XPS 1330 Build Quality

I ordered my XPS yesterday, September 20th, having really high expectations - after reading at least 10 different reviews and comparing it to other laptops in its price category. I paid just above CAD $2100 (including taxes) for mine. Now that's a lot of money, and for that I expect top notch materials to be used, I expect it to last a long time and to offer me excellent performance (which seems to be a given going by the reviews).

After finding this forum and browsing through many threads it seems like there is something wrong with almost every XPS 1330 received. There are tales of dented edges, a scratch here, a grainy screen there, of teeth marks showing under the screen, of gaps in hinges, of uneven keyboards and lids, of logos coming off, of the wifi failing, of cpu whine and of the battery wobbling. I have never bought a dell computer before, but looking at these very many posts/threads it seems like Dell's quality control personal is either on vacation, or overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the orders. Whatever the case, this is absolutely incredible, and totally unacceptable. People, when you pay this much money for something, you EXPECT THE BEST, and nothing but the best, at least in terms of quality.

If it has this many problems at the start, how long before internal parts start dying or getting worn out? Is is just the outside "shell/casing" that is in question here, or is the issue much more sever? To a certain extent this question will be hard to answer this, given that the XPS 1330 has only been out since mid-July.

Don't get my wrong, I was very hyped-up for this, and still am, I am just worried about the many people who post here with their troubles. It seems like Dell is screwing us over big time, and for the price we paid for this *premium product*, that's simply not okay. On top of that there is the 1 month+ shipping concern...which I would be glad to wait out, if that would ensure that my laptop had no defects/problems, but apparently that doesn't seem to be the case.

I am currently pondering on whether to cancel my order and just buy another laptop. Of course other brands have problems as well, but I have never seen anything to painfully clear like this build quality issue on the XPS.

Any comments / opinions on this?

 

I got mine perfectly built even DHL was screwing up with the delivery.

 

I believe build quality is not as bad as you think. If you're unhappy with the laptop you can always get a replacement whilst holding the old laptop until the new one arrives.

Concerning top notch materials, you should have went for a Lenovo (IBM), preferably T61/61p.

 

Mine is perfect. Forums are filled with people with issues. Most laptops are built with no issues.

 

Well, I have an IBM thinkpad right now, and yes it is built solidly. However, it just seems that there are MANY many people with problems. Its hard to say, because I suppose only people with issues would post here (fueled by their anger), and those without anything would not have the incentive to post.

 

MacG!ver, there's a selection bias of posts on this forum: meaning, people who get theirs perfectly built don't usually post here. You will occasionally see the "I got mine, and it's perfect!" post but usually, people won't bother to write unless it is to complain. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, btw, and you should use these as a guideline of what to check over when you gets yours. Basically, to put your mind at ease, see how many people write about ORDERING them vs how many later write about having something wrong with theirs and it should make you feel better. I'm guessing most who get theirs are happy and you will be too. Good luck.

 

If they weren't and going by what I've witnessed during my short time primarily in this sub-forum, Dell wouldn't be in business!

 

Haha, yeah true. Although people who've waited the longest tend to be the ones who exchange the most often. And I don't blame them, mind. If I waited three months for a machine I wouldn't be satisfied till the thing walked on water and multiplied fish and loaves.

 

Mine's fine apart from having no sound in the main speaker or normal audio jack. The hi-def audio jack is fine though.

 

Read this!!!!!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=170498

It will answer all your questions. I am from Canada as well. If you have any questions just ask...most of yours I have already addressed at least one time plus...I got the Canadian contacts.

Also you may be interested in an article or two below...

And PLEASE comment on the linked article with your opinion so ir gets bumped for the next guy with the same concern as you.

 

Yes that is a great post, I did not realize this at first. On another note, I have continued to read reviews, this time on cnet, where everyone who ordered after july/august gives the XPS a 9 or 10. The people before that complain of build quality issues and insane waiting times, but that was to be expected I suppose. I hear the build quality has drastically improoved since then, so thats good. I will make sure to post a thread when I receive mine in about a month (maybe earlier...*hopes*).