I have a Dell Lattitude P150 (yes outdated I know) that I spilt a full glass of red wine into. It was still running so I turned it off took it over to the sink and ran the tap water though it while holding it on it's side and gave it a good flush out. I then pulled the HD, battery and anything else I could out of it and after partially removed the casing from the back I laid it face down on a towel for 3-4 days to dry out. After 4 days I plugged it back in and it has run flawlessly ever since.

So generally I'd say Dell is reasonably reliable. I did have to get my screen repaired after about 12 months of first buying it though.

 

dell really isnt that great. have had several laptops(including the one i'm one right now) and most of the computers at my office are dell. overall their product is just ok, the service is horrible, however financing is simple and they readily give it out. prices are also very good. however, if we are talking quality, i dont think you can even touch ibm. granted the price of ibm laptops make them very unatainable. remember all this is based on my own experience, so if Mr Dell is out there on this board, i apologize, but am willing to take a new, top of the line laptop.....

 

Everything goes in cycles. For a while I didn't think that there was anything that could touch a Dell computer, now, I think otherwise.

You are right, I do think that IBM makes a great laptop. The are also very proud of it!

 

Dell makes an awesome computer. I'm on my second Dell laptop and will be on a third once it's time for a new one.

Here is the support number if you haven't found it yet. 1-800-274-3355 ext. 67405 (laptop support extension)

If it's really displaying a HDD error they will replace it with no questions. At least they have in the past for me and it is usually a one day turn around time.

 

I'm on Dell both at home (laptop), and work (desktop), and have no problems with them. The only problem (with the laptop) that I've had is my screen separating from the base. E-mailed dell and they sent the information to have it picked up at my door. Got it back about 3 days latter, and everything is fine now. With not shutting down, that sounds more like a software problem then something Dell has done. Might want to try and reformat the hard drive, and start from scratch.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by taylor01
[B]You are right, I do think that IBM makes a great laptop.

 

Laptops, in general, are always going to have more problems than desktops. It's just the nature of the beast. Dell is among the best and if you have any problems, they WILL fix it. Just be patient Richard, you might have to be on hold for a while but they'll take care of you. I've actually had them replace laptops that were almost a year old with a newer model just to keep us happy.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by not_a_z3
[B] With not shutting down, that sounds more like a software problem then something Dell has done.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ltweintz
[B]

I take it you have never had to support IBM laptops?

 

Oh man...and you still like them? Guess you had better luck with their support staff than I did. I even had ESS support level and still thought they sucked. Plus having to take apart a whole laptop for just a HD upgrade?