are there any design flaws on the XPS M1330?

I did some reading around and some people have mentioned about some design flaws on the XPS m1330.

I've been looking at this notebook as a replacement for my dv6000 which kept on shutting off and freezing due to poor soldering.

Can someone point out some known flaws on this m1330?

 

Well it really does depend on the unit that you receive. I'll list some issues that people have run into.

-Wobbly base
-Panels on the sides that are not flush
-Visible 'teeth' above the screen where the plastic doesnt completely sit right
-Wavy keyboard, in which some keys are higher than others
-Gap near the hinges where the LCD is attached

These are the most widespread design issues off the top of my mind that I have followed since the notebook was released. But it really does go back to my original statement that it is all in the unit that you receive. For example, my m1330 was perfect, except it had a wavy keyboard. One phone call to XPS support and they sent someone over and fixed that for me(It was a wire that was twisted underneath the keyboard).

 

The only thing I have an issue with is the keyboard. It got a cheap plastic feel!

 

Add...

- loose battery
- CPU whine (not exclusive to the model, I know, but it does seem to be particularly bad on the m1330)

 

Add: Most laptops ship without any defects. If you get one with defects, have it replaced or return it and buy another.

 

Metal around the touchpad is sharp. If you don't get a LCD cloth, it will eventually scratch your screen.

 

9 cell battey limits, full range LCD opening

 

These are not design flaws, these are defects.

This is a design flaw.

 

Pardon, but what exactly do you mean by full range LCD opening and 9 cell battery limits?

 

That's a fair point, but it's really just semantics.

 

I'd guess it means that if you're using the 9 cell battery, you can't open the notebook as far as when you have a smaller battery.

 

not semantics.

a DESIGN FLAW is one that makes a manufactured item faulty to the point that it does not perform it's intended purpose or faulty to the point that it is dangerous or harmful.

having a tiny amount of keyboard flex or an LCD that doesn't open all the way ARE NOT DESIGN FLAWS.

 

Here are the design flaws with photographs in XPS M1330! These flaws do not affect performance but only aesthetics.

 

Sorry, that's where you're wrong.

A defect is something that is not within manufacturing standards. Example: plastic pieces not fitting properly together.

A design flaw is an incorrectly/poorly designed item. Example: A tall drinking glass with a hole half way up.

 

Those are not design flaws, they are defects. See my previous post to help you understand the difference.

Not all m1330s have the same hinge gap, therefore it can not be a design flaw.....it is a defect (and I use that term loosely in this case).

 

Sorry , but in the context of the question originally asked it most definitely is quibbling over semantics to differentiate between the definition of defects and design flaws. It was pretty clear what the original poster meant. Furthermore, when so many machines arrive with such defects then maybe one should question the design.

 

Recieved a new m1330 in the uk two days ago, it has all of the following defects:

- Wobbly base
- Hard Drive and Remote not flush on sides of system
- Visible 'teeth' above the screen where the plastic doesnt completely sit right
- Big gap near left hinge where LCD is attached
- Wobbly battery
- Really loud CPU whine (worst out of 4 Dell laptops owned)

Having said that the laptop is still stunning to look at and apart from the CPU whine the other defects aren't glaringly obvious (until you read these forums and find out about them)

The laptop is going to be replaced though since the LED screen (Toshiba LCD2306) flickers when on battery power and max brightness.

I'm guessing the replacement will have all of the same defects, I really don't care about them though (except the CPU whine). I'm just hoping the replacement doesn't have a CMO LED

 

The design is solid, it's the manufacturing process/quality control which needs to be addressed.

 

I suspect the cpu whine is a motherboard design flaw, because this issue doesn't occur as frequently or severely as other systems.

 

It's one of the best designs out there currently. Only problem is Dell is trying to bring down price by using low quality components like CMO screens... except for that.... no issues.

 

I fixed the wobbly battery problem with an easy 2 pieces of double sided tape

 

Duct tape, chewing gum are also available.

I don't think we should have to repair our new machines with defects/design flaws. Let Dell send out the parts and have it fixed.

 

That's exactly the tone I took with Dell support on Friday. Got some real idiots who wanted me to take photos of my loose keys and wobbly battery for them...

They're sending out a courier today to pick up my m1330. My fingers are crossed that it arrives back gloriously perfect.

 

Keyboard feels spongy on right hand side. Dell sent a tech out to replace the keyboard but there was minimal improvement.

I have seen a few Dells (Inspirons, XPS and Latitudes) at stores and kiosks, and the M1330 has the worst keyboard I have experienced of any Dell model.