Dell Replacement - I Would Greatly Appreciate Any Input

Hi,

My Dell Inspiron 600m has just been authorized for system replacement. Based on your experience, what kind of model will I be getting as replacement? Also, the guy said I would be getting Vista, so will I be getting a memory upgrade(from 512MB to 1GB?)

Thanks

 

I don't know what you will be getting but I know for sure that you are going to want something more than 1GB. You want to have 2GB at the very least preferably 3GB or if you are comfortable with x64 system you could upgrade to 4GB of ram. As long as you plan on getting more than 1GB.

 

Let us know what the end up giving ya.

 

I'm going to guess that you are probably looking at a basic i1420:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1420?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

Greg: Are you sure? Cuz if that's the case, then the upgrade is really good. Could they give me something worse like a B130 or a Latitute D610 or something really obsolete? Are they limited to computers in stock/production?

Assuming that I am getting a refurb unit, outlet.dell.com says that the least i could get is a 640m/e1705 which doesn't look that bad and is 1GB RAM so I wouldn't mind that. My only concern, again, is getting a really old laptop with like 512MB RAM and 30GB HD or something ridiculously low like that.

Regarding the more than 1GB issue, I definitely will upgrade my RAM, but my dad's computer has 100GB of HD and 1GB of RAM with Vista, and his computer works very efficiently. He has a Sony VAIO.

I am also getting a new iMac desktop w/ 250 GB HD and 2GB RAM so the majority of my files and programs will be on that.

How long do these replacements usually take?

 

I'm guessing, I do not know. You can ask a rep what the replacement order number is and look it up.

It will most likely be a refurbished notebook from a model that is currently being sold. That much I know.

Since they use refurb, you should know within a few days.

 

i really recommend at least 2GB of RAM while runnin a vista OS. u can't really utilize vista to its fullest potential with only 1GB as vista already uses about 1GB of RAM at idle.

 

Are you in the UK ? Because when I was authorised my replacement I managed to change some links in the dell page showing my old laptops specs to pull up my replacements specs, this is as long as you have your new order number and your customer number and in the UK of course

https://support.euro.dell.com/suppo...ERHERE&cn=CUSTOMERNUMBERHERE&pseudocountry=uk

 

You might also want to check how much they're charging you for RAM. It could potentially be a rip-off compared to buying some compatible RAM and installing it yourself.

 

It's a warranty replacement. They aren't charging him anything.

 

Hey guys, I'm in the US, and they haven't given me an order number yet.

I am definiteyl gonna upgrade to 2 maybe 3 GB. It's only gonna be an additional 50 bucks, which I can shell out no problem.

Any other suggestions of what it could be? Have people had their old systems replaced and gotten a significant upgrade?

 

Greg, just curious, how do you know this for sure? Is there info about the replacement process online somewhere?

 

Don't assume it will be a refurb , I've known 4 people who have had replacements, none have been refurbs. However yours is quite old so there probably is a much larger chance that it will be refurb.

 

Do you remember what models they were? If not, do you remember if they were old or new models? And why would an older model have a larger chance of refurb?

 

You will almost certainly get a 1420. I did for my 600m a couple of months ago through Complete Care.

Basically, the policy is like or better. The way it works is that they look through refurbished stock. If there is nothing like it, they go up a step until they find the closest thing to your original system. If there is nothing, then you get a new system. Depending on your country's laws, you might get a new one to start with.

You probably won't have the opportunity to upgrade as the refurbished units are prebuilt. Even if you did, it's usually cheaper to get them memory from Newegg.

 

Oh so that's how it works. It kind of contradicts what the dell chat person told me "the machines are built from scratch" which is why i was thinking that they could give me something much older than a 1420 because they have parts for those old machines.

 

Anything in refurbished stock should be newer that your system was.

Have you already been given an order number? If not, I would suggest that you tell the agent that you want dedicated graphics, just as the original did. Might get you a better system than one with standard Intel graphics.

This is not breaking the rules as the 600m had a 32mb onboard video card, not shared graphics.

