Should I try Dell again

I purchased a Dell Studio 15 and have had it for two weeks but have been dissatisfied with it. Right now I am trying to decide if I should exchange the laptop for another 15 or should I consider getting a Inspiron 1525. I customised on and found I could get the following one for $950 with taxes:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5850 (2.16GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated Modem
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card
6 Cell Battery

My current Studio 15 only has a 1535 T5750 (2.0GHZ) CORE 2 DUO processor and a 1280x800 screen. The rest (hard drive, dvd burner etc.) are the same and I paid $1,038.

Does anyone think that this is a good idea or should I look at other brands. like HP ans Acer? Also does anyone think that if I explain that I want to reorder something else that they would waive the restocking fee?

 

Why are you dissatisfied with your Studio15? I got mine a week ago and I love it!

 

I had issues with the start up screen not loading properly. Some members posted suggestions and I called tech support but the problem remains. Some have said that they have seen it before and one even said that it happened with their laptop. One suggestion to fix it was to update the driver but as the laptop is brand new it had all the updated drivers from the Dell site. Also the laptop for some reason took 15 minutes to shut down. For something only two weeks old I don't think this should be happening.
I am glad that yours and other people's are working well, but mine isn't and I think for $1000 I should be completely satisfied with it. Which is why I am asking it I should bother with Dell again.

 

I won't buy another computer from dell.

 

I just want to point out that these are software issues, not hardware issues; consequently, its not the machine that is to blame.

The start up screen may not be loading properly because Windows is having issues with drivers or starting up essential services, while the slow shutdown is probably because there are processes/services that refuse to terminate at shutdown.

The best way to get rid of these problems is to do a fresh install of Windows (not using the recovery DVDs, but simply a standalone Windows installation plus drivers); there are plenty of threads here and knowledgeable members willing to help you with these issues.

 

i had a dell inspiron 8500 and i logged in about 700,000 to 800,000 business trip miles on it while i had it... and i've even shipped the ****ed thing... it still works... and i can rely on it anytime...

i bought a sager/clevo/aw/voodoo D900K model from voodoopc... paid a heavy price on a boutique... in 3 years i had it, it was fun and a grand time... but now, it's on its way back for it's 3rd MB change...

i dont know... i think for work, i can rely on Dell..
i have a Studio 17... i love it so far...

 

^ Well, I can tell you that laptops are generally very unreliable; even spending more doesn't necessarily mean that the machine will be more reliable.

Reliability has more to do with the design of laptops more than anything; the number one reason why they fail is heat. The heat produced by increasingly powerful components, combined with cramped spaces and cooling systems that remain unchanged inevitably leads to cooling problems in many models.

 

This has also been suggested and done: I simply installed Windows vista and a few drivers considered urgent or recommended from the Dell site and the problem persists.

 

That is a disappointing result; did you use the Dell recovery discs, or a standalone Windows DVD?

 

The first time I used the recovery partition found on the laptop and then when suggested, I used the provided disc, that simply installed Windows Vista. I understand that it is hard for people to really comment on what I should do. If you one a Dell and have no problems with it obviously you would say get another, but if your experience has been bad then I am sure they would say look elsewhere. I'm just not sure if it is worth it to go throught the return and then the re-ordering and finally the waiting and waiting.

I spoke with my brother today who also uses the laptop and he told me that when he started the laptop this evening, he got one of those screens before it starts up that listed a bunch of info and at the bottom said "press enter to continue" which he did then it started up normally. When he logged on one of the programs had disappeared. Unfortunately I have no idea what the screen said as my brother is an idiot and despite knowing about these problems I am having did not bother to write anything down.