Goodbye Dell, Hello IBM or Toshiba?
Giganews
and comment on some interesting and constructive comments from folks in
these newsgroups:
- Basic warranties last only as long as manufacturers expect machines to
last.
Perhaps so, but having both the motherboard and screen fail on my Dell
within three years, warranty or not, I will take my chances elsewhere from
now on. (merely doing without machine for weeks at a time, regardless of $
cost, is a problem).
- Invest more to start with and go with IBM.
I think I will do this. As mentioned, even if warranty and repairs go well,
breakdowns like with my Dell laptop are too expensive in non monetary ways.
- Warranty on replaced parts are a year, and therefore my replaced parts
should be under warranty even though basic warranty expired.
Doesn't seem to be the case. Basic warranty period seems to override all
others.
- Ranting in NGs is a waste of bandwidth.
On the contrary, I think it is a good exercise of consumer rights and
responsibilities. It could even affect consumer experiences in future (as
result of their having more information, or as result however unlikely of
Dell taking notice.)
- Recommendations for Dell alternatives have included IBM, Toshiba, and
Gateway.
I'll look into all and as mentioned above, now put priority on quality and
longevity of machine, regardless of warranty options.
- With complications caused by my service (unnecessarily replacing
motherboard which failed 6 mos later), Dell should at least have offered to
split the difference with cost of new motherboard.
They did not despite repeated requests for some consideration. The merely
copied and pasted repeatedly in emails that it would cost me $699 for
motherboard and $269 for out-of-warranty repair.
I work on the twelfth floor and wish windows opened so I could get at least
some amusement out of my dead and not-worth-repairing Dell laptop.
- Dell support for businesses is far better than for home/individual.
I hope so.
Goodbye Dell.
-------------------------
My "Last" Dell experience:
After purchasing two Inspiron laptops from Dell, I had a problem with screen
banding this April, just months before warranty expired. The Dell
serviceman said the screen was failing, and ordered a new one from Dell.
The box they shipped had a motherboard instead of the screen. He installed
the mb anyway just to see if by some chance it would remedy the screen
problem, which it didn't. He then reordered the screen and when it finally
arrived, he replaced that, leaving the "new" mb in place and saying that
after all my problems and waiting, I could now have "a whole new machine."
(He apparently reported that the mb was part of the remedy rather than go
through process of returning it. I don't want to give his name because he
thought he was doing the right thing)
Six months later the "new" mb failed, and the machine's warranty expired in
the meantime. Now Dell informs me it can only replace the mb for the "out
of warranty" cost of about $1000 (part and labor). I've plead my case that
the mb that failed was not the original, and had been replaced
unnecessarily, and clearly the "new" one I got was either very used or
faulty.
So Dell replaces the guts of the machine unnecessarily and when it fails six
months later, I either pay a $grand or toss the machine. Hey, "Easy as
Dell"
But I do have the pleasure since the thing died of an email folder full of
"apologies for inconvenience" and repeated terms and cost of out-of-warranty
replacement. Couriers of that incessant message included Branden /
DTC22261, Syed / DTC24129, Syed / DTC24129, Kevin / DTC22203, and Paul /
DTO0325671. I even said I'd complain publically if they didn't give some
satisfaction, to which the reply was, "Apologies for........ but I can't
help you on this matter." Actually followed by "Have a great day!"
So left holding a dead machine that I don't think I should have to replace,
I now have to replace it. Any non-DELL laptop recommendations?
And any Dell lurkers out there, feel free to review this disappointing
odyssey, of course including " the following line in all replies. Tracking
number: AT20030222_0000005327.
Apologies in advance, but I am going to repost this until I either get some
satisfaction from Dell, or feel I've done my duty as a wronged consumer.
Signed,
One pissed-off and ex Dell customer.
John Harlow
> and comment on some interesting and constructive comments from folks in
> these newsgroups:
Thanks for doing all this. I was looking at Dells but this helps my
decision to go with something else.
I considered the Sony but I'm concerned about their proprietary way of doing
things.
Also considered was the HPaq. The high friction silver touchpad they use on
some models is annoying.
I am honing in on the IBM T41P. It's a little expensive, but has excellent
specs and a good warranty, and spares will likely be around for awhile. You
get what you pay for.
gorf
news:A6adnUSK-r0...@comcast.com...
