Seeking advice for a new M1330 owner - things to look out for...

Hi all,

So I've received my M1330 yesterday and I've only had a couple of hours to play around with it, but I've noticed a couple of potential problems:

1) the base is very slightly wonky on the front left hand side.
2) there is a intermittent high pitched (electrical) whinning coming from the laptop. (I think I read that this is a endemic problem with all core2duo machines - is this true?)
3) It seems to be a bit noisier than my previous laptop.

From other posts in the forum I know other people have had the same problems.

I know some people have had problems with the quality of the LED screen. I think mine is okay, however I have noticed that when playing avi files with a Divx codec, the colours seem washed out and the picture seems less sharp than on my previous laptop. It might just be the codec or vista ( I've never used vista before and its taking me a bit of time to get used to it) but has any one else noticed this? (I haven't tried playing a DVD yet)

Also from other posts, there seems to be a volume problem with mics on the LED Screen. I haven't had a chance to check this yet. Is this problem occuring with all LED Screens?

Are there any other problems that a new owner should watch out for?

Plus, what is Dell UK's policy when it comes to returns? Is there a time limit?

So what do you think, should I return my machine? should I ask for a replacement?

p.s I apologise for the rambling nature of this post.

p.p.s one final thing, I've been transfering alot of music and video files from my old XP laptop to the M1330 (using ethernet on a home network) - and My God is it slow going! I've tried the transfer using 2 xp machines and its so much faster. I tried a couple of solutions suggested on Google with no luck. I've now resorted to transerring the files in batches on a 2gb SD card.
I know this is vista problem and not the machine, but I feel so much better for having shared!

T7500 2.2ghz, 2gb ram, 160gb 7200pm HDD, Nvidia 8400 GS 128mb, LED Screen

 

There is a 30 day replacement policy in the UK. If you want to you should request a new one.
If you request a replacement they should let you keep hold of this one until your new one arrives. I don't have any CPU whine issues. My notebook is really quiet but this whine issue seems to be an issue for some people. It is quite hit and miss i would say.
In notebooks i have had i have noticed that 7200rpm HD's have been louder than 5400 HD's and 4200 rpm HD's i have found to be the most quiet of all. I don't know the old spec of the computer that you are replacing. Some HD's as well are more quiet than others.

 

Hello again, Rachuk!

A 30 day replacement policy, that's good, It gives me a bit of time to think about whether i'm happy with the laptop i've been sent.

However if worst comes to worst, what is their policy regarding refunds?

 

If you want a refund you have 30 days to decide as well. You will just arrange pick up and Dell will issue you a full refund in due course.

 

Strangely, Dell don't seem to have taken any money from my credit card yet.

(Not that I'm complaining! )

When do dell take the money? I thought it was when the the order is dispatched.

 

They may sometimes even after you receive it.

 

chinezegirl you know as well when you get a new computer it may seem slower at first because the computer goes through indexing.

I did find Vista slower at first but i don't find that to be the case anymore.

Also i was wondering about the company that manufactured your hard drive you can find this information in the device manager. Hitachi 7200rpm drives are quite notorious for being quite noisy but Seagate drives are better.

Have a look at these threads maybe for advice on bloatware and tweaks to get your system running in best performance.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=172068

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=178168

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=173190

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532

 

Run Windows Update.

Networking speed issues within Vista were recognised and remedied some time ago. Please keep us updated on your M1330 experience.

 

Hi all,

Just a quick update, so now i've had the m1330 for a few more days now and I've decided to ask for replacement (I'll call Tech support tonight). I like the system but there are a few flaws with the model I recieved.

My main gripes are:

1) The left hand side of the chassis is badly fitted. Especially on the hinge on the left and left corner above the keyboard. There are gaps and I can see teeth.

2) Noise. 2 types. The stupid high pitched whine from the cpu, however this is partially drowned out by the almost constant noise coming from the hard drive. I accept this may be because I chose a 7200rpm hard drive and maybe because of how vista works, but the whine from the cpu is unacceptable.

There are other minor things, such as keyboard flex and a very slightly wobbly base.

Overall, I am not satisfied with the build quality of the laptop I recieved. I paid £1220 for it, which for me is quite a lot of money and the xps is supposed to be a premium product. I hope I'm not being too picky!

So do you think they would send me a replacement? What is the best way to approach dell?

 

For £1220 you should expect nothing less than a flawless machine, branded 'Dell' or otherwise.

If the replacement is no good, ask for your money back as soon as possible. From what I understand your '30 day guarantee' does not restart with each replacement unit. Therefore you would have to make a decision to keep either the old or new machine, or claim your money back before the original clock runs out.

