mark
May 25th, 2008, 01:05 PM
I bought one of the first e1505n Inspiron laptops and I was happy with it. Ubuntu Linux was fully supported, as was Windows XP Professional (a business requirement).
Unfortunately, a hardware problem developed (intermittent flashing of the display), which resulted in multiple calls to Dell. This resulted in no less than 2 shipments to their repair depot, leading to the same problem (they never replaced the main board). Finally, they said they would ship me a replacement system, which they did, in the instance of the Inspiron 1525n.
OK, I didn't like it (in terms of the keyboard, touchpad or media controls) but they worked with Ubuntu. The problem came when I tried to install Windows XP. Unlike the 1505, the 1525 only supported Vista. I need XP for business purposes. However, when I attempted to install XP, I was told that I needed a SATA disk driver, right from the git-go.
I've been back and forth with Dell, including almost 4 hours on the phone with them this morning, just to get the same level of functionality I had with the 1505 - to no avail. Ultimately, one of their "Customer Care" representatives hung up on me, saying repeatedly that the system was "performing as designed". They will not make this purchase good.
I will personally never buy another system from Dell, and will discourage anybody I can from buying from them.
I will look to a supplier like System 1776 or others for future laptop purchases. As for the current disposition of the machine, I use it to play music - a $600.00 jukebox. I'm not happy...
Unfortunately, a hardware problem developed (intermittent flashing of the display), which resulted in multiple calls to Dell. This resulted in no less than 2 shipments to their repair depot, leading to the same problem (they never replaced the main board). Finally, they said they would ship me a replacement system, which they did, in the instance of the Inspiron 1525n.
OK, I didn't like it (in terms of the keyboard, touchpad or media controls) but they worked with Ubuntu. The problem came when I tried to install Windows XP. Unlike the 1505, the 1525 only supported Vista. I need XP for business purposes. However, when I attempted to install XP, I was told that I needed a SATA disk driver, right from the git-go.
I've been back and forth with Dell, including almost 4 hours on the phone with them this morning, just to get the same level of functionality I had with the 1505 - to no avail. Ultimately, one of their "Customer Care" representatives hung up on me, saying repeatedly that the system was "performing as designed". They will not make this purchase good.
I will personally never buy another system from Dell, and will discourage anybody I can from buying from them.
I will look to a supplier like System 1776 or others for future laptop purchases. As for the current disposition of the machine, I use it to play music - a $600.00 jukebox. I'm not happy...