How does Dell decide what (DVD+/-RW) burner model goes in to what model?

I was wondering if anyone here knows what method dell uses to decide what brand of Burner goes into what model? I ask this because I have an M1710 with a Phillips brand DVD Burner. I know that some Dell models have the latest NEC burner in them. I would think that in a high end laptop, Dell would have put an NEC model as NEC im assuming from what ive read makes better burners. Am I wrong? if so then I stand corrected.

 

I think it's all on their part supply available on their manufacturing site. I don't think model have special previliges to better parts.

 

Possibly, NEC doesn't make Laptop-sized drives?
I own three Dell desktops, and they all use NEC.

 

It's not true. Dell does make NEC drive for notebook. My 700m that I am typing on has NEC DVD+RW ND-6500A. And my M90 on my way has NEC as well.

 

Eenie meenie mynie moe?

Yeah, I have no idea how to spell that.

 

yea pretty sure it just depends on what lot of drives they have when they went looking for the cheapest ones.

 

It's just a matter of random pick. They've got three or four different brand burners in their stock at the production facility, so it just depends on which one gets picked to put in which notebook. I got the NEC, and I love it.

 

Well thaks for the responses folks. I guess ill just have to live with the Phillips. I could always buy an NEC external usb/firewire burner if push came to shove. I foolishly assumed that Dell would be like Alienware and stack their high end products with high end stuff.

 

If you're really not happy then buy a neat slot loader and replace what came stock...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ner&Manufactory=1336&Description=slot&Ntk=all

 

You could contact Dell and see if they will send you an NEC drive. I can't gurantee that they will, but it wouldn't hurt to ask them and switch.

 

Hmm thats a very interesting thing to consider. I wonder what I could say to them to possibly make them want to send me another one?

 

Just be honest with them. I assume that you just bought your laptop, so if you are unhappy with your laptop, I would think that you could get the cd/dvd drive replaced. It is like with the LCD - users that aren't happy with it have been able to get a replacement.

 

Yes I bought it July 3rd. Wouldnt something technically have to be wrong with the drive for me to have it replaced? Are they hard to install?

 

No they are not hard to install. It is basically removing 1 screw (the one with the lock image beside it), pulling the old cd/dvd drive out. Replacing it with the new and screwing the screw back in. You'll probably have to install the drivers for the NEC or which ever drive you get, but again that is not hard to do.

As for something to technically be wrong with it, I honestly don't know. I know dell has a policy where you can return the laptop any time during your 21 day period if you are not completely satisfied. To me, if you are not happy with your cd/dvd drive or happy with it's performance, then this classifies as not being completely satisifed.

 

Ahhh ok, well I guess it would make more sense from a financial standpoint for Dell to send out another drive rather then risk losing business from a returned lappy. im assuming id have to send the old one back to Dell? With my luck, id mess up the installation so maybe it would be better for me to keep what I have. Regardless of what happens, thanks for your help.

 

Unless something on your laptop isn't working, I'd bet real money the only option you'll be offered is "order another laptop and return the old one" wherein you take your chances on the components you get and also you pay whatever the price is that day. I could be wrong and I hope for your sake I am, so please let us know what Dell "customer care" offers you.

 

Just tell them you're not happy with your DVD burner and you want a replacement NEC one. They'll probably not be able to guarantee that you'll get an NEC, but you probably will.

 

My Philips DVD burner works great, no coasters, and I found blank media that burns data/movies/whatever at its maximum speed (8x). What exactly do you not like about your optical drive?

 

What is the blank media you use? That's probably what he needs to know best.

 

Won't work. They will be apologetic and accomodating and will jot down your request, then exactly the same screen or drive will show up. Ask me how I know... Bottom line: with Dell you're playing a lottery - there is no guaranteed way to get the certain brand name component you want.

 

It's noisy, NEC is much less so.

 

I got a Sony drive with my E1705... pretty noisy But honestly, I have gotten used to it and it doen't bother me as much anymore.

 

Ah, that's too bad then. I don't find the sound on mine overly obtrusive, but the optical on my last laptop was louder than this one... It is louder than my portable DVD player though.

Also for the record, I use Maxell DVD+R 16x blank media, which gets me max write speeds (8x) on my PHILIPS DVD+-RW SDVD8820 optical drive. Maxell DVD+R 8x blank media used to get me 6x write speeds. I was thinking of just starting a post so users could reference the performances of varying blank media for specific burners, but i'm kind of lazy...