Never buy a Dell Laptop!!!!

[TJ]

Against my wife's wishes, I bought a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop just over a year ago. I put a lot of money into the initial customization (4 gb memory, Core 2 duo processor, etc) because I wanted something I can use for a long time as I was going back to school. My wife had a Dell about 4 years ago and had it at the Dell warehouse for repairs more than in her dorm room.

At any rate, I had this laptop for 14 months. During these months, I had to have the AC adaptor replaced, the motherboard changed out, the keyboard replaced, and the touchpad replaced. I told my wife that I would ride this thing out until the hard drive goes out. If that happens, I would give up on it as the warranty had already expired. Well, guess what happened last week.......?

Anyways, this thing will make a better drink coaster than a computer. Today, I replaced it with an equivalent HP for far less than I paid for the Dell last year. It comes with a two year warranty, as Costco automatically adds an additional warranty to all of their TVs and computers, which is definitely reassuring.

Please share your thoughts and previous experiences.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Have been a strict Dell devotee for years and years. Laptops and Desktops. Starting about 4 years ago, I began to experience a few little, nagging issues... Twice had the CD/DVD drive go (I replaced them myself but still a pain the ass).
We got my daughter an HP Laptop from Best Buy about 6 months ago and that things is awesome! I will most likely be going with an HP for my next desktop purchase as well...

 

[Chaz]

I have always had good experiences with Dell but I know people who have had problems.

Then I also know people that have had problems with HP and lenovo.

Get a good warranty and buy from a company who will still be in business to honor it if you have a problem.

Also, always backup anything you don't want to lose no matter who made your computer.

 

[Ryanwb]

HP has been good to me, Dell has not. I've always built my own computers, but you can't really build a laptop yourself

 

[DeAnna]

I've never had major problems with Dell, and I usually buy from their outlet (refurbished) center. To date, 2 desktops and 1 laptop - nothing wrong with any of them.

 

[conraddobler]

I'm on a HP laptop now, awesome laptop for the price, used to have only Sony Vaio's but they cost too much and both died early.

My HP is a bit heavy but built like a tank.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I've had the same Dell Laptop for 5 years and still going strong...and it's for my job, too.

 

[TJ]

Update: So I went through some of my old laptops to find a SATA hard drive to replace my fried hard drive. I have a 4 year old Toshiba that has a 60 GB hard drive. I put that in the Dell and it somewhat works again. The problems I have are that the date and time are frozen (I think the CMOS is damaged) and I cant install printer drivers on the laptop anymore (never seen this before).

And by the way, the new HP is working great!

 

[BrandonAllen2010]

HP or Toshiba only...

 

[Covert Rain]

I just can't recommend an HP no matter how many good experiences people have with them. We see to many problem tickets at work for those. We don't use Toshiba but our techs tell me that Sony & Toshiba are about the same.

If I had to rank them from best to worst it would be Lenovo/IBM, Sony/Toshiba, Dell, HP, Gateway then Apple.

TJ, did you try resetting the CMOS? I am not sure what model you have but you might be able to reset the CMOS using a jumper depending on the model.

 

[TJ]

I just can't recommend an HP no matter how many good experiences people have with them. We see to many problem tickets at work for those. We don't use Toshiba but our techs tell me that Sony & Toshiba are about the same.

If I had to rank them from best to worst it would be Lenovo/IBM, Sony/Toshiba, Dell, HP, Gateway then Apple.

TJ, did you try resetting the CMOS? I am not sure what model you have but you might be able to reset the CMOS using a jumper depending on the model.

Havent done that yet. The Inspiron 1525 motherboard is a tricky bastard. I've seen certified technicians take over an hour to take it apart and reinstall it. If it wasnt such a pain in the ass, I would do it. Its just not worth the time since I have a new laptop. The dell is still good as a word processor and web browser thoug

 

[Dr. Jones]

My HP has been great for over 4 years now.

I think I will stick with them until I have reason not to.

