Well, started to encounter the first of my problems with this laptop…
I’ve re-installed the O/S using the Dell recovery backup options. Dell are too cheap to provide a DVD with the O/S on it, so you need to make a copy yourself. I only needed the drivers and utils etc as I’ve already got an O/S CD. I have a copy of Windows 7 Home 64bit.
Anyhow, to be sure I make backups of everything. I used the backup copy of the Windows 7 DVD supplied by Dell on the system, and deleted the O/S pre-installed and started again. You don’t need the COA with the Dell O/S DVD as its pre authenticated.
I’m up and running again, not a problem, apart from..
Dell backups do not backup the blu ray playback software.
Dell backups to Media creates a driver CD, sure. Shame some drivers are missing, I’ve managed to get it mostly up and running, with exception to Windows 7 Device Manager showing unknown device. I think it’s a Creative Labs Integrated Webcam Driver that is missing. I’ve no longer got a webcam.
So, this isn’t very clever Dell. First, you’re too cheap to provide restore media, and you need to create it yourself using DVD. Ok but then when its created, its missing the media playback software and DVD Burning software, no video drivers and no webcam drivers.
Not only that, I go to their website, enter my tag number and guess what… No webcam drivers. I’ve searched everywhere for them, so guess I’ll need to call tech support? To find drivers.. Wish me luck on that..
Laptop is quick though. I’m not liking the top touch panel with the blu ray controls and volume controls. It feels bouncy and its bending, I can see it bending upwards, and if I push it down, it bends down… Now that’s poor..!! Oh and the eject button works, sometimes it doesn’t. and the USB /SATA port is really hard to push USB devices into it, it does work but you need to push harder then expected….
I’m not so sure this laptop is as good as it should be….. Early days. Lets see if I can get all the devices working before I pass anymore judgement..
Screen is excellent though, haven’t tried media playback yet but Half Life 2 ran great on it.. lol