Anyone here like Dell's????

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Troels · #31 Post by **Troels** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:46 pm

I don't know what Dell don't just understand, but i more or less always see hinges with a lot of play after some months of usage. Sure you can replace it, but having disassemblied one, you'd truly see how flimsey those are. i'd gladley pay an extra $10 for a proper hinge design, but that's not a choice.

Opening the screen is truely hard, and i don't recommend people to service this part at all. Getting to remove the LCD cable is also unnescessarily complicated.

Other than that i think their Latitude seres are pretty decent laptops, but only the 62x and 82x and above.

The 14" SXGA+ and XGA are truely a disaster though, not sure why manufacturers can think this is acceptable...

makai · #32 Post by **makai** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:42 pm

I have a practically new D610 sitting under my bed... luckily, I didn't have to pay for it! It's quite fast, but compared to my Thinkpads, the screen appears washed out. Stand-alone it's fine, but then the hinges/lid feels like it'll break in no time, even though they're basically new right now. I've seen/used a lot of dells, and I'm not impressed at all. However, to be fair, I haven't looked at their recent offerings, but if theyre anything like their old stuff... forget it!

Trekk69 · #33 Post by **Trekk69** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:18 pm

My old Dell broke, my brothers Dell broke, and my mom's Dell broke....not a fan of them.
However, I am a much greater fan of my new thinkpad (and my brother likes his Mac; and my month is putting up with the Dell until she gets a new one)

#34 Post by **dorronto** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:21 pm

NO................................

that was easy.............

Ron

SaderBiscut · #35 Post by **SaderBiscut** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:54 pm

I've seen a few Dell laptops that looked/felt halfway decent, but most of the ones that end up on my desk for repairs (Usally Inspirons) are POS.

While I wouldn't resist a free Dell, I would much rather find some way to procure another thinkpad, or baring that, another laptop.

Dell Desktops aren't half bad - I have a 1999 Pentium-III 500mhz laying around that works fine. It's in a new case with a new HD/CD/New Memory, but the motherboard/PSU is origonal. The case probably would still be around, but it would only let me mount one CD-drive and one harddrive.

kosse · #36 Post by **kosse** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:40 am

I would not buy one with my own money. Dell does not have the build quality and what's most important, the look and feel of a thinkpad.

#37 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:01 am

The ones that I had a chance of working with, were all rather flimsy.
Don't like their screens, especially the newer shiny ones.
Don't like their spongy keyboards either.
I wouldn't waste any money on that garbage, so NO, I don't like them.

SaberX · #38 Post by **SaberX** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:42 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:The ones that I had a chance of working with, were all rather flimsy.
Don't like their screens, especially the newer shiny ones.
Don't like their spongy keyboards either.
I wouldn't waste any money on that garbage, so NO, I don't like them.

That is the main things i look for in a laptop.Like i said befor , not all Dell's are the same.
Same thing can be said about Thinkpads.As i'm sure most people on here would say.Some Thinkpads are better then others.
The Dell i have has a great keyboard,very solid with very little give.Way better feel then a T2x Thinkpad. It dont have a shiny screen,it has a "matt" screen(think thats what they call it).It's not flimsy at all.Very stiff.Need to put one hand on keyboard just to open the lcd or it would just flip over.It's also made out of some type of alloy metal and not cheap stuff.

I'm not jumping on the Dell bandwaggon over Thinkpad,I much rather have my buddys T60P. BUT for the bang for the buck this Dell D820 is a nice laptop.For the price i paied for this one it would be hard to sell it and only get a low end T40.
One big thing i dont like is the pointing stick is not as good as the thinkpads.I'm just about sure that if any thinkpad fan gets there hands on a D820/830 , D620/630 they would say the same thing,they are way better then the reg line of Dell's.

pianowizard · #39 Post by **pianowizard** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:59 pm

People, when you [censored] about Dell laptops, please indicate exactly which models you are referring to. Like SaberX and I have said more than once, Dell's current laptops are miles better than their earlier ones. If you've only used pre-2006 models and claim that all Dells are terrible, that's as unfair as when someone who has only used the G40 and A31p says "Thinkpads suck because they are bulky and heavy".

ajkula66 · #40 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:15 pm

Well, what hasn't exactly helped Dell's image is that the word has spread about them having one of the lousiest customer service supports on the planet...

