XPS M1330 build quality?

Hi,

I am a new user of an XPS M1330.

For others who have this notebook, does the media area press down a bit on the left where the XPS M1330 logo is? The right side does not press down.

It seems like the left side is loose or something.

I called Dell Canada Customer Care, and they are shipping me a replacement notebook, but I'm afraid I'll have the same issue, and worse, have other issues as well, and end up getting an inferior Samsung screen (got an LG first shot!).

Should I cancel my replacement, or can I ship back the replacement if I deem it unsatisfactory?

 

I've had mine for 6 weeks - built in Ireland and shipped to UK. I have had a problem with the Western Digital 250 Gig (5400 rpm) drive - it clicked like a metronome and set up a vibration in the chassis that you could feel through the keys. After two attempts Dell fitted a 320 Gig (5400 rpm) Samsung drive and that seems fine. In general the quality seems good.
However you've got me thinking now because the XPS logo on the left does press down noticeably on my machine while it doesn't on the right. Why should this be a problem?

 

its really a crap shoot with dell. Don't get me wrong they build nice quality machines but every so often things can go wrong as with everything. View my posts. I have had some experiences with them and I would still reccomend them just not as highly as a few others. As for your issues there are alot of M1330 users having the same build quality issues. It just depends on the day and who is in the factory doing the build. My XPS is working and I notice a few flaws but I will see if I need to return it again. Its a good machine. As for the screen there is no way of telling which screen you will get back. I really like the Dell XPS m1330 its a great machine. If you are that worreied about it. Send it back, try to get a refund without restocking fee and then order one from the Dell outlet they are much cheaper and you can still buy the warranty and extras. Let me know if this helps.

 

Unfortunately, there is no Dell Outlet in Canada

 

No do a google search for the dell outlet and it will take you to dell's website

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one. Perhaps I should cancel my replacement as it will probably have the same issue.

Does anyone else notice this?

I'm just thinking the build isn't as solid as I expected from such an expensive machine.

 

If you search the forums here you will see hundreds of people with the same or similar issues. They have had build and quality issues with the M1330 since its release. Now dont' get me wrong there are probably 85 good qulality machines built for every 100 so you like alot of us may have one of the bad ones. LIke I said its a crap shoot. the price is expensive that is why i got one from the outlet. I got a t9300 cd2 with 250gb hard drive and 3gb of ram, slim screen .3 webcam and the 128mb nvidia graphic card and I paid $1029 USD at the dell outlet online store. It comes standard with 1 year warranty with options at check out to upgrade the warranty. You can't really beat the price as dell will cover the warranty for all dell outlet purchases. Let me know if this helps.

PS> I also got the remote control, teh bluetooh and the wireless n card.

 

http://www.dell.com/content/segmenter.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfo

 

Thanks for the link. I tried checking out with one of the notebooks, but it only allows US states and zip codes to be entered.

I think I got a good deal on mine during a sale anyways. $1000 for my configuration.

 

well all i can say iis if you are happy with it keep it. If there is an issue send it back wait for repalcement. Are they sending the replacement first and waiting for you to ship back

 

Yes, they are sending me a replacement before requiring me to send the old one back. I'm just hoping that if the replacement is worse than the old one that I can return it instead.

 

i think on the left side is where the bluetooth is supposed to be so if you didnt get it as an option theres going to be something missing under there. there are a few imperfections with the build quality but more or less i would say its above average from other laptop companies. this is my 3rd dell laptop and nothing has ever been seriously wrong...ever.

 

But I do have bluetooth module installed.

 

also i think another reason why is because on the right side where the media buttons are theres a panel underneath for the wiring and such where as on the left side there is nothing. i think thats what i saw when i took it apart a few weeks ago; if you need confirmation i will take another look tomorrow or something

 

Thanks, that would be great if you could check.

 

Mystery: Yes, mine pushes down a bit as well. Never noticed that until your post. Don't think it's a big deal, though. It's secure in the sense that it's not going anywhere. It's just that, as a previous poster stated, on the right side there is a wiring harness, on the left, there's nothing. And since there aren't any buttons to push there, should be a bit deal.

 

I just swapped out the base of my m1330 (because the tech sent to replace my mainboard stripped one of the screw holes) and I had flex on the XPS logo on both my original panel, and the one Dell sent for me to replace.

I'd say it's just the way the machine is built. What I'm really wondering thought, is why you're pressing on the Logo when it doesn't do anything, and why are you worried about it flexing a little, when it doesn't do anything???

 

I had ZERO issues with my XPS M1330.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses. I feel much better, and have cancelled my replacement order.

The reason I was worried about it was because I opened the machine to re-seat the wi-fi cables due to the keyboard bulge problem, and thought maybe I had not put the media panel back on properly, or had somehow damaged it by breaking a tab.

I removed it and inspected it thoroughly and could find no evidence of a broken tab and thought it was a fit and finish issue.

I also checked a Dell kiosk which had an m1330 on display and it had that issue, but thought that since it was a display model they could have put a 'not so good' model on display, or it was damaged by some customers in the mall.

 

i ordered a xps m1330 uk, arrived ok although right plastic speaker issue , on sound playback after activating wifi card, sound crackled, hissed and everything else, replacement came wrong colour, scratched and same sound issue, took 5 weeks to collect and reimburse.
Dells general service now is worst ever, thinking of samsung q45 ?
any advice

 

So despite my efforts at cancelling the replacement system, it arrived yesterday.

Comparing it to my original, it is definitely built better:

- a lot less flex in the XPS logo area and no 'creaking' sound
- display hinge isn't loose (thought it was supposed to be that way before)
- keyboard requires no adjustment (no bulging)

I also got an LG panel again!

It looks like I got a well-built one this time, which I will keep obviously.

 

Neither have I NOW (Nock On Wood) Thank God and it has worked flawlessly and very good for only ordering 1 gig of ram with it too!

 

Congrats! Looks like you would have been fine with the old one, but got an even better one! I know from purchasing another brand (Lenovo) that the crapshoot is not limited to Dell. It does help that with Dell you are able to return a defective product or be offered a replacement.

 

I've browsed the site and found threads on how to find out which panel you have. Apparently you get that by running the system inspection tool from Dell's website. However this isn't available on Firefox and when I try IE7 windows blocks the activex. I've tried to tweak the settings but could not make this to work. Is there any other way to find out this info? (Running Vista Ult 32bit).

thanks in advance guys and sorry to be a PITA

 

To find out which panel you have.........

Enter Device Manager
Expand monitors
Right Click the PnP Monitor and select properties.
Click the 'Details' tab
Select 'Hardware IDs' from the scrolling drop down.
That will give you a code.

A code starting LPxxxxxx is an LG panel.

 

Many thanks for the advice, however mine is LCD2306 (toshiba???)
* rep added

 

^^^
Yes I believe that is the Toshiba LED panel.
I think its meant to be one of the better ones, as many people have commented on how nice the image is with that panel