Taking Other Measures As A Community To Resolve 1645 Throttling Issues

I recently (Dec 7) bought a XPS 1645 and I'm experiencing the throttling issues. It's apparent when I play games (Left 4 Dead 2) and I have the RGBLED brightness set to high. If the brightness is at the max setting, the game is unplayable. If I minimize the brightness, the game immediately becomes playable. I have been keeping up with the throttling thread. From what I've read the upcoming bios update will not fix the issue. It has to be a combination of a bios update and new AC adapter. I don't expect Dell to send out 130w AC adapters after the battery fiasco they had - considering the 1645 was designed to use a 90w AC adapter.

This got me to thinking. If the bios update doesn't resolve the issue, there are only so many options that we have left.

1. We buy third part 130w AC adapters and hope that our laptops don't burn out.

2. We each individually call Dell Tech Support and stay on the phone until we get a refund/replacement unit (possibly the 1647?).

3. We roll over and use the throttled laptop and accept Dell's bios 'fix' - never getting the full performance out of our laptops.

4. Dell offers replacement units for affected customers.


Options 1-3 don't resolve the issue for us. As far as #4 goes, it's hard to imagine Dell issuing a voluntary recall on affected units. But I think option #4 is something that as a community we could make happen. While this issue seems to be fairly well known on the forums, (as someone mentioned in another thread) it is largely unknown to the outside world - based upon the reviews the XPS 1645 gets on Dell's website. If we were to go out and let others know how certain configurations of this laptop under perform, perhaps we make Dell notice enough that they would want to protect their brand by issuing replacements. The catch is that we have to loud and get this out there.

Dell won't voluntarily offer a product replacement. This issue is unknown. If they were to go ahead and replace our XPS 1645's, that would be letting the whole world they screwed up on the design on the laptop.
However, if we can somehow get this into the news cycle and let the world know, then it becomes in Dell's best interest to offer replacements.

The squeaky wheel gets the kick.

So do any of you have news/bloggers/tech websites contacts that could help make this happen?

Personally, the best that I can do is complain to the Better Business Bureau if the bios update doesn't resolve this for me.


Thoughts ?

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/dell-facing-massive-e6400-and-e6500-overheating-and-underclockin/

I think the necessary course of action would be to get the media such as this site, engadget, gizmodo, gdgt, cnet and any others involved in the issue. The users here have a voice through them.

 

I support this movement, this really should be known by all who are thinking about buying this laptop. Although dell hasnt given us our official "fix" for it yet, it must be made clear we wont stand for any more throttling laptops coming off the line. As this issue is deeper then just the 1645 and reflects a poor policy by dell that affects many laptops(a policy that could seem somewhat unethical).

Just think how many customers would not have bought the 1645 if there was a warning stating the throttling effects.

I do not know any good way though to get this out. I suppose if some editors or popular tech sights are willing to listen thats a start. Ill do what i do know how to do and keep that thread updated as much as i can.

 

I've sent an email to Michael Dell and also to Engadget. I'll continue by sending emails to all of the other sites I've mentioned above. If enough of us do this, someone will have to report it.

 

I could try to spread this on swedens largest computer online forum Sweclockers if u like Many many ppl ask for advice before they buy laptops there. There is already a pretty big thread there about the dell xps 1645.

 

Dell was already in the spotlight for a bit about the throttling latitudes (and later the 1645s) I like the idea though and possibly if it reaches a larger news outlet they would be more inclined to stop attempting to ignore us.

 

I like this new too, i have 1340 and i want to purchase a 1647 with the newest ati graphics card and i am now worried about hearing this, i thought the cpu throttle wasn't that bad but man its bad.

 

Sorry i meant to say that i like this forum and i support measures to take this forum to the next level.

 

I posted this in the other thread:

Tired of the throttling? Here's something you can use to help you construct your own BBB complaint to help with your return. I just filed my report. Please don't copy paste as that isn't going to help anyone. I'm merely posting this to help you understand what you'll need to include in your filing. I tried again to contact Dell today to do my return and got the run around and ultimately was told I had to call back on Monday because I was an EPP customer.

 

Guys, I am writing this review having 5 calls with Dell technical hardware support. After spending 12 hours with these guys on phone, I am realizing I have been sold piece of junk.
I am having CPU throttling issues (Whole system freezes, CPU clock speed becomes 266 MHz if AC adapter is plugged in and CPU is utilized more than 80% for 2-3 minutes)
After spending $1500, I am realizing $500 laptop from Walmart will perform better. Whats the use of this so called 'premium laptop' if it performs at 266 MHz every now and then.

Dell is not accepting the return of this juck laptop. They say, they know about this issue, but do not know, when its going to be fixed.

Many users are already discussing their helplessness and anger on this issue on many forums. (google "dell xps 1640 cpu throttling" and you will see links to many forums)

I wonder, why XPS1640 and XPS 1645 were released in market, without dell doing some basic load testing ???

Dell should recall XPS 1640 and 1645 ASAP.

 

A good place to get exposure is BBC Watchdog in the UK. If enough people complain they will make a show about it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/