4 ms·

This is basically flamebait, but I disagree. Dell are the biggest low-end computer manufacturer which are, for the most part, significantly cheaper than their c

by halo 18y ago

This is basically flamebait, but I disagree. Dell are the biggest low-end computer manufacturer which are, for the most part, significantly cheaper than their competitors. You sacrifice build quality and design to get that. I actually think their build quality has improved recently too after a dark period - their newer laptops feel better built for the cost - and the M1330 is well-designed well-built at a very competitive price and is among the best products Dell have ever come out with. There's too few details to make any opinion on this product, but writing Dell off is foolish.

gunderson 18y ago
I haven't seen the M1330, but I have been burned twice by buying Dell laptops. This is after a run of about 3 great ones. The problem started when they went to the thick unrounded two-tone cases with silver on top (at least in the Inspiron line). A friend ordered one of their newer ones (with the led backlight, core 2 duo, etc.) and in spite of its > $2K pricetag it has terrible build quality and flexes and groans when picked up. It feels like a toy. I am not totally writing off Dell, but it's going to take a lot to win me back as a customer. To make matters worse, a few years ago I ordered a bunch of servers from their small business division and the way they do sales is totally annoying. The only person you can talk to is your own rep and if he's on the phone or out of the office you get voicemail. Also, if you don't negotiate hard (or buy small business stuff online) you get ripped by about 20% -- why can't they just publish a good price on the web and let people order it w/o having to talk to someone 3 times just so they take off that 20% markup? Back to laptops -- I got a high end Toshiba and it's been great.... surprisingly, far better (battery life, heat dissipation, build quality) than any of the Dells I've had.
Tamerlin 18y ago
"Dell are the biggest low-end computer manufacturer which are, for the most part, significantly cheaper than their competitors. You sacrifice build quality and design to get that." You do have to sacrifice SOMETHING, and you're right that it's usually build quality and design... but you can do better than Dell for the price: www.powernotebooks.com They have a 99% rating on Reseller Ratings, and I got a better price from them even though I can get a company discount buying from Dell (my employer buys a lot of stuff from Dell, but I don't work for Dell). I'd like to find out who actually makes the laptops for Dell. I'd guess that Dell uses several of the major laptop ODM's.

by halo 18y ago

gunderson 18y ago

I haven't seen the M1330, but I have been burned twice by buying Dell laptops. This is after a run of about 3 great ones. The problem started when they went to the thick unrounded two-tone cases with silver on top (at least in the Inspiron line). A friend ordered one of their newer ones (with the led backlight, core 2 duo, etc.) and in spite of its > $2K pricetag it has terrible build quality and flexes and groans when picked up. It feels like a toy. I am not totally writing off Dell, but it's going to take a lot to win me back as a customer. To make matters worse, a few years ago I ordered a bunch of servers from their small business division and the way they do sales is totally annoying. The only person you can talk to is your own rep and if he's on the phone or out of the office you get voicemail. Also, if you don't negotiate hard (or buy small business stuff online) you get ripped by about 20% -- why can't they just publish a good price on the web and let people order it w/o having to talk to someone 3 times just so they take off that 20% markup? Back to laptops -- I got a high end Toshiba and it's been great.... surprisingly, far better (battery life, heat dissipation, build quality) than any of the Dells I've had.

Tamerlin 18y ago

"Dell are the biggest low-end computer manufacturer which are, for the most part, significantly cheaper than their competitors. You sacrifice build quality and design to get that." You do have to sacrifice SOMETHING, and you're right that it's usually build quality and design... but you can do better than Dell for the price: www.powernotebooks.com They have a 99% rating on Reseller Ratings, and I got a better price from them even though I can get a company discount buying from Dell (my employer buys a lot of stuff from Dell, but I don't work for Dell). I'd like to find out who actually makes the laptops for Dell. I'd guess that Dell uses several of the major laptop ODM's.