no lighting available on laptop
Laptops submitted by howardnyc
02/17/07
while my IBM ThinkPad had its flaws, there was one nice thing which made it easier to use on airplanes, seminars and whenever I did a presentation....
a nifty eight watt light bulb which illuminated the keyword...
I just discovered -- the awful way -- this is not available on my INSPIRON 6400
lucky for me another of those presenting had another model (also DELL) and she was kind enough to lend me her clamp-on lamp (battery powered and now I gotta buy one for myself)
2254
Lighter laptops - some suggestions
Laptops submitted by amri64
02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Would like to see more laptops below 2kg (4.4lbs).
Suggestions:
1. Replace Hard Disk with solid state storage device. Advantage: 1) lighter 2)no moving parts means less probability of breaking down (esp due to wear & tear)
2. External DVD drives. On the road, most things needed are already in the laptop. Leave the movie-watching & software-installing to the home/office/hotel room. The DVD drive can be checked in the suitcase.
3. Option to power off graphics card, camera, etc when not used for task at hand. Prolong battery life.
4. Lithium polymer batteries? For comparable charge densities, aren't they lighter?
Challenge: Fujitsu already has a 15" notebook at 2.4kg, though specs aren't so impressive, imho. Can Dell produce one at 2kg or less, & with specs "to die for"?
Please see jackie_c's comment
3406
ONE SHOPPING CART PLEASE (dell.com)
Dell Web Site submitted by ootleman
02/16/07
Why split it up into 4 different shopping carts (home, small business, etc)? I still don't know how it works. 1/2 my products go into one cart, 1/2 my orders go into the other, possibly depending on where I was browsing from.
And, then, seems like the shopping carts expire after a few hours. After all that time spent configuring, why not keep it around longer.
Matter of fact, why not split the site up at all? If I click on desktops - show me all desktops. Do I, as a small company, need differ computers then a medium business? Please show me everything and let me figure out what works best.
2801
Student Discounts!
Education, Sales Strategies submitted by cnmopt
02/18/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**
Similar to Apple, Dell should offer students a special discount on Dell Products. The Apple market share is currently growing in the education sector and offering [college] students a discount would be useful to counter Apple's strategy.
19503
The Clutter Is Forming: We Need A Moderator
Dell Community, IdeaStorm submitted by googideas
02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Approximately 48 hours into its life, and Ideastorm is filling up with repetition and senseless comments. Since moderation cannot be exercised by the participants a moderator a la Dell Employee must put up her hand. Or his hand. We aren't picky!
One: Repeating the same ideas from earlier posts is a pain to the reader and a waste of space and time. These should be removed.
Two: Suggestions which are without applicability to the issues at hand should be removed: one post states that "Dell should set up Dell Pay to compete with Paypal." Sigh. Why?
For what unique purpose? Dell's business is not online payments, in the same way Apple's is not selling music (they sell music at a loss to sell iPods at a gain). There is no benefit to Dell and it meets no need.
Since this format is experimental and fully funded by Dell, I encourage Dell to cut the wheat from the chafe and remove as much as they see fit. For all of the "I have rights" and "freedom of speech" advocates, you don't. This is a place where the good keep going and the bad go out.
The less posts the better. It provides Dell what they want: the opportunity to test strong ideas properly. Without the removal of clutter, the good ideas will by dint of the time they are posted (e.g. 3am) and the increasing volume of posts, inevitably suffer at times the forest's size despite the grandeur of the tree in question.
I may be going against the grain of popular opinion, but you add your vote to this post if you believe in the goal of this site, and not the freedom it offers to utter the first inane thing which comes to mind.
jackie_c is IdeaStorm's moderator. Also, for any mod updates, check out the talk with the moderator blog at the top of the page.
12547
Use only the best and brightest LCDs for all laptops! No sub-par manufacturers need apply!
Laptops submitted by astudios
02/17/07
From what I understand, today's Dell LCDs on laptops are made by Toshiba, LG, Samsung, etc.. why make it an anticipating "waiting game" for the customer to see which quality of LCD they get when their laptop comes in? The LCD display is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT part of any laptop. Dell.. please, use ONLY the best and brightest LCDs on all of your laptops.