 

[Fiasco]

I've got a Dell XPS 1340 right now. It's not bad. Dell wasn't a help in getting XP drivers. Had to scrounge the innerwebs for some time looking for drivers for other laptops with the same or similar component.

Had an Asus G1 before that and that was a fantastic machine.

 

[SECTION 11]

Mac.

 

[AZ Native]

I took 2 HPs back. I have 3 dell laptops in the family now with not problems.

 

[LVG]

I've used Dell, HP, and IBM.

My Dell is a work computer - haven't had a problem with it yet and have had it for almost 2 years. I also have a home desktop, and have had it for 5 years with no problems.

My IBM is my personal laptop computer - had it for about 3, and it works great.

At my old company, I used an HP 17" widescreen laptop - other than it being heavy as a brick and poor battery life (which I knew when I requested it), it was a good computer. Had it for about 3 years until I left the company.

I think that it's all about when and where it was built, rather than one being better than the other, IMO.

 

[Sandan]

Mac.

Did ya notice his rankings

 

[Ronin]

I have a question about Dell labtops.
I have had one for three years, but for the past two weeks there has been a medium size vertical red streak going down my screen....Is my screen about to go on the blip?

 

[TJ]

I have a question about Dell labtops.
I have had one for three years, but for the past two weeks there has been a medium size vertical red streak going down my screen....Is my screen about to go on the blip?

Considering its a Dell, yes

My opinion, if it is a screen issue like that, yes it is on the fritz. Sometimes, this can be a cheap repair if you know what you are doing, but is not worth the hassle or the risk of damaging your computer further. The screen is the most sensitive part of the laptop and it is one that should not be messed with.

As long as it does not bother you, I say keep on using it until it goes, but make sure you back up all of your important data ASAP!

 

[Fiasco]

Considering its a Dell, yes

My opinion, if it is a screen issue like that, yes it is on the fritz. Sometimes, this can be a cheap repair if you know what you are doing, but is not worth the hassle or the risk of damaging your computer further. The screen is the most sensitive part of the laptop and it is one that should not be messed with.

As long as it does not bother you, I say keep on using it until it goes, but make sure you back up all of your important data ASAP!

Step 1: download the service manual from Dell
step 2: hook up an external monitor. Is the problem present on the external monitor? If yes the video card is defective. Buy replacement on eBay. Takes less then ten minutes to replace.
Step 3: remove keyboard ( usually 4 or 5 screws on bottom of laptop marked with a K) remove, inspect, reseat screen to video card ribbon. If problem persists jiggle the ribbon with the laptop on. If the lines on the screen move around/change order replacement ribbon from Dell
step 4: order replacement screen off eBay. Very easy to swap screen lids on a laptop

 

[Ronin]

Considering its a Dell, yes

My opinion, if it is a screen issue like that, yes it is on the fritz. Sometimes, this can be a cheap repair if you know what you are doing, but is not worth the hassle or the risk of damaging your computer further. The screen is the most sensitive part of the laptop and it is one that should not be messed with.

As long as it does not bother you, I say keep on using it until it goes, but make sure you back up all of your important data ASAP!

Step 1: download the service manual from Dell
step 2: hook up an external monitor. Is the problem present on the external monitor? If yes the video card is defective. Buy replacement on eBay. Takes less then ten minutes to replace.
Step 3: remove keyboard ( usually 4 or 5 screws on bottom of laptop marked with a K) remove, inspect, reseat screen to video card ribbon. If problem persists jiggle the ribbon with the laptop on. If the lines on the screen move around/change order replacement ribbon from Dell
step 4: order replacement screen off eBay. Very easy to swap screen lids on a laptop

Thanks for the info!

 

[Ronin]

I now work for dell!
Dell is great!
Buy one now!

 

[TJ]

I now work for dell!
Dell is great!
Buy one now!

 

[Ronin]

All I can do is tip my hat and call dell my daddy.

 

[Linderbee]