> With repost of my negative experience with Dell at bottom, I'll also copy
> and comment on some interesting and constructive comments from folks in
> these newsgroups:
Had a Toshiba Satellite a few years back, it died 1 year and 2 weeks after I
bought it, just after the warranty expired. I had reason to believe it was
the system board that died. I couldn't even find replacement parts from any
reputable dealers, much less from Toshiba itself. I found the board at 2
dealers nationwide, both of which were charging around $1000. I was SOL for
about $2K. The only good thing was it prompted me to build my own machine
because I no longer trusted manufacturers... I learned alot. :)
Anyway, my experiences with IBM, Toshiba, and Dell have led me to rank them
generally as follows...
Dell: Excellent product, Excellent service for those in large organizations
(consumer service is less helpful)
IBM: Excellent product, quality of service unknown (the two I have
experience with haven't had issues)
Toshiba: questionable product, questionable service
--
gorf
Tim Miser
posts(and you will), what will you do then?
-Tim
Steve Larson
machines with Intel cpus and top quality components, and in 17 years I've
never had a failure of a single component (outside of the VIA chipset
compatibility debacle from a few years back). I dislike the limited choices
that packaged systems offer, although the bottom-line price is usually a
little better.
"Giganews" <prst...@iberpass.com> wrote in message
news:A6adnUSK-r0...@comcast.com...
Giganews
posts, and see what picture emerges. Meaning, not all negative posts are
equally convincing, true?
"Tim Miser" <timmi...@SPMyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vrl0p4p...@corp.supernews.com...
Jack
Toshiba's are junk and IBM's are way overpriced for what you get. I had a
T-series Thinkpad and it was total junk for the price. I started with Compaq
and I tried Toshiba and IBM, because some people praised them, but now I'm
back with Compaq and couldn't be happier.
Jan
"Giganews" <prst...@iberpass.com> wrote in message
news:A6adnUSK-r0...@comcast.com...
Robert
One of the brands of LCD Dell use is IBM.
The hard drives are usually Travelstar which was IBM until sold to Hitachi.
If you buy an IBM it won't have an IBM drive.
If you don't buy a next business day service for the tech to come to you -
won't moan about having to send the laptop away for repairs - buy a better
warranty.
Have you checked to see if IBM actually make their laptops. Lots of
'manufacturers' go out to the market and get them made for them.
Did you ever look at a Dell Inspiron 3500 and an HP Omnibook 4100 and notice
how similar they are. They both had the same design flaw in the LCD hinge
area. You could even flash the HP with the inspiron BIOS.
"Giganews" <prst...@iberpass.com> wrote in message
news:A6adnUSK-r0...@comcast.com...
Tim Miser
makes the hard drives, Teac makes the floppy, LG makes the CDRW, ECS makes
the motherboard, Intel makes the CPU. Only the motherboard and case and
maybe some plastic faceplates are made specifically for the Dell brand but
it is all manufactured by the same outside companies that supply parts for
other computers. What does Dell do? They put them together, sell them,
advertise them, and provide customer service and tech support. But wait,
even their cust service is starting to go to outside companies!!!
-Tim
"Robert" <PcT...@paradise.net.nz> wrote in message
news:BlGub.8290$ws.7...@news02.tsnz.net...
Mouse
This is indeed what happens, now what would be more interesting for use
users, is to be able to find out what is inside and who made it before
we buy, as then you might be able to really do some deals. e.g. if
exactly same components, but just a different brand, then you might pay
only for the brand-label as they would call it. Hopefully you also pay
for the service, but reading the rest of this thread you would not
really believe that is true for all cases. Has anyone an idea on how to
find out about the internals and producers just from the laptop product
type number ????
Much appreciated,
Tom Scales
Desktops and Laptops. If last weeks OEM prices on Maxtor drives were cheaper
than Seagate, then you'll get a Seagate. Next week if Maxtor cuts their
price, you'll get a Maxtor. Just in time manufacturing.
Beyond the video card and sound card, where you have a choice, the
components are chosen by specs (i.e. 80GB 7200RPM drive) and nothing else.
Tom
"Mouse" <Mo...@cheese.storage> wrote in message
news:bpip4j$o6h$1...@jura.cc.ic.ac.uk...
ky
1st pc was a generic 285 - no problem still running when I had to
upgrade
2nd pc was a generic laptop - it die after 1 year and the company went
bankrupt
3rd pc was a Toshiba laptop - it die after 2 years
4th pc was a Dell 4100 733Hz - Still running after 3 years but I had
to upgrade
5th pc is a Dell 8300 2.6 GHz/ 1 Gig Memory - Best thing ever. I am
loving my DELL.
My Work PC experience:
Got a Compaq laptop and desktop - worst thing ever. Lots of problems
had to have a techician from Compaq to the company to fix the problem.
Gateway - Clunking, ugly and slow.
