My Issues With Dell (and latest problem)

Hi all,

I just received my Studio 15 one week ago. Just now I was holding it on my lap surfing the web. Suddenly it made the "eject noise" and the eject button lit up and stayed on. I tried the other touch buttons and they don't work either. I've restarted 5+ times with no success.

I'm not looking for a fix, I'm just wondering if this has happened to anyone else? I am so unbelievably annoyed with Dell at this point that I might take my money and go elsewhere. I first ordered a Studio 15through the outlet that was supposedly never booted. I received it and the speakers were busted. I decided not to go down the outlet road again so I ordered a custom Studio 15 and waited 3 weeks for it. It's been okay since I got it, some buggy things here and there, but I've looked past them. A couple of days ago the touch pad started acting weird. It isn't following my finger and acting bizarre. It's happened a few times in the last 2 days. Finally, this happened with the eject button.

This is my last straw. Dell has proven that their quality control has gone out the window in the last few years. I won't accept anything less than a perfect, solid machine when I spend $1200. The build quality of my machine is only "fair". I'm upset at the cheap plastic that most of the machine is built of. It bends and makes snapping noises and just does not seem like it's built for the long run. I am shipping this computer back to Dell on Monday. I'll be telling them everything I've mentioned in this post. I also plan on telling them how upsetting their quality is these days.

Normally I am Dell's biggest fan. I purchased an Inspiron 1150 5 years ago before my freshman year of college and it made it through until I graduated without any major problems. I used to rave about Dell. My experiences in the last month and a half have just disappointed me beyond belief. Don't even get me started on the *lack* of customer care they display these days.

Sorry for the long post, I guess I'm just venting. I have been looking forward to a new computer for a long time only to have all of these experiences when the time finally comes. Any tips/advice would be great. Anyone know of a quality laptop manufacturer?

*Edit: I think I'm getting a MacBook.

 

well for the touch pad problem i talked to support and they updated a driver for me and it works fine but havent really tested it since i have a mouse.

and for the eject problem that just happened to me and iwas like ?!?!?! after like 10 seconds it went away

 

The Dell Studio's built quality.. or even its quality overall is VERY disappointing. I don't think it's worth buying from anywhere unless there is a very good deal on it from the outlet or somewhere else.
After a few months of owning one, the heat sink had already failed and I've gone through about 3 charger adapter. I sent my laptop to depot just a week ago and they replaced the heat sink. I planned on selling it, but I've already scratched it, and I didn't want to take a loss as I'd have to sell it for a lot less.
Although I must say, their support is not as bad as I expected it to be.
I think Sony, Toshiba, Apple would be a better choice, but they are a little more expensive.

 

hey elite it may be because you probably have the 1535 version. i currently have teh 1537 and it runs pretty smoothly so far, just a couple of minor problems and it was really cheap. fromt he outlet p8400,3 gigs,250gig hd,fp reader,and agn wireless card. although it did come with a 4500 mhd it only cost me 509 shipped and tax. of course i dont have tax in oregon...

 

I have 1535 and I have only minor problems (most of them software related or all)!
I'm happy with my Studio.
It is just luck IMO (by my opinion)!
I had horrible experience with HP, but Dell support/service/notebook is great deal for me.And my is NOT From outlet!

My brother and father on other side has/have great success with HP!

It is just a luck.

One notebook can be perfect in articles, but can be horrible for his/her owner.
And visa verse!

 

Hey...sorry about the troubles your having with your S15

I think you are making the right choice for yourself in shipping it back for a refund. You fall well w/in the allotted 21 days for refund/new replacement.

I know with all you've been thru with you recent purchase, it would be hard to consider returning for a new replacement ~ to see if a new lappy would work better.

It's ok to *vent*, you did it constructively. Whatever you decide to do..I think you next *move* will be the best one.

As for quality manufacturers other than Dell. This link will take you to the What Notebook Section Should I Buy Section of the forum:

Complete this FAQ, post..and Voila! You will get great feedback from you fellow forum members here on NBR!

Good luck to you, and sorry for all that has happened!