To put it this way: we have an EPP program for Dell, with some deep discounts involved. I personally know dozens, if not hundreds, of people who have taken advantage of it and lived to regret it for that one simple factor. From receiving units that they haven't ordered and Dell refusing to take them back, on...

I'm happy. They keep my business running with that type of behaviour. Keep it comin', dude...

And, bulky and heavy as they are, G40/41 and A31p will still eat up any Dell of that era as a snack and ask for more...

But enough of comparing apples and oranges...

Dell was never meant to be a ThinkPad, or compete with it. Once you accept that, I guess you could get used to their machines.

Far bigger problem, IMHO, is that Lenovo feels that they have to compete with everyone else and slash the costs to no end, which will eventually completely change the profile of a ThinkPad user as we know it...because, honestly, I don't see myself buying a new ThinkPad ever if they stay on their current route, except maybe a tablet if I ever get to need one...and I know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

SaberX · #41 Post by **SaberX** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:50 pm

Some good points on this thread.....Keep them coming.

But since were compairing laptops , it brings me to a very good question to as here....

What do you think is a better laptop then a Thinkpad??

Say if you had a $4000.00 budget for a laptop.
You wanted a nice , fast,long battery life,about 6lbs,good video card,ect.What would you get?

ajkula66 · #42 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:24 pm

SaberX wrote:

What do you think is a better laptop then a Thinkpad??

My first answer would be a counter-question: better for what?

If I wanted an all-rounder that is not a ThinkPad, Panasonic would most likely get my money, although ToughBooks do not have a trackpoint, and I'd have to get used to carrying a mouse. If I were looking for a desktop replacement, I'd probably go with HP.

MacBook does nothing for me. It's pretty, but I don't fit in its user profile whatsoever. I fully understand that in certain trades you must have a Mac, but I don't belong to any of these.

I can't say that I've tested too many Sony machines, but the ones that I have left me completely cold. And I do like Sony products in general.

I don't play games so I'll leave that aspect to someone else.

I'd spend my imaginary $4,000 buying parts to keep my old ThinkPads running for as long as I live...

SaderBiscut · #43 Post by **SaderBiscut** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:08 am

Gaming on laptops tends to revolve around what GPU they have... For casual gaming a Thinkpad is as good as any as long as you get one with a good GPU (ATI x1400 over x1300 or Intel GMA for T60s, or ATI 9600 over the 7500 for T40s ect)

I wouldn't use them as a 'hard-core' gaming machine (a-la Dell XPS or Ailenware), but I wouldn't really buy/use any laptop for this task. (Desktops work better, they're cheaper, much higer price to performance ratio, ect)

Say if you had a $4000.00 budget for a laptop.

Truthfully I would spend that on a Thinkpad, assuming that is a non-option I would probably have to go hunting to see what's out there.

Website · #44 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:58 am

Has anyone had an experience with the Vostros line of Dells, specifically the Vostros 1500?

Trekk69 · #45 Post by **Trekk69** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:26 am

To be more specific, the three Dell's I have been involved with and have broken in one way or another were the Inspirion 5150 (two of them) and an Inspirion 5160.
Granted these models are 4 years old now (we all have new laptops now), but problems arose in all of them after about 8-12months of use.

I'm sure current Dell's being released are much better quality.

#46 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:49 am

The problem with all new(er) Dells is that they all have widescreen LCDs, I can't stand those.
I want 4:3 or 5:4 screens, like a 14.1" LCD @ 1024 x 768 or maximum 15" @ 1280 x 1024.
The last Dell I used was an Inspiron 1501. Not an inspiration...

pianowizard · #47 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:23 pm

tfflivemb2 wrote:Has anyone had an experience with the Vostros line of Dells, specifically the Vostros 1500?

My coworker just bought one and I spent the last half hour playing with it. Its build quality is unbelievable! The main chassis is so solid there isn't any flex no matter how hard I tried to bend it. I think it's sturdier than my friend's 15.4" (i.e. same size as this Vostro) R61. The screen's viewing angle is bad, but most laptop screens have the same problem so it's not unique to the Vostro 1500.

