Ordered a new laptop.... in Road Warriors, Notebooks & Distance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20434339 en Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:47:07 EDT Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:47:07 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20602612 weaseled386 : Trust me, if it messes up again whoever at Dell answers the phone will get an ear full! One thing I can say so far: Dell has been more than helpful when I've called. Online chat is a completely different story though...

So far there hasn't even been a hiccup. I've done all the things that made it lock up before -- web browsing with IE, playing World of Warcraft hours on end & emptying cache/history folders -- and it's just cruised right through.

After doing a Mystery Shop at Circuit City yesterday, I was amazed with some of their laptop Vista scores. The majority were in low to mid 4's. I didn't pass over any options with this system. That's my best guess on the low 5's. Just too bad it only has the NVIDIA 8600GT 256M vs. some variety of the 8800. With World of Warcraft on MAX settings I've seen FPS go down to 30. Still good, but 60 would be nicer :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20602612 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:52:49 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20595740 PeteC2 : I hope that the problem is solved, if not, this time I think I'd be bugging them for a full replacement.

Any WEI score for a notebook in the "5"s is pretty darn good! They however, are a bit nebulous at best!

On the positive side: I do think that after you run the notebook a few times, you will see some gain in performance as the superfetch will increasingly take better advantage of the extra memory (up tp 3.1 to 3.5gb of it, anyways)
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...something is happening here but you don't know what it is...do you, Mr. Jones?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20595740 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:32:54 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20594943 weaseled386 : I called Dell, explained the issue, what troubleshooting methods I used and what I did that seemed to have fixed it.

Since I replaced my RAM I've had one crash -- but it was a MAJOR one! I was playing World of Warcraft and the computer locked up. This time it rebooted itself and on restart it said it couldn't find a harddrive! I waited about an hour (after feeding my family) before restarting. It booted up as usual thank God!

So Dell setup the RMA and I just installed the new RAM. I have no idea who makes it. The logo is an "M" that trails around and circles itself. I installed it at 9:45am, and after a slow reboot the computer recognizes all 4GB. I ran my Vista score and it's back up to 5.1 (it was down to 5.0 with only 2GB).

So we'll have to see! Trust me, if it fails again you'll be the third to know!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20594943 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:57:39 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20593641 freeze : Off topic: I gotta say it's nice reading some rationality on the internet again. :D

Nice laptop choice! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20593641 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:56 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20573863 PeteC2 : Whatever else the problem(s), it is not having 4gb ram with Vista 32 bit. I run Vista Home Premium on my notebook with 4gb ram, and it is perfectly stable.

Certainly, it could be an unstable stick of ram, if replacing it with a different stick has solved the problem.
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...something is happening here but you don't know what it is...do you, Mr. Jones?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20573863 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:42:58 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20573234 weaseled386 : Sorry I haven't updated this one in a while... This new computer has been a nightmare to stabilize. First the WWAN card didn't want to work right, then it started locking up once or more daily. I **THINK** I have it fixed: I either got a bad RAM stick OR Vista 32-bit just couldn't operate with 4GB of RAM.

I have no idea which issue was causing all my headaches. I ran multiple RAM tests and they always came back OK. However, my Vista score on this laptop was a 5.1 from day 1 which kinda worried me. I know the 32-bit OS's are limited to 3-3.5GB RAM. However, I didn't think having 4 caused any issues. I ended up pulling both DIMM's that came with the laptop out, and replaced with a single 2GB stick that was in my out-its-way-out D620.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20573234 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:08:20 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20506018 PeteC2 : Glad to hear that you got it! Now...get to work and give us a full run-down :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20506018 Mon, 19 May 2008 12:04:02 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20505006 weaseled386 : My laptop came in on Friday... I want to work through the bugs before writing a review. So far there has been a lot of good, some things that bug me one thing that ticked me off pretty good :)

I will say this: if you're looking at gettng a Dell XPS M1530, don't hesitate. It's a sexy little machine!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20505006 Mon, 19 May 2008 07:03:15 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20474854 weaseled386 : So latest update from Dell is the backordered parts are in, and my build has started! The SR said it should ship out in ~4 days, with delivery next business day.

Ugh, I cannot wait. I've already dismantled my D620's docking station and everything else. I also picked up a interal Samsung CD/DVD Lightscribe burner, and slapped it in a USB2 enclosure. Bought a 4port USB2 hub that fits in a 3" hole to clean up some more clutter too.

It's true that there's nothing like building a new rig (which I've done several times in the past), but getting a new laptop with all the goodies is a close 2nd!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20474854 Tue, 13 May 2008 11:13:01 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451668 weaseled386 : I called Dell today. I was expecting the worst, but was given very good customer support!

There are two parts holding up my build: 250GB 7,200 RPM HD & WUXGA HD-LCD screen. The LCD is expected in by the 19th, but the HD isn't expected in until the 1st of June!

The SR offered to expidite the order, and even bumped me from UPS ground to next business day! It still looks like I won't get it until ~June 4th, but this shows me Dell does have decent customer support (for at least XPS customers) :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451668 Thu, 08 May 2008 13:18:42 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445550 weaseled386 : You couldn't be more right by saying the biggest weakness is the operators! I **NEED** one of the D620 ATG's, but (as usual) my WANTS were otherwise. The D620 ATG is just a super rugged version of what I already have.

Ugh, this is eating away at me. Patience has never been my best virtue! I'm just chompin at the bit to get this new one. Hopefully it'll be here prior to the June 4th ship date...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445550 Wed, 07 May 2008 12:37:11 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20439872 PeteC2 : weaseled386...nuthin' like an honest guy! I see so many "My (name your poison) laptop was a POS, only lasted 8 months, I'll never buy another one" etc....when it turns out that the dude would toss his laptop in the back seat of the car without a case, stepped on it twice, and spilled coffee on it while it was running...

