Sony after Dell horror :)

Hi Guys

Ok, long story short:

Bought Dell XPS 1330, top of the range version costing £1,200 which included 3 years next business day warranty.

Laptop arrived and broke down after an hour, engineer came replaced some parts and only lasted a little longer. Sent laptop back and was replaced with new one. The new one lasted 3 hours, engineer came replaced some parts and laptop still did not work. Sent laptop back and money refunded.

Now looking at the VGN-SZ71VN/X which is slightly less spec than the XPS but costs with 3 years warranty £2,000. So what do you get for the extra £800 ?

What is the noise level is the fans noisy?

Does it run hot?

Appreciate any thoughts

Cheers
Ripley

 

Hi,

I have SZ780 and I can only comment on the fans. They run quiet and rarely hear them. I use a docking station and a Bytec cooling fan which is real quiet and keeps my computer running cool. I extend my laptop to an external monitor. Have had no troubles. Thank God I did not follow through with my intended purchase of a Dell M1330, long story, but happy I purchased my 780. Good luck on your new purchase.

 

A laptop that works.

 

u have bad luck with dell...lol

 

Well, do you seriously believe this OP's experience mirrors any of many happy Dell users experience with the XPS?

I do NOT think so, should a good Sony be 800US more expensive than a good Dell XPS?

It is ridiculous , sorry for this OP, though. Please not generalize it as if all Dells have problems or inferior QC than others.

All brands have many happy users and a few complainers that usually voice out their experience loud here.

 

It's called a sense of humor. Maybe you can look it up on wikipedia using your M1530 <-- smiley to ensure that you understand that I'm not being serious ...

 

I like that

 

I do realise that not everyone has problems with Dell or any other supplier it's just that when it happens to you - it aint funny

 

Do you really need the VN/X? I think it's a £200 over the next spec down just for the carbon fibre weave on the lid, which you won't even be able to see when you're using the laptop.

The VN/X and WN/X also have built in 3G. If you don't need this you can drop down to a lower spec and save another £200. (rough guess).

I bought a S71WN/X last week but only because I got it for a bargin price on eBay of £850. Retail from SonyStyle is £1600, so almost 1/2 price.

If I didn't win this laptop on eBay I would have replaced my XPS 1530 with a 1330, only because Dell XPS support was great when I had problems with the 1530, the grainy screen. They didn't replace the scree but collected and gave me a full refund within days. The Dell was even more of a good deal because it was purchased from the Outlet store.

However, the 1530 wasn't built anywhere as good as this and the 2 other Sony laptops I've owned. OK, it's was my first and only Dell but from the reports I've read mine seemed like one of the better ones. There were uneven gaps all around the keyboard and screen when the metal frame was visible. They keyboard had a huge bulge in the middle etc. It just didn't feel special when I used it. Didn't feel like it deserved the money I'd spent on it.

Where as this SZ is the opposite.

 

Dells, you get awesome specs for ur money, which is a plus if ur on a budget.
However, many dells have build quality issues, such as the one Mujja stated with his/hers.
Sony, you get a light laptop, with an amazing battery life, that CAN (cuz all SZ's under x50 are magnesium) have carbon fibre, and excellent build quality. BUT, compared to Dell configurations, SZ's are definitely overpriced in comparison.

So really, it's a decision between saving alot more money, but sacrifice build quality and battery life, or spending more and getting good battery life, excellent build quality, and also a lighter laptop if you have a premium model (not much lighter, but it's still lighter nonetheless)

 

yeah sorry for that, my wording was very bad , I had to be more respectful and kinder.

I had similar experience with HP and my HP was even worse than your Dell, but I dont think all HPs have the same LCD issue as mine.

I understand just somehting like this happened to you , you'd be pissed and feel like to tell it to every potential buyer of it.

So I am sorry , I should have been more considerate and kinder to you.

 

Just be aware that if your a gamer, SZ's only have 64mb of onboard dedicated graphics memory.

 

Apologies accepted

On a more positive note Dell Customer Services called and have offered me a £300 discount (because of all the hassle) if I order a third 1330, I'm sorely tempted surely third time lucky?

Cheers
Ripley

 

Well if it's another defect, you could always get your money back.
Not everyone has problems with their dell, however many do have build quailty issues that are at least 50% just cosmetic.