Acceptable replacement for my Studio 1555

After two unsuccessful repair attempts on my Studio 1555, Dell has offered an exchange instead (after I said no to a depot repair since I paid for next day warranty service). Of course, they have offered "equal or better", however, this morning, I got a look at the specs of the system they were shipping and I was quite dismayed as it was nowhere near comparable to my laptop.

Critical components of my 1555:
Core 2 Duo T9550 2.66 GHz Proc w/ 6MB L2 cache
4GB DDR2 SDRAM
1080p display
512MB ATI Radeon HD 4570
250GB 7200 RPM HD
Intel 5300 802.11 a/g/n wireless
Slot load BD-ROM drive
9 cell battery
Backlit keyboard

Critical specs of the 1558 they have attempted to shaft me with:
i3-350M 2.26GHz Proc
6GB DDR3 SDRAM
720p display
Integrated graphics
500GB 7200 RPM HD
Unknown wireless
DVD+/-RW drive
9 cell battery
Backlit keyboard

As you can see, there are some upgrades. More RAM, which I don't really care about since 4GB was sufficient. An ever so slightly faster processor (slim margin in benchmarks). I originally told them I am keeping my HD since it has all my data on it and they said yes (i.e. swap the HD over from the old system when the new system arrives) so the HD size upgrade doesn't matter. Everything else, the things that really matter to me, are downgrades.

I have already discussed my displeasure with Dell and after almost 4 hours of calls and 3 disconnections, I have gotten to someone half way competent. I am receiving the replacement 1558 tomorrow which I will not be keeping. Once it arrives, I will be talking with the same representative to discuss what would be an acceptable replacement computer. So, I'm looking for opinions. I have seen postings on here of people having laptops, presumably older than mine (mine's 9 months old) getting replaced with 1558's with i7s, etc, so I know that Dell can do better.

So here's my guess, but I'm willing to hear other opinions, especially if I am off my rocker (this is all based on what is available via customization on dell.com):

i5-520M or i7-720QM Processor
4GB DDR3 SDRAM
HD - unimportant since I am swapping
9 cell battery
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 1GB
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 Wireless
1080p High Brightness LES Display
Slot load Bluray
Backlit keyboard

Does this seem unreasonable?

Also, has anyone had success with getting Dell to extend their warranty back to the original terms when severely inconvenienced, given the run around, and finally given what was required/promised in the first place? I have a 2 year warranty w/ CompleteCare that now has 9 months gone from it.

Thanks for any advice and sorry for such a long initial post.

 

I think u can ask for the same config as ur old laptop except for the processor n u could ask for an i5 but i doubt they will give it to u.. maybe u will get an i3.. also i don think they will give u the 5470... u will probably get the 4570 itself.. not a bad deal i guess

I had a replacement given for my studio 1557... they gave me a 1558.. they swapped my original i7 for an i5-520m n upgraded my monitor to a fullHD n my hard disc from 320 to 500 gb..

Tell them that its ridiculous that they are going to downgrade u integrated graphics n 720p screen just coz they did a silly upgrade to an i3..

 

the replacement doesn't extend your warranty, regardless of how long you've been out of luck. you can definitely demand components at least as good as the ones you had before. reject anything else they offer, and call em over and over until you get what you want.

 

What was your issue?
I may need to get one because of throttling issues

 

My issue was originally a noisy fan. They screwed it up so horribly that the machine started going into thermal shutdown under even a light load.

They first attempted to give me:
i3-350M
Integrated graphics
DVD writer
720p display
9 cell battery

After many phone calls and complaints about this significant downgrade, I was able to get the following:
i7-720QM
Discrete 1GB ATI graphics
DVD writer
1080p display
6 cell battery

After writing a 4 page complaint letter about all the problems I had with the whole process, I received a phone call asking what they could do to make it right. My three requests were:

1) Keep my 9 cell battery and send back the 6 cell
2) Have a service tech swap the DVD for a Bluray drive
3) Extend my service contract back to the original terms considering how much trouble they gave me and that I now have a completely different computer in which I have no confidence.

They agreed only to the first two items.