Replacing XPS M1530 with XPS L501x

During the past month, Dell sent to my home 3 different Technicians to resolve several problems with my XPS M1530 to no avail. Actually, one of the technicians even cut one of the wires attempting to fix one problem he caused another. And my laptop was worse than what it originally was. Dell is now replacing my laptop with a XPS L1501x upgrading it with the items they deemed appropriate. Isn't the 15.4 Liquid Crystal Display comparable to a LED screen? Or am I wrong? Now I'm a little confused and not sure if it really is an upgrade, does anyone know what the 3yr at home warranty really entails and covers? Don't understand why Dell sends out a replacement without even discussing it first with the customer. I purchased a 3 yr at home service and I'm not sure what the policy is. Has anyone had a similar experience?

My XPS M1530 is being replaced by the following specs..

1 224-9506 XPS L501X (Direct)
1 310-0173 AIRBORNE DOCUMENTATION,SY
1 312-1113 56 WHr 6-cell Li-Ion Prim
1 317-5417 Intel Core i5-460M 2.53GH
1 317-5422 4GB,DDR3,2 DIMM (L501X)
1 318-0138 JBL 2.1 Speakers with Wav
1 318-0150 8X DVD+/-RW Tray Load Dri
1 318-0152 Metalloid Aluminum (WLAN)
1 318-0392 Windows Live Wave 4, CNB
1 320-1665 NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M 1G
1 320-1672 15.6HDF TLF LCD L501X
1 330-6222 Windows 7 OS Label,CNB
1 331-0481 Backlit Keyboard (Interna
1 331-043 Resource DVD L501X
1 342-1682 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard
1 410-0487 MICROSOFT OFFICE STARTER
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0
1 410-2464 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,36MTH,W/
1 420-6436 PC-RESTORE, DIM/INSP
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,SW,DIM/INSP
1 420-7938 DELL CONNECT 2.1,DIM/INSP
1 420-8878 SW,SFTCON,DELL-IN-HOME
1 420-9100 DELL DOCK CONSUMER,INB/XN
1 420-9691 DATASAFE LOCAL BACKUP
1 420-9876 COZI-CALENDAR,INB
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 421-075 SKYPE VOIP SOFTWARE APPLI
1 421-1362 DELL SOFTWARE,ROXIO 1.0,
1 421-1737 WIN 7 HOME PREM, 64, ENG,
1 421-2086 EBAY-WEBSLICE, CNB
1 421-3874 Camera Software 2.X, Fact
1 421-3984 WIDI Software For L501X
1 421-4118 WHITEPAGES.COM,WEBSLICE,
1 421-4289 DELL SPRT-CTR SW 3.0
1 430-3891 Intel Centrino Advanced-N
1 430-3893 No Mobile Broadband L501X
1 430-3894 Dell Bluetooth 3.0
1 430-4038 INTEGRATED NIC
1 464-7384 Exchange

My CURRENT XPS M1530

M244D Processor, T8300, 2.4, 3MB, Core Penryn, M0
1 UY685 Cord, Power, 125V, 2.5A, 1M, C5 Dual, United States
1 NK750 Keyboard, 86, United States English, Single, Pointing Barents
1 FW331 Kit, Remote Control, Notebook Mobile 2008, Philips
1 RU335 GUIDE..., OWNER..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM..., M1530, ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 YK181 Guide, Product, Information Client, DAO/BCC
1 XR215 Assembly, Palmrest, Aluminum W/FPRDR, M1530
0 01323 INFORMATION..., NO ITEM
1 RU345 PLACEMAT..., GETTING STARTED..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM..., M1530, DAO/EMEA
1 DF315 Assembly, Adapter, Alternating Current, 90W, Mobile 2007 Liteon, 3PIN
1 DP157 Assembly, Camera, 2M, Integrated Manufactured In China, Latin America, M085
1 R770D Printed Wiring Assy, Planar LCD LED, 1530
1 XR217 Assembly, Cover, DASHBOARD Plastic, M1530
1 K257H KIT..., Software, VHP32SP1A, DigitalVideo Disk Drive, Multiple, 5
1 R788G Liquid Crystal Display 15.4WXGA+, Light Emitting DiodeWTLF, CHI MEI OPTOELECTRONICS..., V2
1 XR856 Bracket, Support, Metal, 15.4 Liquid Crystal Display, R, M1530
1 XT816 Battery, Primary, 56WHR, 6C Lithium, SANYO
4 2864D Screw, M3X3, K SCREW HEAD..., MICROSOFT..., BLACK OXIDE...
1 F988H Kit, Software, Dell Media Direct, 3.5, Digital Video Disk Drive, W1, EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM...
1 MK933 Card, Wireless, Minicard, 4965 Most Of World 1
1 N849D Assembly, Cable, LED LCD, M1530
1 P005H Kit, Software, Roxio, 10.2-0, DellEdition
1 T118F Kit, Software, Mcafee, 9, Compact Disk Drive, English
1 N530F Hard Drive, 320GB, Free Fall Sensor, 9.5, 7.2K, Seagate Casey
2 Y9540 Dual In Line Memory Module 2GB, 667, 256X64, 8K, 200
1 K937C Assembly, Dvd+/-rw, 8, SLOT, 1530 Sony Nec Optiarc Inc.
1 XR855 Bracket, Support, Metal, 15.4 Liquid Crystal Display, L, M1530
1 HT898 Bezel, Liquid Crystal Display Plastic, W/CMRA, Light Emitting Diode, M1530
1 CM796 Assembly, Cover, Liquid Crystal Display, Black, Light Emitting Diode, M1530
1 D501F ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., DISCRETE..., 256M, M1530
1 XR216 Assembly, Heatsink, Notebook MEROM, M1530
1 CW725 Card, Wireless, Internal Bluetooth, 355, Windows Vista Os

