E6540 Owners Thread

I've emailed someone at Dell I dealt with previously, but they haven't gotten back to me. I'm hoping I hear back by tomorrow afternoon. I'm still waiting to find out the details of this service call they're supposed to be making.

Are you monitoring temps during your game play? Could be the video drivers also.. I use steam a fair amount and haven't seen this issue.

 

I'm monitoring temps during gameplay, CPU usually goes to 90*C. With cooling pad I've been seeing around 80*C which is a nice bonus.

I've tried to capture the screen problem - can you see the horizontal lines?

http://i.imgur.com/Yg5e4ve.jpg

(not embedded due to size)

 

Yep, I see them. I've noticed similar artifacts on other applications. Like I said, my next complaint after the heating situation is going to be about this display. It really is a crap panel. It is about the cheapest 1920x1080 TN panel on the market.

Can anybody watch the video and comment on it? I posted a similar video in this thread and several people said they noticed the same thing.

 

No doubt that it's a junk panel.. It's the only one they offered though so there's not much they can do about it. If you complain enough they'll likely send someone out to replace it though it'll more than likely be the same panel. You could buy a replacement and swap it yourself though, something I considered early on but I ended up getting an 21.5" 1080p monitor for use at my desk instead.

Edit: looks like they offered a 1366x768 panel but it was never really in stock. The Notebook Check review seemed to think the 1080p panel was ok for what it was. Get them to replace it and see if it changes anything.

 

It might be the one of the only one's they offered but it still doesn't justify using a crap panel. These panels are standard 40-pin lvds, there is nothing stopping them from putting in an IPS panel from their other product lines...

 

Very true, they're using cheaper panels because of cost (read: profit margins) though. I've not seen a case where they'll use a panel from another line in a replacement, but it can't hurt to ask. I think your best shot is over the phone though. Use the throttling issue to escalate it to a manager or higher level tech, then see if they can do the panel swap assuming you end up with the same machine..

 

At least with this panel you can make a great light show if you barely touch it and move your finger around. I've never seen a panel so sensitive to touch as this one is - even pressing near the sides of the panel make huge spots pop up in the pixels.

I went ahead and put in an email to start the process on the throttling. I know phone would be better, but I don't do phones unless absolutely needed.

 

All I have to say is this: They better bend over backwards for me... Otherwise, this will be my last first and last Dell product, ever... On top of that, I also don't mind spending my own time giving them bad PR on facebook, twitter, my blog, reddit, etc. I will make my intentions quite explicit if they give me crap when I call.

 

There's no reason to touch the panel and the spots popping up when touching the bezel says more about the build quality of the display assembly than the panel quality imo.. Good luck with email, I've never tried it. When I used chat for my consumer grade laptop, then stonewalled me and stuck to their script. I've only used chat for business once and it went OK, ended up with a service call nightmare which I then called about. Calling is the easiest way to get your point across imo. I've Dell with them on the phone many times and the only advice I have is be firm but calm. Never get angry, most of the time they'll shut you down.

I finally got a case number for my service call so I may try to call about it tomorrow. Hopefully I can get in touch with the people I talk with before, I'll have to search my emails for a phone number or extension..

Idk that threatening them is the best method, but to each their own.. If they aren't cooperating, just do it. I'm sure Dell has a PR team that will catch up with you to resolve the issue if you make a bug enough stink. I've seen posting on BBB have some success though, you'll want a solid case history first. Get your case # from Twitter and follow it up with a phone call.

 

Even the light pressure from cleaning the screen is enough to make the sparkler effects go crazy. I've had good experience in the past with chat/email replacing parts and service calls, but that has always been on the consumer side.

It has been a sad experience with this since I always use Dells and recommend them to friends and customers - mainly because they have had the best warranty experiences and I've enjoyed the products until now.