Dell M1330 ordered - Questions/help?!

Hi,

So here's my story. I placed an order for m1330 on August 2nd online through EPP. I never got the confirmation e-mail. Called Dell on Monday (8/6). The CSR said my order wasn't received by their system or it was canceled by mistake. He told me to order it over the phone, which I did. I get the confirmation e-mail for that. Tuesday, I get confirmation e-mail for the first order. I check with my bank. I am being charged for both orders (~$4500), and put my account in negative balance. Bank charges me $25 dollar fee for that. I call up Dell, talk to CSR and said it would be fixed. After talking to them for 4 days, I finally got it fixed, and the fully canceled the first order.

One question: Will they be willing to compensate me for the problems caused by them? I literally used around 400 minutes from 600 min monthly plan being put on hold on transferring from one dept. to another. When I called them, they said to call back one the order is shipped. They can't do anything right now. Is that so?

I now have order (placed on 8/6) in build stage with estimated shipping date of 9/14. How likely is it that my system will be here (Portland, Oregon, USA) by that date? It's been saying build stage since 8/7.

Also, I payed $2100 (student discount) for:

13.3 in. M1330 LED backlit notebook with 0.3MP webcam
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7300 (2.0GHz/800MhzFSB, 4M L2 Cache)
2GB RAM
160 GB 7200 RPM HDD (would it be possible to later upgrade to SSD HDD??)
Dell Travel ExpressCard Remote Control, IR
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive (light scribe compatible???)
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card
Windows Vista (planning to upgrade to Ultimate)
1 yr. basic warranty
Fingerprint Reader
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)
BH200 Bluetooth wireless headphones
128 MB nVidia 8400M GS Video Card
6 Cell Battery
WinTV-950 HVR Hybrid USB TV Tuner
4GB Sandisk Readyboost flash drive
Plus all the basic stuff that comes with it.


Do you guys think $2100 is a good price of this particular configuration and latop? I used student discount.

Sorry I am new here and with comps, so I don't know much.


Another question: With the nVidia video card, would I be able to play games like America's Army? Quake?

How does that video card compare with my current 128 MB ATi Mobility Radeon 9700 Pro (256-bit, I think). I use it mainly for video editing using after effects, sony vegas, photoshop, and Macromedia Studio. So, how would the two compare? I tried to research it, but couldn't find any info.

I have had my current laptop for 3 and half years, and it's P M 1.8GHz, 1GB PC 2700 RAM, 60 GB 7200 RPM HDD.


One last thing I am lost about. When I placed my first order, my total price tag was $2150 WITH the 3 YEAR complete care warranty. Do you think Dell will upgrade it to that on the 2nd order? I am really hoping because it's their mistake. Every one I tried talking to said I have to wait till my order is shipped.

THANK YOU TO ANYONE THAT TAKES TIME READING THROUGH THIS, AND HELPING ME OUT! Much appreciated!

 

I got the same with 3 yrs complet care for $2100 including tax.

 

I doubt that you have any legal recourse. It's not like inconveniencing someone is a crime.

 

You should get definitely get compensation. Destroy them over the phone
$2100 is a decent price for that, and I'm pretty sure you'll be able to play quake and aa well. The 8400m GS will perform better than the 9700, and those programs you listed are more cpu-intensive than gpu-intensive.
Call them and complain about the problems you've had (but politely) and then ask for compensation. Warranty upgrades are the easiest to do.

 

Is there any particular number i call? rather then being put on hold or being transferred and going in circles?

 

Even though I believe nVidia 8400M GS is 64-bit (?), will it still perform better than the ATi Mobility Radeon 9700 Pro which is either 128-bit or 256-bit.

What's the difference between the two (64 vs 128) in technical terms?

Thanks.