So a tech is coming to my house...

...to replace my keyboard, mobo, and screen on my 1330. The keyboard has random half-sticking keys that are three times as loud as my other keys which finally made me snap when I was typing 4 reports a week. No SPILLS either, it came that way.

Mobo is an A00? I'm wondering if anyone knows about this, but the rep on the call I made said it was too old and should be replaced anyhow, I just got this laptop a few weeks ago so wtf? Said anything earlier than an A04 should be replaced...any thoughts on that one? The high-pitched whine was my main complaint, I tried several workarounds but there's still an intense clicking and whine coming from the CPU area. Especially bad in a quiet room.

And finally, I did NOT ask to do anything about the infamous left-hinge gap problem, I merely mentioned it so as to maybe gain some information about why it was happening with so many units, so I could possibly help some people on here know why. But he's like "oh no sir, you mentioned it so you obviously want us to fix it" (whatever dude). So he can mess with that one, not sure what he'll do.

Just thought I would throw this out there, I'm kinda sad because this is a great laptop brought down by several widespread flaws. Hopefully they fix these issues for everyone, because the same problems of last year are still occuring.

 

The A04 rev mobo supposedly fixes he whine.. Don't know about that, since I do not have it in my A01 either... And what's broken, shouldn't be fixed ..

As for the A00 mobo, it shouldn't even be there.. are you sure your's isn't a refurb shipped by mistake?

 

Oh snap. If it is. I'll be angry. What's so bad about a refurb though? Besides this mobo issue.

 

Are you talking about the BIOS rev? Just flash it with the latest BIOS, nothing wrong with doing that for any motherboard most of the time...

 

I was referring to the motherboard revision.. as was the OP(I suppose...)

 

Yes, although the numbers appear similar I don't think they are the same thing. My BIOS says A10. Mobo says A00.

So again, if it is a refurb is it really that bad if all the components are new? Well except this lame mobo.

 

Don't know about you, but if I pay for a new laptop, I want a new one. Period.

 

Good point. I think perhaps I'll try it out once the tech is done with it who is coming tomorrow, and then if I get ANY of the same problems I'll ask for a new system. Shame though, I love this laptop ya know? I have some sort of 3-yr warranty with full coverage that was automatic through my college discount, so I'll be alright either way. Thanks for the help.

 

How do you check the mobo revision??

 

If they don't get it right this time, ask them for a refund if you have had the laptop for less than 3 months. Given how many times they haven't gotten it right, you have grounds to return regardless of if you are still within the 21 day return policy.

 

How do you check the mobo revision???

 

You could use CPU-Z (I think) to check. Also you can look directly at the motherboard and probably find the label for it if you remove the keyboard.

 

To check the m/b revision on the 1330 you lift up the first ram stick and it should be on a label under the stick. It should be revision 4 as that has been the latest m/b for quite some time.

 

Well, this is one thing about Dell, that's irrefutable- That it's well nigh impossible to get a system right at one go.. I've had my laptop replaced once, the keyboard once, battery once, palmrest once, heatsink once, Optical drive once, and perhaps some other things too, which I can't remember... Even I was on the verge of returning my system, but then at least their customer support is excellent..

If you have a 3 year complete cover, I am sure Dell won't shortcharge you... And in any case, if they can't fix a problem in 3tries, it is standard policy to replace the unit(that is what I was told)...

The catch is if it is a system you are otherwise happy with, the new system might come with other, more irritating problems, like a bad screen. I know, coz that happened to me.. I had the screen swapped.. .

Just recounting my experience..

 

sesshomaru, people can get a good laptop on their first go, if Dell wasn't doing anything right, then they wouldn't be the second biggest PC distributor behind HP/Compaq.

With the old mobo, that's pretty sketchy. If they haven't used those in awhile, I'd definitely inquire how such an old product got into your computer. even if it is refurbished, you should get a discount, just like how one gets a discount on a refurbished item at the Dell Outlet.

 

Second Biggest

I rest my case.

The greatest point in dell's favour is their after sales service.. That is the only thing that made me stick to my first(and only) dell notebook..
As far as quality goes, a dell latitude is nowhere near a Thinkpad or a Compaq business series laptop. But all this is going off topic.

 

I would like to return it, but the main selling point for me was the 64GB solid-state drive, it's amazing. Dead quiet, incredibly quick to open up applications, never gets warm unless I'm playing a game (yes I realize that it's not the SSD getting warm then), if you guys can show me a laptop with a 64GB SSD for under $2k then I'll go for it but otherwise I think I'm stuck

 

Solution- Buy any notebook you like, get the cheapest, stock HDD option, and then drop in a 64GB SSD seperately.. Chances are it'll cost you less than what dell offers it for.

 

Oh I wish. Through dell: $700, Through newegg: $1,079

 

Funny, we have never had to return nor exchange any of the latitudes and Inspirons we have here.

Considering Dell CONSISTENTLY places in the top 3 in practically every major Customer service, hardware build, and tech support survey out there, I say they are getting it right the first time the majority of the time.

I rest MY case.

I'd ask for a new unit after this man. It is a shame your keyboard sucks balls.

 

Are we allowed to say suck balls? If we are then I love you lol. I've wanted to say it so much lately. Oh well. Tech will be here in the morning like I said. If he effs with me then I'll just go for a new one.

 

I'll check my mobo revision tonight, but I havent had to get anything replaced with my M1330. It seems fine, and I dont have any of the known issues so far......