[Lengthy Review] My M1530 Replacement Came In Today.

For those of you who might have known from this thread or from some of my posts... here is a link that includes my review of my initial unit.

To sum it up, the notebook had lots of problems and I called in for a replacement. The following are the problems I had with my first unit just to sum it up:

1- The bottom cover for RAM wasnt closed all the way.
2- Optical Drive was LOUD. I got the Optiarc.
3- Keyboard had a huge bump in the center like a hill or valley.
4- The laptop, when put flat on a flat table, wobbled and was unlevel regardless of whether I stuck in a 6 cell or 9 cell battery.
5- Booting up gave me a BSOD error and memory error that worked after I restarted.

So I requested a replacement and read from a few posters that the replacements Dell sent, were refurbs. Greg, a super moderator, also exhibited how on numerous occasions he had received a refurb as replacement. I was particulary speculative considering I called for a BRAND NEW replacement on May 29th and it was shipped out on June 1. Others have posted that refurbs have a colored sticker on the box either red, green, orange, etc.

At any rate, it did in fact arrive today, even though there still isnt any tracking number. So I opened the box, first thing I did was look at the bottom of the unit, and everything was screwed on properly this time without any ram or whatnot exposed!

I then nervously put the M1530 on the table, and miraculously, it was level despite me trying to push different corners of the laptop. It was perfectly flat.

Next I looked at the keyboard, and it was perfectly flat compared to the bumped out one I am sending back. Yet another positive sign.

I then turned on my notebook and heard some sound coming from the DVD drive, which I was hoping its not Optiarc... again. Thankfully this time there was no BSOD or any error message that forced me to manually restart the computer.

Once i configured vista and all, I stuck in my Assasins Creed DVD in just to check it out. There was noticable noise coming from the drive, but it was MUCH quieter and less painful than the one I first received. I tried ejecting and it was also much quieter.

Just for measure, I stuck it in my old one and noticed quite a large difference between the two and checking the device manager, I got a TEAC instead of the horrendous Optiarc! THANK DELL!

The screen display was also perfect and vibrant as usual being an LED display, and the hard drive is still very cool and no noise comes from it whatsoever. Fans are also silent.

So needless to say, my current M1530 is literally flawless and just as Cin had hoped for me, is the perfect M1530 that I had imagined when I was waiting on my first one. I am most pleased and can safetly say that I got a brand new replacement and it matches my specs exactly and is a totally awesome machine that exceeds my expectations. THANK GOODNESS. I am much relieved.

So now I am chilling with my M1530 playing assasins creed and considering a possible reformat just for the sake of ensuring there is no bloat. hasnt given me any bsods as of yet and everything is running smoothly. I must say, this is one heck of a great machine and I have no regrets in buying it. It truly is featherlight compared to my previous 15.4 inch E1505 and everything is just... perfect!

 

That's great Forte. Glad to hear it.

 

Well glad to hear this.may you have a life of problem less laptop.

 

Good to here. I dream of a day that all mankind can get a perfect dell laptop.

 

Woot! Woot! Finally!

I am happy that it worked out *finally*

Now, enjoy!!!!

Cin'

 

I'm glad it all turned out alright for you Forte. Relax and enjoy the 'puter now

 

Hey Forte, just one question. How did the return work? Do you still have your first notebook or did you have to send back your first notebook before they gave you the replacement?

Also, would you happen to know if Dell charges any restocking fees or anything else if one wants to return a XPS (not replace it)?

Thanks much, congrats on getting your perfect XPS!

 

Forte,

Good to hear. Glad that everything works out. Now go out and enjoy your m1530!!

 

I'm a little conflicted now. Part of me wishes I had not cancelled my order on May 14th after waiting 24 days (order placed on April 21st). I had enough when I received the 3rd delay notice by phone/e-mail. The new estimated shipping date I got on the day I canceled was May 21st, so I would've probably received it early last week. Then again, another part of me is glad with the release of Centrino 2 and optimized for DX10 games (compared to the 8600M GT) GeForce 9M video cards coming soon.

I know I'll definitely get the LED now (part of my original order) after hearing Forte's glowing (literally) impression.

 

Kinda having a bit of fun. Synergy with M1530 by plugging them into each other. lol. Dual LCD Screened M1530 = Kick Butt

 

i got mine today, i love the uxga screen, the led may be brighter, but god i love all the real estate on the screen its super nice, i got a optiarc drive but i cant figure out all this noise you speak of, it makes a couple clicks when you load a disc and eject but besides that it is super quiet. overall very very impressed with my machine, got vista ultimate from microsoft employee store for 50 bux so need to format and install that.

 

Yeah, its the clicks. The Teacs are much quieter in comparison.

The return is a cross return. I call in for replacement, but I get to hang on to my notebook until the new one arrives, then I have to ship it back within 5 days of it arriving, though really its 10 days from the date you requested the replacement. So no, I didnt have to ship back my old notebook first.

 

well the optiarc does not bother me at all, like i said a little bit of noise when you load and eject but besides that nothing, installing vista ultimate x64 right now, finding the ahci driver took me a little bit but i think only b/c im super tired from work today lol

 

btw congrats on getting the laptop you paid for, i was kinda pist i had to fix the cables under the keyboard on mine, but it was super easy to do, not worth calling and deaing with some non-speaking english indian named bob.