Dell knowingly sold defective computers

[dobhar]

This is why i hate Dell. There stuff was always prone to breaking down.

Well, to be fair...Dell is the leader as far as I know in the desktop market to businesses and such. Therefore, with more machines on the desks, they are likely going to have problems.

I've worked in businesses supporting thousands of Dell desktops and hundreds of Dell Laptops and in my opinion....they have been solid. Regardless of brands you are going to have problems...and it's how the company handles them which really matters to me...and Dell for my companies has handled it very well.

+1 Completely Agree!

I also completely agree...I also work in an environment that uses over 500 Dell PC's (Optiplex, Precision, and Dimension). Yes, I have had to call Dell Tech for service on occasion and have had nothing but great service (Next Business Day). We also have quite a few Laptops (D6xx, D8xx, E43xx, E55xx, E64xx, and E65xx) and for most I have only had to make a few service calls on them and those were mostly mobo issues due to our users plugging and unplugging their NIC and Monitor cables. That's why were are now buying Docking stations.

Anyways all and all I have been quite happy with Dell...that's not to say that they did not do the right thing as per the article in Post #1.

 

[WindowsStar]

I have always wondered why one would buy a mass produced computer. Knowing that the very cheapest parts will be used to the penny. IMHO These types of companies concerns are shareholders first and customers second. If you can't build your own computer get with a reliable (in your community) computer builder. With consultation with such a business you can pick and choose the parts you need or will need. You can have one or more built as your needs might be. I have found the cost isn't much more. The point that Dell repaired most of the bad computers is not soothing. The big point is that they new or should of new that these computers where going to go bad and still make them that way and sold them. I don't own a computer business or sell computer parts.

Why does anyone buy a mass-produced car? How many people build their own cars?

A mass-produced refrigerator? How many people build their own 'fridges?

A mass-produced television? How many people build their own televisions?

We use these items everyday.

+1 Thank you.

 

[WindowsStar]

Why do people buy mass produced computers? Same reason they believe it when a popup from some website tells them their computer is massively infected, even though they got no warning from their antivirus... Because they don't know any better. It's not always cheaper at the start to build your own computer, but provided the chipset and component manufacturers aren't also doing the same thing on the product lines you happen to purchase that dell just got caught doing, you'll probably end up with something that outperforms anything you can buy at a big box store for the same money, with the added bonus of no trial or bloatware to slow it down and not as much chance of some catastrophic failure in the first few days, weeks or months.

That is a generalization I disagree with!! All my computers are mass produced, however I know enough not to click on pop ups, or believe a fake A/V. Some of us find it easier to just order and unistall the bloatware and go for it. I would build my own system if I had the time and patiance. I believe your comment was a little out of line for those of us who choose the convinience over the bragging right.

Like I said before I have owned Dell after Dell and not had one issue, They were solid and ran great! Dell is just the first to admit the fact they knowingly sold bad PC's. All the others have done it as well.

Geeve

+1

 

[WindowsStar]

Well, to be fair...Dell is the leader as far as I know in the desktop market to businesses and such. Therefore, with more machines on the desks, they are likely going to have problems.

I've worked in businesses supporting thousands of Dell desktops and hundreds of Dell Laptops and in my opinion....they have been solid. Regardless of brands you are going to have problems...and it's how the company handles them which really matters to me...and Dell for my companies has handled it very well.

+1 Completely Agree!

I also completely agree...I also work in an environment that uses over 500 Dell PC's (Optiplex, Precision, and Dimension). Yes, I have had to call Dell Tech for service on occasion and have had nothing but great service (Next Business Day). We also have quite a few Laptops (D6xx, D8xx, E43xx, E55xx, E64xx, and E65xx) and for most I have only had to make a few service calls on them and those were mostly mobo issues due to our users plugging and unplugging their NIC and Monitor cables. That's why were are now buying Docking stations.

Anyways all and all I have been quite happy with Dell...that's not to say that they did not do the right thing as per the article in Post #1.

And more +1 same here!

 

[Kari]

I have always wondered why one would buy a mass produced computer. Knowing that the very cheapest parts will be used to the penny...

