Dell build quality :(

DannyW · 5 Mar 2012 at 21:56

Hi ordered a dell xps 14z about a week ago turned up today, it was from dell outlet

Problems,

Dent on back on screen
space bar sticky
both mouse buttons sticky and make a funny sqweeking noise
battery lasts just a touch over 2 hours
power light not working
battery test button on side of laptop not working
screen hinge cover/cap thing doesnt line up properly (other side does)

really disappointed only had dells for past 7 years wouldnt touch another after this, gonna get my money back and splash out on a mbp or sony i think

paradigm · 5 Mar 2012 at 22:00

I've just raised a ticket for my Dell Outlet 15z which has a bent screen lid (doesn't close flush, it's bowed in the middle), the bezel is peeling away (which in return has scuffed the palm-rest), my hinge cover doesn't meet up either, and the keyboard backlight is patchy in places.

RJC · 5 Mar 2012 at 22:06

I purchased a Dell laptop in 2010 and was disappointed with the build quality, I had to the whole thing replace after 6 months as the inbuilt GPU failed which needed a new board and a few months later the whole thing refused to boot.

Sony was also a disappointment with build quality, sent this back for a refund after a week.

Now using a 13" MBP.

DannyW · 5 Mar 2012 at 22:20

my backlit keyboard is also patchy in places

paradigm · 5 Mar 2012 at 22:20

I've moved from a MacBook (not pro) to this XPS, and if it weren't exhibiting the flaws it currently has, I'd be perfectly happy with it in comparison to my MacBook.

We shall see what happens when Dell decide what the next step is (replacement or repair).

Disco Boy · 5 Mar 2012 at 23:33

I think that their consumer laptops are pretty cheaply made, but I love my latitude.

BeelzebubUK · 5 Mar 2012 at 23:49

I've had a Dell Vostro 1700 for 3+ years and the build quality is excellent. Maybe the consumer ones are made to a cheaper spec than the business range ? Based on the Vostro I would have bought another Dell if I was after another laptop.

TheVoice · 6 Mar 2012 at 00:44

I fully realise that the Outlet sells systems in various conditions (my own PC was from there), but the Outlet is what it is so it's not particularly surprising that some people are going to end up with faulty systems.

Surely if you can afford a MacBook Pro, you can afford a new 14z rather than a refurb/returned one?

paradigm · 6 Mar 2012 at 07:06

TheVoice said:
I fully realise that the Outlet sells systems in various conditions (my own PC was from there), but the Outlet is what it is so it's not particularly surprising that some people are going to end up with faulty systems.

Surely if you can afford a MacBook Pro, you can afford a new 14z rather than a refurb/returned one?

It isn't the point. They are "guaranteed certified refurbished" machines. They should be "as new", especially when the model in question is only months old (and thus the actual unit itself must therefore not be that old either). I fully appreciate the fact that the reason some of them are in the outlet in the first place is because they exhibited these flaws to their original owners, but isn't that what the TWO quality control checks are for (checked once on their way IN to outlet stock, and checked again when they are purchased)?

I "could" have afforded a "new" one, but I didn't see the need, why spend over double on something that might not have been any better? This one is still guaranteed to be perfect, and perfect it will be, even if it takes a little longer.

Scrutinize · 6 Mar 2012 at 07:54

DannyW said:
Hi ordered a dell xps 14z about a week ago turned up today, it was from dell outlet

Problems,

Dent on back on screen
space bar sticky
both mouse buttons sticky and make a funny sqweeking noise
battery lasts just a touch over 2 hours
power light not working
battery test button on side of laptop not working
screen hinge cover/cap thing doesnt line up properly (other side does)

really disappointed only had dells for past 7 years wouldnt touch another after this, gonna get my money back and splash out on a mbp or sony i think

That is unfortunate, my suggestion would be to return for a refund and pick something else rather than battling to get it all fixed.

