I was wondering if anyone on here uses a special size or brand of screwdriver when working on Dell laptops.

The reason I ask is because we support a number of Dells here at the office, and my team mostly has an el cheapo laptop repair kit with a very cheap universal screwdriver set. I've noticed that the phillips head of the screwdriver doesn't seem to set very well into the Dell screws on the bottom of the laptop. If not enough force is applied to the screw, the screw will strip very easily.

That said, I did a motherboard replacement on a D630 last week, and have to admit that Dell makes it very easy compared to some manufacturers (except of course, for their cheap screws)

I use a set of "electrical" screwdriver set, with some magnetic at the tip. They are hard steel with good handles. A $20 set (6 in a set) would do.

cheers ...

Most cheapy laptop sets don't have a #1 Phillips screwdriver. The biggest they have is a #0. Most of the screws on Dell Laptops work best with a #1 Phillips. #0 is too small and that's why you're getting the heads rounded out.

I personally have This set. works great and has any bit you'd ever think of would be on a Laptop. Including that elusive #1 bit.