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Dell XPS - Does not support their own specifications.

post #1 of 10
12/22/11 at 1:24pm
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

I purchased a Dell XPS 17 (L701X) laptop almost exactly a year ago and now I find a big stumbling block with upgrading the RAM.

When I purchased the machine I made extra special attention to the RAM. That is had an Upgrade path to 16GB or better. Even though Dell's own Support Center software reports that the motherboard can support 16 GB Ram. In reality Dell does NOT support it.

It seems that not long after purchasing this unit Dell changed there specs and the motherboard from an i5 to an i7 and the Ram went from 8GB 2 slot to 16 GB 4 slot board.

The problem I have is that I made sure I could upgrade to 16 GB Ram when I purchased the Laptop and now I am being told by Dell that it is NOT so... my board can only support 2 slots of 4GB totaling 8 GB Ram.

So far Dell's only answer has been for me to spend another $1,000.00 Plus dollars to upgrade not only the Ram but the motherboard, video card & Ram as well as the System Ram...

In my opinion Dell should offer me a new motherboard with the correct sockets and configuration that I required originally.

Anyone got any thoughts of how I can get what I ordered?

Thank
Squire Dude

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post #2 of 10
12/22/11 at 5:07pm
Got any documentation regarding your last-year discussion with Dell? Got any last-year Dell advert mentioning the 16GB possibility? Without these documentation it wil be tough to get a free ride from Dell

You can try to escalate asking to speak to a supervisor in sales

cheers ...
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post #3 of 10
12/23/11 at 7:42am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

Thanks, of course I don't have screen shots of the configuration options etc.  Dell's own software "Dell Support Center" clearly displays the following Maximum Supported RAM 16 GB and Dell TS even admits that the slots will take 2x8Gb chips BUT Dell does NOT offer any certified 8GB chips.

 

I have been working with TS to no end with this I will take your suggestion of tackling Sales next.

 

Thanks

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post #4 of 10
12/23/11 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquireDude View Post

Hi,

Thanks, of course I don't have screen shots of the configuration options etc.  Dell's own software "Dell Support Center" clearly displays the following Maximum Supported RAM 16 GB and Dell TS even admits that the slots will take 2x8Gb chips BUT Dell does NOT offer any certified 8GB chips.

I have been working with TS to no end with this I will take your suggestion of tackling Sales next.

Thanks

Good luck.

It is not rare that manufacturers would bypass certain models in one product series in order to make sales - in your case, the modification of the mainboard regarding the number of ram slots.

Did Dell mention anything about who else would carry the 8GB chips? If they don't - document the conversation and nail them for shortchanging the specs!

cheers ...
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post #5 of 10
12/23/11 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

Thanks for the suggestion.  Dell did NOT give me any direction to go in with the 2x8GB Ram only that they do not have a certified part and would NOT recommend or suggest a brand which would fit &/or work?

 

My past experience, several years ago, was that non certified chips rarely if every work in a Dell machine!  The only suggestion that TS gave me was to take the machine into a store and let them install the RAM and if it doesn't work they should then give a refund.

 

And if it doesn't work I am still screwed...

 

Baa humbug... not a very good Christmas Present this year!!!

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post #6 of 10
12/23/11 at 9:25am
Playing with some numbers wink.gif

. price of current model with the 4 ram slots
. price of ram upgrade that you would have to spend if the 8GB module is available
. what you paid for your model
. 15-20% restocking fee

Mush these numbers all up and go for the difference that you are willing to pay up to get the 16GB system winknudge.gif

cheers ...
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post #7 of 10
12/23/11 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

That is a not a valid point as I am NOT willing to pay for a different product when the advertised/purchased products capacity I SHOULD have had 1 year ago would suffice.  Therefore the only real cost now is the cost of the 4x4GB RAM which is $170.00 from Dell.  The MB is on them for failure to live up to their advertised product specifications.

 

This MB was sold to me as supporting 16GB Ram the error is on Dells part as misrepresentation and false advertising and bad sales tactics.

 

Thanks

 

 

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post #8 of 10
12/23/11 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquireDude View Post

Hi,

That is a not a valid point as I am NOT willing to pay for a different product when the advertised/purchased products capacity I SHOULD have had 1 year ago would suffice.  Therefore the only real cost now is the cost of the 4x4GB RAM which is $170.00 from Dell.  The MB is on them for failure to live up to their advertised product specifications.

This MB was sold to me as supporting 16GB Ram the error is on Dells part as misrepresentation and false advertising and bad sales tactics.

Thanks


Very good. I am just playing devil advocate with you here, agreeing that Dell fails to come up with the solution to your current issue which is the non-availability of the the "certified" 8gb ram modules. Let's say that if they have it, in this case it would set you back around $400 (ca. $200 for each 8GB ram module, DELL price).

The argument here from Dell would be that the update model (board with 4 ram slots) is better value for users to bring down the cost of memory upgrade - $170 vs $400.

cheers ...
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post #9 of 10
12/23/11 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

What you propose could be a valid point IF Dell even offered the 2x8GB RAM chips, which they do not, and I have seen them for sail at several locations from 3 different manufacturers and for $80 a piece to that is $160.00 + tax & shipping... almost the same $170 they charge me for the 4x4GB chip set.

 

How did you come up with $400.00 for the 2x8GB Chip set?

 

Phill

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post #10 of 10
12/23/11 at 2:52pm
http://www.nextag.com/8gb-ram-memory-modules-for-hp-laptops/stores-html

I don't know what you found, I just used the example of the notebook 8GB memory modules frome the above link, adding a bit more due to DELL pricing winknudge.gif
But if you feel that what you found is kinda valid to work with your model, then by no mean use that for argument.

cheers ...
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