Your thoughts here: What do you want to see in a refreshed lineup of Dell's notebooks?

Just thought I'd start this thread up and see what kind of responses we get. I'll start off with my suggestion for a refresh of the E1405.

New E1405
========
Core 2 Duo Processor, Santa Rosa
Up to 2GB RAM
Up to 160GB @ 7200 RPM hard drive
Offer up to a X1400/7400, with an XPS version offering up to a 7700 or X1700.
WXGA+ screen option, that doesn't look like crap
Integrated Webcam w/ Mic
Docking connector?
No white bumpers, and a design similar to the M1210 preferred.

 

Well, most, if not all 14" screens have bad viewing angles and overall are pretty bad. I don't know why though...

 

More than anything, a new look and design would help Dell.

 

Elimination of the white bumpers in the e-series Inspirons...obviously...

I'd like to see an HDMI out in place of VGA...

I'd like to see Dell shaving off a 1/2 lb on all their models...

Dedicated graphics on the e1405 series...

MediaDirect becoming OS independent for the Linux users around...

 

as with all dell; i would like to see a new look and design as well. don't DELL now use different company in Taiwan to design their notebook (with the guidance of the dell's US design dept though ). so a new design wouldn't be a surprise to me.

 

Add a keypad in their 17" line, those thing are so huge, and why should Dell waste the real estate.

 

Along this line... There needs to be more bluetooth keypads. The only one in existence that I know of is a fancy logitech one. It's part of a $200 keyboard/mouse/keypad set though

I did try negotiating with the manager of a CompUSA that will be closing me to sell the display keypad (especially because the keyboard had broken keys).

As for actual laptop changes...
I think more colors would be neat. Maybe not a full rainbow, but a black and silver Inspiron would be neat.

The built-in keypad, while a neat idea, would be a problem because it would make the majority of typing be off-center from the screen. That's fine for a desktop, but really bad ergonomics if you were to use the laptop on your lap (Though a 17" on your lap is asking for trouble to begin with... )

 

I want to see the a modular bay in the inspirons again and docking capabilities, built in microphones, better graphics card options and choices, and a 15.4" size XPS system

 

Offer different options with respect to the operating system.

1) No OS option.
2) OS only, no bloat.
3) OS with bloat.
4) Older version OS.

#4 requires explaining. During the period we are now in there will be some who will want to stick with the old tried 'n true (WinXP) while others are willing to forge ahead with the new (Vista). During these periods we need the option of going with the older version OS.

I'm not certain Dell realizes the impact of shipping their systems out with all the bloat installed... it slows down the system significantly having all those additional process running in the background. Many users haven't a clue about this... but just complain about a new system being slower than expected.

 

Dell knows all about bloat, and they arent the only company doing it, almost all consumer level notebooks have it these days, they get paid to put it there, if they just gave folks the trial cd's, hardly anyone would install them, by putting them there in your face, your forced to deal with them one way or another.

I'd like dell to start using DVI outs instead of vga, with the popularity and lower cost of good LCD monitors these days, DVI should be standard, even most low end desktop video cards have at least one, sometimes two.

In regards to #4, Dells offering that, at the begining of a configuration, it asks you what os you wish to configure the machine with. http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspn_6400?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

 

M1710 has one great screen with viewing angle, Best ive seen. If id be picky Ill say make it brighter and add a optical port.

Two HDD's would be nice for raid.
Drop the SVGA port and add HDMI.
Dell could make the XPS more sleeker "new Design"
Add a MIC and WEBCAM "cant believe that it doesnt have one of those atleast"