[ Inspiron 13 ] Finally pulled the trigger

So last night in a fit of insanity and partially because my poor old lappy is dying I decided to finally pull the trigger. I was thinking too much. I was swayed between the Inspiron 1420 and Inspiron 13.

So what do you guys think of this machine? I hope I've made a good choice

Heres the configuration

 

Hey those are pretty nice specs! The only thing I wouldn't get would be the 9 cell battery because it sticks out and makes the laptop weigh more even though you still get better battery life out of it. Other than that it's excellent! I'm pretty sure that when I get the money I'll be ordering the Inspiron 13 too.

 

The Inspiron 13 is a good choice. I really like mine. It's hard to beat, for the price.

(I know. Very insightful, right? There's just not much to say about this computer. It's small, cheap and well specced.)

 

Congrat's on your order & it looks good!

Well, hopefully you will have it before your lappy dies completely!

What's the ESD?

Cin

 

brandenkhan15, i will post a small review once I get mine!

mick4394, hehe no thankfully it was encouraging. lately with my luck those few words are a God send!

Cin', thanks! The ESD is 22nd and I should have it by the 27th or 29th. Hoping for the best. The machine is already in the production ( build ) stage. Hopefully it will move to testing and then boxing soon!

 

Hey thar~! The 22nd..less than 2 weeks..and the ESD is usually, overextended! Build stage already..it is going quickly for you!

I'm sure you will have it before you know it!

Cin

 

Hey thanks, that will be awesome when you put the review up.

 

Thanks Cin'!

When can I expect it realistically? It went from approval to in-production ( build ) within 2 days I guess. But its stuck there for a while. I heard theres a shortage of 9 cell batteries but it should've been over by now. Is that holding it up? Since assembling ( building ) takes only a few hours, ideally the notebook should've moved to the testing stage or boxing, right?

 

Well, the ESD is 10/22 thats literally a little over a week away.

So, it's not that far off...and it could *bounce* out of the stage it's in now..at any give time. Your lappy could be waiting on a part or something. Sometimes, actually the build stage does take longer

Here is a great linky for you to review....
Dell Laptop Order Stages Wiki
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=156489

Read this it's a good thread ^^^^

I know it's hard right now..as you want your lappy, just sit tight ~ continue to check your order status on line, via phone ~ and you can even call Dell directly for a update status.

Dell will e-mail you if there is a problem with your order, or delay! So, consider yourself lucky thus far! I hadn't heard anything about the 9C's being on back order!!!

*fingers crossed for yah*


Cin

 

Thanks man! I've had one heck of a bad time! First a bad thinkpad which I returned and ordered this baby! Hopefully It'll be here soon

 

Hey thar!

Well, hopefully this one will work out for you!

Please keep us posted on it, and especially once you receive it ~ to let us know how it's working out!


Cin

 

Woo hoo!! I checked the status by phone and it said the machine was in the boxing stage. I know that it doesn't mean I'll have it soon but I really hope it arrives in the US soon and they send it out quickly!

 

This is a good thing for yah!!! It would be sweet if you had it by EOW!
Then you can get to knowing it over the weekend LOL

Hope it moves swiftly out of that stage!


Cin

 

hehe yeah i sure wanna get to know every little intimate detail properly hehe...hope i'm not being overly desperate!

 

Yes, and you should! Every square inch!!! hee hee

No your not being overly desperate...your just excited about your new lappy and want it NOW! :yes:

Wait til you *unbox* it....and actually have your hands on it!
I didn't do anything except stare for a least 15 min!


Cin

 

I'm still surprised that they haven't introduced any other colors except the blue considering how long its been out now.

 

Yup...they seem to be taking their time on releasing any other colors...


Cin

 

If you can live with the small size, then I see no reason why you are not going to think that you have made the sweetest possible decision.

I was playing with the 13 the other day, and I definitely think that it is unlike all the other inspirons that I have used. Has a lot of style for being all black and what not.

I say, enjoy the new lappy!!!

 

I think the only color I've seen or heard about what pacific blue.

