Concerned about M1530 durability

I lost a hard drive a few months into ownership, but no big deal - it happens. Later, the wireless went out. Then, the microphone. Then about a third of the keyboard. And now it looks like the hard drive is going again.

I'm not particularly hard on laptops and have owned several. The M1530 is incredibly well designed and I'm delighted with the T8300/LED screen/etc. and particularly the packaging, but the number of component failures is getting rather scary.

Is this typical? Any suggestions on how to approach this?

Dell service has been solid, for each incident a technician has come to my home to repair the problem, often coming on weekends due to my odd schedule. The service to date makes me comfortable with my choice (of vendor) but the issues I'm having are scaring me. I'm a little over a year into a four year warranty, and I think there was an extension to that for the nVidia thing too, but still....

I haven't complained particularly about it because I have two work laptops and various other systems (home, office) so downtime on the XPS isn't a big deal for me. It is getting frustrating though that every time I'm about to travel, this laptop is dead.

 

try to get a replacement laptop since you are still under warranty. Maybe you got one of those not so well built 1530s.. mine i just had a HDD replacement after 1.5 yrs, but that is understandable coz my processes has been heavy on the disks since i bought this laptop.. We'll i did had 1 mobo and 2 heat sink replacements, but this is because of the usual heat issues with this model.

 

I think after a certain amount of component failures you become eligible for a laptop replacement. Since they no longer sell the m1530's, you'd most likely get the Studio XPS 16 for a replacement - probably a better spec'd one at that.

 

Yes, contact Dell..after so many repairs..etc..You will most likely get a replacment laptop, and you would probably get the SXPS 1640, as RedRubber pointed out.

You need to be very firm with your approach on Dell..have all your dates & repair records on hand when you talk to them.

Cin...

 

As someone that has just recently gone through Dell System Exchange, I am very happy with my exchange. I would like to advise you that yes, be thorough when you are outlining all the details of your problems, but when you talk with them (I recommend Dell Chat), be firm yet polite. I have found that is the best way to communicate as well as get your issues resolved with them.

 

I have had a myriad of problems with my 1530. When it's running fine, it's great. But I've had almost all the hardware replaced at least once and some of it twice.

I had an old Inspiron 5150 that helped when my 1530 was down. But my Inspiron died yesterday. And relying on one iffy computer is not okay.


Dell is coming to fix an overheating problem today and has offered me a new computer, 1640. I read about all the problems with the 1640s and I get nervous about that though I've been advised that it's the better choice.

 

About a year ago I had an M1530, I had motherboard replaced, battery replaced, speakers replaced (2), and the fan and heatsink replaced. I literally had to jump through hoops to get a replacement, I emailed the Dell heads with a two page email covering why I was demanding a new laptop, the secretary for one of them was very apologetic and pushed me right through to an elevated service gentlemen who informed me that my Studio XPS 1640 was on it's way.....it took a LOT for me to finally get a replacement but I did and I love this computer, haven't had an issue with it yet.