Dell XPS build quality

After reading numerous posts and seeing pictures of the poor general build quality on the 1330s, with the loose grills, uneven seams, hinge spacing on top and bottom of screen, loose or misplaced internal wires or a combination of all the above, etc etc... I decided to look for another machine.

I would really like to get something sub-15" but I'm not totally against the 1530.

Does the XPS 1530 suffer from less of the build quality issues that have plagued the 1330?

If not, can anyone recommend a quality sub-15" notebook? (Price is not a factor)

And before anyone says to ignore the negative posts about the 1330s, I have to say build quality for me is very important and I'm very picky (it's a curse). I'm willing to pay a higher price to get it, if it's available.

 

ATC...you need to consider how many people don't post the M1330s they get with excellent build quality. I received 7 of them, two which remain in my household. Of all 7, the only problem encountered was a small crack in one of the batteries.

This site is littered with those who are here as a result of a concern or those that are just very picky.

As for whether another laptop suffers the same issues, none are any different. Its just the amount of attention each gets.

You need to rip away all the negative and put the positives into perspective. Surprisingly enough, look around the internet now and the M1330 is being touted as the top machine in its class, this after the sudden introduction of the MacAir. There are several articles in the last few days which suddenly praise the M1330, articles such as this:

http://gizmodo.com/345574/is-macbook-air-worth-the-money-five-slim-laptops-face-off

Im not talking you into the M1330 (ok maybe I am because its truly the top in its class); just trying you to open your eyes to the normal situation as to a site such as this.

Actually heck, I did an article up on M1330 purchases a while back. Here!!!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=170498

Concluding, like it or not the M1330 is the top machine in its class. Many have tried to dispute this fact but another system hasn't stood up to it as of yet.

 

Hi ATC.
For what it's worth, I was in your same shoes and decided to take the plunge.
I received my m1330 several days ago and have no complaints at all.
I'm pretty anal about minor things and looked hard to find something and can't.
Previously I had a Thinkpad, Toshiba, and HP. This is my first Dell and the whole experience has been wonderful.
Best of luck in whichever way you go!
- Dave

 

i've had to return 2 m1330's to settle on my final one. final one isn't perfect, it has 2 slight dents in the aluminum palm rest but dell gave me a $100 gc so i'm happy.

bottom line is that i'd do it all again. dell has an exceptional return policy, like nordstrom & costco, so that takes out all the risk.

for the money, you can't beat the m1330. if money is no object like you say, buy a sony.

 

This is a small problem...

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49295100,00.htm

 

No problems for me apart from the slight whine, but I can live with that as its only present when the notebook rests on a wooden surface. Anything else and it disappears (weird but true). I'm in agreement with Flamenko, the positive tend not to post. Also consider how many units they ship, so the defect rate is probably under 10 or 5%. Take a chance (albeit a small one) on this unit, its superb.

 

My touchpad acts a little strange every now and then, but other than that there aren't any problems. You tend to hear more of the negatives than the positives on these boards.

 

I don't have a 1530, but based on the NBR threads and polls, I have concluded that it has poor or very poor build quality. For very good build quality, money no object, I would look at the Lenovo T61 and the Dell Precision (there may be others too that I have not read about). Some people may not like their designs, and their screens are not the brightest and most vibrant, but they are reputed to be very durable and trouble-free. Generally, speaking, business and professional laptops have much better build quality than consumer laptops.

 

I have returned 3 M1330's for various issues ranging from southbridge whine, keyboard bulges, scratches and the like... I'm still waiting for the perfect one.. BUt I have not given up as the notebook has everything that I want.. I just want one with no whine, no scratches, and no keyboard bulges....

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm now leaning towards giving the m1330 a shot especially with EPP and free shipping. And if there are any issues I can always return it with no restocking fees etc...

On paper the m1330 is the one I think I'll be happiest with but I just hope it's a decent machine build-wise.

In Canada the price isn't as good as some of our American friends have been able to get them for. The config I will most likely get is just under $2k including Taxes (EPP):

Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500
Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition, English
Tuxedo Black
Slim and Light LED Display with VGA Webcam
3GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (1GB x 2GB)
250G 5400RPM SATA HDD
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8400M GS
8X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
Dell Bluetooth Travel mouse
1 Year Return to Depot Service and Technical Support
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Biometric Fingerprint Reader

 

I've had great luck with Dell laptops in the past. I buy desktops and laptops as part of my job. I've purchased around 60 Dell business units in the last 5 years. I've also bought other brands like IBM, Lenovo, HP, Toshiba, Sony, and Mac. Overall, the Dells have had the best track record for us. Very competitively priced, durable, and bundled with an excellent service system.

