I received my replacement computer on Friday and, so far, everything seems to be working fine (though I did have to spend a few hours this weekend re-loading all my software). But as soon as I resolved my problems, another member of my family descended into Dell Hell.
Is it possible that this is a Goldberg problem?
I’m just asking… 🙂
I don’t think it’s just a Goldberg problem. I have my own tales of Dell Hell.
There are 2 Dell Inspiron laptops sitting in my house right now that literally died on the same day about 18 months ago. They were replaced by lovely Sony Vaios that have been nothing but a pleasure to work with. Their customer service is even pretty good.
Asthetically, I think the XPS M1330 is the best looking Dell laptop ever…and it’s much lighter than any other Dell I’ve owned. If it keeps working as it has over the last day or so, I will be very happy…though I’m pretty sure this probably my last Dell. The Macbook Air is the first Apple that’s tempted me.
Lee
After years of wrestling with Windows in all its flavors, from 3.1 on to XP, I recently jumped to a Macbook Pro, and I have done died and gone to Heaven. Not died and gone, DONE died.
Simple. Slick. Effective. Software that actually works first click out. Software that is more efficient, more user friendly, and much less expensive. It’s not without flaws, but it’s a damned sight better than Windows.
Fortunately, I haven’t had any significant problems with the many Dells I own (or have owned).
But there’s no excuse for the rotten customer service they’ve provided you. It’s like they’re trying to be a cell phone company or something.
One day you’ll leave the Dark Side and come to the light of Mac.
No more viruses, no more spyware, no more popups, almost no spam, and no tech support from the other side of the planet – you just walk into the Apple store, but that’s only on the RARE occasion anything is wrong.
Come toward the light, Lee.
I haven’t had any Dell hell experiences, but I wouldn’t want a service tech to come. Service isn’t what it used to be no question and it seems the customer is always wrong nowadays.
I don’t know how those Geek Squad guys are. If I hadn’t gotten my Dell 1405, I would have gone with a Panasonic toughbook. You can turn the hose on them and drop them from two stories. They can survive an IED attack. Sadly, not many people can.
Lee,
I wrote a couple days about about my Dell Hell story but your blog wouldn’t take my entry. Cut to the chase: I threatened to throw a brand new PC through the store window if they didn’t take it back. They did.
Today’s NYTimes has a great story about a guy who had to pay a rent-a-geek to perform an exorcism on his new Dell. Hope the link works, cuz its worth a read:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/business/smallbusiness/09pursuits.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
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