Speculate with me, free guesses! -Warranty upgrade ideas

Hello Ladies and Gents! I asked this within an xps thread but figured I could get a better response here.

I sent my Studio 1458 in for repair under my complete care warranty and they ended up just totaling it. Now I'm waiting for a call back on Thursday from the CSR to tell me what they will replace it with.

He said since it was a Studio it will be replaced with an XPS. Of course a refurb, so I looked on the Outlet site to see what my replacement might be.

Well, the only XPS 14 available on there is the 14 Ultrabook, and I almost wet my pants. The other ones are showing out of stock. If that is true, do they replace with what is in stock or will they have a backup stash of XPS14's from the later models on hand.

Anyone care to guess on what would come of my replacement story? I REALLY would love one of the new XPS 14 Ultrabooks. But would that even be possible considering the unavailability of any other 14 models on the sites?


Also - Would it be wise to spend the 400+ for an extended warranty on that? mine is almost up.
Thanks in advance for reading!

 

The warehouse stocks for what they offer for exchanges and sales at Outlet are completely separate. Period.

It also really depends on your luck too.

 

Shoot! Well for what it's worth, I have read that other members here have needed replacements for their 14z and were unable to get one. The last I read about that was in October, and they replaced his with a newer xps or something completely different.

What would you guess, if you could? I know I wouldn't go any bigger on the screen but he told me for sure the Studio isn't an option. Just said they don't have anymore, lucky!

 

I doubt 14inch studio is available.

Technically, the lines go like this: Inspiron, Studio, then XPS. So they should get you an XPS. You will probably get an Xps, not sure which model. 14inch one would be the most appropriate for obvious reason.

 

yeah that's what he told me in the last call. The reason I asked was just to wonder which 14" xps I can expect.

And if I were to get the newest model, is it problematic enough that I should renew my warranty?

thanks again for all the responses, I do appreciate it.

 

is there an older generation 14inch xps? I am talking about those from first generation i series +.

 

Maybe I'm not familiar enough with the series names but is there an i Series?

Here are the ones I see on their site:

XPS 14 - L401X

XPS 14 - L412Z

And the one I'm hoping for, and the Newest Model that I'm aware of:
XPS 14 - L421X

Is there a FAQs section where I can learn more on the different kinds and series?

 

I think you will get either of the first two. Dell has been reallly adamant about not giving out the latest one lately with cost structuring.

But I think the earliest 14inch one may not be available in the warehouse. If I had to bet here, I would bet on the L412Z.

 

That makes me feel somewhat better. The 14z is still a big upgrade, but I could swear someone received the L421X as a replacement for the Z because the warehouse didn't have anymore.

Hey, best I can ask was a guess. Now I have to wait for the CSR guy to get back to me with what model I'm going to get. All I know is it has to have a backlit keyboard, that was the main factor in me purchasing my studio. Best feature I ever had on a notebook.

 

Strike that, here is the thread I was referring to:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/688648-xps-14z-vs-xps-14-ultrabook.html

Cliffs:

-Had a problematic 14Z that was getting replaced in Sep
-Offered a 15z or a xps 14 ultrabook
-No 14Z in stock

Hence why I asked, should have shut my mouth and just asked in that thread.

 

If you get the 2nd one, just sell it, wait for 20% off coupon for the outlet and get the latest 14z. Problems solved and will not be much extra to spend.

 

So it turns out they haven't called me yet but someone on the dell forum did a service tag check for me. Looks like they are mailing me an XPS L511z

Not happy with that since I don't want a 15", and was happy with my 14.

now I have to argue with them and return this one, what a waste of time.

 

^Welcome to the world

 

ok got it today and they never called me to tell me what I was to get or when it would ship.

this thing is massive. The screen is awesome but the keybord is horrible. It's SMALLER (possible?) than my 1458 keyboard and I can't hit the keys without missing.

