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D820 Build Quality - Disappointed in Latch - Page 2

post #21 of 31
6/13/06 at 8:16pm
That whine could be the backlight inverter on the LCD. My D820 doesn't do it.
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post #22 of 31
6/13/06 at 9:04pm
I thought so too, but when I turn the monitor off, the sound is still there. Wouldn't the inverter turn off with the LCD? Check my orignal thread on this and see what I've done to test it so far. If you have any other ideas, please let me know. This noise issue is the only thing that's keeping me from really enjoying this computer...
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post #23 of 31
6/13/06 at 11:55pm
Thread Starter 
I do like the feature set on D820, no doubt. But the two issues I am encountering (play in the latch when shut and not laying flat when LCD open) are things that I would encounter each and every day. So while seemingly minor, the frequency in which I encounter them makes then bigger issues.

I will probably just return it, I don't want to wait to allow them to fix it then run out of my 21 day return period. I would like to give them an opportunity to correct the issues but I want to retain the right to return it if they don't fix it to my satisfaction.
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post #24 of 31
6/14/06 at 3:45am
The whine comes from the motherboard near the cpu. It's only present when Microsoft's HALT function is working.The HALT function let's the cpu go to sleep mode when it's not used and that is why the buzzing noise called "cpu whine".

The problem is that the HALT function causes some kind of electrical interference to the motherboard components. This is actually quite common problem with notebooks. I'd say it's 50% Microsoft's problem and 50% manufactor's problem. If the components are high quality and they are placed right, the problem does not exist. I know one D820 which was sent to Dell to be fixed and they did fix it. It doesn't whine at all anymore.
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post #25 of 31
6/17/06 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
The Dell service tech came out yesterday. They sent him a new set of feet (to correct the issue that the laptop was not sitting flat) and a new latch (to correct the issues the the latch doesn't shut tight).

The tech replaced the latch (although it looked no different) and now there isn very little, if any, play in it. Satisfied.

Replacing the feet didn't help the issue the the laptop rocks slightly between two 'high' feet. It's annoying... he recommended sanding down a rubber foot or asking Dell to send out a new base plastic piece and replace the whole thing. I don't have the time or motivation to sand a foot down on a $2000 computer.

Now that I've actually used the machine, I'm not at all impressed with the display. It seems that Dell's displays have went down hill from the I8600 > D810 > D820. I also notice alot of dithering (name?) in movies where the background goes from light to dark. Very noticeable on on DVD on the D820 vs the D810. D810 looks alot better (X600 GPU). Also, since the tech replaced the screen I notice that it's alot more subject to 'bounce'... when I move the lid slightly it jiggles the LCD. Didn't happen before the tech opened up the lid to replace the latch.

It's going back, I guess I'll wait until Dell's quality standards come up.

By the way, their SB tech support people are great and the onsite guy (although not a Dell employee) was ok too but I have to wonder if something he did caused the LCD 'jiggle'. I just wish their hardware was of a similiar quality.
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post #26 of 31
6/17/06 at 6:43pm
My E1405 has the same issue, the latch is too long creating wiggle room between the screen and the laptop. You'd think that after having the same chassis for the E1405 around for so long, (XPS M140 was the P-M version), that it'd be ironed out and same with the LCD, but i guess not.

Nonetheless i'm still pretty satisfied with my new laptop. It's my first, however i've used an IBM T40 and Latitude D600(maybe 610?) from my work.
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post #27 of 31
6/21/06 at 1:11am
It's because you haven't seen a seven year old Thinkpad 600...

Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryjoson
My M65 has about 1 millimeter of play when its closed if you squeeze the two halfs together,I certainly don't think this is anything to get hot and bothered over
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post #28 of 31
6/21/06 at 3:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikemex
It's because you haven't seen a seven year old Thinkpad 600...


Please explain ?
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post #29 of 31
6/21/06 at 3:50am
Wow. I have had a M70 (D810 with serious gpu) for a year, and never had any design or engineering problems. After the creaky old monster the i8100, it is just wonderful. Great keyboard, portable enough, even has a good latch. D820 is of interest for our next laptop - just for functionality (weight of D610 with a 15.4" screen). Maybe should go for a D620...I get worried when people suggest quality problems. I expect that from the Inspiron; not the Latitude/Precision.
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post #30 of 31
6/21/06 at 6:18pm
Christ you people complain a lot..

I'm satisfied with my D820.. the latch does keep the panel open a little bit, but believe me, the thing feels like a tank, no way is it bad design or engineering. I don't have any whine or light leakage at all (WUXGA screen), and it runs forever on a battery charge, 5+ hours on the 9 cell, 9+ hours with the modular addon battery.

Specs:
Core Duo T2500
NVIDIA NVS 120M (256 MB dedicated, 256 MB hypermem)
WUXGA Panel
2048 MB DDR2 667 (dual channel)
80 GB SATA

If you get one and you have a problem with it just call dell, use the online chat and you're guaranteed to get an easy solution.

-P
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post #31 of 31
6/25/06 at 9:25pm
My latch has a lot of play in it as well but does not bother me. Although I think the D810 lid/latch was a sturdier design. My display has no light leakage. What annoys me about the 820 is the battery wobbles and the keyboard keys all seem to have more play in them than previous laptops. Oh and the speakers sound absolutely horrible, I think the right one is toast. Tech will be here next week and see what happends. Overall I liked the 810 a lot better, just my 2 cents
It may be going back
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