I've had my Dell 1737 laptop for 4 years now. There have been motherboard issues and twice the bezel/lcd have been replaced due to what I think is a design flaw - the 17" screen is just too heavy for the hinges used. I am covered by a warranty through 2014. Even with these issues (because they've been covered) I LOVE my laptop. It has always performed well, and it is very comfortable for me to use.

This last time I sent the unit in to have the LCD/ Bezel repaired was a very good experience, until I got the unit back.

When first out of the box it was great. They had even replaced the keyboard due to a lose key!

I used the laptop probably less than two hours total, when I noticed horizontal and vertical lines through the screen.

I contacted Dell, they offered an on site repair free of charge, but I declined due to that weeks schedule. We went with the depot process.

I packed the laptop carefully according to the instructions, and shipped back via FedEx.

A few days later I get a email saying I need to call as there is a problem that needs to be discussed.

I call, and am told that the LCD is cracked, and I MUST have dropped the laptop.

I explained that I surely did not, and that I had used it very little since it's return. Could it be a flaw in the LCD that was aggravated by the shipping process.

Of course there was no challenging the decsion, and I was cut off saying that No problem 'mam, we will send the unit back to you unprepared unless you want to send up $300ish and we will fix it. No thank you!

I can understand that people can easily deceive Dell and say they did not drop the unit trying to get the repair covered, but I KNOW in all honest that I did not drop or damage the laptop after it was returned to me.

I got the laptop back yesterday and the screen is FAR worse than when I shipped it. I have a before picture to prove. I now can see a crack, where as no crack was visible when I sent it to Dell.

I am now hooked to to an external monitor and will purchase a new LCD and have a family member who is in the computer business replace for me!

I have always tried to defend Dell as my experiences were most often favorable and the representatives I dealt with always pleasant, but this last time was not a good experience, and I will NEVER purchase a Dell again.