Dell M1330 Condition Received Thread...and Poll

actually there is none on like to like basis,you have to make some compromise.
thats why people are still taking all this BS from Dell,

all the problems i've had are in my review here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2315750#post2315750

 

I posted my phone conversation with a dell CSR Superviser HERE just scroll down.
I am being sent out a replacement system identical to mine with no rebate, coupons, credit, vista upgrade, timbuk2 bag, completecare upgrade, NADA!

 

If it at all makes you feel better, I've forwarded the build quality problems on to a manager at Dell Round Rock who's going to take a look into the quality control issues. I don't know the reason for the relatively large number of issues with the M1330 (when I mentioned them, he seemed somewhat surprised as he hadn't heard anything out of the ordinary) but it could be that standards have been dropped a bit in order to get more orders out the door quicker.

 

that is what I am thinking too. I know Dell isn't at the top of the food chain when it comes to notebook manufacturers but from what I know, seen, and experienced through past purchases I have never seen anything this bad. Even eMachine (back in the day when they were cheap) and Averatec have better quality control than this which also leads me to think that they dropped QC to push out systems.

 

Don't quote me on that though! I was just thinking out loud there.

I'd imagine the other theory could be that after such a long wait, peoples' expectations have been greatly inflated. Some of the concerns are a little nit-picky - as even you said, you're not certain whether some of the things you've mentioned are actually build defects or by design.

Obviously some things like the very loose hinge cover and gap at the top of the LCD are clear built quality issues.

 

Chuck, have u finally received ur 1330?

 

Nope. But at least it's in Canada, finally. Should get it this week - but it's shipping to my home, not university where I'm currently at. I might just have to make the trip back tomorrow afterwards if it gets here. It's only a couple hours away...

 

Woot! are you getting excited yet? :laugh:

 

I've been trying to keep a lid on it - I don't want to get my hopes up in case I run into a bunch of build quality issues. At least I know Dell will make it right if I do, without any hassles.

 

Ahh, don't worry about it... I'm pretty sure it won't be disconnecting wifi all the time, like it does on mine Otherwise, I'm pretty happy, and even those small build quality issues ain't bothering me no more

 

Chuck, how did you get the Intel Wireless adapter in Canada?

 

I got the 3945abg, which was available. I wanted the 4965agn card, which was not available. I think you're thinking of the Intel wireless-n card?

 

Yep, I just noticed that. I thought you got the 3945abgn.

 

kevin, u r confusing the hell outta me You mean you thought he got 4965 N draft card?

 

Well, mine has a sharp edge that cut my finger a little bit like a piece of copy paper.





Dell is sending me a replacement.

Sean

 

they should compensate for the pain and suffering, you can even sue Dell for that

 

d00d do the logos on your hinge have plastic protectice covers that you peel off?! if so wtf? mine didn't come with those..

and yeah an actual cut? You could sue for sure. I am suprised they didn't offer you any goodies other than a replacement. Your pain and suffering and they delay your whole system.

 

I got a paper cut. I had better sue the paper company.

Oh boy.

 

Canucks don't understand the responsibilities that corporations have in america - to protect consumers from harmful products, blah blah blah :laugh:

 

There are plastic protectives on the Dell logo on both sides and also on top of the buttons above the keyboard.

Everytime I call Dell, it makes me crazy. I have to wait for more than an hour just to get some real human being on the line.

My M1330 is fine except for the sharp egde. No cpu whine......

Dell lets me keep using the current M1330 and only send it back once the new one arrives.

Sean

 

Glad you got your replacement...now...

In the back of the users manual is the XPS number. Call that directly and not Customer Support who then transfers you to XPS then to XPS Tech support.

 

well, its looking a little better..30% of peeps got perfect 1330s

 

The rest of the stuff I don't care about, but the almost 40% with exterior flawed condition definitely worries me. It seems like the other issues aren't unique to the M1330 (CPU whine, wrong config).

 

i imagine Dell will fix this in the coming weeks. if you want to avoid these issues or minimize them, it's best to buy a system 3-6 months after it is launched. by then the manufacturer has had time to fix these problems.

Cheers
Nick

 

I called XPS line first which is relatively fast. But to get a replacement, they asked me to call Dell CustomerCare line, which is really Hell CustomerCare.

Sean

 

Ya so Im hearing...

 

Dell is full of idiots. I received my laptop yesterday expecting to find a Crimson Red M1330 with LED and cam. I opened the box to find a TUXEDO BLACK M1330 with an LCD screen and cam. Actually I couldn't tell if it was an LED screen or not because it had a glossy screen but something just didn't look right. So I called XPS support and was on the phone with them, they went over my order and found this discrepancy.

310-9239 Soft Touch Red Casing XPS M1330
320-5583 13.3 Inch Wide Screen WXGA TL WLED Backlit LCD with Camera, XPS M1130
320-5777 Standard LCD with Tuxedo BlackCasing and Camera XPS M1330

XPS tech support took control of the laptop, tried to find the resolution of the cam and tried to find something to tell him if it was an LCD or LED display but he couldn't find anything after trying for almost two hours. But by the looks of things, esp my Service Tag info online, I have a 2M cam, which means I have the LCD display.