Quick story of my experience.. I'm a huge Dell-fan and buy lots of PCs and laptops from them for myself, my business, and for my friends and family. The LCD on their 700m laptops were the *absolute best* .. After that, I purchased the XPS1210. The LCD was "duller" and I was disappointed. But then I ordered the XPS1410 for a friend and when it came in, I was horrified with poor viewing angles of the LCD. The only way you could comfortably view the screen was when it was PERFECTLY square with your eyes! I was almost ashamed to give it to my friend. Finally, recently, I ordered the Inspiron 6000 (SXUGA?) and was relieved that is was much better. But still nothing like the 700m I used to own.
What happened to Dell's LCDs? Please make this top priority and bring the "wow" back into your laptops! (And oh, another thing, if you could somehow make your laptops thinner and lighter, that'd be great too!).
Thank you for allowing us this forum.
6565
Become the open source OEM
Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ntaylor0909
02/17/07 **REVIEWED**
I read the same question on Linux forums, all the time: What is the best brand of computer/laptop to purchase for Linux. I know that there is the n series of computers and notebooks, but it could go a step further. Accept the recent offer of free Linux driver development from the Linux Kernel Community so that DELLs "just work" with Linux. Maybe look at some ideas like LinuxBIOS and/or OpenBIOS. Become the OEM that everyone recommends. There is a growing market for Open Source friendly computers and DELL could own that market.
In the past year, we've made a lot of progress on getting Linux to work well on all of our products. Our goal is to become the hardware vendor of choice for Linux users. Click here to learn more from john_h.
34058
Silent / Quiet Computers: Sound levels in decibels
Desktops and Laptops submitted by pchris
02/17/07 **REVIEWED**
I'd like Dell to provide the sound level in decibels for each of their desktops, under max load as well as at idle.
How a manufacturer can produce an expensive computer, and then have the user acoustic experience of that computer dominated by the noise generated by a cheap fan worth just pennies, for the entire lifetime of that computer, is incomprehensible. Computers are noisy when brand new, but those cheap fans begin to rub and oscillate and make additional annoying noises, frequently within a short period of time of purchase.
Personally, the peace and quiet of my personal workspace is very important to me, it's my sanctuary from the world where I can focus and be creative. To have that experience disrupted by cheap fans is sad, especially when slightly more expensive fans and some reasonable design would solve the issue. Another reason why I consider buying an Apple.
If the cost of a better sound design and fans is significant, it could be an extra cost option.
In general, Dell provides noise data of its products in the Environmental Datasheets. Tests are conducted according to ISO standards in a NVLAP accredited acoustics facility. Click here for more details
35977
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
Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
Linux submitted by gergnz
02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.
84417
More RAM!
Desktops and Laptops submitted by mwmtjm
01/30/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Do away with 512MB of memory as a base option to buy consumer desktops and notebooks. With Vista running best on 1GB at a minimum, don't make customers have a basic experience with the new OS because Dell wants to be able to advertise at a lower price point. The success of Vista -- and subsequently for Dell -- will be largely in word of mouth. Take a long-term view and build the momentum one great customer experience at a time right now!
39942
No Extra Software Option
Software submitted by ootleman
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.
Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.
120784
Stripped down, fast Linux Box
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Linux submitted by pawprintz
02/17/07 **REVIEWED**
How about a fast, Internet ready Linux desktop. Small form factor, pretty monitor, mouse & keyboard, the O.S., OpenOffice & Firefox. Cheap'n'fast
Dell sees the value of this idea, and is keeping the sugestions for a Linux small form factor on the radar. john_h will let the community know of any new information as it comes.
67940
End PC Payola | Pioneer a PC Builder Code of Conduct
Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/20/07
Dell's image was damaged by the $1bn Intel kickback scandal. Many in the computer industry believe that Microsoft's grip on Dell and other PC Builders is airtight due to secret deals and marketing kickbaks. Consumers appreciate lower prices on new Dell PCs thanks in part to bundled 3rd party software, however we are not permitted to choose the software that is pre-installed, and kickback deals are not transparent.
