My new DELL INSPIRON 15R crashed on the first day!. Review on Dell Inspiron 15

I was a very contended person with my locally assembled desktop PC working loyally for the last 9yrs till I decided to buy a new branded laptop. After extensive researching I finally bought my new inspiron 15R laptop - i3-330M, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HDD, 512MB ATI Radeon graphics card with windows 7 OS, directly from dell.

Started it on 29.5.2010, was satisfied with performance. On 30.5.2010, the system crashed after showing a blurred blue screen for a few seconds(less than 12 hrs passed since I first switched it on). This happened while I was trying to install new softwares. It will restart but will not advance further from the initial startup repair process- it says there is a boot configuration error. Obviously, the system needed a reinstallation of windows. I could not find the OS CD with the shipped items, so I called up dell only then I came to know that they are not shipping the windows CD with the system these days, Only in situations like this, they will send the CD and now I am waiting for the CD to come- which is going to take 7 more days.

Shouldn't I call this cheating? we are paying for the OS, then why dont they send the CD also?

Luckily as per the advice of my friends(All their laptops developed hardware problems within 2 yrs) who already own DELL systems, I had taken 3 yr complete cover accidental damage protection for an additional Rs8500/- . The company says they will replace the system if any damage occurs.i will have to wait and see.

will update how dell is going to handle my problem.

So folks.dont be under the impression that by paying extra money for super-branded laptops you are going to have a peace of mind. Also the most important thing while buying a dell laptop(for that matter any laptop), is to take maximum warranty. 3 yr is minimum. even if that means you will have to dish out a few thousands more.

5.6.2010.I AM LUCKY ATLAST!

hey friends,

my problem got solved when I received my Windows 7 CD after a wait period of 7days. even with the CD I could not boot the system. But after phoning the dell technical support, I did a debugging(over the phone asper their instructions) and after that the installing of windows was very easy. total time spend over the phone=45mts. One thing I understood was the dell technicalsupport team was very good and they made 3 follow up calls also over the next 3-4days making sure my laptop was working fine. I bet you will have no problem from the dell support guys in case of problems like this provided you have a good mobile connection and the patience to sit for long time in front of your system with your mobile.

also, you can ask their guys to come to your house and get the system fixed if you are not familiar with the installation process

Other wise my system is working excellent.

I still am missing my windows XP because that was a very simple OS to work with, Windows 7 is a bit difficult to get along with, but I am getting used to it now. I guess we better learn windows 7 because its the latest OS and it will be difficult in the future to get all the softwares to work with XP. anyway it is better than Vista. some of the old softwares which works well with XP is not compatable with Win7.

My battery back up is only 1.5-2hrs, guess its because I selected the default 6 cell battery. Any body has solid infomation on how to get long battery life? some say you should drain the battery and recharge it each time but some say its ok to work with your AC adapter connection on.

So finally I would say dell is not a bad choice considering the facility to configure online and the broad price ranges in which dell models are available.

My suggestions to guys planning to takedell laptop.

1. choose a better colour. my default obsidian black is boring.other colours will cost only 600+ extra

   
   




2. choose a 9-cell battery for 1500 extra.i think it is worth the price, 6cell battery will last only 1.5-2hrs which means you will have to pluggin in between watching a movie or playing a game.

   
   




3. the taurus laptop case which I opted for 800 extra is not at all spacious.you cannot put anything else inside once you put th the laptop. go for the belkin back pack-you can pack your miscellaneous items also with the laptop.

   
   

4.a mouse is a must.opt for the dell optical/laser mouse.good quality, same price as in open market

1. MOST IMPORTANT. get the maximum guarantee whatever brand you choose. when I researched for my laptop, I came across studies in internet showing that more than 80% laptops develop hardware problems within 3 yrs. these studies also show the brands which lasts longer.

the experience of my own friends who took laptops of various companies too proved this .none of their laptops lasted 3 yrs. getting a laptop repaired is costly business. So by shelling out some extra thousands you are bringing in peace of mind. iopted for the 3 YR COMPLETE COVER ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE for Rs 8500/- extra.i had to coz I have a 2 yr old naughty daughter who is more curious about my laptop than myself!

getting extended warranty after the default 1 yr warranty expires is very costly.

Hope my review was useful.

All the best for you ppl

4.8.2011

my charger stopped working . But it was very promptly replaced within 3 working days by the dell service  people. thanks to the complete cover protection, I was not charged a penny.

my laptop is working very fine. no problems yet.