Dell Laptop Lemon?

[Point Break]

I transitioned to the Apple ecosystem about 12-15 years ago. It wasn’t an intentional transition, it started with a iPod for music and I thought it was a pretty cool critter. Then as this or that failed I wound up replacing with Apple this or that till I was completely Apple. I like it. It is expensive.

For a non IT person the setup and integration is simple, however I remember during the transition that stuff didn’t play well with non-Apple stuff. I suppose that’s intentional.

So far as reliability I’ve had good track record. My iMac desktop is a 2015 and it continues to hum along flawlessly. My MacBook Pro is 2018. Same. Mrs PB’s 2018 MacBook Air had a something or other keyboard problem. Out of warranty. Dropped it off, they diagnosed and called. $150 to fix. They fixed, picked it up and flawless since. That was 2020. All the other stuff in the ecosystem has been fine. Watches, phones, homepods, Apple TV x 3. Siri is the dumbest smart assistant on the planet. Apple Music has been awesome. Cloud storage as well.

For me the biggest advantage is I don’t like to tweak and tinker with settings etc. I don’t have to. The biggest downside is it is awfully expensive stuff. Like Festool. 🤣

Did I mention it’s expensive?

 

[billy backstay]

.............................Almost 100% of the time, any upgrade is an invitation for disaster and despair.

Folks talk about 10 years... I'm lucky to get 3-4

Which is why I am leaning towards Apple. I believe a decently spec Macbook can be bought for the same $800 I paid for the Dell 2 years ago. I am NOT a gamer or user who needs high spec performance. Other than the critical need for Quicken and Quickbooks for personal and business accounting, all I do is surf the web, manage our Airb'n'b, and use gmail. I don't care about any data whatsoever left on the old machine, so long as accounting is backed up on a thumb drive, and now being used on the backup HP.

 

[boomer]

And there really isn't a super obvious path to support.

The manufacturer websites are useless FAQ's for the most part.
Places like BestBuy or a local repair shop? I can't say I'm thrilled at the idea of someone poking about in all my files and photos. (though do they really care?)

Youtube?

Just throw it out whenever the inevitable software "upgrade" can no longer be postponed?

Almost 100% of the time, any upgrade is an invitation for disaster and despair.

Folks talk about 10 years... I'm lucky to get 3-4

If I don't have time to repair or do upgrades, I take my computer to a good reliable independent computer shop. When a new operating system is pushed on one, always make sure the device drivers will work with the new operating system. I say that with a caveat, device drivers can be found online for some but not all computers, that upgrade to a new system. One of my wife's clients upgraded to a the new Windows system, and everything worked except for the sound. He paid a professional to fix the sound, but the professional didn't dig deep enough for a device driver that would be compatible with his computer that worked with the new operating system. My wife told me the problem and I found a compatible third party device driver in a couple minutes, and I went down to the 90+ year old clients house, downloaded the device driver and we had sound, followed by the 90+ year old and I "high fiving." He said, I paid that computer expert a $100 for nothing, and you come over and fix my computer and won't take nothing. I replied, what do I know, I'm just a lowly knucle-dragging pilebuck.

I won't pay almost a $1000 for a Mac, and their computer components. The same with iphones - Apple phones used Intel modems, while all Androids used Qualcomm modems. PCMag tested the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Google Pixel 3, LG V40, and OnePlus 6T in 2018. They found that the Samsung Galaxy offered better reception than iPhones. However, the overall best performer was the LG V40. In general, Qualcomm phones maintained faster speeds longer and managed to work faster than Intel-powered iPhones in very low-signal conditions. Due to Qualcomm’s LTE-Advanced technology, and Apple’s hesitancy to roll out new technology the second it becomes available, Android phones pulled ahead in the reception race. While the difference is not significant, it can make a difference when trying to stay connected in rural areas......but, what do I know, I'm just a lowly knucle-dragging pilebuck. I will note that Apple constantly loosing business to reputable cell phone manufacturers, apparently upgraded their antenna or modem, on their high priced iphones last year - now I can actually communicate over the phone, with friends that have iphones, without the call sounding like they're underwater or them constantly dropping calls..

 

[Kurtz]

Luck of the draw, is what it sounds like. Dell has one of the best reputations for long lasting use. I have two engineer friends with 10+ year Dell workstation laptops, still performing quite well - I know that for a fact, as I called both yesterday after reading this thread. Looking online yesterday, Dell's still rate quite high. I did find a recent issue with some Dells having a problem with the charging jack, but that can happen to any manufacturer. 15 years ago I had the same problem with my commuting HP Pavilion laptop, the charging jack on the charger - which was luck of the draw, as our other two HP Pavilion laptops didn' t have the issue.

