What's up with shipping for 1520??

I ordered a 1520 as a redo/replacement for an e1705 (missing graphic card see first post) 2 weeks ago, July 13 with a ship date for Aug. 13 or so. The rep did put an Expidite on the order. In early Aug. I will be going on a road trip and would prefer to have it with me, not sitting in DHL warehouse. I have checked both last Fri and yesterday and the date is still the same, I waited some to let it get through the system.

Meanwhile, I have been reading some of reviews on the 1520, noting the strengths and weakness of the machine. It seems that many of the posters have received their notebooks in a week or two of ordering, with some as fast as 4 days!!

Thinking there might be some part backordered, I initially sent an email to support thanking them and letting them know I would be willing to adjust the order for a faster build time. Last Fri. the support rep said he could only cancel the order. Yesterday, I was transferred to the order mod dept. and she did not detect any delays and all was on schedule. She also said that there is a backlog of orders due to 'Back to school' orders.

Still though, why 30+days when others with same specs (save for screen) are getting it within 2 weeks??

Any others out there with a long build time?


My initial guess is that it's the screen (WXGA+) or color (Blue)

specs for above system:

1520 Blue; Intel T7100; 2gb mem @ 667mhz; 8600m gt; HDD 160gb @ 7200rpm; webcam; dvd writer;built in bluetooth; h 3 yr warranty

also hi-res glossy (1440x900) display. Had a delay of 3-5 days when I first ordered (I see it is now 9 days). I chose this for the screen brightness, else I would have gone for the 1680x1050 screen.

Shipping location: Charlotte, NC -- harldly off the beaten path

If not for the trip in <2 weeks, I wouldn't have called. As the one rep from the order dept. said they have high volume of orders for schools now. Makes sense with laptops.

Seems others are having similar wait times as well. For Dell, a tricky balance between production of new product, supply of parts (BIG one here I suppose), and marketing of new notebook.

I ordered Blue and it is taking a long time. I guess I should have picked brown or red -- or evidently ordered a week earlier.

Update: Mon - still in production, still waiting...

and waiting...


For those building now, all the colors except for black are delayed for 3-11 days and probably more. They were much more popular than they initially realized, to which I will reply 'DUH!!' - Capt. Obvious strikes again.

*** Another Update ***

I have not received my unit which was estimated for completion on Monday.

Talked to a Dell rep in Order Mod Dept. yesterday and now the due date is rescheduled for Aug. 23 +/- . It did not show that on the order page. I had her check for the 'fastest' unit and that would be one with a black cover -- which is due the same time Aug. 23, so I stayed with the same unit. She did change to a faster ship method, great but kind of a moot point now as I was hoping for the unit last week.

New popular model + new school year + trouble with some supplies = slower end ptoduction