 

Back in 2004, Dell sent out a replacement for my Dimension 8400 after about an hour on the phone arguing about their bad quality. So I guess that you got a great deal, considering that you are getting an upgrade all the way around considering you are going from Vista to 7, T8300 to i5-460M, DDR2 to DDR3, and others. I would actually not question their thinking and just be happy. Keep in mind, those "techs" that they sent to your house are not Dell's techs, they are local contractors. Eventually sending those contractors to your place becomes more expensive than just giving you a new one and selling the other one refurbished.

 

Make a long story short; it's a hell of an upgrade. M1530 is plagued by the defective Nvidia chips. You can repair/replace it over and over so Dell will essentially "buy" out your notebook for another one. I can guarantee you will be happier with the XPS 15. The 3 year warranty is basically an extension of the 1 year, and the in home service means a Dell technician will be dispatched to your home for in home service.

 

Thank you guys sooooo much! I was not sure what to think... I guess I did well... Now I can't wait to get my new Dell L1501x. I should be receiving it tomorrow.

 

This is the first time I use this forum, and I am very happy I came across it. One can learn alot

 

They recently replaced ny Studio 1558 with an XPS l501x. It's a great computer. The one thing they did not get me that I needed though was the higher res on the screen. I had 1080p on the old screen, and this one is a 720p. But, they are sending someone to my place to put a new screen on this week! I know Dell has had issues in the past, but their customer service has gotten really good.

 

How come just an hour ago when I was talking to a rep, he said the current models for replacing M1530's are refurbished M1530's or Studio XPS 1640's (also refurbished)? I am having a tech come out and replace my 8600M GT, fan, and heatsink for the 2nd time, but this is actually a 3rd service because my original M1530 was replaced.

Anyway, the L501x looks really great, and I think you got a great deal compared with "upgrading" to a Studio XPS 1640.

P.S. Here's a quick rundown of my own situation, not that far off from yours BigAngel925, if only seemingly more lazy due to the spaced out requests for assistance: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7029435-post1170.html

 

^^That is what they originally told me when they wanted to replace my 1530 w/another refurb or a refurb'd 1640. I gently but firmly refused, expanding on the known GPU issues, and why would they want to replace another 1530 that would 99.9% have a chance on the GPU failing moreso, and them spending more $$ on replacement parts. You could even mention the Nvidia Settlement that is going on right now.


Cin...

 

Yeah I'm definitely saving all this and writing it down along with my previous documentation for when I end up calling them the next time overheating starts again.

But still, I'm just wondering why some people get different replacement models? I was told, hypothetically (since I am only getting a technician sent out this time), that the potential replacements for an M1530 are: another M1530 (refurbished), or an "XPS 1640" (refurbished; he excluded the word Studio, which I will argue about -- I specifically bought an XPS, not a Studio XPS).

Thanks again.

 

I don't think this is anything you need to worry about now as you are getting a replacement part this time. Your motherboard will probably last a few months (hopefully ) and at that time the risk of getting another M1530 or XPS Studio 1640 will be even smaller. Most ppl Ive read about have gotten XPS 15's as replacements and if you will be offered a 1640 when you time comes, you can probably argue your way towards another system (again, dont think its probable that you will get a 1640).

And remember that the tech-representatives that you talk to are not responsible for the actual system; they forward the order to another dept who makes a suggestion to you in regard to your current system.

 

BigAngel925, what resolution did you have on your M1530-screen?

 

I don't think they will give you either a refurb'd 1530 or 1640. And, who knows maybe when the technician looks at your lappy he will decide that just replacing is the better. He has that power to call Dell and advise on a replacement.

Cin...

 

He will probably not decided that on his own, but It might be worth hinting the fact to him (he may have an experience of repairing X1530's) and getting him a nice cup of coffee