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    Why I'm returning the XPS15 L502X

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by lado22, Apr 16, 2011.

  1. lado22

    lado22 Notebook Enthusiast

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    In short - because of the fan issue. But its not's merely the fact that the fan runs almost constantly at high volume starting before Windows even loads and the machine is compeletely cool, and continuing while the machine is idle with no apps running - no that would be bad enough - its Dell's attitude about it.

    I spent 3 hours on the phone with them yesterday. They run through the by the numbers troubleshooting, running windows Updates which have nothing to do with it, running diagnostics, already on Bios A04. The tech commented how loud it was that he could hear it whilst I had the phone to my ear. And then after all that, he tries to tell me, its a new computer I should give it a few days to settle in. I've never heard such rubbish. I pointed him to this forum and the official Dell support forum thread about the fan issue. Then we start with the doublespeak. What fan issue, we never heard of it, those people are having different issues, they just needed a BIOS update, the XPS15 is one of our top end models. I'm so sick of corporations pumping product out the door and when there's an obvious issue, its lets hope the consumer is ignorant or doesn't care; and if they do complain its deny, deny, deny. Perhaps it is fixable with a BIOS update, but I can't accept it on faith that it will be fixed anytime soon.

    other nitpicks that may be of concern...
    - Backlit keyboard was dodgy, there was A LOT of leakage around the keys, not just the keys themselves, keys in the corners were not as well lit.
    - With no tinkering, the Waves Maxx audio sounds....unnatural...out of the box. Screening a few videos, the bass seemed very fake with disconcerting simulated acoustics/ surround effect.
    - Image quality on FHD panel is most definitely beautiful, but the reflectiveness and brightness is nearly unusable in with rear lighting.
    - The Lid with the screen seemed very un-sturdy, it has a lot of flex.
    - Its rather ugly. I didnt' fully understand from pictures the odd hinge mechanism. The painted aluminum finish looks quite cheap, and the giant DELL circle logo gaudy.

    End rant, hope it is of some help to others, off to search for another model, cheers.
     
    lado22, Apr 16, 2011
    #1
  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    What were/are stock temperatures for GPU and CPU that you are/were getting on your laptop?
     
    namaiki, Apr 16, 2011
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  3. scott5626

    scott5626 Notebook Guru

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    I guess I am keeping mine because...
    The screen is awesome, the sound system is killer (especially since I have configured X-Fi correctly). The battery life, HD webcam, USB 3.0, i7 2720QM is a speed demon, bluray is amazing on the screen, huge touch pad.

    12 months no interest...
    For me this laptop is everything I have ever wanted in a laptop
     
    scott5626, Apr 16, 2011
    #3
  4. smsmasters

    smsmasters Notebook Consultant

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    Where did you get Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2 ?

    It works with the dell realtek drivers?
     
    smsmasters, Apr 16, 2011
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  5. Falco152

    Falco152 Notebook Demon

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    He got it from Dell, and yes it works with the realtek drivers.
     
    Falco152, Apr 16, 2011
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  6. smsmasters

    smsmasters Notebook Consultant

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    Got a link to where I can purchase it?

    Thanks!
     
    smsmasters, Apr 16, 2011
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  7. Auron

    Auron Notebook Guru

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    What is the correct configuration for X-Fi, could you please share your settings? And yeah, the speakers are AMAZING on this thing, I love it!
     
    Auron, Apr 16, 2011
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  8. smsmasters

    smsmasters Notebook Consultant

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    Do you need to disable the Waves MaxxAudio software when running X-Fi MB?
     
    smsmasters, Apr 16, 2011
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  9. Falco152

    Falco152 Notebook Demon

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    As the link where to purchase after receiving the laptop, I don't know.
    Contact dell about it, just make sure you mention you want to purchase.

    I know it be located in here https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/Welcome.aspx?ReturnUrl=/web/main.aspx

    Don't need to disable, it just run coincide but be warned it takes the recent changes. Example If you change in the Maxx it would override XFI.
     
    Falco152, Apr 16, 2011
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  10. Ton-80

    Ton-80 Notebook Geek

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    Are you having problems with your fan?
     
    Ton-80, Apr 16, 2011
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  11. blingers

    blingers Notebook Consultant

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    blingers, Apr 16, 2011
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  12. ewensimpson

    ewensimpson Notebook Enthusiast

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    ewensimpson, Apr 16, 2011
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  13. thumper300zx

    thumper300zx Notebook Geek

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    I have never enjoyed a laptop as much as this -- and I have the 1st gen still :) These are great machines.
     
    thumper300zx, Apr 16, 2011
    #13