licence OS X to Dell? | Bigmouth Strikes Again - Freelance journalist Gary Marshall on technology, the Internet, music, Macs and more
Operating Systems submitted by pwalker
01/30/07
There was an interesting op-ed by Doug Mohney in The Inquirer yesterday, which suggested that the launch of Vista provides a good opportunity for Apple - if it licences OS X to Dell.
However, Vista is being beaten like a dead horse by the mass media – most of them already are enthralled to the God of Jobs if you read between the lines, so Microsoft could make nuclear fusion work tomorrow and they’d give it a lukewarm review at best. The consensus view out of the babbling punditry is “Don’t buy Vista today, unless you have to buy a new computer tomorrow.”
On that front, I think the babbling pundits are right. Heh.
So what about Apple?
If Apple was serious, and I mean really serious, about gaining more PC market share, they’d realize they need to license/sell their operating system to another hardware manufacturer or two. Sure, Apple’s tried the license route before with mixed results, but it’s about time to bite the bullet, look into the mirror, and realize they should try something bold.
Apple should license their operating system to Dell.
Mohney isn’t suggesting that Apple should make OS X available to any PC user; the dangers of that (such as hardware incompatibilities or really crap machines ruining Apple’s reputation) have been talked to death for years. Rather, he’s suggesting that Apple could team up with a single PC manufacturing firm to make decent clones, expanding OS X’s market share without diluting the core Apple brand. It wouldn’t be an Apple Mac: it’d be a Dell Mac. Dell’s good at churning out PCs, so if Apple laid down strict criteria about what should and shouldn’t go into a clone you could get decent non-Apple Macs competing in different markets to Apple Macs. Does anyone really think Dell is capable of making something as sexy as a MacBook or as iconic as the iMac?
I’m sure Mohney will be inundated with angry emails, but I do wonder how many of the senders will have reacted similarly to suggestions a few years back that Macs should run Intel chips. I think his idea’s fascinating.
4471
My next computer will be Linux or Apple
Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by macsband
02/26/07
I've purchased five Dell computers over the past few years (3 desktops and 2 notebooks). My most recent purchase was an Inspiron E1705 in December. Upon powering up the machine, I immediately reformated the hard drive, thereby getting rid of Windows junk.
My first desktop used Microsoft DOS 3.1. Over the years Microsoft has provided less and less value at more and more expense with greater and greater intrusiveness. Microsoft has turned security updates into a marketing ploy to force less and less competition (which is pretty amazing for such an overwhelming monopoly.)
My next computer will have Linux or Apple OS pre-installed. I'm a loyal Dell customer, but if Dell does not offer Linux, I'll be joining the ever growing crowd switching to Apple.
Mac
420
Design & Form Factor
Desktops and Laptops submitted by logi
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
This forum is a great idea to get Dell back to #1.
What I like to see is new and innovative styling across the board on notebooks and desktops. Dell's product line looks 5yrs old and needs a total refresh.
As you can see Apple Inc. is winning conumers hearts because Apple owners are actually proud of displaying them in the living rooms instead of hiding them. Get rid of that XPS desktop design that thing is so ugly.. and come up with something consumers would be proud of displying in their media rooms.
Also I would like to see Dell create a sleak new design for a media center box so we can utilize vista home for the entertainment room and display it next to my audio and video units.
Thanks for listening Mr. Dell.
Hope_l talks about how passionate we are about design in this thread. To read more about how this idea is being put into action click here.
22996
apple
Operating Systems submitted by ashland56
02/26/07
study Apple and study it long
I have never been an advocate of Apple....until now. Having seen its
Imac line with its sleek screens and self contained computer I am very
impressed with the appearance. Frankly, it makes Dell 'flats' not to
mention older monitors look cheap to put it mildly.
Style and Appearance: it counts
In a short session with a nephew I watched him display the features
of OSX - Tiger. I saw a great deal of imagination and found much that
I liked and essentially nothing that I didn't like. In 15 minutes I concluded
that Windows looks stale and dead and OSX looks very innovative
Separately, I think the diversity of users and their preferences makes
it all but impossible for any one company to satisfy them all. In that regard
Apple doesn't with the exception that it provides for multiple OS systems
to be installed, ie. OSX and Vista side by side.
.
Operating System and function: how you can navigate
In my view, innovation and imagination are abundant at Apple. They don't
just build computers. They build ideas. Why they have only about 5% of
the market has got to be one of the world's great mysteries. In 15 minutes
I was convinced.
Dell customer since 1993 with one view, the Dell view. Not anymore.
0
Buy out Apple
Dell submitted by johndude
02/28/07
Dell's a bigger company than Apple is.
Dell has an anual revenue of over 55 Billion USD compared to Apples 19 Billion.
Dell has a net income of over 3 Billion USD compared to Apples 1 Billion.
Dell should buy out Apple and start selling PC's and Laptops with Dell OS X, thus competing directly with Microsoft.
Thatd be sweet.
-110
 track my votes
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