Are you interested in betting? Here's something I'll bet everything I have it's true.

Let's count all the driver, hardware incompatibility, installation, crash & BSOD and other original threads on Seven Forums, threads with a problem with installation and / or use of Windows.

I'll bet that the number of these issues, or threads, is lowest among the users of a "mass produced" computer with a pre-installed Windows 7. Next comes the group of users with a "mass produced" computer migrating from other operating systems.

The winner, the group that starts the most of the problem threads, is those calling them computer builders. To start with it, the whole term is wrong. Assembling a PC from industrially made, bought components is nothing but assembling. It's not building. Be it a non-working piece of hardware, crashing PC, any type of issue, new thread, in most of the cases you'll find the OP has a self assembled computer.

I have assembled quite a few PC's myself. I like it, it's a good hobby. I have nothing against it. Sometimes you simply can not find a PC that has the specs you want, so you'll have to buy the parts and assemble it yourself.

I honestly believe that what I mentioned above is true. I personally believe this is at least partly because, sorry to say this, when talking about average users those assembling their computers themselves quite often seem to have a little bit too positive opinion of the level of their own knowledge and expertise. Please notice I'm not talking in general; I just mention a tendency that comes quite clear when you read the problem threads.

We have some fabulous experts among us, nice rigs to see for instance in Show Us Your Rig thread. Some of the geeks could most certainly really build their rigs, not only assemble. I was talking about average Joe. I hope you geeks don't take me wrong. The above mentioned is based on my own observations, it's not official statistics. Still, as we say in Finnish, I will stand behind my words.

Kari

 

[Romulinx2]

I have never liked Dell computers because of the cheap and (on earlier models) non standard format.
I even have a nick name for them: Dell Boy computers.
Wouldn't touch them!

 

[GTS]

Thanx

 

[WindowsStar]

I have always wondered why one would buy a mass produced computer. Knowing that the very cheapest parts will be used to the penny...

Are you interested in betting? Here's something I'll bet everything I have it's true.

Let's count all the driver, hardware incompatibility, installation, crash & BSOD and other original threads on Seven Forums, threads with a problem with installation and / or use of Windows.

I'll bet that the number of these issues, or threads, is lowest among the users of a "mass produced" computer with a pre-installed Windows 7. Next comes the group of users with a "mass produced" computer migrating from other operating systems.

The winner, the group that starts the most of the problem threads, is those calling them computer builders. To start with it, the whole term is wrong. Assembling a PC from industrially made, bought components is nothing but assembling. It's not building. Be it a non-working piece of hardware, crashing PC, any type of issue, new thread, in most of the cases you'll find the OP has a self assembled computer.

I have assembled quite a few PC's myself. I like it, it's a good hobby. I have nothing against it. Sometimes you simply can not find a PC that has the specs you want, so you'll have to buy the parts and assemble it yourself.

I honestly believe that what I mentioned above is true. I personally believe this is at least partly because, sorry to say this, when talking about average users those assembling their computers themselves quite often seem to have a little bit too positive opinion of the level of their own knowledge and expertise. Please notice I'm not talking in general; I just mention a tendency that comes quite clear when you read the problem threads.

We have some fabulous experts among us, nice rigs to see for instance in Show Us Your Rig thread. Some of the geeks could most certainly really build their rigs, not only assemble. I was talking about average Joe. I hope you geeks don't take me wrong. The above mentioned is based on my own observations, it's not official statistics. Still, as we say in Finnish, I will stand behind my words.

Kari

+1

 

[WindowsStar]

I have never liked Dell computers because of the cheap and (on earlier models) non standard format.
I even have a nick name for them: Dell Boy computers.
Wouldn't touch them!

And that is what makes computers so great, freedom of choice.

And we can both have difference of opinions.

 

[toughbook]

You guys sure no how to get off topic! Dell is not a computer manufacture, they simply assemble the parts that are made from outsourcing. They may have some engineering going on and such, but if you really think about it we all pretty much use 2 of the major Chip makers, etc. It's the companies that assemble these parts in such a manner that will not cause problems down the road is what I like. You don't put certian componenets next to each other, etc.

