The Digital Awakening » Dell XPS M1330

My Dell XPS M1330 Zapped Me

Peter Tan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:04:04 +0000

I just got hit by an electrical shock when my left index finger touched the brushed aluminium panel encasing the touchpad of my laptop. The discharge was strong enough to give me a jolt me and temporarily numbed the tip of the finger. A search on Google revealed that this problem occurs in Dell XPS series, MacBook Pro and other makes of laptops with similar metal panels. I am currently using the Dell XPS M1330. Hopefully, this is just a static discharge instead of an electrical leakage of the system. My laptop is already connected to the power socket via a three-pin plug.

Wuan’s Malayan Tiger Photo Sold For US$275

Peter Tan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:11:16 +0000

Maureen, an agent for a book publisher in the USA, got in touch with me a while back to buy the North American rights for the above photo that Wuan took at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah. The offer was US$150 for one time rights or US$275 for future rights. We opted for the latter for all print and electronic ancillaries. We used the earning that amounted to RM876.29 (RM887.95 before deducting bank commission) for a 38L Aipo dry cabinet to store the Nikon D60 and a Lowepro Fastpack 250 backpack that can accommodate the DSLR and my notebook.

Dell XPS M1330 Extended Warranty Offer

Peter Tan — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:50:43 +0000

Dell offered a 2-year extended warranty after I sent in a email complaining about the problem with the XPS M1330 and I had accepted. The initial offer was a one-to-one exchange for the notebook or a 1-year extended warranty. I am still waiting for the confirmation and further details from Dell.

My Broken Dell XPS M1330 Repaired

Peter Tan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:57:48 +0000

The engineer came as arranged to replace the motherboard. I did not know disassembling a notebook can be so easy. And I also did not know that Dell replaces faulty parts under warranty with refurbished ones. I am not happy with this. I paid for a new laptop but barely four days later I get a refurbished replacement for a faulty part.

That aside, Dell’s service is excellent. They also have a Total Satisfaction Policy where purchasers may return the merchandise within 14 days from the date of invoice for replacement or a refund or credit of the product purchase price. I have not decided if I want to keep this notebook especially when a major hardware problem have cropped up so early after purchase. This episode has shaken my confidence in Dell’s products.

I Am Not Dead But My New Notebook Is!

Peter Tan — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:18:39 +0000

Yes! I am still alive! The slate of unsavoury news on my health of late has neither affected me emotionally nor physically. The lack of update is because I have been busy the whole of last week. Wuan and I were back in Penang to pack up some of my personal belongings prior to putting up the apartment for sale. We were in Ipoh too for a bit of pigging out.

The old notebook which is an Acer Travelmate 2403NWXCi has been with me for two and a half years already. It has gone with me to Tokyo right smack in the middle of winter for two weeks. Thereafter, it went with me to Bangkok for three weeks. We were in Seoul for one week last autumn. It has served me well without a glitch. The only disadvantage about this faithful notebook is its weight. It is a tad bigger too to be carried around.

I ordered the Dell XPS M1330 the Friday before I left for Penang. It was delivered last Friday. I was looking through some photos just now when it suddenly shut down without any warning. It could not be booted up after that. Frankly speaking, I am disappointed with Dell. Four days of use only and it has already given me a major problem. The engineer will come tomorrow. In the meantime, I have to use my old trusty notebook for a little longer.