Has Dell gotten it's acts together?

So any new information on the dreaded Headphone noise and WXGA+ grainy screen issues?

A friend is in need of a laptop and I want to recommend a Vostro 1400/1500 to him.

So whats the consensus?

 

You ask if Dell has gotten their act together. This reply does not have anything to do with the specific issues you inquire about but it will basically answer your general question.
A friend has an Inpiron E1505, it's power adapter died yesterday. Since the E1505 is out of warranty she called Dell yesterday to ask how she would go about ordering a new one. She was put on hold, transferred around totaling close to 2 hours only to be told at the end that the parts department was closed on Sunday.
So to get back to your general question, what would you say?

 

I'd say she should have just called Dell Spare Parts in the first place and not on a Sunday. When I destroyed the optical drive on my out-of-warranty Inspiron 8200, I took 2 minutes on the Dell site and found the Spare Parts number. If I remember correctly, it even listed the hours that the number would be open.

The point is, your anecdote has as little to do with the OP as what I've just said.

 

My advice is get the 1400 with wxga. Just forget the wxga + for both 1400/1500. Also with 1400 the headphone noise should not be an issue. The headphone jacks are up front instead of the side like the 1500. The location is probably why the 1500 has more issues with noise. I would stay clear of the 1500. Your friend would be better off with a 1700 then a 1500. These machines are pretty heavy for their screen sizes so the 1400 might be the best option.. as long as the 8400m gs nvidia is sufficient.

 

no they have not imo....

 

I might tell him if he really does want a dell, to avoid the 15".... he only plays Counter strike so I think the 8400 should suffice.

So basically only semi safe bet is to go 14" WXGA regular.....

I dunno, still, one should not have to resort to safe bets .

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DELL!!!!!!!

 

Lets put it this way, buying a Dell is a hell of an experience

 

Oh I So Much Agree Now... Never Again

 

dell sucks. bad. order a dell if you're a gambling man, because there is a good chance it will have some pretty major issues, especially the 1520.

 

yes they have...

 

Well - IMHO The demand for notebooks in the back to school season is what doomed everything. To many orders at once, ran out of quality parts - forced to use parts from other companies to meed demand - At least that's my theory.

I'd imagine by now, if all the kids are getting laptops, they got them now so the demand should have slowed down now.

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But Damn! I'm not feeling this hate vibe going on towards the 1520 and other series Dell notebooks! My 1520 was one of the first ones off the assembly line - and I'm frankly blown away with the quality, performance and service. I had one complication with the screens little hinge mechanism's, but it was sorted out in 10 minutes quickly and easily, Dell sent a hinge kit out and all smooth sailing.

And I'm worse then a women for perfection so hopefully you can take my word for it all.

But everyone has there experience and reasons - but don't put that kind of evil on every model that is out in the world.

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As far as headphone noise goes, mine doesn't have it. My custom built desktop has a terrible noise identical to what is everyone describing. Speakers and headphones - you can hear it no matter. So doesn't seem to be laptop specific.

Best of luck, all I can really say - Just one of the draw backs of buying high demand products from one of the top companies selling companies.

 

Companies that sell companies... that's PRO.

 

LMFAO

I meant computers.. typo - I guess that's what I get for staying up all night prowling the message boards

 

Do you have any hard facts behind that statement?

I unpacked my Vostro 1400 today. It is a WXGA+ (1440x900) SEC4457 screen and it looks just great. My IBM T60, 14,1" 1400x1050, is a tiny bit sharper but annoyingly dark at the brighetst setting. I can recommend this laptop, with the SEC4457 screen at least.