Dell Precision M4400 Issues

The Dell Precision M4400 seems like a great notebook. Before purchasing though, can people who actually bought the notebook list the issues they are having with it. This would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

right now I'm having problems with the audio/video, but I suspect its related to something else.
Mines came with XP, I reformatted and installed vista with all the drivers.
when playing audio or video, the audio stutters here and there and its quite annoying. However upon careful examination, its also stuttering when playing the Vista jingle, etc. I suspect its perhaps the HD or the CPU?

Anyone reading know of a way to fix this? I'm thinking of reformatting again and reinstalling vista or going back to xp. I don't think it was like this in xp.

the fan is also always on atm, on bios A11 but was like this in A09.

On positive side,
I like the keyboard and definitely find the screen plenty bright. This thing is also quite sturdy too.

 

take a look at this thread about the sound issue - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=346015
I don't think reformatting or reinstalling the OS will fix this problem, it's a rather low level DPC/BIOS issue in my opinion.
Older BIOS versions don't have the fan issue.

 

So, with these sound stuttering probs and bios issues, I shouldn't get me an M4400 then? I'm a developer, looking for a not too heavy 15 inch DELL laptop with good performance and I thought the M4400 would be a good choice, but now I'm not so sure. Having to pull out DVD drives, disable e-sata and whatever is not an option for me.

Please advice...

 

@Pixxor - I am a software developer as well and I am extremely happy with the M4400. There are a few things that you may need to tinker with, but IMHO that's part of the fun of it...

 

I dunno PerComp, I can't have a flaky laptop pulling tricks on me while holding a presentation or something... Did you have to fiddle with your M4400 before you got it working properly?

 

It worked flawlessly out of the box. I did install an after-market hard drive and 8 gigs of after market ram (due to Dell's ridiculously high prices). Consequently I had to do a clean install of Vista 64 - I had to do that twice to get the drivers installed in the correct order (search this thread or support.dell.com). The first install of the drivers crapped out my display, but it was a driver order issue.

My audio works perfectly, and my temps are fairly consistent (while idle, around 39-40 cpu, 52 gpu). I have been playing with my gpu settings in my spare time just for the heck of it, but I have not had any problems with the laptop yet. I was running XP on my development server, but all of my programs have worked on the new laptop with the exception of Symantec corporate. I also have the ePort plus driving two 22' Samsungs. The temps do run slightly hotter in the docking station as the ventilation is slightly restricted, but only about 5-10 degrees. I also have a cool slice for when the laptop is not docked. The cool slice is really nice.