RealBlackStuff wrote:The problem with all new(er) Dells is that they all have widescreen LCDs, I can't stand those.

Wrong. The Latitude D530 and D530N, which are currently available, have standard aspect ratio screens. At this point, Lenovo doesn't offer many more choices for 4:3 laptops (only the X6*, I think).

#48 Post by **KristianJ** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:34 am

Well, my previous disdain for Dell that came from the Latitude CPi A has evaporated - next week I'll have an Inspiron 700m coming my way ($435 US shipped). After my 3-4 week search for a smaller laptop for travel (which included a painfully annoying example of a seller running off with money I'd paid for a non-existent HP nc2400 - I've forwarded the matter to the seller's state police though to see what might happen there), I decided to test the waters of newer Dells.

I'm not fussed about the drawbacks that I've read about (particularly the smaller keyboard) - it seems a world away from the piece of rubbish that sits in my sister's desk drawer.

pianowizard · #49 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:57 am

KristianJ wrote:a painfully annoying example of a seller running off with money I'd paid for a non-existent HP nc2400 - I've forwarded the matter to the seller's state police though to see what might happen there)

I'm sorry to hear that! Good luck getting the money back. If it was paid through eBay, PayPal or a credit card, you should notify them as well. They're usually helpful.

Please let us know how you like the 700m.

#50 Post by **KristianJ** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:18 am

pianowizard wrote: I'm sorry to hear that! Good luck getting the money back. If it was paid through eBay, PayPal or a credit card, you should notify them as well. They're usually helpful.

Please let us know how you like the 700m.

I've gone as far with eBay as I can with the dispute console - it was a bank deposit, so that particular aspect lessens my chances a bit with my bank and the seller's. I've just given whoever needs to know the information they would need, and hope that somehow I'll not be left out of pocket.

And I'll definitely be taking the time to deliver a report on it when it arrives (and of that I'm confident - this time the seller's been very open and provided sufficient contact details including a cell phone number). I have read mixed reports about the RAM - do you know whether it's true that the main stick is soldered to the mobo? In due time I will be adding 1GB to the second slot, but part of me hopes that the 512 already in there isn't immovable.

pianowizard · #51 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:39 am

KristianJ wrote:do you know whether it's true that the main stick is soldered to the mobo?

Both sticks are removable.

The 700m was introduced in summer 2004 and IMO it was the first Dell laptop with such good build quality. The current Latitudes and Vostros are even better, but within the Inspiron line, the 700m probably remains the best.

rhema83 · #52 Post by **rhema83** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:09 am

Four years back I saw the nightmare my friend had with his Dell Inspiron 8600. I recently gave Dell another chance and ordered a top-spec XPS M1330. It was a decent laptop, but had problems that I couldn't endure for long.

First, the fingerprint reader was recessed into the palmrest and that made swiping my finger unnecessarily difficult. It is also rather finicky. It reads my fingerprint maybe 2 out of 5 times, compared to my X61 which reads 9 out of 10. More often than not, I had to revert to typing my password.

Then, it had this annoying problem of the resolution resetting to XGA when it is put to sleep by closing the lid, then woke up by opening the lid. I tried updating drivers (X3100) but unfortunately I could not install the drivers from Intel. And the latest drivers on Dell's website dates back to 2007. Even installing Vista SP1 did not help. I called Dell's support and despite being pleasantly surprised by the nice tech over the phone, we were unable to resolve the problem. Even the tech himself bemoaned the fact that I could not install the Intel drivers and Dell did not post newer ones.

Of course, I missed the trackpoint as well, but the touchpad was decent enough. The pressure-sensitive keys near the screen were also hit-and-miss. Not to forget that it had one of the noisest optical drive I've ever used.

I wiped it with IBM Secure Data Disposal and sent it back for a full refund. I guess I will wait for the next generation of Thinkpads to be launched later this year.

Trekk69 · #53 Post by **Trekk69** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:44 am

rhema83 wrote:Of course, I missed the trackpoint as well, but the touchpad was decent enough.

