"DS: If a new Inspiron Desktop were to launch, what features would you want to see?"

What I would like to see probably would not happen based on what Inspiron has been recently.  Chassis design has become mundane and dull in recent models, falling way behind the relatively decent design of older 3847, 660, and 530.  It has been an eye sore to look at dell lately.

top request for Dell to do:

stop using proprietary motherboard and psu. Go back to using microATX and standard psu.  You can redesign a mini tower chassis to make it more attractive and still fit those components.  Dell has incredible mechanical engineering design talent.  Use them on chassis design rather than internal contraption.  

If Dell wants to stick w proprietary psu, make them all have same form factor and same connector for motherboard. Do not change from 4 to 6 pin then to 8 pin.  Stick w 6 pin.  Offer high power psu option w PCIe pin and provide good psu spare parts stock and parts description with part numbers, so users can order directly from Dell.

do a better job w chassis cooling. Making it easier for users to add fans if they want to.  Offer optional better/premium cpu cooler or make it possible for user to switch to 120 mm CLC (which means allowing 120 mm rad mount on case)

incorporate standard led options (such as fan) in standard minitower chassis, consider optional clear side view window panel.  things that are cheap to do but good for marketing and sales.

do not ever design those monster bad looking tower case again such as 5680 which looks like a hybrid of troll and XPS.  If Dell wants to make a cheap gaming Inspiron, do it with grace and elegance.