I don't do extended warranties - no matter what. Since 15 years ago - I do buy flagship models for desktop and laptops, just as we do with photographic gear, and they just perform, perform and perform. Our last three laptops we bought were HP Elitebook 8770W workstation laptops 11 years ago, one for myself, one for my wife and one for the boat, they all still work at fast high speeds. With easily removeable backs, can clean and service easily, plus room to add two more SSDs to each, with extra slots to add more ram, plus upgrade the graphics card and more. Yes - After 11 years, it's probably best for us to upgrade.

I'm still running an Elitebook 8560p, this thing gets abused - thrown in the tool bag dragged all around the country. It has never let me down. Weighs a ton and the battery life are the only issues. I wouldn't buy anything else.

 

[boomer]

I'm still running an Elitebook 8560p, this thing gets abused - thrown in the tool bag dragged all around the country. It has never let me down. Weighs a ton and the battery life are the only issues. I wouldn't buy anything else.

I still have a 8730W & a 8530W almost 16 years old and a 8540W 14 years old, for boat deliveries, field work, road trips and occasionally aboard as a backup or spare computer for the grandkids. Replacement batteries can be found on ebay. I also buy the large wedge shaped extra battery, which elevates the computer properly for typing, and both batteries should still be available on ebay. The Elitebooks take a beating and keep on running.

 

[boomer]

The FBI and other government agencies used Elitebooks.

Actually the FBI uses a variety of laptops from various manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Apple, and Lenovo, depending on the needs of the particular investigation. The laptops are usually equipped with Windows operating systems and built with powerful processors, RAM capacity, storage space, and security features.

Common computers used by the FBI include the HP EliteBook G6, Dell Precision 7820, and Microsoft Surface Pro 7.

Such features include encryption, fingerprint readers, password and biometric authentication, hardware-level security, secure boot, and other data security measures.

Even some of the Seal Teams used Elitebooks, or the Panasonic Tough Books, or the Panasonic Blackhawk Toughbooks, till they started using the gScreen, G400 dual-screen laptop - then some teams replaced some of those with the GRiD Defense Systems laptops.

GRiD Laptops

 

[Ventucky Red]

GRiD Laptops

There use to be a place in Camarillo that built these for DOD, DOJ, et al... and a buch of other speical needs portable computers users.

The internals (motherboard, processor, chips, etc...) we're all done in the USA under some close supervision. And all the emoloyees on the floor had background checks.

My brother got the contract to reconfigure the facility and get it ready to sell when they moved the oppoeration to Oklahoma and he hired the maintaince guy to help during the process. They had one area called "The Fort" that was a secured area for all the componants - looked more like a holding cell for 100 to me. From the what the old timer said, each and every piece was signed out when the builder needed them for a unit on a "special" order.

 

[billy backstay]

Not going to repair the Dell Lemon for half what it cost new, but have it returned in case we need something off the hard drive. Using older backup HP for now and probably purchase another new android laptop at some point, so I will still have the HP for backup use, if and when primary unit is not working properly......

 

[fufkin]

I started with Apple with the original Mac Plus with the black and white small screen with a 20 mega byte hard drive that weighed a few pounds.

My current laptop is a MacBook Pro with quad c ports, a very ample amount of processing power, and the very groovy task/touch bar that acts like a little mini iPad embedded in the above the keyboard.

Would I pay full price for something like this? Hell no. But do I like the value proposition of buying a 1-2 year old refurbished, with warranty, from an authorized Apple ReSeller? Hell yeah!

I think I’m on my third laptop in 25 years...so about 8 years a piece, they tend to conk out right about the time their operating systems are getting too outdated-all refurbished and never had a problem. They even equipped my current one with a brand new screen.

Just bought Mom a 7th gen IPad for 350 bucks Cdn. Refurbished but looks and acts brand new w the latest OS. It even comes in a box!

 

[justsomeguy!]

It even comes in a box!

Luxury.

 

[WhoaTed]

Luxury.

Oh, but to have a box to come in. All we had were women.

 

[Ease the sheet.]

Oh, but to have a box to come in. All we had were women.

'What's the definition of a vagina? The box a penis comes in.' - The Adventures of Ford Fairlane

Ford Fairlane: What's the definition of a vagina? The box a penis comes in.

clip.cafe

 

[hermetic]

There use to be a place in Camarillo that built these for DOD, DOJ, et al... and a buch of other speical needs portable computers users.

The internals (motherboard, processor, chips, etc...) we're all done in the USA under some close supervision. And all the emoloyees on the floor had background checks.

My brother got the contract to reconfigure the facility and get it ready to sell when they moved the oppoeration to Oklahoma and he hired the maintaince guy to help during the process. They had one area called "The Fort" that was a secured area for all the componants - looked more like a holding cell for 100 to me. From the what the old timer said, each and every piece was signed out when the builder needed them for a unit on a "special" order.