So when it was time to buy something for myself, I looked at all the usual suspects. The T61 was right up there on my list with the M1530. I could have bought either one despite the fact that a comparably equipped T61 is $600 more than the M1530. I'll know very soon if the M1530 meets my expectations for quality and performance. And everyone here will know too!

 

Like Flamenko stated, most that come to this board, come to complain. I've had 3 Dells...all perfect except for a dead pixels on my m1530, which Dell replaced without a problem at all. IMHO many who constantly complain about build quality are most likely just looking for some sort of compensation from dell. If they weren't, why wouldn't you return a laptop after 2,3,4 or more times?
If,after the 1st replacement ithe laptop isn't perfect...get a refund and go with another company, which you feel has better build quality. The fact that Dell has such a great return/warranty program...in fact better then most, should say something about the confidence Dell has in the quality of their product. Unfortunatley some take advantage of this....hopefully it won't ruin Dell's policies in the future!

 

I am at the same boat as you. This is my 2nd return, and both of them have whine. If the 3rd one still have the whine, then I don't know what to do anymore, because I have a project comming, and I really gonna need my laptop.

 

ATC....you are obviously Canadian...

Follow my how-to thread below.

Here is a number to a Canadian line in Ontario. Ask to speak with Cdn telephone sales. 800-847-4096

Give yourself a few days and try and work out a great deal. Read what many have written in the How-To and Getting Money Back Threads.

Good luck.

 

Well... you most likely will be waiting for a very long time cause there is no such thing as , perfection.

 

Boy that's the truth spoken well!! IT seems like all my dell's have been
great and if there is a problem they fix it.
Not sure what all the fus is. Must be pickiness.

 

The build quality...
Thats something to talk about..
Its maybe just me, or a couple other thousand users that got a very well and symmetric built pc...

 

I have an M1530. I am trying to get the screen replaced because this forum says there is a better screen out there than what I have. But seriously, would sony or hp or any other company allow you to do that? I think not. You can't go wrong buying a dell. You don't like it?? Send it back. Overall, I love this M1530. The screen is fine, but I am just curious what the "better" screen looks like. Dell is an incredible value for the money. Period.

 

From what I gather, the better screen is just brighter. IMO, its too bright and I have to turn it down a little.

 

If your screen is fine...WHY ARE YOU GETTING IT REPLACED! If they send you a replacement, it will have the same config as your current laptop, same part#'s, same screen. BETTER is very subjective, so if you have no complaints with what you have...keep it.

 

Hi flamenko,

Yeah I'm Canadian from out west. Very interesting reads those two links you mentioned. I've dealt with Dell for years and bought quite a few machines from them and never knew quarter of the things you talked about. Thanks for that.

About the deals; I already mentioned in my earlier post about the 1330 config I'm interested in. Through EPP I was only able to get 6% off rather than 12% even with the highest warranty option.

Here's the kicker; I went to the Dell US EPP site (a friend works there and gave me his ID just to browse the site) and wow, what a difference in price.

The exact same machine that I configured on the Dell EPP Canada site (with only a 1 yr warranty) that came to around $2000CAD, I was able to configure on the US site for $1400US and came with 3 year CC coverage and a few extras (case etc..)

What gives? Surely dell Canada reps won't be able to make up the difference, can they?

 

There seems to be a new deal on Dell EPP Canada now, for both the m1330 & m1530, with a 3 year warranty and a system spec'd out above $1600 they add an automatic deduction of $359 on top of the 12% discount, not bad.

So this system:

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium ion
SYSTEM COLOUR Tuxedo Black
LCD AND CAMERA High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
MEMORY 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
HARD DRIVE 200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
WIRELESS CARD Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate), for XPSM1530
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
HARDWARE SERVICES 3 Year Next Busines Day Onsite/In Home Service and Technical Support

Goes for about $1,539.12, not too bad.

buda

 

Many people have tried comparing the US to Canada prices with a Rep with no luck but I still believe it is approachable if you do your homework.

Know what you want and the price difference. Be polite and if you get nowhere with the CSR ask to speak with the supervisor. They will humm and haw but you will get through. Most importantly, always ask for the CSR name and employee number. If they ask you why, just state that its just in case you wish to send in correspondence about the conversation and what a help they have been (meant in a positive context of course)