Cin

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm considering either MacBook, business class Latitude, or brand new S15. Most likely it will be one of the first two. I don't know. It is just disappointing that I have to go through this long waiting process again. I'll keep you all updated

 

I'm sorry that you are still being affected by Dell's negligance towards the Studio 15's build quality. I am pretty sure they have been aware of these problems since the get go (I ordered mine 1 month after it was released from Dell.com) and yet they are still producing faulty laptops.

I had the same problems with my dell studio. i put up with it for 5 months and finally sold it. I am waiting for my Msi wind to arrive on monday. good riddance dell studio 15!

If it wasn't for that crappy eject problem, build quality, etc the laptop was pretty good in terms of speed, etc. But because of those problems, i decided to go the netbook route.

Good luck with your next laptop purchase!

 

Thanks! I just built a Latitude E6500 and it's going to end up costing me about $200 more, but if the build quality is better than the S15 then I'm completely fine with that!

 

Go for Mac Book!
It is the only one better than DELL!

 

Nice choice. Don't get me wrong, Dell usually makes great products, its just that the studio 15's quality was lackluster at the most. Hope the E6500 treats you better. ^^

 

I haven't yet purchased the Latitude, I just wanted to see what the price would end up being after I priced it out. I may try and see if some coupons show up for a certain percentage off Latitudes.

I'm still looking into the MacBook. I'm excited to go to my local Apple Store tomorrow to scope things out.

 

I had a Studio 17 with more problems then it was worth, the exchange they sent for the first was no better it too had problems and the support from both customer service, tech and supervisor trying to resolve my issue was not worth the headache in the long run. I know quite a few people who luck out and get a machine but the ratio good vs bad is close and when it comes down to support they are failing big time. I would send it back and look around as you can find better systems for less then what you paid. I know all companies have their issue with support but I would choose the lessor of two evils then go with the what I went thru with Dell. Look around the forums here and you will be able to track a decent company selling a decent system. An educated consumer is a smart consumer. Sorry to hear you had to go thru the hassle. Quality is poor across the Studio line. What burns my toast is the blatent we don't care attitude followed by the poor quality, but more importantly the poor support across the board. If they do not want to support you then whats the sense.

 

The Latitudes are very nice!! My bro' has a Latitude and a Precision!
And, I hate saying this..but you get much better *support* on the Business side..


Cin

 

this is very interesting! thanks for the info cin

 

No problem..I just hope that your next purchase *works* for you!


Cin

 

Macs are better quality but but but they are way OVERPRICED!!!!!!!
Lol.
I had the same problem with the touch pad just internet chat dell and they will send you a new one. they have good customer ONLINE service. Not by phone becasue i can;t understand them. Also if you take apart your notebook make sure you call dell and ask for extra screws, say that they were kind of striped when you got them. and they will send you a whole screw kit. Thats what i did becuae there default screws were so hard to get out that i wore the screw down.

GOOD LUCK on buying your notebook. I would go with a hp they have good performance for a cheap price but they arent the best quality.

 

well that's exactly the problem, i just don't think a brand new laptop should have to be serviced/need replacement parts within the first week.

the "u" key has popped off 4 times in the last half hour. this machine is terribly built. why, dell? why?

 

Awww... Get that lappy returned, so you can get one that you will not have these prob's. It, is too bad..esp. for a brand new lappy...


Cin

 

I know how you feel. I had a very similar experince with a 1537 ordered from the outlet.

At a minimum, you want a machine that works out of the box. And since it's your first new machine in five years, you're anticipating how much faster and improved it is over your old one. Then, the disappointment sinks in as you find yourself dealing with problems that weren't anticipated.

Shipping the machine back for a refund is the best solution, but that is not satisfying at all. You may have a hard time getting 100% of your money back and then there's the run around you get when you express that you want to return the machine.

Worse than the financial cost is the realization that the time spent researching, configuring, testing and troubleshooting this particular machine has been wasted. Who wants to start over when you've done all this work?

For me, I'm not sure what laptop will be next. I'm considering HP, Lenovo, and Dell from the business side. Maybe something else altogether? Probably not Apple due to cost. There isn't a rush, so I want to make sure the next choice is a good one.

 

Yes, you put it to words perfectly. But, you may want to look into the new White MacBook. They are $999 but you can get them for $949 if you are a student or teacher. Or you can "buy for your son/daughter that is in college".