severity6

Update Drivers for Laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by benjamin89 09/22/07

Example: nVidia has released multiple new drivers continuing to tweak settings and making them more compatible with Vista and games. Dell has not updated its drivers for nVidia products since June, and one only can install Dell drivers for Dell laptops.

Update the drivers for your products regularly or allow the manufacturer of the product's drivers to install. 9 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 »

Show the drivers/firmware updates I actually need

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support submitted by jgv999 04/20/07

In the drivers support section even when you enter your express service code, there are still a mess of drivers and firmware updates that do not apply to the machine as shipped.

Show a default view of the latest drivers and firmware updates that apply to the specific machine I have. You have the information so make my life easier :) 10 Comments »

Continue to supply Windows XP drivers for all systems.

Operating Systems, XPS products submitted by audiofree 07/10/07

Let’s face it, Vista regardless of how Microsoft is trying to possession is not what all customers want. Some of us want to continue to use XP, it’s a lighter faster OS that does what we need. Please continue to support XP drivers at least. I want to buy one of the new 1420s or 1520s but can’t because not all the drivers are available. If you’re not going to sell the laptops with and XP option at least make the drivers available so those of us that want to install XP on our systems can. 20 Comments »

Let us have nVidia graphics in non-gamer laptops!

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by ccmachine 07/15/07

intel and ATi graphics are the only options in low-powered laptops... nVidia options would be great!

ATi and intel are generally low-powered (and ATi doesn't work well with Linux..) we want nVidia without having to spend £650+ (GBPounds) on a machine! I don't need a 120gb drive and 2gb of memory! 4 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 »

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 »

Easier way to OPT OUT of Dell selling my private information

Advertising and Marketing submitted by ninefoot3 10/17/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I rec'd a brochure yesterday saying Dell and DFS were going to share my private info with other 3rd party companies for marketing purposes. Well, it said that in about 5,000 words or so. At the end is a box stating that I may opt-out of this by calling the number listed or writing a letter (including certain info) and send it to the listed address.

I chose to use the phone method. After being shoved around to a few people, I finally got someone who could help me 'opt-out'. This involved 'opening a case' as if I had a technical issue with my account.

My IdeaStorm suggestion, hey Dell, make it easier for us to OPT-OUT of your attempts to make money off of my personal information. What's the matter? Didn't make enough money off of my patronage to Dell products and the interest rates charged? Getting an extra $1 for my name, address and age information going to help Michael Dell get a new boat? C'mon!

While I'm disturbed that Dell wanted to sell me out, I'm more disturbed that Dell made it difficult for us to opt-out. A simple URL would have been nice. I know, that would make more people opt-out and Dell would have less names to sell. It's like a mail-in-rebate or the lack of a cancel button in the account information at freecreditreport.com, you HAVE to call, and since that's a pain in the neck, most people will sloth themselves into something they don't really want. 42 Comments »

Stop Overcharging on Notebook RAM

Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by realskript 08/28/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Dell really... REALLY need to stop overcharging... and when i say overcharing... i mean atleast double what you would pay to pick up the ram yourself.
On XPS Notebooks... you are charging $500 for 4GB of ram... when you could easily go pick them up at your local computer shop for $250... and pocket the other half of the $500...

It would be nice if dell could save the customers as well as the company itself this hassle.. and start charging NORMAL prices for an upgrade in RAM.

thanks =D

PS..... PROMOTE THIS!!!!











88 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 »

Make Linux and no Operating system standard options on all future products

Operating Systems submitted by jervis961 08/17/07 **REVIEWED**

OK Dell you have committed to supplying Linux options in limited form. Since you have laid the groundwork already here is the next step. Every new product you release that needs an Operating system should have Linux and also no Operating System as an option in the configuration along side Windows. Since you have to write drivers and test compatability for Vista when making a new product just make it compatable with Linux at the same time. There will no longer be a need for a seperate sections for Linux or no Operating system since all of the products will have the option. this will help make your site easier to navigate for you customers. You can also create an ACCURATE help me choose section for the OS choices.





Check out what daniel_j has to say on the options we offer.





189 Comments »

Standardize Power Cables for Laptops

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by badblood 08/27/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Nothing is more annoying than laptop power cables that are not interchangeable from one computer model to another or from one brand of computer to another. Power cables have been standardized on most electrical applicances, including desktop computers for decades.

Make an effort to promote and implement standard power cables for laptops.


Please see dawn_l's comments below.
105 Comments »

There should be an option of having no trialware on all computers

Software submitted by jervis961 08/23/07 **REVIEWED**

Here is a news article about trialware and how Dell feels that regular customers want it but small business ones do. Do they not look at the ideas here?

"Not interested in all of the trial software that clutters up new PCs? You're not alone: According to Dell's recent research in both focus groups and broader surveys, small-business users overwhelmingly view trialware as an irritant, not a benefit. That research has led Dell to axe the extras from its new Vostro line of small-business desktop PCs and laptops. Eliminating demo applications is a major step for Dell, which has caught flack for the quantity of trialware on its consumer PCs. (One frustrated customer went so far as to develop a "Decrapifier" utility. The company says that consumers who buy PCs for personal use do express interest in preloaded trial software, but that small-business users have different needs. By eliminating the trialware from Vostro machines, Dell says it has cut the system setup time in half. For now, Dell is the only major PC manufacturer to ship small-business systems without preinstalled trialware as a standard practice. (Some competitors, such as HP, allow customers to choose a no-trialware configuration.)"


Dell offers a broad amount of software choice and minimal software shipped. Read jeremy_f's post on the options we give our customers





149 Comments »