Next Generation Dell Precision Mobile Workstations press release

Because they cancelled my order, I got them to upgrade me to 5 years of ProSupport Plus for 5 years for free. I'm satisfied, even if it means that I have to wait over a month more than my original delivery date.

 

Nice, I didn't even know 5 years was an option.

 

That is great. I prefer to get the max # yrs pro support too. 5 yrs means you are pretty much completely covered for the life of your new computer.

 

Is it no longer required to completely reinstall Windows if changing from RAID to AHCI? I had to reinstall after changing in Bios to AHCI, but that was on an older generation Precision and using Windows 7.

Although the 800MBps read write speeds Billy is seeing from the SSD are very good in my opinion. But I understand wanting to see the max possible performance from the drive

 

With Windows 7 you have to make some specific registry tweaks in order to switch (or you can just reinstall). With Windows 8 and up all you have to do is boot safe mode once. I've done it two or three times successfully.
(Might not work going the other way, AHCI->RAID, if you do not have the Intel driver installed already.)

Unlike Windows 7, booting safe mode on Windows 8/10 is not as easy as hitting the "F8" key until the menu appears, so you have to use Shift+Restart ahead of time to get the menu to appear on the next reboot.

 

Did u have to pay for the first year?

 

I've had the issues that others have had with cancelled orders.

I ordered a 5510 on November 9th, then changed it on November 19th since I had originally ordered with the large battery and a 2.5" drive, and knew that was invalid. That order was estimated for delivery by December 11th. I called on December 9th to make sure that things were ok. I was told it was fine and it was being built, and that they put an "expedite" note on it. On December 10th I was called saying that the order was invalid and I'd have to cancel and reorder.

I left on a trip and am using a borrowed Latitude for work while away.

Today I got the order rescheduled, and it's estimated for delivery by January 5th. No one could tell me why the original order had to bee cancelled. The new order listing is identical to the old one, with one exception - the new order adds an item called "640-BBES Dell Precision Optimizer". All in all I've spent close to 6 hours on the phone, 90% of it on hold/being transferred over the past month (and getting disconnected during hold/transfer a total of 3 times). It has been without a doubt the most frustrating customer support experience I have ever had. It sounds like the different departments within Dell do not communicate with each other, and just want to pass things off to the next one.

The only reason I can think of for needing to cancel the order is that they don't want to make it look like the delivery date has slipped a whole month. Why on earth is there no feedback between the sales and production teams? I sure hope this computer is worth it. If I ever am torn between a Dell and another manufacturer, I'm going to remember this experience.

It's a shame that the whole order issue resolution process is so convoluted considering how great their system designs seem to be (barring the keyboard design/layout - count this as another vote for dedicated home/end keys and not cutting corners on input devices. If there were an option to upgrade to a better layout I'd happily pay an extra $50+, I assume far more than they're saving by reusing a smaller laptop's keyboard).

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Random borrowed computer because my Dell didn't show up before my split work/vacation trip.

 

Sorry !

that doesnt sound like very much fun

 

This happened back when I ordered a Dell Mobile Precision in Dec 2009. The laptop arrived end of Feb. They canceled and rescheduled, etc. Was very frustrating. I feel your pain

 

Thanks to Aaron44126 for the RAID to AHCI tip. Oddly I was able to achieve about 2200 MB/sec when running the test today in RAID mode (no change from my 800 MB/sec result setup except for the passing of time). Then I switched to AHCI and I am getting the full 2500 MB/sec speed. Speedy