I Have been using dell studio 1555 for a year and a half now... the experience has been highly unpleasant... I think I should my experience now..so that other buyers could learn something
1. Problem with sound: Motherboard replaced
The problem started within 10 days I bought my laptop - the first time I plugged in my earphones. The Speakers stopped working after I plugged out my ear phones. I didn't quite understand what to do... so I had contacted dell technical support... I was asked to do a few diagnostic tests using "Dell Drivers and Utilities" disc, and found that the speakers were working fine in diagnostic test, but weren't working in windows. so I was asked to format and install my windows and install the sound drivers.. I did that religiously - not once or twice but 10 times and was even asked to format my recovery partition. I was directed to a different tech support executive and was asked to do the same thing again and again..Finally it got soo frustrating that I had the technical support executive on hold till I got my system formatted and installed my OS and the sound drivers. This still didn't solve my problem. I was refused when I asked for a replacement since the speakers were working in diagnostic tests. I finally had to browse the net and understand that IDT audio has something called jack sensing and explain it to the tech support executive and fight for my replacement. This took me 15 days - the whole of my christmas and new year vacation was ruined.
2. System over-heating: Motherboard ad heat sink replaced
I was happy that my replacement was finally accepted. But, it didn't last long. The system started heating up and turned off within half an hour after the new mother board was installed. man..a new problem again.. and once again a fight with the customer care. This took me another 3 days and had to postpone a trip of mine. Finally my motherboard and heat sink was replaced.
3. MMC card reader stopped working:
Within a month after my above replacement, my MMC card reader stopped working. This time, I didn't have the patience to fight with the customer care again so never contacted them.
4. Battery dead at 10th month:
The instance which got me most irritated. I had purchased my laptop from a retail outlet and it so happened that the retailer had it in hold for 2 months. The batteries were dead on friday evening. since dell does not work on saturday and sunday, I called for a replacement on Monday for a replacement. But, I was told that the system is past an year, and they would not consider the replacement. and the 1 year warranty just got over the day before. But, the dell website says that my 1 year limited warranty was on till 2 more months. The customer care agent asked why I had not contacted on saturday or sunday and was told that dell works on saturday and sunday as well... oh my god... what a lie. What a gross response from a company like dell. This got me fired up and had to speak to higer authorities and had to fight for a new battery and MMC card reader again and finally got my replacement. I later got to know from all of friends using dell studio that they faced similar problem too - Battery dead within an year.
5. 3 months after the expiry of my warranty: CD drive and system sub-woofer stopped working
These were the issues which got me fired up to post such a big message on the community. I wouldn't hesitate to write to any of the higher officials as well. The quality of dell is highly deteriorating. As of me I have already stopped recommending dell to others. I just don't know what else can go wrong with a laptop. Adding to the frustration is the fact that Dell replaces the malfunctioning parts not with new ones, but with refurbished ones. If dell continues with such poor service, I frankly i see that these could be the end of bright days for dell.
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