[alex]

As some of you may know from the other thread I was whinged at to purchase Mrs Mod the Dell XPS 420 for her instead of a Sony laptop.

Thus far I'm slowly changing my mind, from past experience, in regards to Dell's service.

So far it's been nothing short of exemplary. The intial spec was messed up by Dell. But before I'd even rang to sort it the sales agent I'd spoken to was on the phone to confirm it was correct.

This sorted, I received a couple of emails advising payment received and then one with my customer number/order number and a link to where I could check it's progress.

The quoted shipping date was the 15th Jan. Just checked now and it's on it's way with the carrier. I realise this probably means they haven't stress checked it or anything but not all builders do and it's something I can do easily enough anyway.

I really wasn't happy going Dell (proprietry BTX motherboard, bad service previously with them) but I am starting to come round.

Also, I simply couldn't beat the spec for the price. Some builders were quoting more with a stock one year warranty than Dell were with the 2yr I took out.

I'll add to the thread once we get it delivered and up and running.

[cheesewheels99]

i hate dells the only reason its cheap fpr the specs id because dells use cheap parts that will break

[alex]

Nail on the head CW.

I''m rather concerned about that. I've seen a number that either weren't configured properly in the factory, or out and out weren't built properly, from Dell.

The service so far is superb though, I'll give them that.

I'll just have to wait and see.

[leamingtonspaceman]

I've ordered an XPS 420 from Dell.

With the savings they are offering, and then using a discount code and going through Quidco, I got this machine for £675 with a 19" monitor. Also it's buy now, pay in January 2009. The thing I'm concerned about is that I went through the online credit check but the process crashed before I could pay the deposit online. I still received an internet receipt and order acknowledgement. That was three days ago but I'm yet to receive any further correspondence? The receipt says I'll hear from the finance dept within 24-48 hours but it's been longer than that. When I call customer services they say I need to wait 8 days or cancel and re-order, but I wont get the same price as the offers have gone now!!!

Here's the spec:

- Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core™ Processor Q6600 (2.40GHz, 8MB, 1066MHz)
- Windows Vista® Home Premium
- SINGLE 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT card
- 3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024/2x512]
- 640GB Dual Hard Drive Raid 0 Stripe (2x320GB - 7200rpm)
- 16x DVD +/- RW Drive
- Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital Audio
- Base Warranty - 1 Year XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-Site Support)

[cheesewheels99]

waste of parts

[Carbon]

Eh, that's pretty good for the price, but I'd have power supply and noise concerns..

[philthomas]

Originally Posted by cheesewheels99

waste of parts

[alex]

I'm not arguing guys! I just ordered what she wanted. Remember, I did try and talk her out of it.

Gonna show her this thread.

[leamingtonspaceman]

If Dell are so crap, why are there not hundreds of threads all over the web about how terrible they are? Look at the failure rate on the 360, you can find info on this all over. If Dell PC's are that bad, how come the same doesn't apply?

If you guys think they are as bad as you say they are, please point me in the direction of some evidence.

I'm not supporting Dell, I just need to see something to back up what you guys think. And how about pointing me in the direction of something better? Comments like "waste of parts" just seem pretty negative for the sake of it with nothing to make me believe what you say is based in reality.

A guy I know who works in IT for a large company that uses Dell PC's across the board tells me they are extremely reliable. Obviously not as good as something that's £2K+, but good nonetheless.

[alex]

Have you contacted Dell regarding the problem you had ordering, Spaceman?