Of course, with the money claimed back you could then theoretically start the buying process again to benefit from another 30 days, but at that point of having been delivered not one but two 'duff' machines you would likely reconsider your purchase decision anyway!

Fingers crossed that your next unit is a good one.

 

Okay, so i've spoken to dell tech support and asked for a replacement. I think they've agreed to do it, however they have said that they will call me again tomorrow (something about him needing to refer it to his manager, not sure whether it should be delt with by tech support or customer care - they may be trying to get me to go round and round in circles!). He also warned me that a replacement could take up to 6 weeks!

anyway I'll keep you posted regarding any developments.

 

there are no restocking fees with returning the laptop for a refund?

 

as far as i'm aware there are no charges whatsoever

 

I'm slightly annoyed by my whole dell experience (so far), i'm now considering just going for a refund, its a shame because I do like the design of the M1330. I think I'll sleep on it and decide in the morning...

plus this is costing me a fortune in telephone calls! (I have to use my mobile, if any one know a geographical number for tech support after working hours it would be much appreciated!)

 

I call this number 01344 860456 with a calling card i have during office hours. It is the number for Dell in Bracknell,Kent and they will put through to what department you need which is the home technical department or customer support.
Use this website to get geographical numbers when you don't want to call 0870 numbers.
http://saynoto0870.com/search.php

 

why is is taking so long for replacement..i was going to order one but with with sony instead and he could ship me one in two days..maybe cause your in UK?

 

Funnily, I did ask why it would take so long, and he said something about paperwork! I said "It takes 6 weeks to complete paperwork?" and he kind of swept aside the question. He said it would be quicker to go for the refund and then reorder. I then asked if I would get the same price as before (I haggled) and he said he couldn't guarantee it.

Also I really don't want to go through the whole order process again, it was bad enough the first time round.

Annoying!!

 

Update:I been told that the Estimated Delivery Date for the replacement unit is 8th November. Much faster than originally thought!

A question for any people in the UK who've recieved replacements: When you received the replacement was the original unit taken back at the same time or was it done on a different day?

From what the dell customer service rep told me, I think they will arrange for a separate pickup, so it could be on a different day (this would suit me, as I would like the chance to transfer some files over and also compare the two). However I'm not sure because the rep didn't make it very clear.

Also do they only replace the laptop, or do you get the whole order again? (will I have to return everything (cables, case etc))?

 

Hi chinezegirl they replace the whole order again.
The pick up is one a different day which is good as it gives you time to swap over files.
I am glad that the replacement will get to you sooner than you was thinking before.
I hope that this one is a good one.

 

Hi RachUK!

I'm hopeful about the replacement. (I'm a optimist at heart!)

Anyway, thanks for all your advice (reps for you!)

And I'll be back to report on any developments, good or bad!

 

Hello all,

I recieved the replacement M1330 today and the build quality is better, no gap on the left hinge.

But the cpu whine is much louder on the replacement and the screen (imo) is inferior - its the one with the horizontal lines. Plus the hard drive is noisier a Hitachi instead of the Fujitsu in my orginal order.

So now I'm not sure what I should do. Should I

a) stay with the first M1330 dell sent me and live with the gap
b) ask for another replacement
or c) ask for my money back? (I don't really want to do this, but I wish dell would get their act together)

I definately don't like the replacement they sent me, the whine is just too loud.
but I'm slighty embarassed about having to ask for another replacment, I worried I'm just too picky.

Do you think if I asked for dell to send a engineer to fix the left hinge problem they'd be able to do it? Or is it a fundamental flaw in the chassis?

 

chinezegirl don't feel embrassed if you want to request another replacement.
If your first computer whines you don't have to put up with that why should you? My computer does not whine i would have sent it back to Dell if it did.

You could ask for someone to come out and replace your motherboard and maybe hard drive if you possibly wanted to. You can ask them not to send you a Hitachi drive. I asked for a replacement HD and i said that only Samsung would do and that is what i got.

You might try emailing [email protected] the head of sales in the UK and tell them what is going on and tell them you are not happy I am sure that he would help you out he has helped out a few people on this board who live in the UK.

You said that the replacement the left hinge has not got a slight gap so they are not meant to be like that. Mine has a slight gap but i thought they were meant to be like that it doesn't really bother me though.

 

You need to clarify whether your warranty on the new machine has a 30 day guarantee of it's own, or whether your replacement and subsequent replacements fall within that same initial 30 day guarantee of the first machine.

If you're not careful about what Dell's T&C's legally stipulate, you might not be able to get your money back on either of them. Be mindful of this. In my opinion this should influence your next move to either yet another chance unit, or, a full refund.