My Dell XPS M1530 Experience

First, I am a very experienced Computer Builder and user. I have had 7 previous notebook computers before I researched and bought an XPS M1530. I just bought a dell inspiron 1720 which has performed excellent. I gave this one to my son who is in college.

I got an excellent deal on my Dell XPS M1530. Dell shipped it quickly and with the discounts they offered, I have no complaints on the price paid. It was more than the larger 1720 (same processor and video card), but has some advanced features and of course is an XPS.

I had problems immediately with the biometrics (fingerprint) scanner. Dell ordered a repalcement right away, and it arrived in 3 days. During the 3 day period I had constant lock/freeze problems with the M1530. The computer froze often, and hard. CTL ALT DEL would not respond and I had to do a hard reset. Dell offered a replacement which I am waiting on (it shipped about a week after reporting the problem). I declined the biometric repair since this machine was being replaced.

My configuration was a T7500 Duo Core Processor, 3GB Ram, Geforce 8600 GT video, 160GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive, top of the line LCD screen, and an array of other features.

I will keep you posted when the new one arrives, hopefully I just got a lemon of the bunch.

HP DV9000Z Experience (A history of problems)

Here is my painful experience with my purchase of two HP DV9000Z computers in November/December 2006. I paid approximately $1400 for each computer.

I had problems with the screen almost immediately. HP did issue an RMA, but I just dealt with it until after the Holidays because I needed it for travel, etc (i.e. the reason I bought it).

In January the power supply died, No biggie, HP replaced it.

I started having problems with the sound and then the quick keys, sound key stopped working, and then intermittently came back on and off randomly (the mute actually would come back on and off on its own).

I noticed on HP's website the model now featured the 7200 RPM drive. I was surprised because after I bought it I had called HP and asked them if it was supported and they said no. Short story on this is the last I heard from the case manager (after about 5 different stories from tech
support) is that the laptop can support a 7200 RPM drive. The most recent call from another case manager said it can not since it needs a different MOBO. I'm not really sure, this was not a problem per say, just a simple question that I have gotten many different answers on.

Anyway with all these problems I spent hours and hours and hours on the phone. I bought two of these laptops, one had been perfect, this one a constant problem. I had a case manager who said the only thing he can do is repair it. I told him I was not confident in the laptop due to the problems it had, and wanted a replacement. I offered to pay any difference in price, I just wanted to swap out this one. He said it was impossible, and there was no one in the company I could discuss it with.

With no choice, I sent it in for repair. Another nightmare began. HP status said I would have it on 16 Feb. That date came and went, after many more hours with tech support the last tech I talked to on 19 Feb said he had no idea what the status was, or when I would get it (prior to that it was a range from parts backorder, to it was already shipped, to we don't know). I did get it surprisingly last Tuesday.

They replaced the motherboard, hard drive and reimaged the drive.

Unfortunately, I noticed keyboard problems. Turn on numbers lock the keyboard malfunctions. Turn off number lock, keyboard is ok, but the keypad does not work. Here we go again, tech support said that is the way it was designed (seriously). I finally convinced them that it is not supposed to work that way. Another RMA was issued.

I left out most of the hours of tech support, and the fact that it took

7 days for the case manager to call me back, but he actually called while I was finishing this email and based on the history agreed to replace the laptop. So, in short, I will get this one replaced. I'm satisfied, although it was painful to get there, I'm glad HP agreed to replace it.

Both computers worked OK for about a year. The DV9000 which was replaced recently suffered from overheating and lockup problems. Since it was still under warranty I sent it back, HP replaced the LCD Bezel, Motherboard, Updated bios and replaced the fan.

The other DV9000 died while the first one was in HP repair. This one had a problem where it apparantly booted up, but the LCD screen was not working properly (no display). I contacted HP, who said it was out of warranty, and there was nothign they could do except take my CC and let me pay for repairs.

I did some research on the web and discovered this was a very common problem with DV6000 and DV9000 machines. In fact, HP issued a "warranty service enhancement" which extends the warranty 24 months from the original purchase date to allow for repair. I have not sent this one in yet, but will this week.

I also contacted Jeff Utigard, the Consumer Advocate for HP and asked him to replace both laptops. He is supposed to call me tomorrow so I'll update the resolution. As of right now, many users who have sent in their HP notebook report that the problems reappear and the HP repair is a temporary fix. More to follow.....

About the Award Winning Author: Bruce C. Brown

Bruce C. Brown is an award winning author of six books, and is active duty Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander, where he has served in a variety of assignments for nearly 24 years. Bruce is married to Vonda, and has three sons; Dalton, Jordan and Colton.

He is an award-winning author of 5 books including “How to Use the Internet to Advertise, Promote and Market Your Business or Website with Little or No Money”, winner of a 2007 Independent Publisher Award, as well as “The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed” Winner in the USA Best Books 2007 Award program. He also wrote “The Complete Guide to E-mail Marketing: How to Create Successful, Spam-free Campaigns to Reach Your Target Audience and Increase Sales, “Complete Guide to Google Advertising: Including Tips, Tricks, & Strategies to Create a Winning Advertising Plan” and “The Secret Power of Blogging: How to Promote and Market Your Business, Organization, or Cause With Free Blogs” He just completed his latest project, to be published in early 2008 entitled “Returning From the War on Terrorism: What Every Veteran Needs to Know to Receive Your Maximum Benefits”. He has degrees from Charter Oak State College and the University of Phoenix. He currently splits his time between Land O’ Lakes, Florida, and Miami, Florida.

His books have been consistent best-sellers and have been recipient of prestigious awards such as the “Best Book – USABookNews.com”, “Winner – Independent Book Publisher (Silver/Gold)”, “INDIE Excellence Awards”, and “Book of the Year – Foreword”.

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