I recently purchased a Dell Inspriron 1420 because at the time there were steep discounts on the laptops.  The Dell Inspiron I configured included a Core 2 Duo T7250 processor, Geforce 8400M GS graphics, 2GB of memory, 120GB 7200RPM hard drive, webcam and 1440 x 900 glossy high resolution display.  It’s really too bad that its construction doesn’t match the quality of its hardware. 

The midnight blue lid cover was in perfect condition (unlike some where it was scratched or peeling) and the magnesium case is okay but not as good as other models, even when compared to some plastic/metal hybrid models.

The laptop is fast and could make quite a nice desktop replacement, if only Dell’s quality control was better.  There have been several issues with the new Inspirons, shipping delays and paint problems, as I mentioned above.  There is still yet another oversight on Dell’s part.

The battery locks and rails, on some models, do not seat the battery securely and there is about 1mm~1.5mm of movement in the battery when the laptop is lifted or moved and to be honest, while moving the laptop it feels like the battery is going to fall out, it did once while I was moving it, for some reason the locks gave out and the battery slid out but that only happened once and may or may not be related to the not seating correctly problem.

Forums have suggested that the laptop should be sent to Dell for service and have the bottom casing replaced which seemed to fix some, other reports vary and there doesn’t seem to be any conclusive evidence that a repair will indeed correct the problem.

I didn’t bother, I’m a perfectionist, I expect new things, especially a nearly $1,500 laptop to be perfect, in every way.  It wasn’t and I’m sending it back for a refund.

Dell’s RMA process is also a hassle as you have to call them and get offered “discount this, software that” and turn that down before the return will be approved and then of course, there is the horrendous wait times.  Newegg’s RMA process is automated, fill out the form on the website, click submit and wait mere minutes for your authorization number.  Dell should consider adopting a similar system.

The only laptop manufacturers that have yet to disappoint me are Acer and HP, I’ll probably wind up sending the Sony Vaio back as well and I’m going to stick with what I know, Acer and HP.

Of course, your experience may have varied but this is how things are from where I’m sitting.  Maybe it all comes down to problems you can and can’t live with and I couldn’t live with its problems.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm under Uncategorized.

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
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