Hello to everybody,
I'd like to post my story about the Dell SmartStep 250N laptop. First I'll list the system stats and then I'll list my problem.
System Information:
- Pentium 4 running at 2.2GHz in full power mode
- 1x 256 MB DDR266
- ATI Mobility Radeon, 32MB
- 15,1" TFT (1400 x1050 Pixel)
- 40 GB, IBM Travelstar 40GN (IC25N040ATCS04-0)
ATA-5, 4200 rpm
The problem: OVERHEATING.
The issue with this system is that it was installed with a CPU design for desktop computers, I think it might have been one of the first of it's kind (P4) offered by Dell. What happens is once the system reached a certain temperature, it shuts down with no warning.
We've returned the system 4 times to Dell and it's over a year old. One of the biggest problems here is the heatsink and the cooling system are just not sufficient for the system.. so you could be using WordPerfect or playing a game.. and it will still shutdown at some point. Sometimes it's after an hour and others it's after 5 minutes. Very fickle.
We have an extended warranty which lasts for 2 years which will soon expire. Dell has not offered to replace the system, they've not offered any viable solution and worst of all, they've not even admitted that there's a problem.
I've visited the Dell user forums and seen about 900 complaints about this model and there's no one who's gotten a satisfactory response from Dell regarding this huge line of systems.
It's not an isolated problem and I (as with many others) have come to the conclusion that the systems are defective and Dell has NOT even yet admitted that there's a problem.
So if you want to purchase a laptop, DO NOT purchase a Dell.. You will be throwing your money down the drain for a defective and poorly built/designed system/
PS. I have a friend who recently purchased a different Dell system and has already run into problems with defective hardware.
I'd like to post my story about the Dell SmartStep 250N laptop. First I'll list the system stats and then I'll list my problem.
System Information:
- Pentium 4 running at 2.2GHz in full power mode
- 1x 256 MB DDR266
- ATI Mobility Radeon, 32MB
- 15,1" TFT (1400 x1050 Pixel)
- 40 GB, IBM Travelstar 40GN (IC25N040ATCS04-0)
ATA-5, 4200 rpm
The problem: OVERHEATING.
The issue with this system is that it was installed with a CPU design for desktop computers, I think it might have been one of the first of it's kind (P4) offered by Dell. What happens is once the system reached a certain temperature, it shuts down with no warning.
We've returned the system 4 times to Dell and it's over a year old. One of the biggest problems here is the heatsink and the cooling system are just not sufficient for the system.. so you could be using WordPerfect or playing a game.. and it will still shutdown at some point. Sometimes it's after an hour and others it's after 5 minutes. Very fickle.
We have an extended warranty which lasts for 2 years which will soon expire. Dell has not offered to replace the system, they've not offered any viable solution and worst of all, they've not even admitted that there's a problem.
I've visited the Dell user forums and seen about 900 complaints about this model and there's no one who's gotten a satisfactory response from Dell regarding this huge line of systems.
It's not an isolated problem and I (as with many others) have come to the conclusion that the systems are defective and Dell has NOT even yet admitted that there's a problem.
So if you want to purchase a laptop, DO NOT purchase a Dell.. You will be throwing your money down the drain for a defective and poorly built/designed system/
PS. I have a friend who recently purchased a different Dell system and has already run into problems with defective hardware.