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Just got my XPS M1530... it sucks

post #1 of 20
2/14/08 at 6:22am
Thread Starter 
Don't get me wrong: on paper this is an awesome machine - and it looks good too. But there are two IMPORTANT features that are already getting on my nerves.

1- The trackpad: What can I say. It sucks. It doesn't give any consistant feedback. It's like dragging your finger through sand. Even the buttons don't always register.

2- The 'touch sensative' volume/mute/eject' buttons don't activate reliably. It's really important to me to be able to mute the computer suddenly if need be, but I just can't get it to do that consistantly.

It's a great machine but these quarks will just drive my crazy - guess I'll send it back and get an Acer or a Macbook Pro.
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post #2 of 20
2/14/08 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Well I got online with Dell chat support and they're going to have someone come to replace my trackpad so hopefully that'll be the fix.

After reading another thread about the touch-sensative controls, I discovered that it simply takes more pressure that I originally imagine. Problem solved.
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post #3 of 20
2/14/08 at 12:46pm
How much pressure do you need? Do you have to literally drag your fingers on the pad?
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post #4 of 20
2/14/08 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
It's off and on. One moment its working fine and the next it stops moving all together and then jumps to another area of the screen.

I may have to turn tap-click off because it keeps randomly dragging files around the putting them in places I don't want them.
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post #5 of 20
2/14/08 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
I shut off tap-click and while the unresponsiveness of the track pad still sucks, now I'm not crazily, out-of-control dragging stuff around. I'll be using a mouse for work, but It sucks when I relaxing or just screwing around I don't want to be constantly frustrated by the trackpad.
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post #6 of 20
2/15/08 at 2:41am
you can also take the plastic covering off them and they work better
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post #7 of 20
2/15/08 at 3:21am
Hoff's trackpad problem is definitely unique to his system (read: it's not "just the way it is"): my 1530 tracks well, with very little finger pressure.

The "touch sensitive" media controls are an eyebrow-raiser for me too, though. The necessary pressure isn't bad by any means, but it IS surprising.
One of these days I'll look into seeing if I can do something to adjust their sensitivity.
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post #8 of 20
2/15/08 at 4:18am
yeah they take more pressure then I expect too

try adjusting your sensitivity... at least its not TOO sensitive, ive worked with touchpads that you didnt even need to touch the thing, they moved the cursor if you held your hand an inch above the touchpad they were so sensitive
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post #9 of 20
2/15/08 at 8:45am
I took delivery of a 1530 three weeks ago and just finished talking to Dell to have it returned. I just wasn't as impressed as other owners I guess. Disappointed with the trackpad (does not track well despite attempts to configure differently), keyboard (from day one it was horrible -- when it was delivered it was 'wavy' and a service tech confirmed that wires underneath it were so loaded with tape that the keyboard would not fit flush), noise, average performance (it doesn't game as well as the specs would indicate), and at least a half dozen BSOD's since delivery.

So they are replacing it with a D630 at a substantial discount. It's not as sexy as the 1530, but it's known to be a speedy, stable road warrior that has an established track record. Ah well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
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post #10 of 20
2/15/08 at 9:39am
I just got my 1530 yesterday and so far I'm pretty pleased with it. The track pad isn't an issue. I've used the media controls very little. I'll have to suspend judgment until I spend more time on it. I just completed a clean install of Vista, loaded up my applications, files, and tweaks. So far it's a lot better than my 1520 in size and performance.
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post #11 of 20
2/15/08 at 3:57pm
I've had mine for a month or so. I've been gaming on it, surfing, MIMO-WiFi'ing with it, etc. Works well. Even plays Crysis (res/effects turned down some) okay.
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post #12 of 20
2/15/08 at 8:25pm
Thread Starter 
Well I just had the trackpad replaced earlier today. It definitely tracks much better. So that problem's solved. I'm not totally impressed with the quality. I think it would do better if they weren't going for the fake metal look. All in all, tho, I am really beginning to like it. I don't think I've ever owner another machine with as powerful of a graphics card.

Next time I do a full reinstall I'll remember to install MediaDirect first. Oops.
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post #13 of 20
2/15/08 at 9:55pm
It's good to hear that your track pad was fixed. I've been fortunate enough to have good results so far. After delivery I did a complete reinstall of Vista, not forgetting the Media Direct. I've done that before! I've got all my files, applications and tweaks applied. Vista is responding faster over time with it and I pretty pleased.

I'm replacing my 1520 with this 1530. The 1530 is a far better system. The 1530 is lighter, thinner and more powerful. It also only cost me a $100.00 more. Hopefully it will prove just as reliable as all my other Dell's I have purchased.

The track pad buttons seem to be the only difference from the 1520. It's not much of an issue for me. I'd think that any system will not please everyone in all aspects, as long as everything is running correctly.
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post #14 of 20
2/15/08 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tasslehawf View Post

2- The 'touch sensative' volume/mute/eject' buttons don't activate reliably. It's really important to me to be able to mute the computer suddenly if need be, but I just can't get it to do that consistantly.
You may want to make sure the cable from the panel is all the way in. It should insert ~2mm from end of the cable.

My volume controls almost activate before I even touch them...they are that sensitive.

Hope that helps,
Snes
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post #15 of 20
2/15/08 at 10:26pm
flamingo pink would be a keeper 1530
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post #16 of 20
2/18/08 at 7:28pm
I've had my XPS m1530 since right before X-Mas and the track pad & touch sensitive controls on mine have worked perfectly from the get go. I am more than pleased with this laptop.
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post #17 of 20
2/18/08 at 7:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Anaconda View Post
yeah they take more pressure then I expect too

try adjusting your sensitivity... at least its not TOO sensitive, ive worked with touchpads that you didnt even need to touch the thing, they moved the cursor if you held your hand an inch above the touchpad they were so sensitive


You might be surprised by the number of customers I see who think their laptop is posessed, because when they compose Word documents, their work suddenly disappears or they start writing in random places. 100% of the time I show them how to turn off the touchpad, and the problem is solved.
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post #18 of 20
2/18/08 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyako View Post


You might be surprised by the number of customers I see who think their laptop is posessed, because when they compose Word documents, their work suddenly disappears or they start writing in random places. 100% of the time I show them how to turn off the touchpad, and the problem is solved.
I've run into this quite a lot myself. I prefer disabling the touchpad but on those occasions that I need the touchpad, I will adjust the senstivity down. Now if only I could turn off the touch pad in Ubuntu, I'd really be doing well.
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post #19 of 20
2/18/08 at 8:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mb67 View Post
I've run into this quite a lot myself. I prefer disabling the touchpad but on those occasions that I need the touchpad, I will adjust the senstivity down. Now if only I could turn off the touch pad in Ubuntu, I'd really be doing well.
synaptics makes the touchpad software for linux too
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post #20 of 20
2/23/08 at 2:18am
not really two good reasons to return a laptop, but your choice!
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