Dell System Replacement...should I? Thoughts/Discussion?

Ok, i have problems with my studio 17 it's build is:
1 224-8067 Studio 17 (1749) CTO
1 317-4698 Intel Core,i5-450M (2.4-2.66Ghz, 3M/4 threads)
1 317-3612 4GB, DDR3, 1066MHZ, 2 DIMM
1 330-4433 Backlit Keyboard, Internal
1 421-1009 Dell Webcam Software 1.4 Application Kit
1 320-8820 17.3 in HD+ TL LED Display w/Cam
1 320-8817 Intel HD Graphics
1 342-9526 500GB 7200 RPM HDD
1 313-8044 Black Chainlink
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1
1 421-0187 Dell Support Center Software 64 Bit 2.0
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 421-0323 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface
1 330-6222 Windows 7 Label
1 330-7417 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,1749
1 420-9352 Dell, Software, Wild Tangent Inc Games
1 421-1737 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp
1 421-2086 eBay Webslice
1 421-0757 Skype VOIP Application
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
1 313-8870 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
1 421-1362 Dell Software,Roxio 1.0
1 421-1445 Cyberlink PowerDVD DX 8.3 Kit
1 421-2000 Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2
1 430-3619 Intel WiFi Link 6200
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer
1 410-2461 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,30DAY,Without Media
1 312-0978 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
1 410-0487 No full-featured Office 2010 software selected
1 923-7737 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus At-Home Service, Initial Year
1 934-6370 Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis, Initial Year
1 420-8878 Soft Contracts Dell In-Home Hardware Agreement
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 933-0400 Warranty Support, Initial Year
1 467-7771 Thanks for choosing Dell!
1 991-1179 LoJack Theft Recovery Service,XPS - 1 Year DHS
1 420-8655 LoJack Theft Recovery Softwarefor Laptops, 1 Year
1 988-7707 2GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
1 420-9518 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 2GB
1 988-0099 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
1 330-4532 No Mobile Broadband Card selected
1 600-0039 State Environmental Fee for display less than 15 inches

Dell is offering me this as a replacement:
1 224-8775 Inspiron 17R
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
1 310-4278 WIDI Tech Sheet
1 312-0244 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.2
1 313-9519 Mars Black IMR
1 313-9523 Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
1 313-9524 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
1 317-3891 6GB,DDR3,1333MHZ,2 DIMM
1 317-5444 Intel Core i5-460M 2.53Ghz / up to SC 2.8GHz / 3M
1 318-0392 Windows Live Wave 4
1 320-1361 17.3 HD+ WLED
1 320-1366 1G ATI Mobility Radeon HD5470
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
1 330-6222 Windows 7 Label
1 330-8107 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,N7010
1 342-1098 640G 5400RPM
1 410-0487 No full-featured Office 2010 software selected
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
1 410-2461 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,30DAY,Without Media
1 412-0361 Soft Contracts Dell In-Home Hardware Agreement
1 420-3279 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1
1 420-8183 Roxio burn 1.0
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer
1 420-9352 Dell, Software, Wild Tangent Inc Games
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp
1 420-9876 Cozi-Calendar
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 421-0427 Dell Movie Store
1 421-0757 Skype VOIP Application
1 421-2086 eBay Webslice
1 421-3874 Camera Software 2.X, Factory Install
1 421-4118 WHITEPAGES.COM,Webslice
1 421-4289 Dell Support Center Software 3.0
1 430-0782 Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250, 802.11 a/g/n
1 430-3605 Integrated 10/100 Network Card
1 430-4111 Bluetooth
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 464-7384 Exchange


Now I am not really happy with this studio 17. I want more video capability. I feel like what they are offering me is a DOWNGRADE? Dell said they will upgrade, but I feel like I am losing a lot in this deal. I like the slide in CD/DVD, not the tray, backlit keyboard, JBL speakers, upgraded sound, firewire, EC card slot. They claim they are upgrading the HD, but thats 140GB I don't need. Also they say faster processor, but mine is fine. I think I am going to try it out, and if I'm not happy, I'll return both for a refund, then go with an XPS 17...thoughts/ideas/comments are welcome. I tried to get them to throw in a XPS as a replacement but they wouldn't. I also tried to get them to throw in a Bluray player, they wouldn't, I could only get them to upgrade the battery to a 9-cell. I also tried for a small SSD instead, but they said its not compatible.

Thanks!

D

 

The video card is an upgrade but what exactly do you do with "video"?

 

the only thing i want to do is play some games and watch movies on my regular TV, so I guess the video card isn't needed, this isn't really isn't a desktop replacement in the terms of game playing, I have a PS3. I lose on HD RPM speed also, and I have 4GB RAM, I don't really need 6GB. Actually my hope was to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 on the machine I guess.

I'm not sure what I plan on doing.

This all started over the onboard mic not working.

 

Well the GPU will aid in gaming but only really like serious games where IGP will choke. The faster RPM HDD won't make a significant difference, it's about read/write speeds. Bad Company 2 is a pretty nasty game, won't be able to played above 1280x1024 resolution with your new laptop.

Would help to know what you plan on doing.

 

It's just gonna be your average laptop, web browsing, some photochop, music, nothing serious, just somethiung for me and my wife for around the apartment. I d/l movies and watch them on the tv. I guess I just want it to have all the bells and whistles.

I am really happy with the sound on this system and wonder what the new one will be like.

Maybe BFBC2 will have to stay on the PS3.

Really, I'm trying to get the most for the least amount and trying to get the most for the money I have already given dell.

 

I called to find out if the new system had 2 HD bays and find out there is only 1. This offer is now deemed a definite downgrade and unacceptable. I can buy a XPS outfitted similarly for the price I paid for this, and it has 2 slots plus all the amenities I want in a laptop, I lose them in the swap...firewire, backlit KB, JBL speakers (i hear 17R suck) EC slot, extra headphone jack for plane trips

I plan on booting on a SSD and data on a HD so it's important i have 2 bays. upgradeability is key.

 

Just to update this thread, Dell is resolving my issue by returning the 17r i got from FEDEX today, holding on to my studio 17 for a couple more weeks, then waiting for my new XPS17!

After I hit them with the non availability of 2 HD bays in the 17R, the escalation guy didn't even bother trying anymore and offered the XPS17. Yay!

So now i have this 17R and am just gonna give it a spin for a few days untili ship it back.

 

Well that's one heck of an upgrade...lol