The base of the body is separated, right below the trackpad, you can see a small gap and it wont close shut when I push down on it.

little blemishes here and there, but the screen isn't big enough to make me get used to the massive waste of real estate around the keyboard.


/rant

 

i was supposed to get a replacement for the Adamo 13. They offered XPS 15z. I had to wait till XPS 13 was available. My warranty expired.

My case is worse haha...

 

wow, I know the feel now. I paid to upgrade my warranty and it was processing and now it shows as canceled. They really are half wits there

 

Yea.. I paid all that extra warranty for Adamo PLUS $2800 in JUST the laptop price to get the looks. You know the hardware is very weak besides the SSD it comes with. I just replaced the mobo and the battery myself to finally fix the issue. Another $300 there...

But I shelled out all that for the LOOKS. I don't care, but looks. Look at my sigs. ATG for the heavy industrial design, M6400 Covet for the Orange color, etc. Used to own red Alienwares.

I was going to "settle" for xps 13, though it wasn't fully satisfying me with its rather bland design. So I snapped and said, you know what? Fxxx it.

They are like ex wives.

 

ok so a little update, mind giving me your opinion?

I am using the 15z and I am actually enjoying the bigger screen from my 14. It is a pretty solid laptop but I still called and complained to them about not checking with me first.

He said he will see what they have in a 14" size and get back to me on it, but said it will likely be a 14z. I doubt that since they should have sent that to me in the first place, no?

My only gripes with the 15z:
-Screen has these horrible little blurs with certain images (log on screens, reply buttons, etc). Doesn't bother me that much though.
-Keyboard should be Black, the backlit keys are great at night but in the day time the light is always on and you can't even tell one from the other. Yea I know where my keys are, but still an ugly decision.
-No dedicated Home/End/Page keys. Dumb move for such a big laptop honestly.

other than that, the size is bigger than I am used to but the screen makes it so worth it.

If they give me the option of having a New 14 ultrabook vs the current 15z, do I really want to downgrade screen size for a smaller, better designed laptop?

What would you do Alien?

 

Good question. And it will depend for the overall NEED for that laptop.

As you can see, I have dedicated workstations. So I can get by with the 1.4GHz of Adamo. Same applies to the moderate ATG I have.

If I were YOU, I would take the better designed and smaller laptop for sure. Especially because I hate the 15z design with passion. But that is only because design is number ONE priority for me and the performance of the 14 will be good enough.for now and down the road.

 

I agree. I love the sleekness of the 15z but that is about all I can say. It is faster than my studio with more ram and such.

Just going back to a 14 would likely be worth it if the keyboard and layout is designed better. Gonna go search for a review of a 14z vs 14 uktrabook.

Thanks man!

 

Alien! Ok so I got the call back about the replacement #2 and now they HAVE an xps 14z

All he said in the VM:
Upgraded Graphics card
i7 processor
750gb HDD
8 cell battery
14"


Yea I know that is vague but that is all he left on the voicemail until he calls back. Now the question is, should I even bother? Not sure if I even need an i7 or the bigger hdd. It is a downgrade in screen size and quality to a 720(not that I would care honestly).

But is it a good deal or should I bust more until they give me a more reliable and better looking ultrabook model. Doubt they would since the 14z is available again.

What would you say if you were expecting a call back in my position?

and btw - I'm in AA as well,. just realized you're located there. I live in Canton now but have to be in AA all week for work/school. Gotta buy you some Zingermans for the help!!!!

 

I would say, take it.

1080p vs 720p on 14, 15in screen is really pointless. Unless it is over 20+, it is not a HUGE difference. Unless you are trading stocks and have to run platforms on the go, then it does make some difference.

And for the i7, it will no longer be a bottleneck for another 5 years. Yes I said 5.

I would sell that 750gb and get a 64gb SSD. Then... BAM.

You go to U of M?

 

Yea it seems like a better deal, but I wont be getting rid of the HDD as I don't care to do any real modifications to it unless it's needed. If I ever add a SSD it would be to replace the dvd slot.