 

I believe you are correct...that is the only color availi' on Dell's site!


Cin

 

He may be a laptop insider and saw it at a secret trade show.

 

I want a portable. My 15" dell is killing me =(

And guys hes talking about the inside color. All other dells have a silver inside. Only the I13 has a black interior =)

 

Yea, probably all black interior.

 

Nice! Are you over excited yet? I want a netbook badly.... But I'm being a patient person...


Cin ;

 

i'm waiting for the machine eagerly. Its now two days since it entered the boxing stage! whens it gonna be shipped?

edit: four days have passed and its still in the boxing stage!!

 

Wooo hooo!!! It shipped today! The tracking info is unavailable but I'll be getting it on monday mostly yey!! man it would've been great if I would've got it today so I'd have the whole weekend

 

I got this Inspiron 13 yesterday with T5800, 3GB, 250GB HDD & optional Bluetooth.

Two questions:

First,

I noticed that I hear some "static" noise when I play music (WMP or internet streaming music). Occasionally but constantly. And I hear the same noise when I lower/increase the master volume between 1-10 level.

I reinstalled soundcard driver, updated wireless driver and muted mic, windows beeping, etc. but nothing worked.

After doing some research, I found that earjack noise problem is one of the common problems with Dell notebooks (XPS etc).

Anyone also noticed this problem? I appreciate your response. Especially if it is a simple solution.

Second,

I think this is a defect. Rather than hassling with this problem, I think I would rather return it and ask for a credit (I bought it on dell finance).

Do they still ask me to pay restocking fee and/or delivery fee?

I appreciate your response.

 

Hmm...yes I heard dell notebooks have problems with the audio output but its not affecting all notebooks. I think its limited to Studio 15. But i'm not sure.

As far as the return policy, again i've only heard about it, is that returns within 21 days are not charged restocking fees.

before you return the notebook, might i suggest you reinstall windows and see if the issue goes away?

 

Thank you for your quick reply. According to my research, the same problem is with some XPS models.

As I know, under the 21 days return policy, restocking fee is still applied if it is not the case for manufacturer's defect.

Well, I will try reinstall and report here.

 

i've to yet get my machine. but i'm sure if this was some sort of a hardware issue Dell would've solved it by now. Also, I've not heard of Inspiron notebooks having this particular problem. Oh well you may have a bad piece but return it only when you're absolutely sure that the hardware is at fault. Good luck!

 

Hey, you have 21 days from date of *invoice* to return for a new replacement, or refund....The clock starts ticking when you are invoiced.

Most peeps from what I know haven't been charged a restocking fee!

Hope that helps!!!

Cin

Congrat's on your impending receipt date of your new lappy! It really didn't take that long, now did it!


Cin

 

thank you, guys.
i restored my laptop. but the problem persists.
the "static noise" problem i identified so far is experienced when:

- new programs is turning on (in many occasions);
- the music is playing (occasionally);
- moving into the next track in media player (almost everytime);
- mater volume is adjusted between 0-10 (everytime);

i conclude that this is caused from power problem (cpu power) as it looks caused by some electric signals.

anyway, i will call dell and simply ask for a refund (credit). i hope they are not too picky, and don't charge me anything (stocking fee, delivery fee, no way).

this is a great machine for a price. but i think i was unfortunate to get one with hardware problem.

thank you, again.

 

I'm really sorry to hear that... I know your pain coz I had a similar situation with Lenovo and I couldn't stand the defect in the machine. Why not try getting it replaced? maybe you'll get a better piece?

Cin, what do you mean by the date of invoice?

 

Hey, almost new I13 owner

This is what I am referring to:

Here is the linky to Dell's site and the page containing: Returning Dell Products

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/s...=19&l=en&s=dhs

Also, here is the Return Policy information (also embedded w/in the above linky):

Dell Return Policy (U.S. Only)

Dell values its relationship with you, and offers you the option to return most products you purchase directly from Dell. You may return eligible products for a credit or a refund of the purchase price paid, less shipping and handling and any applicable restocking fees, as set forth in detail below.

