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 »

Explain the difference between different processors

Dell, Dell Web Site, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ccpljat Apr 26

Somewhere on your website you need to explain the difference between different processors or provide a comparison chart. For example, there is a difference between the Intel Celeron 2.0 GH processor and the Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GH processors. Also provide information comparing Intel to AMD Sempron, and their other processors. 1 Comment »

Let the customer CHOOSE their web interface to Dell

Dell Web Site, Simplify IT submitted by phubert May 7

Some web sites offer different views...

Whether a consumer or business/government/etc. customer, Dell could improve the customer experience by offering a choice of interfaces...

* bare bones, more information on the page, more of a list format
...with an option for images when they might be useful
* graphical, more colorful

The simpler interface would likely be much faster on refresh, while conveying more information at a glance.

Drill-down with -complete- specs on equipment, perhaps including benchmarks and comparisons could also be VERY valuable.

Dell should address customer skill levels, so an interface could be available to match the background OF the customer.

"Give me no frills! Give me information!"

vs.:

"I'm completely lost when it comes to computers, LEAD ME!!" Comment »

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".







15 Comments »

Does Dell have? A "What can I do with my Dell?" web link?

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Desktops and Laptops submitted by phubert May 7

The suggestion is that, if Dell isn't already doing this, to have a link off each system description page titled:

"What can I DO with my Dell?"

This could also be a standalone section with different lists of functions for home, home office, SMB, Education, etc. Meaning, depending on the area you select, you would find different 'possibilities' and system options, configurations and accessories explored.

This is LIKE a 'solutions' approach but would be educational (to customers) as well.

It would tie-in well with Dell's new premium services program(s).

Of course a separate path "Dell Solutions" would serve a similar purpose, but from another perspective.

BOTH could be most useful to customers.

As I have said before, ORDER PAGES should have pop-ups highlighting specific features...

ONE example:

When ordering a KVM switch, a pop-up that asks "Have you looked at the supported SCREEN RESOLUTION?" and offered alternatives would have saved OUR site a very annoying (and unresolvable) mistake!! Comment »

Dell's Website must work with Firefox running on Linux

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by qgonjon 07/16/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

It's discouraging to have a Tier 1 vendor (Dell) selling Linux products and yet not really tailoring to Linux. Don't get me wrong Dell, I am not trying to take away all the good you have done. Offering Linux is a step in the right direction and I would like to see more steps taken in a monthly or quarterly basis. But, it seems that the basis for your current Linux promotion is for the Open Source enthusiast like me. I use Linux at home and at work as my main operating system. I use Firefox as my browser and I'm trying to order a Dell Inspiron 1420N. However, it seems that the embedded flash script that shows the different colors choices for the Inspiron is not working under Linux. It also shows that I can't see the different images thereafter. It works with Windows running Firefox as my vmware machine verified. But that is not the type of user that will most likely purchase a Linux laptop.

My request is simple. Can someone fix and verify that this page works well with Linux browser technology? So, that users can enjoy purchasing your Linux products and demonstrate that Dell really cares about their customer's operating system preference.

Dell I wish you the best in this venture as your success in this territory will help the Linux Desktop become a reality to the open source community.





71 Comments »

Highlight newly available options

Dell Web Site submitted by shrndegruv Apr 18

In the last week the XPS M1530 has had 2 new features available:

1) LCD up to 1920x1200
2) LED backlighting on 1440x900 res.

It would be nice if this was highlighted on the dell website, preferable on the man xps page so a user doesn't have to actually start configuring a machine to see it.

Also, maybe allow user to subscribe to an RSS feed that highlights newly available options.

Finally, it would be nice if customers new in advance what will be available in the foreseeable future (say, 6 months). Potential customers like myself, who are waiting for certain features (LED backlighting on the 1680x1050 xps m1530) would appreciate that. 1 Comment »

Keep the Dell Image Bank Up To Date!

