Returned Vostro1400.....

Hi,

Returned my vostro today because I could not stand battery making tapping noise because it's loose. I had both 6 and 9 cell battery and 9 cell was even worse in terms of the degree in which it was 'wobbly'

Without any doubt, this laptop was a good buy and definitely makes to "most bang for the buck" list. Screen was beautiful with no sign of 'graniness' (as some of you may call it) and no leakage at all.

Sure, I could have placed a few pieces of electrical tape to close the gap between the battery and the laptop, but I did not pay my money to dell so that I can apply my own fix to dell's innate problem. I would rather prefer to pay more $$$ to buy a laptop that's better built than to buy a cheaper laptop that has all kinds of problems.

I guess I could've also had them send me a replacement laptop. But knowing that this laptop came out a month ago and also knowing that this wobbly problem isn't an isolated case, I knew that chance of getting my replacement with perfectly fitting batterly was almost slim to none.

Going thru CSR was another battle ....but that's another story.

Too bad dell couldn't finish strong with vostro....

 

Sorry to hear. Whats the plan now?

Josh

 

You can spend your money on whatever makes you happy, however this seems like sour grapes to me. Was there any other reason you returned the laptop? I question your assertion that the laptop has "all kinds of problems". I suspect Dell simply does not view the battery fit as a problem so it goes unresolved in production.

Anyway, are you going to go with something like a Thinkpad now?

 

from what you posted, seems like its not all kinds of problem, but a tiny little problem.
a non-wobbly battery is not worth $200-300 more to me at least.

 

I finally took the time to call Dell to complain about the loose battery and the 2 scratches on my Vostro1400. It was the first time I spoke to an America rep from as far as I can remember.

He was straight up - Sir, I can offer your 1 of 4 options: partial credit, gift certificate, setup a return, or get a new one built right away. I opted for the cert at first, but whined about the taped up loose battery. He then said let me build you a new one, and that if I am still not happy that I'd still have the other 3 options. I accepted. Very pleasant and straight forward. BTW my replacement was already in kitting stage after 1 hour!

I'm pretty certain the new one will still have wobbly battery. Not really a problem after I apply some electrical tapes. At least I'll have one without the 2 scratches, AND a gift cert

Now that I've discovered my old component video/SPDIF digital audio out dongle works with the Vostro 1400, I'm liking it even more! Since I can now output digital surround sound from the Vostro, I might do away with my dedicated HTPC and make my Vostro1400 my HTPC.

I've just convinced 2 friends to return their HP 14" model from Costco and get the Vostro 1400. I am far from impressed by the HPs - dim and grainy screen, lot of flex on the keyboard and screen, and too much bling for my taste with that shiny finish.

BTW, I meant to say that I had no intention of requesting a return when I called. Just wanted to see what Dell will put on the table for me Good luck with whatever you get next.

 

Yeah. I guess it all depends on personal preference after all. But they should've noted on their website that "Caution:Battery wobbles a bit" so that people like myself won't even look at the laptop twice no matter how cheaply they are advertised as.

 

Just curious...
What was your Vostro 1400's price?
How much partial credit was he giving you?
How much was he offering in certificates?
Do you have Vista premium or basic, any plans to convert to XP?
THX!!

 

id like to know also.. same questions as above thanks in advance

 

dido^^^^^ same here

 

Alright I opened my 1400 last night, and damn that battery *is* loose. Its certainly not very re-assuring to hand hold the laptop and move it around at all, the presence of the moving battery is very apparent and it moves more than I thought it would. I never got around to taping it up last night or looking in other solutions. It was more of a problem that the 9 cell sticking out makes the laptop not fit in my laptop bag very well. Also, above my DVDRW drive tray cover is a plastic lip that scratches if you put your hand over there, like it sticks out a bit too far past the tray cover.

Past that, it seems well built in most other areas...

 

I agree. I too, did like everything else about vostro. Thats why i said too bad vostro couldn't finish strong.

 

Understood. I will say that while easily fixed, the battery has a lot more movement than I was expecting. When people were talking about the loose battery, I was assuming it was just a tiny bit of movement like when a laptop gets a couple years old and things wear down.

 

One more thing... The trackpad is horrible for recognizing the scroll bar areas. I am used to Multitouch on a Mac

 

Guys this post is worrying me tooo much.. I booked my vostro on 6th aug 2007

Vostro 1400, Intel Core 2 Duo T5470, 1.6GHz, 800Mhz FSB 2M L2 Cache

-14.1 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD for Vostro 1400
-2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM
-128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS Graphics Card
-120G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
-Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
-8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/o Roxio Creator
-Integrated 2.0 mega pixel webcam 1400
-85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Vostro 1400

Everybody has a complian about the loose battery.... This is my first laptop... Should i go ahead with Vostro or should i cancel the order and go for
Inspiron 1520

Please give your suggestions

 

I wouldn't worry about it. It really is the easiest thing to fix, and a lot of people have batteries that fit fine.

 

Hi Guys,

I am expecting my Vostro 1400 in 3 to 4 business days.. So should i be expecting the loose battery problem or do u think dell would have fixed it.

 

according to a technican i talked with on email its supposed to be fixed, but even if its not,, its not a big issue at all.
i didn't care enough to get an exchange.

 

i highly doubt they'll fix this problem until the next model comes out.

 

its not fixed at least not on the 1500's..

 

I too was thinking about calling Dell to complain about my wobbly battery, but i guess a majority of 1400 owners here have that problem.

i don't think 1500s have that problem. atleast, not mine

 

i got mine today and it does my brother in law got his yesterday and his is loose also.. so you got lucky..

 

Wow you returned it just becuase of the battery problem? A simple wedge of paper solved my problems. It's sketchy but it does do the job.

It is quite stupid of dell however to ship out notebooks with a loose battery. Because by doing this they risk buyers returning it for that reason. If they would have done things right in the first place, this type of thing wouldn't happen. I guess its a quality control issue.

 

yeah im gonna call tomm and threaten to return it for other reasons as well and see where i get ill prob keep mine but hey its worth a shot

 

Heck if they are willing to give people partial credit, I'll ask for $50 credit or something. I'd take $50 over a loose battery. There is part of me that doesn't want to let them get away with building and shiping out junk like this. I'm going to try and chat with them online and see what they offer me.

For people who have called, how much $ did they offer you?

 

Hi Guys,

Any idea how to solve th loose battery issue

 

Put some duct or electrical tape on the battery between the battery and the laptop. It fixed mine, which really wasn't that bad to begin with.

 

Wait, so they offered to build you a new one and they did that? Meaning you're going to get 2 laptops? Or are you returning your current one?

 

I'm with you, it's like watching Abbott and Costello's "Who stole first" routine.

 

no trust me they will not let him keep both. he will have to return one of them...

 

Come on guys Its understood that he has to return the old Laptop when new laptop arives

Finally I have noted list of problems:

1.loose battery
2.loose battery
3.loose battery
4.loose battery
5.loose battery
6.loose battery

So when someone called up and asked about this issue what are dell people replying?

 

I'm still interested in how much $ Dell will give people to "solve" the problem. $50?

 

Anyone know?

 

So, from early posts, the lose battery problem seems to be fixed right? so should i expect a solid laptop when my vostro 1400 arrives on sept 10th?