So I called Customer Service this morning, gave them the Case ID and got transferred to some other dept to re-order but the woman said the system didn't allow her to change my order because I already have the LED. I tried to explain what I went through but she didn't understand anything I was saying. Hung up cuz I had to get ready for work and called back. Then I got a guy that went through all my orders, because I had originally ordered the Black casing with LCD but then changed it to the Red casing with LED. He said if they did an exchange it would be for the exact same system that I have now. I told him I didn't want what I had now, I wanted what I ordered and what I paid for. He said it was NOT POSSIBLE?!?! So he said he could transfer me to Customer Service who would then fill out something for senior management to call me back to see if they can help me. So now I have to wait 24-48 hours for a callback. WTF???

 

When you are on the phone with a CSR, firmly but politely demand an escalation. Escalation manageers are much more helpful and knowledgeable. You might have to speak to a regular CSR supervisor but they don't know as much as an escalation case manager, so if I were you, I'd insist on getting an escalation on ur case. Good luck!

 

i might have to get an Escalation manager.

this is what happened to me.

called tech support yesterday, they spoke to CSR (which is a great thing because CSR are from a different planet and dont speak human language) so a tech support guy would explain everything to them in a Dell speak language and he did this while keeping me on the line (a three way conversation)

today i got a call from my original CSR (there is no getting away from them)
and he said that Dell have ordered a new system for me and my new order number is ****** and the estimated date of delivery is........

wait for it.......

FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER

I really lost it after that, i've never been so angry on anyone on the phone. after repeating the whole nightmare experience i've been through (and most of you as well) I asked for compensation and he offered me stupid options

1.) cancel the order and we'll refund you the money (ofcourse you will refund the money god damn it! what do i get for waiting for 45 frigging days??so no.)
2.)keep the laptop as it is (without FP reader) and i'll give you £120 off (almost $240 at the current rate). once again why did i wait for 45 days to get something which is not to my specification? and i have my heart set on FP reader, no matter how useless it actually is in real life. so no again

after some more heated debate he said he will give me a free USB key/drive thing on top of £120. WTF?? a cheap puny USB key which i can buy for £10 here and probably never gonna use.

i gave up on him and he gave up on me, so i told him to get me his manager and he said he will get him to call me back. i am not gonna let this go easily. lets see what happens.

 

Kernal, u gotta chill a little It sucks the replacement's EDD is in october but it's gonna get to u, eventually Also it's quite possible you'll get it much sooner. Well, good luck with getting an escalation manager, just don't forget to mention how frustrating it was to wait for 1330 in the first place, and how even more frustrating it is to wait another 2 months. So see what they can offer you, and try not to lose it this time. People respond more readily to politeness than anger

 

I'd let go of my FP reader for 240$, but I can understand where you're coming from! Not only the wait time, but the fact that you're not getting what you paid for after such a long wait is like the FedEx guy punching you in the gut before he leaves.

Dell wanted me to order over the phone, and I told them very convincingly told them I wasn't going to do that and to just cancel my order. I've heard too many horror stories from the nice people on these forums about ordering over the phone with Dell.

 

Did it happen to you? I mean, how do you know how it feels? :laugh:

 

I just called the customer care line tonight told them what problems I had with my notebook, he said that he would order a replacement right away, I was on the phone for about 15 mins. total and have a case number and a new notebook ordered. I am in Canada he said that I should receive my replacement in 7 to 10 business days but quite possibly in 5 to 7 business days.

 

I figure since I've had a couple hours with the machine now, I can post some thoughts.

In terms of build issues, the 9 cell battery does sit unevenly - the middle rubber base is a bit higher than the others, so it's slightly unbalanced. As well, there is a slightly larger gap between the hinge and the system.

The two hinge covers are nice and tight (fit well) and there is absolutely no gap at the top of the LED panel.

I think I'll get them to give me a different 9 cell battery as it's pretty annoying to have the system rock back and forth. I couldn't care less about the slight gap between the hinge and the system.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the system itself (not so much the 9 cell). I haven't really listened for the CPU whine problem yet, so I'll report back when I look into that issue a little more.

 

I got my M1330 on Saturaday the 10th of August. I got uneven base, cpu whine, and a small broken L shape plastic when I took out 9 cell battery. I sent the laptop back to the depot for repair that will take 3-5 business days. After reading this thread, I guess I should just get a replacement instead since there is really no cpu whine fix. I am surprised that XPS support line tech. is not aware the cpu whine problem that has been going around though. I was stuck on the phone with him for an hour to take out WLAN and Hardrive with repeated diagnostic testings.

The XPS support guy said that it will about the same time for me to get the replacement which is 25 days. Do anyone know if I ask for a replacement that the warrenty is another 30 days on that replacement laptop? Or is it the original 30 days warrenty. If that's the case, I will be screwed if the replacement is a defective one again.