5 years huh, we'll see. Just wondering on how the battery life is on an i7 vs an i5.


And no, I go to Cooley, the law school up on plymouth by 23. But We always use the Duderstadt building for studying haha. Just wrapped up my last final today and now it's kick back and relax time!

 

I ran my ATG for 4 years now. Although it doesn't have hyper threading, the duo 2.66ghz is still pretty much very powerful for all office/school work combined. It will do everything and anything without much lag for another 4 I BET (with SSD though down the road), as long as I am not playing games or play 4k videos.

I just realized that you may have been referring to the "horribly designed" 14z.

If traveling with a 15inch isnt too bad, I would consider it. Them both being duo cores, I don't see much difference between i5 and i7. But if the larger screen SIZE is ok for travel needs, then the 1080p resolution can serve and a bigger plus. Also if you are a student and is using this as the PRIMARY machine.

I had the 14z confused for a sec with something else.

 

haha it's that bad huh? yea the 15 isn't that big of a burden and I'm actually liking it a lot, even with the ty design.

So pass on the 14z, it's that far off from the 15z? again it isn't the one I wanted anyways so we'll see what he says when I decline.

 

If you are ok with the 15inch size, keep the 15.

I mistakenly confused the 14z with somethign else. I realized that its the smaller version of the 15 with the same design. Keep the higher resolution in that case.

But with that early XPS line I may be biased. I HATED the design with great passion. If you do think the design is alright, good for you. I would have literally demanded an inspiron 14z instead.

 

not sure how early you think that model was. I know of 4 xps models, the oldest being complete . the 14z was replaced by the latest model from what I know about it.

Sticking with the 15. even though the upgraded graphics and i7, I just don't feel like giving up a bigger screen for the same laptop in a smaller form. needs an updated incentive.

 

Yea just keep it. And those upgrades are really minute in the grand picture. The screen should be nice if you use as a primary.

 

So they sent me the 14z anyways, before I ever even asked for them to mail it. Just got it today and I'm surprised on how small it is compared to my old 1458. And MUCH more mobile than the 15z.

Is it really that problematic of a notebook? Not sold on it yet but the size does make it really attractive. the screen size of the 15 is so awesome but the 14 really isn't that bad honestly.

Of course you'll reply with the wise "Whatever you like more" answer but should I really be staying away from the 14z?

 

if mobility is your concern, yes take it. I got the ATG cause it is smaller so I can carry easier.

 

I think that's what's going to happen. As we talked about, the 15z sucks design wise. They keyboard on the 14z is identical in size and layout, and if it had dedicated up/down page keys it would make it the winner.

The 14z has had its fan running for a while now but it isn't as loud as the fan on my old studio.

I'm going to post a thread in the XPS forum just to get a real nitty gritty run down between the two. I think if I keep the 14z and complaign, it will make any upgrade they give me better(since it has an i7 and more memory).

btw the 15z had 6gigs of ram, this 14z they sent me cam packed with 8gigs of ram!!!! they would have to match me up later, hopefully haha.

 

Sounds like 14z is the winner. You can always get an external monitor if u want bigger screen with higher resolution.

 

sounds like it to me too, but the screens aren't a worry. I have a home desktop running dual screens.

just trying to see if there are any defects I need to test for, or if I should reformat it.

 

Looks like I'm getting the ultrabook! Just thought I would update you and they will be sending me the l421x aka the 14 ultrabook!

Just not sure what version with what options yet. I got to play with it while christmas shopping at the mall and thought it felt and looked awesome. The keyboard may be a little weird so I'm not completely sure yet. The track pad is massive and it will be annoying because I use Opera with mouse gestures. So that means right click + left click wont happen.

will update with more soon.

 

14 Ultrabook
i7 2.40ghz
8gig ram
500gb HD + 32gb SSD
GeForce GT 630M


Much better pc and built very well. The quality of this vs the 14z are worlds apart.

Just thought I would do a last update, thanks again Alien!