Dell Web Site submitted by cestuila May 1

Hi all,

I think Dell should bare in mind to keep its Image bank page ( http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/imagebank/en/index?c=us&l... ) up to date.
Some of the links don't correspond to what they should once you click on them (e.g: the D820 with D/View just links to a standard D820 on its own), and some of the latest products don't appear on that page.

For instance, the Pink XPS M1330 and/or M1530 should appear, since you already have the high resolution pics available (when the following article was first published, there was a link to the high rez pics of the M1330 in Pink: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2008/2008_... )

Moreover, the New Vostro line (1310, 1510...) doesn't appear on the image bank yet.

I think Dell should keep the Image Bank up to date so that Partners, retailers, the press (etc.) have easy access to good quality images of the latest product.
Similarly, customers might want to see detailed pictures of the products before buying them.

Thanks! 1 Comment »

Stop Advertising Windows Vista On Your Linux Pages

Advertising and Marketing, Dell, Dell Community, Dell Web Site, Linux, Service and Support submitted by aikiwolfie Yesterday

A while ago I noticed the Latitude XT promotional demo video in the Linux section of the Dell community page. And questioned it's relevance then. In the open source page on Dell.com Dell is still trying to steer open source users back to Windows.

The Latitude XT is a Microsoft Windows only product and is not offered with Ubuntu or any other form of Linux so far as i know. In fact the demo video shows the Latitude XT running Windows Vista. Please stop badgering open source users and stop hounding them with this Windows Vista nonsense. We've already decided we're not interested. 4 Comments »

Create a blog describing some features of future products.

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by ccpljat Apr 27

I think you should have a page where you describe some of the product ideas that are soon to be available so that people can see where you are going and what your plans are. You wouldn't have to put full details out, but just some bait. This would probably help your sales. Also, some pre-release pictures of products would be nice. You may already have something like this in place. If you do, then you are ahead of me. 2 Comments »

Simplify configuration choices

Dell Web Site submitted by jamesmoroni1 May 2

Configuring your new PC at Dell.com should be a pleasant experience, but it's needlessly complicated. Here's how it should work:

You click to start building a laptop, a slim desktop, or a full-size desktop.

Your next choice is processor. There should be a dozen choices here, and there should be a simple chart comparing performance bewteen the processors. I know that's not an exact science, but we should get at least a generalization.

Third choice is memory. This is really easy: 1 gig, 2 gigs, three gigs, or four gigs. Four choices, minimum pain.

Then you choose your video card, hard drive, monitor, and everything else.

When I'm shopping at Dell.com, it's frustrating to have so many different models with so many configuration options. I'm forced to decided between different models that have different memory and hard drive configuration options -- even if they're really the same box underneath the skin. I suspect this has arisen from an effort to confuse the costumer into spending more than is necessary -- that's no way to run a company. Comment »

Discounts for schools when parents buy Dell computers for their child

Dell Web Site, Education, Sales Strategies submitted by jervis961 Apr 24

Dell currently gives a percentage off a Dell system to college students but not middle and high school ones. I say give the same discounts to middle and high school student's parents but with a twist. Offer a deal where parents get the same price as the regular Dell site and the discount goes to their child's school to purchase new computers. You could even extend the deal out to everyone who buys a Dell system to select a school for the money to be applied to. 11 Comments »

Parts & Spares and compatibility

Dell Web Site submitted by pjb1008 Apr 24

When trying to get accessories for Dell laptops (eg. docking station, external CD drive etc), it is difficult to work out what I need to buy - I get lots of results back, but I need to go into the description of each one separately to work out which one is appropriate for my laptop. I want to enter a service tag, and then see only the compatible equipment.

Where there are funny connectors involved (eg. the double-height USB+power connector), that should be made clear.

It needs to be clear how the different parts relate to each other (eg. which of D/Bay, D/Port, Media base, laptop stand, monitor stand do I need?). 3 Comments »

Single SKU, single price for components across all Dell systems.

Dell Web Site submitted by vitalsupport Apr 23

Make prices for individual components that are the same between systems across your various lines the same. For example the 2-button optical mouse costs $14 when purchased with an Optiplex system but only $9 with a Vostro or Dimension. There are others like a DVD-ROM/CDRW on a server costs $99 but the same device on an Optiplex costs $27. Processors have even more widely varying prices.