In the music recording and radio broadcasting industries, similar shady practices are called payola. Please, end PC payola, and give control back to your customers.
We encourage Dell to pioneer a voluntary PC Builder Code of Conduct, and regain the public trust.
CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise payola circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Transparency at Dell is necessary for true consumer choice. For example, transparency can be improved by providing the choice of pre-installing quality free and open source software (developed with near 100% transparency). Cast your vote to have the OPTION of buying a new Dell PC pre-installed with Linux and other free software like OpenOffice.org.
4627
Pre-Installed Linux | Ubuntu | Fedora | OpenSUSE | Multi-Boot
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Offer the 3 top free Linux versions for free pre-installation on all Dell PCs.
Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. For example OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC. Cast your vote for OpenOffice and other free software.
Offer easy multi-boot options with Windows Vista, Windows XP, or NO Windows (yes, Linux can entirely replace Windows!)
Offer trade-ins and Linux CDs for older model Dell PCs. Cast your vote for the mini Linux Dell PC and the Universal Education Dell PC, both utilizing free software.
Would you try Linux if it were this easy?
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.
Please take a look at www.dell.com/open for linux options on the Inspiron.
152550
Return to Basics
Service and Support submitted by deecee322
02/17/07
Way back in 1992, I was head of IT for the CNBC cable network. We purchased our very first laptops - before the notebook and sub-notebook varieties became popular - from Dell. At the time, they had separate 3.5 inch disk drives connected through a cable, so if you didn't need it, you didn't need to carry it. The cases were made of recycled plastic to be more "Green." These x386 based machines served us well, and our sales staff took them nationwide to cable companies to show off our television programming. By 1994, I was with another network and my replacement called me to say that Dell had contacted him about buying back the computers. It seemed a problem had developed whereby many of the machines would spontaneously burn up through some problem with circuitry. I was amazed that Dell offered CNBC - who, at the time, was in bed with IBM on the NBC Desktop News project - a deal where they would buy back the laptops for the original purchase price plus the shipping costs. And then offered replacement models at an excellent price, with cross-shipping so the sales and management staff would not be at a loss for portable computing.
Throughout my tenure in network television management and up into executive ranks, I always insisted on Dell products for that reason. Michael Dell was unwilling to let products bearing his name be out in the field unless they were perfect, and their service was perfect. I bought one of the first Pentium servers while at a pay-per-view network then based in Denver. It burned up within three weeks due to overheating. Overnight, we had a service tech on site, replacement of the motherboard, installation of new heat syncs, higher capacity fans and a new chipset. From 1992 through 2001 when I left the industry, I was responsible or directed the purchase of over 750 machines of all types from Dell, based on the fact that service was first. If it wasn't right, it wouldn't be in the field.
I also set up programs whereby our employees could buy Dell computers at the corporate discount, putting many hundreds more Dell products in the marketplace. Everyone was satisfied, even ecstatic over the quality of the product.
That ended after I left the industry. The last Dell desktop I saw was nowhere near the quality of the older models, was wedded to technology I don't want (Intel vs. AMD), and was pre-packaged with software I had no use for (WordPerfect, a no-longer industry standard package).
With the return of Michael Dell to run the company, I sincerely hope they return to their roots. His name is still on the product line. His reputation is what matters most, whether to consumers or corporate lines. It's time to step back away from the sales counter and reevaluate what is wrong with the industry and fix it... like the Japanese, don't fix the blame, fix the problem.
Good luck.
630
Make clear what Windows Vista costs
Operating Systems submitted by rvw
02/21/07
We all know the retail prices of Windows Vista for the different versions, OEM, etc. I would like to see the price difference if I don't want a Vista license. This should be a discount of course, not something you have to pay for (what has happened in the past). This should be the normal OEM price, but probably Dell has a special discount from Microsoft, so the true costs for Dell could be less. I wouldn't mind if Dell used the OEM price.
This way it becomes clear and transparant what the true costs are for using Windows. Of course it would mean that the customer can choose not to buy a Windows license. This should be offered for any notebook or desktop.
1509
 track my votes
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