Dell cornered the market on the Business side in the early 90's. It was there business decision to go after that market. JIt could have just as well been HP.

Just remember one thing guys, it pretty much rings true 95% of the time. You get what you pay for.

You want basic transportation that will pretty much have no great resale down the road, a car that you have a 50/50 chance of it starting when you turn the key? Go purchase a GM, Ford or Dodge product. Or do you want a car that is dependable, great resale value when you go to trade up in 10 years, one that you are pretty darn sure it's going to start when you turn the key? Go by a Toyota or Lexus.

Again, you get what you pay for. There is a manufacture out there for every type of person. That's what makes this such a great Country. We have choices that WE can decide upon. When we hear about such stories like Dell, it makes a certain % of people remember when it comes to buying.

Yes I do work on cars for a living and know what I speak of.

 

[Win7User512]

You want basic transportation that will pretty much have no great resale down the road, a car that you have a 50/50 chance of it starting when you turn the key? Go purchase a GM, Ford or Dodge product. Or do you want a car that is dependable, great resale value when you go to trade up in 10 years, one that you are pretty darn sure it's going to start when you turn the key? Go by a Toyota or Lexus.

Again, you get what you pay for. There is a manufacture out there for every type of person. That's what makes this such a great Country. We have choices that WE can decide upon. When we hear about such stories like Dell, it makes a certain % of people remember when it comes to buying.

Yes I do work on cars for a living and know what I speak of.

Those Toyotas sure are working out just fine--between the brakes and faulty engines...

FOXNews.com - Toyota Recalling More Than 90,000 Vehicles in Japan

 

[JonM33]

First reported by the New York Times, the computers were sold in a two-year period from 2003 to 2005, and were sold to educational institutions, large companies such as Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo, organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, and others.

Read more at: Unsealed court documents reveal Dell knew it sold faulty computers | Tech Policy & Law News - Betanews

from betanews.com

This was well known. Their slim Optiplex GX270 desktops had serious heat issues and motherboard capacitors went out all the time.

 

[Win7User512]

Weren't the Optiplexes supposed to be better quality, better specs than the Dimensions? The Opti's were the business-oriented machines (not counting servers).

 

[JonM33]

Weren't the Optiplexes supposed to be better quality, better specs than the Dimensions? The Opti's were the business-oriented machines (not counting servers).

Not sure but when I was in IT in the USAF during the years the GX270 was released I can say that they sure died quite a bit. It was always the same thing, the capacitors on the motherboard. Nearly every Dell rep that I called would completely understand the moment they got the service tag.

Usually they were always the same capacitors, the ones in a row between the I/O panel and CPU socket. Once in a while there would be bad ones near the RAM slots.

 

[Win7User512]

Weren't the Optiplexes supposed to be better quality, better specs than the Dimensions? The Opti's were the business-oriented machines (not counting servers).

Not sure but when I was in IT in the USAF during the years the GX270 was released I can say that they sure died quite a bit. It was always the same thing, the capacitors on the motherboard. Nearly every Dell rep that I called would completely understand the moment they got the service tag.

Usually they were always the same capacitors, the ones in a row between the I/O panel and CPU socket. Once in a while there would be bad ones near the RAM slots.

Wow that is terrible. They look "rusted" with that brown goo on them.

 

[JonM33]

Wow that is terrible. They look "rusted" with that brown goo on them.

It was the heat that built up and caused the liquid capacitors to swell and rupture. That is why a lot of motherboard manufacturers are using solid capacitors now. They have a MUCH higher heat tolerance.

The slim Optiplex GX270 used a single exhaust blower type fan over the CPU. That wasn't so bad until you closed the case. The hot running hard drive and memory sat cramped within the case. There were no vents in the front to help promote airflow. It was a poor design on Dell's part.

 

[toughbook]

You want basic transportation that will pretty much have no great resale down the road, a car that you have a 50/50 chance of it starting when you turn the key? Go purchase a GM, Ford or Dodge product. Or do you want a car that is dependable, great resale value when you go to trade up in 10 years, one that you are pretty darn sure it's going to start when you turn the key? Go by a Toyota or Lexus.