The cost for the same or nearly identical component should be the same regardless of division or product line. The variance in cost between lines should be based on the inherent flexibility, capabilities, and warranty of the base model without the common components such as hard drives, memory, optical drives and such. This will make comparing a systems value easier, and make buyers feel like they are being treated fairly. This request does NOT however restrict Dell's ability to have discounts for any complete system configuration. 1 Comment »

Ordering computers on Dell Premier - how to choose which monitor

Dell Web Site submitted by pjb1008 Apr 24

When ordering a computer on the Dell Premier site, it needs to be easier to find out about the accessories actually are. This is particularly noticeable when selecting a TFT to go with the computer - the product description doesn't include the screen resolution! Currently, I have to write down the product name and then feed the names to Google to see the product pages.

The descriptions needs to be improved, but also there should be a link to the product page for each accessory. 1 Comment »

explain the assets of linux

Dell Web Site, Service and Support submitted by siger Apr 20

on dell 's website coul you give more informations about : why choosing ubuntu ?

On your website you just : For people who don't want to buy windows.

Linux is more than that. Linux is not only for against windows.

Explain the assets of linxu and why it can fit the visitor. 10 Comments »

Updated Driver Releases

Dell Web Site, Latitude products submitted by gsulfaro Apr 7

I have noticed that the Video Card Drivers for the Intel X3100 Graphics Driver that ships on the Latitude D630 has not been updated since the 30/5/2007.

Intel have released several new revisions since then but the one on your website is still outdated and we are not able to install the package directly from the Intel website.

Please update your drivers. 2 Comments »

Explaine why Dell recommends Windows Vista® ?

Dell Web Site, Education, Operating Systems submitted by yesmathew Mar 12

I saw many idea related to "Dell recommends Windows". Here is one more. Based on Home user or Business user, Dell website recommends either Vista® Home Premium or Vista® Business. Explain why?

So the idea is to educate user, why Dell recommends Windows Vista? Is there any page explaining why Dell recommends Windows Vista? hyper linked to heading "Dell recommends Windows Vista®".

Otherwise does not make any sense to just display "Dell recommends Windows Vista"! 30 Comments »

Discuss Ubuntu on Dellbuntu Design

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by zmjjmz Apr 7

Whenever I go to a Dellbuntu (Dell computer with Ubuntu) and click "Choose" It gives me a page with four tabs; Offer Details, Design, Tech Specs, and Customer Ratings.
Offer Details explicitly lists the computer as coming with Ubuntu, yet Design and Tech Specs talk about Vista. (When I click Customize though it still has Ubuntu, it's merely a marketing thing.) I understand that the page is located at the standard place for that computer, but you should at least have a section in Design and a listing in Tech Specs about Ubuntu being offered on that computer, and a link to it. Also, in the Design section, please don't put any bovine scatology that says Ubuntu is for geeks/enthusiasts. 2 Comments »

Dell needs to update its information on retail offerings

Dell Web Site submitted by winoffice Apr 12

This is not a request on extending retail offerings...I want Dell to do so but this idea is about correcting information about it.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/retail?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~

Those Web pages have incorrect information. For example, if one were to click the Staples link (a link to it is available here: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/staples?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs), one would read that the Staples offerings are: Inspiron 1521 and 1721, and XPS M1330 notebooks, Inspiron 530s and 530 desktops, SE198WFP and E228WFP monitors, and 926, 948 and 1320c printers.

At least in my area however, the offerings were different. The offerings in my area also included the 1908WFP, SP2008WFP and E248WFP monitors, the Inspiron 531s desktop, and the 1420, 1525 and 1720 notebooks (and excluded the 1521 notebook and the 530s desktop). The Best Buy Web page has a similar problem. Dell needs to update its information on retail offerings, in order not to be inaccurate or mislead customers concerning retail offerings. Comment »