Has Dell build quality improved?

So i'm looking for a laptop to replace my old dell 1525 and I want to get some opinions on whether the build quality improved from when i bought mine.

My 1525 is roughly 4-5 years old, but over this time its had some annoying issues from build quality/poor design

Shortly after I got it, several of the underside screws fell out. Then the CD-rom cover popped off. The final straw is that my LCD screen hinges broke twice.

I'm considering the 15r/17r & maybe even the XPS, but i'd like to be sure that the new laptop wont have the same pita problems.

 

The 1525 is the first of several Inspirons in which the build quality is rubbish. It really tanked coming from the fairly rugged 1x20 units. I'm not sure Inspiron build quality has improved much since then, but I'd think (and hope) that the build quality on the current XPS line is much better than that of a 1525.

 

I'm actually on my mom 1525 right now. It's still in great condition. It used to be my dads, he bought a new one and gave this one to my mom. He bought it when it was a year old. My dads new Vostro 3750 is very sturdy though.

 

Well different uses give different results. Mine was frequently moved because i would use it to tune my cars.

I can't say it was a horrible laptop given its long lifespan, but IMO screen hinges should never be designed weak enough to break like that.

 

Dell had issues with their hinges dating back the Inspiron 6000 line when they moved to the newer chassis in 2005. My Vostro 1500 (Inspiron 1520 clone) hinges are getting kinda weak, may have to replace 'em soon. Still holds up fine, but if it gets moved slightly, it does move on its own. My dad's Inspiron 6000 is holding up pretty well given the age. My now gone E1505 and E1405 were pretty good, until I sold 'em. The 1545 had pretty bad hinges, 1564 wasn't great being off the now gone Studio line. 15R isn't bad, more study IMO than 1525-1564 with laptops without a lid latch. Also alot easier to service those hinges once you pop off the palmrest, and in terms of replacing a cracked screen (front bezel just pops off, no more screws and those silly rubber bumpers).

My opinion on the new XPS line is it is too cheap feeling and plastick-y to feel like a 1200 dollar laptop.

 

My XPS seems to be built pretty solid. I've only had it a few months so far, but I don't baby it at all and it still looks and performs like new. I wouldn't exactly call it "rugged", but it's survived me slinging it around so far.