GSCS
Moved south when Tandy bought GRiD

 

[Ventucky Red]

GSCS
Moved south when Tandy bought GRiD

I have no idea what the company was called - but I can ask my brother.

 

[boomer]

I have no idea what the company was called - but I can ask my brother.

AST Computer acquired the US division of the company. AST was later acquired by Samsung, is called Grid Systems Corporation.

Grid Defence Systems formed in London, England by former employees during a management buyout of the former GRiD Computer Systems UK Ltd. in 1993. Currently the Grid computer brand still exist as Grid Defense Sytems, Ltd in the UK.

 

[Olsonist]

I bought a Dell XPS 13 9350 a few years ago for Linux. I could not get it to run. This was a mainstream laptop and I installed several distros and I could not get it to run more than 10 minutes without freezing. I reinstall Windows and gave it away.

But Asahi Linux runs pretty well on M1 MacBooks and Minis, screams actually. I don't use Windows; so dual booting Asahi and OSX works for me. The build quality of MacBooks is hard to beat.

 

[Bump-n-Grind]

I've had a couple refurbed Dell laptops. No real issues with either of them. came with non-dell batteries that actually survived quite a while before needing to be replaced.
Inspiron 5547 or something like that. I keep fending off Win 11. It forced itself on here once and I did a complete system restore back to 10.

I found a very good replacement battery for this thing a couple years ago.
if this thing is going to be sittin on my desk for long periods of time and not hauled around like a portable, I will pull the battery and stick the old one back in it. keeping this thing plugged into power all the time seems to kill a battery if it doesn't get to drain and get refilled.. I could be wrong about that, but it seems to work for me.

 

[hermetic]

AST Computer acquired the US division of the company. AST was later acquired by Samsung, is called Grid Systems Corporation.

Grid Defence Systems formed in London, England by former employees during a management buyout of the former GRiD Computer Systems UK Ltd. in 1993. Currently the Grid computer brand still exist as Grid Defense Sytems, Ltd in the UK.

Tandy bought GRiD (and GSCS) in the late 80's
AST bought Tandy's computer division, including GRiD in the mid 90's. GSCS had folded by then.
I have a GSCS hardened GRiD compass somewhere in my attic - unopened, unused, and still in it's sealed DOD carry case.

 

[billy backstay]

Question?

If I purchase a new laptop with Win11, will I have a problem using my backup HP with Win10, for general use? Email, browsing, Quicken and QuickBooks?

 

[boomer]

Tandy bought GRiD (and GSCS) in the late 80's
AST bought Tandy's computer division, including GRiD in the mid 90's. GSCS had folded by then.
I have a GSCS hardened GRiD compass somewhere in my attic - unopened, unused, and still in it's sealed DOD carry case.

My bad, I didn't explain it fully. Yes in 1988 Tandy bought GRiD. AST Computer acquired the US division of the company. AST was later acquired by Samsung.

By the mid-1990s, AST had severe problems in the highly competitive PC market. AST's prospect shrunk due to the strategy of offering premium models in an increasingly competitive personal computer market, while other top manufacturers slashed prices in direct competition with the cheapest clones. Revenues for 1996 were $2.1 billion, down from 1995 revenues of over $2.3 billion. In 1997, AST Research was wholly acquired by Samsung. At the time, Samsung owned 46 percent of AST and had offered to buy the remaining common shares. Prior to this move, Samsung had already owned a substantial stake and provided considerable financial support to keep AST going. By December, the number of employees was down to 1,900. In 1999, Samsung was forced to close the California-based computer maker after a string of losses and a mass defection of research talent. Samsung had invested US$1 billion in the company.

The AST trademark was sold to Beny Alagem, co-founder of Packard Bell, on January 10, 1999; Alagem also gained an exclusive license to the company's intellectual property. The deal was estimated at around $200 million in value according to one person familiar with its details. Alagem additionally invested $12.5 million into the formation of AST Computers, a separate, "Internet-driven" joint venture based in Los Angeles, with Alagem holding a 65 percent stake and Samsung holding a 35 percent stake; however, the venture failed to gain traction as the computer market slowed in late 2000, becoming moribund by 2004. Meanwhile, Samsung restructured the original AST as ARI Service to support its existing products until it was dissolved on February 28, 2001.

Grid Defence Systems formed in London, England by former employees during a management buyout of the former GRiD Computer Systems UK Ltd. in 1993.

The UK Grid company starts with a simply "GRiD 1###"-branded rugged laptop line, and in 1995 was reintroduced the GRiDCASE line. GRiD Defense System is still a viable defense contractor and still in the business, owned by GRiD UK.