OT, and again: Dell Makes Junk!

[ritehook]

A lot of people are still brainwashed that Dell means quality.

Dell makes junk.

I asked a "computer answer" site online about the prob I have with the pliug-in socket for the adapter, that it will not properly hold the plug.

Here is the reply I got from their tech help:

This is a known problem with them. It's the socket pin on the motherboard. A friend of mine has one, if it runs on battery it is fine, as soon as the adapter is plugged in, the screen goes black. His is also about 2 years old.

If enough complain, they should make an effort to cover this problem even out of warranty. Since it is the pin connection area of the board, that could be expensive for them, so I think they are trying to ignore the problem. I would push them about it. A friend of mine who fixes computers has about 5 of these with the same problem, sitting in a junk pile.

People who think Dell is swell because of a rep made in last century likely also think Cascade is a terrific book because they were pretty good years ago.

And I wouldn't care to make book that Dell will ever recall their sh1t to fix the problem.

[AgainstAllOdds]

I know Dells Quality because I own a Dell. I have only had a couple of problems(like one of my keys poping off) and they sent me a new keyboard for free with free shipping as well. Havent had a problem since and its been about 2 years.

On the other hand...you and your write ups are junk.

[ritehook]

You're not a tech expert. The highllighted info is from someone familiar with the problems.

All Dell laptops are clearly not going to beset with the same problems. But this "known problem", as the tech guy said, show they are careless with their hardware. And if so in one area, likely so in others.

Another company trading on past rep.

By the way, guy, Happy 60th Anniversary!

[AgainstAllOdds]

You're not a tech expert. The highllighted info is from someone familiar with the problems.

All Dell laptops are clearly not going to beset with the same problems. But this "known problem", as the tech guy said, show they are careless with their hardware. And if so in one area, likely so in others.

Another company trading on past rep.

By the way, guy, Happy 60th Anniversary!

You think HP, Sony, Compaq, Toshiba have never had "known problems" with some of thier laptops?No...they have... So I guess this means they are careless with thier hardware too?!?!?!


Get real son.

[SBR Lou]

Let me just stress that I am far from an overly advanced technical expert, as it pertains to software and hardware configurations, but I do know a little about building computers.

Dell's parts are for the most part worthless. For instance they'll sell you RAM that is easily 100% more than RAM you can purchase brand new on some sites, all because you're buying it "from Dell". It's the same type of RAM that comes off an assembly line in China somewhere, only they tax you for going through them.

Another issue, some of their parts are proprietary, so if you want an upgrade you'll often times have to go through a third party and that right there technically voids your warranty. Overall, Dell is a company that is good for the average joe that wants to pay $1000 for a computer that, market value wise he could build himself for 1/2 the cost. If you want blazing technology, or a reliable workhouse machine, or hell even something to game on competitively either build one yourself or choose another brand.

[louisvillekid]

i worked at a warehouse once that did tech repair for some accounting firm , i think it was called Earnst & Young, basically they had a contract for Dell Laptops for all their employees, and when something was wrong or the lease was up, they got sent to where i worked and the techs repaired or refurbished them. now i don't know if Dells suck or not, but the employees of E&Y must treat those laptops like shit, cause some would come into receiving looking like they have been tied to a car bumper and dragged down a gravel road.

[Shark79]

Buy Alienware ... cant go wrong

[Sinister Cat]

HPs have the same exact same problem, and I think Toshiba as well. I've replaced the motherboard on my HP laptop twice (once under warranty). It is such a widespread problem with all laptops that those socket parts you are talking about are widely available for purchase on websites or ebay. For a cheap fix you can try to solder it on yourself (involves taking apart your laptop and requires some skill with a soldering iron though).

All laptops are garbage. Some people swear by IBM (Lenovo now) but my wife's last IBM died a premature death as well, I'm not sure they are any better.

[louisvillekid]

or get a Panasonic toughbook, not much for fast processors or big HD's or RAM, but if you are tough on a laptop and are clumsy, like spilling things, a toughbook is probably great.

[SBR Lou]

Buy Alienware ... cant go wrong

I heard they got in bed with Dell on company shares, but yeah I'd say for anyone into gaming on their PC or video stuff that Alienwares are a better choice. Will have to pay a pretty penny for their top of line models.

[ritehook]

You think HP, Sony, Compaq, Toshiba have never had "known problems" with some of thier laptops?No...they have... So I guess this means they are careless with thier hardware too?!?!?!


Get real son.

Dell has long has the HOT rep when it comes to pcs.

I bought mine because an IT guy at a military collectibles show raved about them when I asked which one, quality-wise, was the best to buy.

In sportsbooks terms, it rep was like Pinnacle's before UIGEA.
Pnnacle may have been worth the hype, Dell at least since '95 has not been.

It's still overhyped - consumers are living in the past. Some Dell models are now sold at WalMart. If you asked the Dell boosters 5 years ago if that would ever happen they would have scoffed in unison

Someone in repair online said that Asus was currently the best quality of the MS operated laptops. And Asus is slowly moving to open source

[ritehook]

I tend to agree with all the other posters, including that all laptops are more fragile and problem-laden than desktops.

Toshiba, HP, etc never quite had the worshipful amen choir that Dell did. Nor the high price, buying direct from them. The gloss is off the gold with Dell.

I may have to replace the mboard on this, but I'll make my next laptop either Apple or Asus.

And just hope the Apple hype is deserved!

[Sinister Cat]

The following is percentage of laptops bought between 2003-2007 that have had problems, according to the Consumer Reports survey (75k responses, differences of less than 3 points not meaningful):


Brand repair history

Lenovo (IBM) 20
Compaq 20
Sony 21
Toshiba 21
Dell 22
Hewlett-Packard 22
Gateway 22
Apple 23


at least according to this data, they are all the same... though Asus isn't listed.

[slacker00]

I've been beating on my Dell laptop here for over 3 years. The space bar is kinda junky, and the power cord socket is kinda junked out and is flaky, the cover latch spring broke. But it still works, so what the hell. I bought the cheapest one they had at the time, like $700. It's pretty much done everyone I've wanted to do.

[purecarnagge]

I have a 17inch laptop 2 gigs ram 2.0 duo cores in it. 256mb vid card. My laptop owns all. If there is something it can't run then it doesn't belong on a laptop anyways. I love having it on the go.