I have seen so many threads on many forums on poor ongoing problems and build with the 14z and 15z to want to steer clear.

paradigm said:
I've just raised a ticket for my Dell Outlet 15z which has a bent screen lid (doesn't close flush, it's bowed in the middle), the bezel is peeling away (which in return has scuffed the palm-rest), my hinge cover doesn't meet up either, and the keyboard backlight is patchy in places.

As my advice above, I would just return it. You do well to get a good one of these from new, get a friday afternoon one and this will be a neverending battle.

BeelzebubUK said:
I've had a Dell Vostro 1700 for 3+ years and the build quality is excellent. Maybe the consumer ones are made to a cheaper spec than the business range ? Based on the Vostro I would have bought another Dell if I was after another laptop.

Corporate/business laptops from all brands are much better built (well bar acer as they still seem the same as home user ones).

I would consider something from the thinkpad range over the lenovo 14z

TheVoice · 6 Mar 2012 at 11:48

paradigm said:
It isn't the point. They are "guaranteed certified refurbished" machines. They should be "as new", especially when the model in question is only months old (and thus the actual unit itself must therefore not be that old either). I fully appreciate the fact that the reason some of them are in the outlet in the first place is because they exhibited these flaws to their original owners, but isn't that what the TWO quality control checks are for (checked once on their way IN to outlet stock, and checked again when they are purchased)?

I "could" have afforded a "new" one, but I didn't see the need, why spend over double on something that might not have been any better? This one is still guaranteed to be perfect, and perfect it will be, even if it takes a little longer.

My post was aimed more at Danny mate, seeing as he seems fully prepared to ditch the Dell and buy a MacBook without even giving Dell the chance to put things right.

I fully agree with your point - as I said I bought my PC from there and although it clearly wasn't absolutely brand new, it was almost as good as new with no scratches or signs of use, plus I got a 'free' RAM upgrade from Dell as they supplied with with a different RAM config to what the Outlet page specified. But before its arrival I had also prepared myself for the fact that the Outlet is a clearance store and that I might end up with something I wasn't happy with. It's the risk you take by not buying brand new really.

paradigm · 9 Mar 2012 at 14:21

Well I'm still waiting on resolution to the screen problems, however I've just stumbled across a far worse fault.

The chrome bezels (round the whole base and round the trackpad) are electrified. They are passing anywhere between 22v and 25v through them, shocking me if I bridge the gap between the casing and the bezel with my arm/wrist.

Unsurprisingly Dell now want to get this laptop back asap, but are being very useless about offering replacement or refund in a manner resembling even remotely quickly. Best estimate would leave me laptop-less for 18-24 days, which clearly I've explained is unacceptable.

Scrutinize · 9 Mar 2012 at 17:12

paradigm said:
Well I'm still waiting on resolution to the screen problems, however I've just stumbled across a far worse fault.

The chrome bezels (round the whole base and round the trackpad) are electrified. They are passing anywhere between 22v and 25v through them, shocking me if I bridge the gap between the casing and the bezel with my arm/wrist.

Unsurprisingly Dell now want to get this laptop back asap, but are being very useless about offering replacement or refund in a manner resembling even remotely quickly. Best estimate would leave me laptop-less for 18-24 days, which clearly I've explained is unacceptable.

Just get a refund whilst you can.....It will save you a lot of agro in the long run and this is unlikely to be the end of your problems.

paradigm · 9 Mar 2012 at 17:32

There is a replacement on it's way (with upgrade to i7 version).

I don't really want a refund as there isn't anything else in budget, in spec, that doesn't look awful (or feels incredibly cheap).

NeverWinter · 13 Mar 2012 at 09:32

Shame, the build quality on my 3yr old XPS is great, still going strong... They did seem to have problems with the older versions of the XPS carrying an electrical charge too, how does that get past QC?

paradigm · 13 Mar 2012 at 13:35

Would appear that getting a straight answer, or even an attempted resolution from Dell is impossible.

I'm still waiting on a confirmation of my "proposed" resolution, and as of yet, nothing.

Their phone lines are also flakey today, sometimes they don't dial at all and you receive the BT "the number you have called has not been recognised" message, and other times you get through, only to be greeted by a message telling you that the support line is closed and to use the online contact form.