Accept this replacement?

With my current Inspiron 1520 needing it's 3rd motherboard and 3rd charger, not to mention it's on its 3rd LCD, Dell has agreed to give me a replacement XPS 15. My current laptop has a Core2Duo 2ghz cpu, 4 gigs ram, 160 gig HDD and 1680x1050 display and 256 meg discrete gpu. Now the new system has great specs: i5-560 cpu, 6 gigs ram, 1gb dedicated gpu, 640gig harddrive. However they are only offering a 720p screen. Should I accept the lower res screen? Will I be happy with it? The other specs are MORE than enuff, i'm just worried about not like the screen. Thoughts?

 

I would jump all over that, that thing will blow your 1520 away. If you end up needing the extra screen res then buy a replacement 1080p panel.

 

Looks like good specs but on the screen, I do think you are warranted to ask them to give you an equivalent screen of same or better resolution.

 

Kinda what I'm thinking too. The new one doesn't include a backlit keyboard. Can I add that myself?

 

The backlit keyboard is something I would argue as well, it's a $25 upgrade on a new machine but I'm guessing $100+ if you can even get the backlit keyboard afterwards. On the screen if you can talk them into it then yes, if not I'd still take it.

 

Well since my old one doesn't have a backlit keyboard, I doubt they'd give me one. I just thought it'd be a sweet option to have. Maybe i'll wait for the new system to come in, and if i'm unhappy with the screen, ask them about it then. Right now, all 1080p screens are out-of-stock, so I could end up waiting?

 

You may be able to find an alternative screen too, I know the XPS 14 owners found a better screen that's 1600x900 instead of the crap 1366x768 res and it runs a whopping $83 shipped for an LG panel. May be worth doing some research as you could possibly find an alternative panel, for cheaper, that's better.

 

Well, no luck with getting a 1080p screen, as they said they are unavailable. I'll just make due with the 720p I guess.

 

Worst case scenario I'm sure someone with a maxxed out 1520 would loooove to trade you

Honestly the res is arguable but hey, they are giving you a laptop that stops the snot out of your old one, why not just invest in a desktop monitor to use when you need extra realestate? As others said though, you are way better off taking that laptop and adding the screen down the road if it bugs you that much seeing as you'll be able to make $50 - $70 off of your 720P LCD to make the upgrade less painful.

 

And as I'm guessing it's the same process to swap the screen in both the 15 and 14 it's really not that hard as you can get into the case by just popping the screen bezel off and removing some screws/hardware to get the old one out. I would however keep the old screen as it will be required if you ever have to do a full swap under warranty again.

 

I went ahead and accepted it. If I'm able to upgrade to a 1080p down the road and a backlit keyboard, even if it costs me a couple hundred bux I have no reason to complain. The new system does sound sweet and Im very anxious to get it. They said turnaround time is 15-20 days. I sure hope its alot sooner than that!

 

Speaking about replacements. Is there an official process on shipping the old laptop back? The xps tech support rep said the postage was in the box, but I didn't see any.

 

By the way would you sell that video card?

 

Thank god you accepted the replacament. Otherwise i'd consider your iq to be <10

 

Good move, you won`t be sorry.

 

enjoy the system! the change is going to be like night and day, it's plenty more powerful. it'll take some getting used to the lower resolution screen though, but the specs should make up for it. and as suggested, it's possible to swap it out for a 1080p panel later on if wished.

 

I will definitely be swapping out that panel at some point, is my guess

 

Well, the did a little switch-a-roo. Instead of giving me what they orig told me, I guess they adjusted the specs. I'm getting the i460/4gigs ram/500hdd instead of the i540/6gigs/640HDD that I agreed to and was told I was getting. I'm still okay with it, just sux that they fibbed.

 

Don't accept that, if you have the name of the rep that told you those specs call and speak to a manager and complain to get what you were promised. Remain very calm but stick to your guns that you were told that you would receive the better specs. Realistically it's still an upgrade but if you were promised something better than fight to get it. If necessary I'd contact the corp resolution department

 

It did it using chat, and I have the chat log:

Agent (CLKsmb_Jericho_217305):
"Standard Keyboard. (english)
Silver Anodized Aluminum 15.6" HD (720p) WLED Display with 2.0 MP webcam ALHDLAN
Intel® Core™ i5-560M (2.66GHz, 4 threads, turbo boost up to 3.2GHz, 3M cache)
Memory: 6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
Hard Drive: 640GB 7200" RPM SATA Hard Drive

Maybe I should fight it?

 

Definitely fight it, you have very solid proof now.

 

Talked to a couple people at Dell and they pretty much told me 'Too fn bad. The system we sent you is still way better than you had" I love the new system, but just pissed that they told me one thing and sent another. Oh well.

 

Who did you speak to? I've found with Dell it's more about talking to the right person, I would try the consumer resolution/replacement department.

 

I talked to some Indian and also their supervisor. All the supervisor did was argue with me.

By chance know the direct number to consumer resolution/replacement department?

 

There's not a direct number for them without having a case worker assigned through emailing them. Since posting info isn't allowed on the boards I will pm you the email address.