XPS 15 L501x - Warranty required?

I'm about to get a XPS 15 L501x soon with the awesome $200 1080p screen upgrade and can get it for around $905 with an EPP discount. I'm just curious if this laptop has any major widespread issues that can be foreseen and would probably raise the absolute need for a 2 year warranty plan? I'm getting the 1 year basic warranty is why I'm worried.

I've never really bought from Dell first hand before so, in other words, how is the build quality and so on?

 

Good lord old chap, I'm afraid I am unable to answer but nearly posted the exact same question myself.

Toodle pip.

 

I just got my XPS 15 last week. I turned it on, played with it for a bit (played some games, web surf, listen to music) and within an hour, there was a burning smell. Got online with Dell chat and they said they'll overnight the motherboard to a tech to get it fixed.

The tech came in on Friday and replaced the motherboard. Turned on the computer and noticed a burning smell as well. It turned out to be the wireless card that was burning. The tech guy immediately turned off the system, called Dell and demanded a system exchange at no cost to me. I also should be getting a call early this week about my options on the system and it should be here on the 18th.

All and all, the 1 year standard warranty is good enough since it is Next Business Day and you do get your own dedicated XPS team to work with you. I'll let you know on the 18th if Dell really owe up to their words.

 

Given the XPS track record...a 3-4 year warranty is a good investment.

 

One year is more than enough to find any initial defect in the system. If your system breaks after that, it's probably your fault. Also depends on how you gonna use it and how good you're with computers. If you're gonna carry it out often and not really an expert, I'd suggest the 3 year plan.

 

Not quite true. Look at the case of Dell still having to replace the XPS studios 2-3 yrs later and also the Nvidia card problems that took years to settle. Also touchpads wear out later sometimes, wireless cards, etc...

That said, 2 yrs is probably avg, 3 years is great.

 

Hi Guys,
I also got the DELL XPS 15 L501X laptop last week. After using it for a day, I too felt the same burning smell from the CPU fan vent. It was like some plastic burning inside the Laptop. I called up the customer care. They said they will be sending me a new laptop in three weeks. I am not sure whether all the DELL XPS 15 systems have the same problem. If yes, then we will not be able to work with this computer. Otherwise, It is a best laptop I have ever used!

 

I'm curious what brand of wireless cards you guys (with the burning smells coming out of your laptops) have. In my old 1530, I had to remove the Dell Wireless because it was about 70-80 c - my best guess. I later read that the Dell cards had overheating problems ?

I've been using a USB wireless adapter since.