 

The 9 cell uneven base seems to be quite a common problem, so common that I have a feeling it may be a design fault.

I've been in touch with my contact at Dell Round Rock and I will be sending my 9 cell directly to him, as opposed to getting it shuffled off to some service depot where, chances are, it'll not be properly analyzed. The contact has told me that this is something he wants to take care of and if necessary get changes made to the battery.

Hopefully we'll see something out of this. If it is indeed a design defect, then getting a replacement won't solve anything.

Anyone with a 9 cell not have a wobbly base?

 

Mine 9-cell ain't giving any problems, very good support, no wobbling. It is a little loose inside but the play is minimal (like fraction of a milimeter movement). Of course, I have plenty other issues but that's not pertinent in this regard

 

I hav a 9-cell...no wobbling...

 

Just posted on the users thread as well that i just opened and used my red m1330 for a bit.

Im fortunate as my red cover isnt showing teeth and misfitting, there is no dent in the aluminum, the side hinge is tight, there is no squeal (yet), my HD fits in properly, and my battery is square and the system fits on the table properly.

The only complaint I have is laughable. Its not bad enough the 32Gb SSD is so small but they have it divided into two partitions, a 10Gb for system restore and a 19.8 Gb for the system of which 17 is immediately taken up for system software. then, of course there is 2.9Gb for Mediadirect.

Which leaves me with less than 3Gb free sopace on the HD from when it was first turned on..

I personally find there is alot of junk and bloatware I dont need (MCafee/Works Trial/Google bar etc). Its absolutely a must to reformat with this drive.

Thats where Vista Ult is such a benefit. Im going to make a diskset of the entire drive first then tear it up and build it again. Cant wait.

In closing, I def think the build is improving; I only wish I could open the other two systems to verify that as they were all build together.

PS It does start and move around basic functions lots quicker. My first startup after initial setup was less than a minute.

 

my only beef with the laptop since i received it was the presence of a stuck pixel. It appeared and disappeared for the first week of use of my laptop but has since disappeared. other than that, the laptop is perfect.

 

I have a 4-cell battery and an uneven base. Putting a CD/DVD under the front, left side stops the wobble. This is quite frustrating when using my laptop on a desk. I'm hoping that this is a defect in the battery only and that upgrading to a 6-cell battery would fix it. I'd hate to return this laptop since everything else is perfect.

 

marv, check the evenness w/o any battery in.

 

Zetto, without the battery it's worse because the battery has one of those rubber-thingies under it.

 

Well, I was just trying to eliminate one variables. In my case, 1330 is pretty even with or without the battery (I do have 9-cell tho).

 

Weird how yours can be even, even without the battery.

 

A friend of me who got the M1330 also without the build-in fingerprint reader, got in the mean time a replacement palmrest from Dell for exchange. They've also send him a so called technician (LOL) to exchange the palm rest at his home.

Well the technician was also going to fix/adjust some metal part inside the notebook near the slot dirive and it break off, further a cable connector also break off during the service repair session. - Now the freind will get a new replacement M1330 unit from the Dell factory, but has to wait until october.

Most of the M1330 parts, especially a bunch of inner parts, are really filigree and can break off easily. Further most so called technicians Dell sends are just subcontractors and don't know much or are not really trained with the M1330 at all.

 

I have a good Rep that had been over to service my m12103 or 4 times, very knowledgable and capable.

Having said that however, most of the reps have never even opened up a m1330 so...unless necessary I would be uneasy with this wthout first exercising the 30 days replacement policy.

 

Today a service rep succesfully and carefully exchanged the palmrest of my red XPS with a palmrest with integrated fingerprint reader. Well it's a tough procedure since you have to disassemble a whole bunch of parts in order to be able to replace the palmrest.

Some parts of the XPS M1330 are really flimsy build and won't last forever, the weakest is the media button bar, which is just poor thin plastic. Another thing we detected during the disassembling is, that the XPS keyboard usually is flat and evenly constructed. But since the underneath dell frame ist curved in the midle, due to underneath components, the keyboard can't sit flat and even on this surface and thus will also be curved when placed on top!

IMO it is a plain Dell design and factory assembly flaw that the notebook frame under the XPS keyboard is always bent to top and the M1330 keyboards are thus mostly all curved up near the middle. - If this one is, on someones XPS very heavy bent, the keyboard could make bad contact on the panel and leave marks on the TFT panel, when the notebook lid is closed and someone performs pressure on the lid!

 

Here are two quickly shot pics from the early state of palmrest replace session, to give you a rough idea that it is no easy task. There are much more steps involved to replace the palmrest, which are not shown, since I assisted the service rep and thus didn't had the time to make other shots.

As I said before, one has to be very carefully and gentle with most parts inside the M1330, especially the bunch of tiny cable connectors, the media button bar and the palmrest itself, since most of them can be damaged very easily!

 

Thanx for that writeup and the piks!!!

The curved keyboard is something I havent seen in 3 systems however and, if it were a result of the metal structure itself, that would be realy odd.