So, what's the situation on the nvidia GPU problems?

I just ordered a new m1530, and I'm now learning that all the m1530s have a gpu defect. Worse yet, I only have 1 year of warranty covering my system. Is Dell considering updating warranties or what's going to be the situation?

I don't want my laptop dying on me in a year.

 

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/08/08/latest-on-the-nvidia-gpu-issue-for-dell-laptop-customers.aspx

 

Dell is pushing out a BIOS 'fix' that jacks up the fan speeds to try and keep it from busting. Needless to say, that is not a true fix.

And no, from what I've heard Dell does not plan on giving people 'free' warranty extensions.

 

Hey Greg, did you check that link?

It says otherwise.

 

It seems almost unfair to give an extension on the warranty, as they would need to somehow reimburse people who spent hundreds of dollars on purchasing 3 year warranties.

 

If they extend those too, it wont really matter. They just slap on an additional year or something.

 

Ya they might as well add warranty to everyone's laptop ... that would give them some positive remarks. I mean when the RROD was becoming prevalent in Xbox 360's Microsoft slapped on a 3 year warranty on to their Xbox systems. It just gives you peace of mind knowing that, ya my computer might break but it's going to get fixed at no extra charge.

 

ya but the problem is, that most people only intend to keep a laptop 3-4 years, so what good would having an extension on a 3 year warranty do when most people plan on getting rid of them by that point, to keep up with the times. I would much rather get some store credit over an extra year of warranty.

 

Or probably they can ship one of those Dell Mini Eeeeeee PC's to the affected customers once they determine the range of units affected for sure or having the faulty component for sure...

Yeah, I wish......... I know

 

Store credit over a warranty? I guess it depends how much store credit. I would say the cost to replace the card would be enough.

Aside from that, I'd still go for the warranty. I was planning on getting the 3-year warranty anyway so it would be great for me. Plus since it's 3 year, it's actually 4 years from now that it'd end for me (as the Dell rep stated). If the warranty comes, many others and myself would be more than satisfied, as there are thousands of each type of person (i.e. I'm a university student that plans to keep it for a long time, and thousands are in the same boat). I guess my point is, if a system still works well and the outside world's updates don't hinder my laptop's functions why bother keeping up when you can save up for something after that? I guess that applies to anyone really, just different times. As long as it works well, why change it.

 

Well, the statement in that link was a little vague (and certainly not binding) on the actual remedy. But this line...

"We do intend to offer modified service terms to specifically support all customers worldwide who are affected by this issue."

...seems to suggest that perhaps any extended coverage might only relate to this particular issue, as opposed to a blanket warranty extension. So maybe they'd cover GPU-related failures indefinitely, but all else would still be limited by your original warranty terms.

 

Yep, as the new blog says, I am sure Dell are working on it big time and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we should be having a major release from Dell regarding this issue and what they plan to do in the near future/long term.. Just be a little patient people

 

Yeah but dell doesnt care how long you are going to keep your laptop for.

Just liability issues my friend.

 

My solution: Cancel my dell xps order, and wait till christmas then reevaluate the entire laptop situation.

 

I highly doubt they are going to cover this GPU issue indefinitely, they are probably just gonna offer extended warranties for all affected laptops just as HP has done.

 

I have never kept a desktop or laptop for more than 3 or 4 years max anyway.

 

Excellent decision. I would not order a 1530 or any other affected model at this point... Hell, they wont even confirm they aren't using the affected GPUs on new systems. Not worth the risk in my opinion.