 

Not to be rude, but a lot of people seem to have the misconception that the replacement notebook will be considered new and you get some sort of satisfaction guarantee (like the 21 day policy new ones have) and that just isn't the case. I hate to burst everyone's bubbles, but this is exactly how a system exchange works:

When they replace your notebook, the minimum specs of the new notebook will match your current one. You DO NOT get to pick any of the components or what notebook you will get. The consensus here seems to be a 1420 with Vista will be the replacement. But you cannot ask for 1GB or 2GB of ram for for your new system even if vista would run poorly otherwise. If they could find a 1420 with all your current specs that had Vista on it, they could give it you and fulfill their warranty even if the system would run like crap. As for the warranty, they will just transfer your current warranty over to the system. In other words, if your warranty is going to expire in 5 weeks, the new notebook's warranty will expire in 5 weeks.

 

thanks for that tip jason, it was really helpful. i am contacting dell regd it right now.

and deathstick, i don't see why they would give me a crap system. but even if you're right, they're changing my XP to Vista, so they are under an obligation to make up for that change by giving extra RAM bec vista requires more.

 

UPDATE: I used Jason's advice, and here's what Dell told me:

08/22/2008 04:27:46PMAgent (Vandana_105589): "Inspiron 1318, 1525 , 1526, 1420, 1520, 1521, 1720 and 1721 are all the systems that have a 32MB card or above."
08/22/2008 04:28:17PM ME: "okay, so the system i will be getting will be one of these right?"
08/22/2008 04:28:28PMAgent (Vandana_105589): "Yes."

Thanks, Jason!

It can't be the 1318 because it is a 13.3 inch model and mine was a 14 inch. The rest look pretty good to me, and all the models they have in stock have 1GB or more and Vista, so it looks pretty good.

Unless, of course, Dell is lying. If they end up sending me something completely different from this list, can I demand a re-replacement because they lied?

 

No, they are obligated by the warranty to give you a system with the same minimum specs as your current one. Vista can run with 512 MB of ram, as that is the recommended requirement for RAM. While I do agree that they should give you a better system, they do not have to, and could give you the system I described to keep their cost at a minimum. And they wouldn't have to replace anything you weren't happy with (e.g. low ram)

I know this because I am having a system exchange done on the notebook in my sig. First off, they couldn't guarantee me a color so I could easily get something like a yellow or pink or lime-green notebook. They have discontinued to sell the WSXGA+ screen (1680x1050) on all 15" notebooks, so their upgrade policy would dictate giving me a 1920*1200 screen which I think I would have trouble using. And, if they don't have a notebook with a 160GB 7200 RPM HD, they would have to upgrade it, but that could mean getting something like a 250 GB 5400 RPM drive, which would increase capacity but overall decrease performance.

I addressed this concern with my rep and asked if Dell would replace the mentioned parts and the only answer I could was him assuring me that the notebook would be under warranty and Dell would fix any faulty parts (which didn't answer my question at all.) I tried asking repeatedly and all I could get out of him was that it was too soon to make these kinds of assumptions and that the notebook would be covered under warranty.
Translation: I don't know what your replacement is, but probably not. I'm trying to get you off the phone so I can ship this thing and you can't change your mind.

 

No, as long as they give you a notebook with the same minimum specs, they have fulfilled their warranty. It doens't matter if you are happy with the replacement or not, as long as they uphold their warranty they don't care.

 

Hi deathstick, I understand your situation, but based on the list they gave me (which I quoted in my earlier post), the least I can get is 1GB RAM.

I completely understand your frustration with Dell. Why is it so hard to get a straight answer from them? I had to maneuver my way (using Jason's idea) to get a list of possible options for my replacement. They could've just told me that in the first place...

 

Right, I am just letting you know that you shouldn't get your hopes up thinking you are going to get an awesome system and that you can demand certain notebooks or component upgrades go to along with the exchange. You get what they have that meets your minimum specs.

In my case, I just sent an e-mail telling them they need to cancel the exchange as I do not want my satisfaction with the exchange to be left to chance, as there seems to be too little choice on my part on whether to accept their upgrade policy on all the components. I asked that they give me a coupon code instead for the price of my notebook instead. That way, I could pick/choose my notebook, and they wouldn't have to pay for any upgrades themselves. I have already tried building a notebook, and it appears that my cost out of pocket would be around $200, which is about how much I would expect to pay to increase my warranty for another year anyway, so my cost would remain the same. I await their response...

