XPS m1330 Owners - Problems Epidemic or Rare?

So I'm currently driving myself out of my mind obsessing about what laptop to buy. For a while I was sold on the m1330, but then I started reading the Dell forum here and discovered that it appears to be riddled with manufacturing issues.

I'm really touchy about this because I won't be able to afford another computer for a long time after I buy this one; I'll be buying the longest warranty I can and expecting the laptop to last for a few years after expiration. For this reason, I've more or less settled on a Sony VAIO SZ as the likeliest bet. But I want to give the XPS m1330 one more chance.. what say you, m1330 owners - is it really full of problems or are most of yours chugging along like freight trains? Is this laptop being misrepresented by the 'you only hear about the bad things on the internet' rule?

Thanks for your responses.

 

The readers here represent a very small portion of the total M1330 owners, most of which arrive here as a result of some required assistance. There are also those that come and then have preconceived ideas of what they will receive that cannot ever be satisfied.

The truth is that over 90% of M1330 owners are complaint free and then there are those that are thankful for the Dell system replacement policies, Total Satisfaction Commitment money return and great service.

Sony return, refund and warranties do not compare.

The truth is that the M1330 has been a best seller for its class since day one....and seems to remain that way.

If you like the Sony though, don't let that deter you at all...

I'm not sure but does Sony include system disks, a laptop sleeve, a complete owners manual and disk binder, headphones, remote as well as a dust cloth?

Does Sony allow you a free battery replacement anytime within the first year?

Can Sony even come close to the latest pricing of the M1330?

Does Sony include such detailed configurations where the buyer builds the machine from the ground up?

EDIT: Oh and I'm not Sony bashing in any way. Im just relating questions that really should be considered. After all, I used to be a Sony GRX-560 owner, that being the first release of the laptop 16" LCD. It was nice way back.

 

I agree with Les. I've only had one serious problem with my 1330 (CMO screen with bright pixels), and XPS Support handled the replacement without any issue. A 10-minute online chat with a rep, and a new screen was on its way. I've been extremely happy with my 1330, and it does get a lot of looks and compliments when I whip it out in public
Plus, as he says, if you look at "all" those people having problems with theirs, you'll notice a lot of the same names keep coming up. Maybe they're just unlucky; maybe they can never be made happy.
Here's the beauty of it, though: you can buy a 1330, check it out for a couple of weeks, and if you don't like it, send it back and go for that Sony. If you've noticed, most of the issues mentioned here are things that'll be apparent the first day you play with it. I mean, it's not like you're going to miss an uneven base, dead pixels, excessive screen hinge gaps, or weird noises. If you have anything like that, you'll know it...send it back for a refund. So I say give the 1330 a chance. If, like most people, you get a good one, you'll be very happy.

 

Les is definitely right. He guided me with his information to the 1330
and I'm really happy with it.
Thanks Les and go for the 1330.
J

 

Certainly, I understand that Sony is supposed to be pretty terrible for service. I was thinking of purchasing a VAIO through Portable One, though. P1 does provide a sleeve, good service, etc. Does Dell actually provide a sleeve? I didn't see that anywhere on the site. I have my own pairs of headphones...

No, these are the two primary features that draw me to the XPS over the VAIO. Especially the configurability and the fact that, when on sale, the XPS gets me a monitor, BT keyboard and mouse, and warranty service all for equivalent to the VAIO w/out warranty.

Don't get me wrong, the Premium SZ VAIOs are sleek but a little bland.. but I think that the m1330 looks like it was designed by a 16 year old boy who watches too much Gundam. It's not hugely important to me, though.

The thing that I am most worried about is the motherboards meltdown.. and the fact that nobody seems to have isolated the cause. Sure, Dell replaced their mobos.. but now I almost feel like I have to wait another 6 months to make sure that it's not going to be a repeating cycle. :/

EDIT: Forgot to add, thanks very much for your replies. Please keep them coming.

 

Recently I've had the CPU whine on my m1330. It can be removed with RMClock, but the issue is still present with Penryns.

 

I'm extremely happy with both my m1330's and would recommend buying one to anyone looking for a new laptop.