I agree, I have gotten so used to using a trackpoint and love it so much. Even when I quickly use another persons laptop I find my fingers moving into the centre of the keyboard searching for the trackpoint!

Andrew T · #54 Post by **Andrew T** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:48 pm

I love older Dell Products. In the past few years Dell laptops have been crap. Their new line of laptops have been commercialized and have been built for looks, not for functionality. I still like Dell Desktops, however. They still maintain quality. Since 2000, I've been using a Dell Ispiron 3800. I used it as my daily computer up until this August when I bought my T61. I still use the Dell along side my ThinkPad. It is a well built computer and is still cranking, although the track point on the 3800 doesn't compare to the ThinkPad's. After you use the track point on the 3800 for an extended period of time, it will start doing funky things when you aren't touching it.

#55 Post by **KristianJ** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:19 pm

pianowizard wrote: The 700m was introduced in summer 2004 and IMO it was the first Dell laptop with such good build quality. The current Latitudes and Vostros are even better, but within the Inspiron line, the 700m probably remains the best.

My 700m arrived today and I am impressed with the build quality. The aluminium (I'm guessing) lid is a nice touch, it looks aesthetically pleasing with the colour variations, the screen is good (nowhere near as usable on an angle as a Flexview, of course, but the gloss isn't as distracting as I thought it might be), and it doesn't feel too heavy, although it does look slightly bulky from side on. The keyboard doesn't feel too difficult to type on at speed, and the layout of ports and inputs is very pleasing. Just need to set it up to my liking in terms of software, but at this stage I'm rather happy with my purchase.

#56 Post by **gator** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:30 am

Vostros are indeed nice ... People might have lots of complaints against Dell, but before blaming build quality I strongly suggest taking a look at a recent dell latitude or a vostro series machine. The only gripe I have against these is the keyboard and nothing else ...

That said, R61 widescreen machines can be had a very decent price now ... Gone are the days when thinkpads used to be the expensive laptop!

pianowizard · #57 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:14 am

KristianJ wrote:My 700m arrived today and I am impressed with the build quality.

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear that you like it.

KristianJ wrote:The aluminium (I'm guessing) lid is a nice touch

But it does get scratches easily. If that concerns you, consider getting a sleeve to protect it.

KristianJ wrote:it doesn't feel too heavy

If you need to make it even lighter, I think it's fairly easy to remove the optical drive.

dsigma6 · #58 Post by **dsigma6** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:55 am

I just picked up a Dell Latitude D630. I'm going to hold onto it and sell my T40 only because it has a trackpoint. Otherwise, it'd be garbage!

What I noticed:

The Dell trackpoint is quite embarrassing when compared to the ThinkPad, but at least they tried.

The D630 does not flex at all. Not even a smidgen. The T40, T23...heck, every ThinkPad I've ever touched, has flexed, and most would lead to GPU problems. I still don't think this thing will last as long as a ThinkPad, but I couldn't pass the deal up.

#59 Post by **KristianJ** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:08 am

pianowizard wrote: But it does get scratches easily. If that concerns you, consider getting a sleeve to protect it.

Already has a few minor scratches - sort of like stone chips on a car...not too noticeable unless you're focused on the lid. I do have a spare sleeve that is a bit larger than what will be figure hugging on a 12.1" widescreen, but will keep the lid as clean as it currently is. I haven't set it on the scales at work to see what the weight differences are with various configurations (I was given an 8 cell battery as well as the 4 cell, both of which appear to be brand new), but I doubt there'll be any difference from other weights that I've seen in reviews.

One thing that will take a little getting used to about the keyboard is the awkward positioning of the right Shift key - I've gone to strike it and hit the up arrow instead several times since it arrived today.

dsigma6 · #60 Post by **dsigma6** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:43 pm

SaberX wrote:.I'm just about sure that if any thinkpad fan gets there hands on a D820/830 , D620/630 they would say the same thing,they are way better then the reg line of Dell's.

Agreed. I'm impressed, but mostly because my expectations were down beneath the basement. I hope I don't become a Dell fanboy (ughhhh...).

Anyone here like Dell's????

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