Dell Laptop

Tozer

Hi

I have had a few problems over the last year of ownership of my Dell Vostro 1500. Basically - new screen, new heatsink, motherboard, power supply and graphics card. Dell extended the warranty on it by another year.

Its still not perfect - takes a long time to fire up and shut down. To cut a long story short, Dell have now offered to replace with a Vostro 1510. Same spec (other than it is a 1510 not 1500) with 250GB hard drive instead of 160GB to take into account a 6 cell battery (not 9 cell as it is now)

A couple of queries:

1. If I accept the new machine, how easy will it be to transfer my data (emails, photos, Word documents, etc). Dell seem to suggest that it is a bit high risk. I have an external HDD available and both machines have Vista Business.

2. Is it worth going for a new machine in any event?

3. How does the 1510 compare with the 1500 (a few reviews seem to suggest that it is not as user-friendly).

Thanks!

Donnie

Not difficult to transfer info. Very little risk in creating an Image.
R u happy with your old machine?
Why are you baulking at getting it replaced?
Have they offered you an alternative solution?

Tozer

Thanks for that. I was reasonably happy with it although it does seem to be chugging a bit now.

It seems to crash a fair bit (possibly Vista) and the graphics card GEforce 256mb stops working a lot.

I like the style of it and it seems the new Vostro's are a little lightweight and 'flimsy'.

Guess my main concern about replacement is that it takes a while to get used to a PC and to get it to how you want it to be and don't really want to do it all again.

mrke

Hope you don't mind me asking but how many times has your laptop been repaired? I also have a Vostro 1500 and have had a Dell engineer out 3 times to fix it. I might need to request a 1510 should it play up again. Thanks in advance.

Donnie

Don't be too afraid of change. Unless the machine is lacking in RAM(you should have at least 2GB on board, the machine should not crash.
You have just got used to a low standard of reliability.

Don't accept a lesser battery if there is the possibility of a nine cell. If there is, they are taking the Michael.

Tozer wrote: »

Thanks for that. I was reasonably happy with it although it does seem to be chugging a bit now.

It seems to crash a fair bit (possibly Vista) and the graphics card GEforce 256mb stops working a lot.

I like the style of it and it seems the new Vostro's are a little lightweight and 'flimsy'.

Guess my main concern about replacement is that it takes a while to get used to a PC and to get it to how you want it to be and don't really want to do it all again.

Tozer

Its been repaired 3 times for definite hardware faults. Heck of a push to get them to offer a replacement. What faults did you have mrke?

I've asked if I can have both for a while (to effect data transfer) so will see what new one is like.

Anyone know what the 1510 is actually like? Bit worried about it being flimsy.

imho

I got a Vostro 1510 had it for about 2 months now. I wouldnt say its flimsy . Only thing i dont like is Vista on it .
Paid £299 for it from Dell web site .

mrke

Hi Tozer, had the motherboard replaced 3 times, oh and 1 set of ram.

Mine has 160gb, 2gbram & 9 cell similar to yours.

Firstly because of interference 'hissing' when using the headphones, this rectified the problem but the machine 'posted' (starts up) as an Inspiron.
Replaced that one and the screen kept going blank (onboard graphics fault) so replaced again.

Now on the 4th board in 6 months.......

Good luck with transferring your data. Not seen a 1510 myself, do you have a pc world near to you? Maybe they would stock it as I hear they now sell Dell??

Would be interested to hear more about how you get on just encase/when mine plays up again........

Tozer

Good point about PC world. Might pop in and have a little look.

It is a confidence thing with these laptops isn't it? Must confess I've always been impressed with Dell's next day service, but it just gets a bit boring when you see the engineer quite so often!

mrke

I agree the next day is very good. Don't think I would want to be without it now.