EDIT:
Not sure why they can't give me straight answer. I just think they are trying to delay me long enough for the system to ship so that they have standing to say I am being finicky and uncooperative . Still, according to the Rep's exchange timetable, I send them the e-mail at least 1 day sooner than they expected to have a replacement ready to be shipped, plus they never told me about the option for a refund, and I am forcing them to tell me. Legally, I'm pretty sure that until I get the other system and the case is resolved, they are still in a breach of contract which entitles me to an exchange or refund.

 

Let me know how that goes. Right now it looks like I'll be getting a 1420 for sure, but I might have a shot at getting a 1520 too. We'll see what happens...

I hope you get your coupon code.

 

my brothers I6000 died.
Pentium M 2 ghz
1 gb ram
128mb ati x300
80gb hdd
win xp

got it exchanged 3 months ago for an m1530 (NOT the one in sig)
c2d 2.0ghz
2gb ram
8600m
120gb hdd
blu-ray drive.

and it was refurbished.

 

Wow, you got really lucky. I have checked the outlet stores for the past hour or so and so far none of the notebooks they have match all my minimum specs. Hopefully I can get the coupon code or a new notebook (as it seems they cannot match my current one with refurbs)

 

Where do you check "all" the outlet stores? I just know outlet.dell.com...

Also, is the outlet store an online version of the dell factory? Is this where my computer is gonna come from?

 

That's where I assume they get their refurbished notebooks. I wouldn't see any reason for them to hide their stock anywhere. As for there being multiple outlet stores, there isn't really. It mainly refers to the fact that they force you to choose a stockroom in their search engine rather than "all" so I suppose you could say it is multiple stores

 

i had a i 700m take a dive, got a xps 1330. refurbished though... but it is a great upgrade for sure

 

Oh wow! What were the specs on the 700m? And when did you get your replacement?

 

it was a 1.6, 512 mem, 30gb. it was smaller than the 1330 by about 1 inch, but it was a tradeoff i am willing to make

this was about 3 months ago

 

btw, this morning on outlet.dell.com i found a system that was the closest to my system's config (i1420, 1GB RAM, 80 HD, 14.1 inch screen, vista). but now it's gone. could it be that they assigned it to be? Seems surprisingly fast...it's only been 2 days.

 

Just got off the phone with the rep. No coupon code, system exchange with a 1520 is my only option as they still have them in stock. The rep changed his story again. Now, they WILL be able to exactly match my current notebook. Really now? If that's true (extremely unlikely as the outlet has no matches at all) then I suppose I will have to accept it. I will be very pissed if I get another grainy screen though...

Their unwillingness to comply with any of my proposals pretty much guarantees that I will never shop Dell again or recommend Dell to anyone once my warranty expires. In the past year and a half, I have been directly responsible for 6 sales of Dell computers but no more. I will have to look around for a new company to recommend to people.

 

Wait, so is it still possible that they posted it to me or is it a definite that someone else bought it?

And which department did you talk to? The chat agents i talk to online have no idea what they're talking about. They don't know anything about outlet, and think that is just a "showroom"...

Actually, even if they don't have it in outlet, they might have it in other stockrooms. Looks like outlet and the actual dell factory are two different entities...maybe outlet is just for online purchases.

 

just wait a day or two more, once the status changes then chat with someone and ask for a service tag and look it up to see what you got.

Until then, no one knows what you're going to get.

 

The outlet doesn't have anything to do with warranty exchanges.

Deathstick - you are absolutely right. You are entitled to like or better. If your replacement does not meet the specifications on your old system, contact them again here:

https://support.dell.com/support/to...lcare/outstanding_issues_tech?c=us&l=en&s=gen

This goes to a department that handles unresolved issues. You will need a case or reference number for this.

 

I have no doubt they will give me a like or better system, the problem is not having a choice as to this policy on things such as screen resolution (higher resolution would be bad in this case) or hard drive (I may get higher capacity but lower spin speeds, lowering performance). Color choice also seems out of the question for them. They want to give me what they have.
I sent off another e-mail to the rep working on the case telling him to give me the service tag asap and that he has my authority to stop shipment if certain substitutes were made that I could not change after receiving the notebook.

 

Are you sure about this?

Also, does anyone know how long the entire process, from dispatch to door takes?

 

Delete that first post vininnz.
Also, it officially takes 7 business days, but Dell tends to overestimate to give itself some wiggle room in case of delays.