"Giganews" <prst...@iberpass.com> wrote in message news:<A6adnUSK-r0...@comcast.com>...
Phil
Not one has died. They just get obsolete and I pass them down and buy
new one. Five of them (the oldest a 430) are still in use.
One exception to the "always": I'm typing this on an Averatec 3150. Not
Toshiba in quality but is weighs 4+ lbs and it cost me $700 new (good
rebates). Truly a "laptop" :-)
Phil
Tom Scales
here that HATE to hear positive Dell stories.
First they'll start by accusing you of being me :)
Tom
"ky" <kelvi...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4dcea4dd.03112...@posting.google.com...
PC Gladiator
and price isn't one of the items agreed to?
"Tom Scales" <tom...@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:I-GdnQyisba...@comcast.com...
Tom Scales
with each order -- competition.
"PC Gladiator" <PC-Gla...@Mail-Dump.com> wrote in message
news:vrr3o93...@corp.supernews.com...
scott
wrote:
>Uh oh, be prepared to be called every name in the book. There are people
>here that HATE to hear positive Dell stories.
>
>First they'll start by accusing you of being me :)
>
>Tom
Well that's too bad. How about another one? My Inspiron 8200 has
worked perfectly since taking it out of the box in sept. 2002. I run
it 12 to 16 hours everyday. It's better than my Sager 5670 which we
got in May 2003. Have no idea about Dell;s service, haven't needed
it. Sager's service appears to better than anyone's. [had to send it
back once for repairs. They did the work extremely fast and
overnighted it back to me.]
gorf
> Have you checked to see if IBM actually make their laptops. Lots of
> 'manufacturers' go out to the market and get them made for them.
http://www.powernotebooks.com/Name_Brand.php3
Gotta love it...
--
gorf
Tom
Now they tell me they WILL NOT extend warrenty by the amount of time it was
in their hands to back order parts and fix it.
"Giganews" <prst...@iberpass.com> wrote in message
news:A6adnUSK-r0...@comcast.com...
Cathy De Viney
"Tom" <tom...@wowway.com> wrote in message
news:1P-dnft9Bcn...@wideopenwest.com...
Nicholas Andrade
service is a concern. IBM even offers extensions to the warranty for
home users if done within the current warranty (& post warranty
extensions for business customers). My previous laptop, an IBM T21, was
sent in twice in my 3 year warranty and the service was amazing. Every
time I called, I was speaking to a rep within minutes; if the model
needed to be shipped, I had an Airborne Express person at my door the
same day and received the machine back with 5 days. There's an old
saying, nobody has ever been fired for buying IBM, and I'd say it still
holds true today.
Peter Wilkins
>take Toshiba off your possible list mine has bad motherboard at 2.5 months.
>Now they tell me they WILL NOT extend warrenty by the amount of time it was
>in their hands to back order parts and fix it.
>
You can get a lemon from anyone - even Apple!
But I've bought Dell, Toshiba and IBM, and have had no trouble with
any of them, except my current Toshiba P20 is a bit bloody heavy to
carry around. My son, on the other hand, found his Dell laptop rather
fragile. Mind you, he did drop it on it's corner on a concrete floor
from a height of about 5 feet! And his new IMB lost it's backlight
while under warranty. IBM took the laptop and promised return in 5
days. It took six weeks.
So I recommend any major brand system that has the features you want:
they are all about the same in reliability and support.
--
Regards,
Peter Wilkins
dx...@nospam.com
And you will pay for that service. No free lunch. If you want good
service and are willing to pay for it, go with IBM and get the "gold"
warranty. Myself, I have a Dell with complete care. I had the lcd
cover replaced onsite. Service was excellent. Bottom line is you have
to pay if you want service.
SGD
> service is a concern. IBM even offers extensions to the warranty for
I believe IBM is out of the computer business.
Sold it's holdings to a Chineese company.
Nicholas Andrade
Although they did sell their personal computer lines to China's Lenovo,
it remains to be seen how much of a change this will result in. I'm
still confident in IBM's support. Furthermore, as part of a deal, a
number of people from IBM's design team will still be working on the
systems at least for the next few years.
SGD
> it remains to be seen how much of a change this will result in. I'm
> still confident in IBM's support. Furthermore, as part of a deal, a
> number of people from IBM's design team will still be working on the
> systems at least for the next few years.
I agree up to a point. From a historical perspective once a manufacturer
bails, it's only a question of time until they tend to wash their hands (and
cut their losses).
JHEM
It will be a minimum of 5 years. That's how long IBM is obligated to
continue to provide the support for the systems.
In addition, IBM now owns 20% of Lenovo.
Regards,
James