21-Day Return Period for Certain Hardware and Software Products and Accessories: Unless you have a separate agreement with Dell, or except as provided below, all hardware, accessories, peripherals, parts, and media-based software that is unopened and still in its sealed package or, if delivered electronically, that has not been downloaded,

So, essentially you have 21 days from date on the packing slip / invoice to return for a credit, refund or replacement. It's not when you receive the lappy!

Hope that helps!

Cin

 

Hey, sorry for your troubles with your new I13 ...but no they shouldn't be to picky..Especially if you fall with the 21 days for return, credit or replacement.

Good luck, keep us advised!

Cin

 

Is the noise you're referring to an annoyingly high pitched whine? If so, its the Intel CPU...try installing RMClock and unchecking 'enable Popup' and Popdown...it lessens it. Disabling C4 gets rid of it at the cost of more power usage

 

Hey Minger.

No, it is not that 'white noise' kind of high pitch noise.

It sounds like something you hear when you play old LPs. Or static electric sound. Curiously it is not as bad as in the first couple of days when it was constant while playing music.

But it is still there -- when turning on the computer, when starting music and sound, occasionally while playing music, when moving the master volume slide, etc. I found that it is heard in the external speakers although barely noticeable.

Maybe I am too picky. It might not be that horrible to many, but as I listen to music very frequently with laptop, it matters to me.

Thanks.

 

Nonsense you're not picky. You're just wanting your moneys worth and you are entitled to it. I'd return it and go with another manufacturer or try another I13.

 

Thank you everyone. I chat with dell technician on dellconnect. but they have no idea about the problem. they offered me to replace a sound card. but hell no. i bought a brandnew machine, not a refurbished one. when i call customer service and explain what happened. i asked refund (credit). their representative offered me a discount on this machine. it was tempting, but then it's still refurbished. and i need to repair it anyway. i refused. they sent me ups code. i will return it tomorrow. i will take some time (again) and shop around. actually this is a very good one for a student who are looking for the balance between mobility, affordability and performance. but it didn't work for me. probably i will end up getting another dell.

 

Well??? Did it arrive today, prey tell?? I hope yes! :yes:

Aww..I'm so sorry things didn't work out for you!

I hope that once your get your lappy returned, and your account situated..That you find the lappy that works for you!

Good luck!

Cin

 

I waited the whole day for the delivery. Stupid DHL driver thought the house was closed. Didn't even deliver it at the leasing office. They didn't even leave the "missed you" note. I was SOOOO pissed. I had taken a day off just for it. I called up DHL and I was furious. This is turning out to be such a tease! Man I hate this! Hopefully I'll have it by tomorrow noon

 

OH...ok...things happen...trust me I know...just when you think you can count on something or someone...sometimes the followthru isn't there.

So then the major dissapointment comes into play!

But there is always something better at the end of the tunnel, that comes your way... I like to think that way..just me I guess.

And, you know what, hopefully tomorrow your new I13 will come your way!

And then, you will be happy once again. :yes:


Cin

 

So...does anybody else not like the fact that Dell only provides the Vista 32 drivers? XP ones are possible to find, but 64 bit...not so much.

Anybody try 64 bit on it? I tried installing it before but I guess I needed a Sata driver or something for the 64 bit - it basically did the full install, and then would do the BSOD loop once it was about to get into windows.

Then again, 32 bit Vista is pretty solid on its own...

Too bad the top of the notebook isnt as solid. Scratches pretty easily compared to my Latitude

 

Ok I got my notebook today!! I'm very happy. I reinstalled Vista with the one I have. Its Business edition. Then I installed my favorite OS - Linux =)

I will soon put up a comparative review!

 

w00t congrats, be interesting to see how linux works on it

 

Congrat's to you! :yes:

It *finally* arrived! Sounds like your completely owning it!

Can't wait to see your review!


Cin

 

1 Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100?
8400mgs?

 

piker, Linux works wonderfully! =)

dovs, GMA X3100

cin, yeah! i will write it soon! =)

 

Awesome!!!! Can't wait to see and pics!


Cin

 

okay here you go guys: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4073744