Question:
Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
I want to get a 12.1 inch ultra portable notebook and I am eyeing the Dell M1210. I am also eyeing another one where the customer service is A+. My greatest concern is that it's a Dell and everyone's telling me don't get a Dell. So here I am on the Dell forum asking this question - if something goes wrong with the Dell XPS M1210 is there actually someone at Dell who will be able to help me and fix it? I would pay for the three year Complete Care warranty package. But I do not have patience to sit on hold for three hours and talk with someone who has no clue what a computer is. I would like to know what Dell's customer service is like - will they actually be able to take care of any problems that might come up and are they responsive?
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
Well, for me, I have had a great experience with Dell. When i had questions or problems, they were very prompt. Most of the time, you hear about the bad cases rather than the good cases. But, it is up to you.
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
All the laptops and desktops that I've purchased have been Dell, and I have'nt had major problems with them that I could'nt fix myself.And when I did call Dell for support they got right to the problem,and Know many others that were satisfied with the product and service so I guess it would be on you to decide.
All the best CATH
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
Me too, i was VERY impressed that they processed and shipped my order on a weekend. the only people who don't like dell anymore are just holding a grudge, and they are missing out. Dell has pretty good quality now, its official. They have really good prices too. Almost all people have great experences with dell, i have, and will definantly buy from them again, if they have a good deal, which i am sure they will.
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
You know those people who speak as if they have experience based on what they heard? "The Olive Garden sucks", "That store doesn't have anything", "Hawaii is overrated", etc.,
It's basically the same thing. If you ask the same people, I bet most of them have never purchased or even researched Dell.
I have nothing but great things to say about my E1505 or 9100.
But, after reading your post, you say you want an ultraportable and I believe that category is under 4 pounds. The M1210 is significantly heavier than most 12 inchers (I believe 5 lbs with a 9 cell?). Unless the dedicated graphics card is a must, maybe you should look a little elsewhere. I hear the Toshiba U205 has some pretty good spots. I can't vouch much for their customer service, though.
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
If you are looking for portability, go for iMAC G4
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
My E1505/I6400 is almost 2 months old. Everything is working wonderfully, and I haven't encountered any problems so far. To say the least, I'm very satisfied with my order.
As for the customer service, I've only used their chat service (to ask for the free backpack), and was satisfied with the result. :)
Goodluck Cath! Hope you find the lappie that you're looking for!
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
Hey everyone - thanks SO MUCh for responding so quickly. I'm feeling a lot better about considering Dell after hearing all this good feedback. I just had to ask because I am really liking the specs on the XPS M1210 but every day, people are saying don't get a Dell. They don't even have Dells and they're saying don't get a Dell. So I think you're right in that some people are just basing their statements on things they've heard, not personal experience. I guess my greatest fear is that if I have a problem I'm on my own and that's a scary thought!! So I want to know that that Dell will back their product. About the ultraportable consideration - I can see that the M1210 is not really ultraportable - certainly not as small and light as my current Fujitsu P5010D (which I have loved) - but I am willing (I think) to add a little extra weight to get more power and lcd real estate. I'm going to keep reading up here and hopefully I'll make the right decision. I appreciate all the help I can get.
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
This is my third Dell system. I haven't liked all the Dell systems I've worked with, but my current D620 is quite good. I'm pleased with the quality.
Answer:
Re: Am I Crazy To Consider A Dell?
I've owned 2 dells and have a third on the way. I didn't order the third because I am thrilled with the technical assistance.
The first Dell was a desktop (bought back in 2000). I've had few problems, and the problems I had were easily solved with the help of customer assistance. That was back when you got someone from Colorado instead of Bombay.
I bought an Inspiron 5160 in 11/04. By June 05, it couldn't see the hard drive. It took about 5 calls/chats with customer service. None of the reps seemed to comprehend what the previous one had said. At first they did not want to talk to me because I could not remember the phone number I used when I originally ordered the system.
The computer could not see the CD drive. I removed it, reinstalled it, did everything they said. They finally shipped a new drive, but shipped it to the address that I had when I ordered the system, despite my telling them otherwise. Finally I got it. Installed it. Didn't help. They told me someone would call in 24 hours (I had the full on-site warranty). I shipped the drive back, but that didn't stop them from sending me emails about how now I owed them for the drive since I hadn't shipped the old one back. Finally, about 3 weeks later, they had me FedEx the machine to Anchorage (from Kotzebue, Alaska). They did provide 24 hour turnaround once I shipped it, but that was 30 days after my original call.
I received the machine back, and it worked for about 6 months. Now it is doing the same thing, and I'm going to have to go through all this again. Clearly, the 5160 gets too hot, and I think it is a motherboard problem, not the drive per se.
All that being said, they do eventually come through. You just have to get in the right head space before you start to deal with them.
I am not willing to give up on the company due to one machine that has given me problems. And if you are persistant, you will come out ok. But it's a huge distributed bureaucracy, and you have to deal with it as such. I find the online chat works better than trying to deal with them by phone.