Laptop longevity really is so dependent on what we do with 'em, and how gently, or ungently they are treated! I am without a doubt a bit "over-cautious" with both my work and home laptops, so they tend to last a good long time...but that's just me!

I am not knocking how you use your machines, but saying that you acknowledge that based on your usage 2 - 3 years is not unreasonable, and I'd agree with that!

There are a few notebooks really built to take hard daily use, that are "ruggedized" for being yanked open and closed dozens of times a day, used in less than ideal environmental conditions etc., but they tend to fall on the high end cost wise, so most of us do not have those tough beasties...

I have a budget-level Compaq business notebook...although I travel with it daily, it goes everywhere in a very well-padded case, that I do not toss around, and it is used on a solid, stable desk-surface, not any undue heat/dust/humidity, and doesn't get opened/closed more than a few times a day. No wonder that it holds up well!

Although I like this inexpesive business laptop just fine, I do not think that it is built any better, if as well, as the Dell...just has a gentler life that yours has had!

The biggest structural weaknesses of most laptops are...the operators! :o
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...something is happening here but you don't know what it is...do you, Mr. Jones?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20439872 Tue, 06 May 2008 13:09:51 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20439496 weaseled386 : By a couple of years, I mean between 2 & 3... IMO the laptops, and Dell, has held up their end of the bargin. The only issue her laptop has had is the CPU fan went out. I could have sent it in for warranty, but decided to buy one off Ebay for $10 and fix myself (quicker that way). I attribute this to her keeping it under the couch (and turned on) when not in use. My chocolate lab's hair was all up in the heatsink!

My laptop is a different story. I work in the telcom field, and put my systems through hell. I live in Florida, so it see's extremely hot temps in my work van. I'm constantly up and down ladders accessing our underground facilities. It's used in a [dirty] warehouse environment on a regular basis. Then there's home use: checking mail, programming Cisco 2621XM & Aironet 1200, compiling downloaded music & video, etc. I'd say the D620 gets opened & closed around 50+ times daily. Although made of aluminum, the hinges are a weak link of this design.

My intentions are to reduce the work load my XPS sees. I also recently bought a metal attache case to carry it in. I'm going to take the best of both D620's and make one. The worst laptop will go into a m0n0wall build.

The XPS will be my 5th Dell (6th overall) laptop: Toshiba Satelite 1555CDS, Inspiron 8600, Inspiron E1705, two Latitude D620's and the XPS M1530. The 8600 was bought around 2001 and my sister is still using it. The E1705 is a MONSTER, and is about to replace my father's desktop. Dell does often get a bad rap, but I just don't see it. I do completley understand, and agree, that a laptop should last a minimum of 4 years under light to moderate use. I built the XPS with the best now so it won't be completely out dated in six months. Having bought the four year warranty plans I have every intention of sitting on this one a while.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20439496 Tue, 06 May 2008 11:58:20 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20437656 anon :
said by weaseled386 See Profile :

A couple of years ago I bought my girlfriend and I matching Dell D620 laptops.
When you say "a couple of years ago," do you mean 2 years ago? Or do you actually mean closer to 4 or 5 years?

said by weaseled386 See Profile :

I've used this opportunity to buy one of the new Dell XPS M1530's.
Speaking for myself, if I bought a laptop, and that laptop failed within 2 years of the purchase date, I wouldn't exactly be looking for an opportunity to hand that same company my money again

There's no reason I can think of a laptop shouldn't last a minimum of 4-5 years without any problems provided it's well cared for. I don't know what kind of reputation Dell laptops have for longevity, but if my laptop conked out after 2 years, I wouldn't be best pleased.

Of course, some folks look for an excuse to replace their hardware every two years, regardless of performance, simply because they get tired of looking at the same ol' box. And fair enough: it's your money, after all.

I'm just saying that it shouldn't be asking too much of a laptop manufacturer to get a minimum of 4 years service out of one of their machines.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20437656 Mon, 05 May 2008 23:44:52 EDT Re: Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20437409 PeteC2 : Sounds very, very nice! :)

When you get it, give us a run-down!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20437409 Mon, 05 May 2008 22:51:41 EDT Ordered a new laptop.... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20434339 weaseled386 : A couple of years ago I bought my girlfriend and I matching Dell D620 laptops. So far they've been great little computers. Mine is used for business and personal; her's is used for web & email.

About a month ago it started acting up. If I have more than one application open that's a little heavy on the graphics side the fan will ramp up three speeds... after 5 seconds at the highest speed the laptop shuts itself down. Nothing has been changed, and the filters & heatsink are not clogged. The was the first thing I looked at! The only problem I've ever had with this laptop is the non glossy screen.

I've used this opportunity to buy one of the new Dell XPS M1530's. I had it loaded it up -- T9500 cpu, bluray, 1900x1200 display -- and purchased on Saturday. After thinking about it I wanted a 4 year wrnty vs. 1 year, and I wanted the Verizon aircard built in. After finding out I qualify for the student discount I cancelled the order and had to rebuild with the above. After everything was said & done I got what I wanted & saved $400!!!

I'm still unsure if it comes with a 1G lan port. I've read some reviews stating 10/100, and others 1000. Hopefully it's the 1G since I move a lot of large music & movie files around my network!

Anyways, I can't wait for it to get here!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20434339 Mon, 05 May 2008 12:51:14 EDT