Again, you get what you pay for. There is a manufacture out there for every type of person. That's what makes this such a great Country. We have choices that WE can decide upon. When we hear about such stories like Dell, it makes a certain % of people remember when it comes to buying.

Yes I do work on cars for a living and know what I speak of.

Those Toyotas sure are working out just fine--between the brakes and faulty engines...

FOXNews.com - Toyota Recalling More Than 90,000 Vehicles in Japan

And yet they still lead the industry with the highest brand loyalty figures, The lowest DPM % as well. You must be a Dell Fan boy:shock:

 

[Win7User512]

You want basic transportation that will pretty much have no great resale down the road, a car that you have a 50/50 chance of it starting when you turn the key? Go purchase a GM, Ford or Dodge product. Or do you want a car that is dependable, great resale value when you go to trade up in 10 years, one that you are pretty darn sure it's going to start when you turn the key? Go by a Toyota or Lexus.

Again, you get what you pay for. There is a manufacture out there for every type of person. That's what makes this such a great Country. We have choices that WE can decide upon. When we hear about such stories like Dell, it makes a certain % of people remember when it comes to buying.

Yes I do work on cars for a living and know what I speak of.

Those Toyotas sure are working out just fine--between the brakes and faulty engines...

FOXNews.com - Toyota Recalling More Than 90,000 Vehicles in Japan

And yet they still lead the industry with the highest brand loyalty figures, The lowest DPM % as well. You must be a Dell Fan boy:shock:

Not at all. Notice the sarcasm in my post (including wink emoticon).

My point is that almost all products will have their faults--unintentional and intentional (like Dell, Toyota).

Not a fanboy. And you'll never hear me cheerlead for them. I have bought 3 Dells in the past (a desktop, 2 laptops) and was burned on one laptop (check my previous posts) when the screen went out after the 2 year mark.

I am more cautious than ever when looking at new PCs or when people ask my advice on what to buy. I do more research now than ever before on product reviews when it comes to PCs.

Another instance: I was burned by a Western Digital external HD that stopped working within a month of having it. I have since switched to Seagate at least for the time being. Now I am more careful and choosier when purchasing drives.

I'm not saying Toyotas are bad, GMs are bad, Fords are bad, or Dells are bad. You just have to be careful to the extent that you can be.

Just as Thomas Jefferson said about gov't: "Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty."

So too is the price of consumer products.

 

[Win7User512]

You guys sure no how to get off topic! Dell is not a computer manufacture, they simply assemble the parts that are made from outsourcing. They may have some engineering going on and such, but if you really think about it we all pretty much use 2 of the major Chip makers, etc. It's the companies that assemble these parts in such a manner that will not cause problems down the road is what I like. You don't put certian componenets next to each other, etc.

Dell cornered the market on the Business side in the early 90's. It was there business decision to go after that market. JIt could have just as well been HP.

Just remember one thing guys, it pretty much rings true 95% of the time. You get what you pay for.

You want basic transportation that will pretty much have no great resale down the road, a car that you have a 50/50 chance of it starting when you turn the key? Go purchase a GM, Ford or Dodge product. Or do you want a car that is dependable, great resale value when you go to trade up in 10 years, one that you are pretty darn sure it's going to start when you turn the key? Go by a Toyota or Lexus.

Again, you get what you pay for. There is a manufacture out there for every type of person. That's what makes this such a great Country. We have choices that WE can decide upon. When we hear about such stories like Dell, it makes a certain % of people remember when it comes to buying.

Yes I do work on cars for a living and know what I speak of.

Btw, I have meant to ask why you feel Toyotas and Lexus are the best. I have driven neither, but would just like to know for future reference.

 

[pparks1]

Weren't the Optiplexes supposed to be better quality, better specs than the Dimensions? The Opti's were the business-oriented machines (not counting servers).

Typically yes...the Optiplex's have better specs, usually cost more and are often more reliable. However, there are problems with any product here and there and the fact that it's an Optiplex doesn't lessen that.