(1) Why are Dell printers not available through the built-in MacOS X distribution mechanism? Would facilitate the use of Dell printers, and indeed also helps legitimize the Dell printer brand.

Apple delivers third-party software for printers using Software Update. But not for Dell printers, apparently:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669

On that page, they state, “If the printer or scanner does not appear in the list below, visit the device manufacturer's web site or contact the manufacturer to find out if software is available for Mac OS X v10.6 or later.”

(2) We noted that the Dell printer driver for my favorite Dell printer (5130cdn) was recently updated to be compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks). That seemed like a very long lag after Mavericks was released (October 22, 2013). What were customers using 10.9 supposed to do during that time?

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/dell-5130cdn?driverId=FD1DC&osCode=MAC1&fileId=3340414840&languageCode=EN&categoryId=DD
      2/13/2014
      Enhancements: 1. Installer to enable Mac 10.9 compatibility

(3) Purchasing Dells would benefit from clarification on support, service, and supplies, and enhancements, as appropriate.

• Support and service: We have robust, local service options for HP and Xerox printers. Most of the Dell printers offered to Cornell come with only 1 year warranty, not the 3 year warranty for the printer I used to buy. So decent post-warranty service would be important.
• Supplies: Local vendors have cached toner supplies for ~90% of our printer models (HP and Xerox), making turn-around fast, which is important for emergencies.

2/21/14Fri, discussion with JohnG and Oliver:

Dell printers still not available through MacOS driver distribution.

• Instead, to get them, must go out-of-band to Dell site.

2/19/14Wed:

Packing slip was a sticky label (for a pile of Dell laptops, shipped together). That's hard to manage!!

• Used to be paper.
• Reported to Dell's JohnG, in person, 2/21/14. Said he'd look into it.