 

haha alright done!

when do you think i will get my order number? the dispatch was processed yesterday at 2PM CST. I am assuming they don't work saturdays, although I might be wrong.

Also, is the screen on the 1420 "grainy"? I've heard some people say that...

And deathstick what do you think of Jason's point that "The outlet doesn't have anything to do with warranty exchanges"?

 

Not sure about the order number, as it seems that your exchange is ahead of mine. You could try asking on technical support to see if they have an order number, but the best bet is probably to wait until that is updated.

Oh geez, not this again.
Well, I assume that you are happy with your current screen. What you want to do is to look at the new screen and see if the clarity and color reproduction is the same as your old notebook. If the screen looks nice to you, then you have nothing to worry about, you got a good screen. I think the problem only existed on the 15.4" notebooks, so you should be clear anyway.

Jason's guess is as good as mine, but I think it has everything to do with exchanges. Where else would they get their refurbished systems? They may have more control than customers who use the search (like more advanced criteria or the ability to reserve the right notebook when it comes along) but I do not believe they have some seperate stockroom that they use for exhchanges.

 

hey deathstick, when did you place your return request?

also, how do you check your order number? i dont have any such number, i just have the dispatch number...

regd outlet, they told me outlet is JUST for internet sales and they have a separate department for system exchanges which "doesn't interact with the Sales or Technical Support departments"

i have just been hearing about the screens on the 1420. the screen on the 600m was really grainy (it was an old LCD screen) so i am hoping this is an upgrade.

i've just been hearing a lot of conflicting answers on how much time it takes (ranging from 3-5 days to 7-10 days to 14-15 days)

 

My exchange started on Wednesday. Thus so far, no order number. Then again, I have been calling back daily so that may be delaying my order.
If your notebook has shipped, then it should show up in your Order Status page. Go to the page, and see if there is a recent entry there. If so, you should be able to click on the order number to get very detailed information on that delivery. You can check out your original notebook order for a sample of what this list will look like. It is rather technical but you could make out what you are getting if you read carefully enough.

Once again, I do find it odd that they would have a seperate stock for selling and replacing notebooks. I think they may be lying on that one. if not, then that just seems very silly to not advertise all the notebooks they have available.

Eh, good luck on getting a good screen then. If you get another grainy one, do some research and find out which screens people have found to be not grainy (get part numbers) and then hit up Dell and hopefully you can get it replaced. But from what I can tell, you get little to no leeway in choosing to accept or decline certain parts in your replacement notebook. Past your first 21 days of owning the original notebook, all replacements are made based on a functionality basis (and clarity isn't a criteria for screens. I know, I tried)

I was told 7 business days and they have been pretty consistent in telling me that. Just note that Dell tends to overestimate their shipping dates to make room for shipping delays. It will likely take less time, but shouldn't be more than 7 business days.

 

For me also no order number till now...

Do they work on Saturdays?

I will post my info here so we can decipher what I will be getting. You should do the same. Let me know when you get an order number, I think you should be getting one before me.

I asked another support guy nd he said outlet = online only...

I have been told that I will get the order number on Tuesday and at max Wednesday...

 

No idea on Saturdays.

My rep should be at work by now and should have read my e-mail with criteria for acceptable substitutes. I'll see if Dell is willing to do me even that favor, as they have refused to even feign cooperation with me to make sure the replacement is satisfactory. I await his reply and hopefully can get a better idea of what my new specs are.

 

deathstick bro, another chat agent confirmed to me today that outlet is only online...you're right though it wouldnt make sense for them to hide it, but then again maybe they want to keep the two departments separate...

i hope you get your coupon/specifications...i think you should if they promised you...especally since outlet is apparently not the dell factory

do let me know any updates...i can't wait to know the specs on mine...i am in a situation in which virtually anything I get will have better specs than the one i have currently

 

UPDATE: I just called Dell and they said that my system was delayed because of a part which they don't have...and should have within a day or two after which they will take another day to fix the whole thing together and ship it.

 

Wow that sucks. Its been almost a week since my exchange started and thus so far no updates on the Dell Website or any e-mails with status updates. I am going to contact Technical Support and check to make sure progress is being made and that they are aware of the substitutes I would be okay with (and which ones I will surely call and complain they replace.)

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3836187#post3836187