silhouet:  What number are you calling?  Every time I call I get a call center in India (or similar) and the same runaround where they read from a script.  They never contact anyone, claim they can't know why the machine is delayed, and say they can't upgrade shipping without cancelling the order and I'd have to pay for it.

Who is everyone contacting to help them with stuff like free shipping upgrades?

I also order my MX17 on 2/2. It is showing as delivery on 2/23. I've been very lucky with the customer support individuals. They have traced the issues twice now. The first delay was on the Ultimate Intel Wireless N card. It was out of stock and just came in I believe. The current issue is my display. I got the WUXGA 1200P RGB LED Display. This is also out of stock now. They are saying it should ship on 2/22 now.

Dell did, however, give me free next day air shipping (when it finally gets done) and they threw in a free (full coverage for first year) - the one where it covers anything that happens to the machine (dropping it, spilling water down the keyboard, whatever).

When I've called, they have put me on hold 2-3 minutes and contacted the resolution specialist that is building my machine (or responsible for it getting built). This is how I've found out about the parts that are out of stock. Hopefully it will actually complete and ship to us on the 22 - cross your fingers.

I actually ordered my machine under the education program as I am an instructor at a college as well. So it is through Dell's EPP program that they put this. I just called the service desk at 800.695.8133. If you aren't under the EPP program, though, they will just transfer you back to the standard customer support most likely. I believe the EPP is US based according to the times that you can call them. I will, however, keep updates going here as I learn and find more out. I'll most likely call them again on Friday to see where we are at and if there are any additional parts that are "out of stock".

I do, however, keep being told by people that while the wait is painful - it is totally worth it. My order was:

Intel Core i7 920XM, 8Gig Ram, 17" WUXGA 1920x1200 RGB LED, Dual 1GB ATI Radeon, 128Gig Solid State Drive, 320Gig 7200 RPM 2nd Drive, Intel Utlimate Wireless N.

Hopefully they now have the wireless N card in and the 1920x1200 RGB LED will be in by Tuesday so the machine can be completed. Guess we will see.

I ordered my M17XR2 machine on 2/2 from a military base in Japan.  They told me it would take 6 weeks to get here - EDD was 3/15 due to the only shipping option being parcel post.  Wanted to pay for faster shipping but not an option is what I was told.  Laptop shipped on 2/8.  I expected to see it 6 weeks from that date.  To my surprise, I got the machine yesterday - Dell paid for Priority Mail shipping for free - it was a nice surprise.  Fighting a cold so I haven't taken it out of the box yet but plan to do so after work tomorrow.  WIll find out if I have flickering problem as I have a 820 with dual ATI's as well.  Have mass effect 2 ready to install to test.  If there is a problem - I'll post. 

Update - Yup - I have the flickering problem.  Disabled turbo mode as suggested - flicker went away.  Machine works fine - just loaded all the updated drivers on the system and no problems so far.

Well - latest update - we are now at 2/23/2010. 21 days after my order. It was scheduled to be shipped on 2/8. It was delayed to 2/18 because the wireless N card was out of stock. Then it was Delayed till 2/23/2010 because of the wireless card. On 2/18 I get a call that the screen is now out of stock. New ship date is now 2/25/2010 (Thursday).

It seems when they have a build to do, they would hang on to the parts they need for those in the production line so they could build them out when the missing part arrives, not use the parts until they too are out of stock. I'm worried that more parts will be used and come Thursday I'm going to hear about how the system is delayed for shipping because XXXXXX is out of stock.....

Guess we will see........

so this is me updating you guys on my order status. as you know i ordered on 2/2 and pushed to 2/23. I was pushed again to 2/26. and this morning i woke up hoping it'd show shipped or at least boxing status, but nooo, i got another order delayed email and reply required to continue order. and then i called and complained and they told me again the same script. lcd screens still backordered and i still have to wait, and they are still sure they will get my lappy to me on 3/5 like how they promised to get it to me before 2/26. To add to that, they can only process my request for a coupon or compensation till the actual order is shipped and processed. if it does ship this time, and i don't believe that it will, i'd be waiting for a 5 weeks now. i told them if i dont get it and i get delayed again i will cancel. this is the LAST time. this poor communication between the company itself and the customers is just ridiculous.

i feel your pain, right now i'm filing a complaint to the board of directors, the BBB (better business bureau) and the dell unresolved customer services issues page, and i hope i get some results, and i suggest everyone do the same so our voices can be heard.

Well - looks like we are all having fun. My order was placed like your's on 2/2. I got the "gonna cancel" email and did what I'm supposed to to not cancel it. The resolution rep I'm working with also let them know don't cancel it. I then got a call about "gonna cancel" the order. I responded and said don't. My rep said - oh - don't worry - just the automated system. Then on Monday - guess what - my order was cancelled. 

So, they redid the order - and now I'm scheduled for delivery on 3/19. In the new order they forgot to put the 2nd harddrive. So, they said to leave the order as it is and they will send me the 320gig 2nd drive when the computer ships and I can put the harddrive in myself. 

So not only did I get delayed beyond the 5th when yours is due, but I get to actually take the machine apart and put a hard drive in myself.........

really????? Seriously????????

I'm doing the same. They have now cancelled the order after being told not to like 3 times. They gave me $250 off the price - but entered that order WRONG. So it was cancelled and I have the correct specs set up - but now they can not give me the $250.00 off because Dell changed their authority and limited them to $50.00.

So I have no standing order currently and I'm still fighting this. It is absolutely the WORST experience I've ever had dealing with any company. I should go back to my Apple and be happy with it. But it's personal at this point.

Where is the services issues page? I'm trying to find that and fill it out as well.

Well - ok - after 4-6 cancellations because they couldn't get it right (after the cancellation that was never supposed to happen), I have now recreated my order and started all over. I now have the system in production AGAIN. Hope this one doesn't cancel like the last try start on 2/2.

Now - a little communication from Dell would make a huge difference. Delays happen and I can deal with them - even longer ones - even with being anxious to get my hands on my laptop. 

Here is what I found out FINALLY. I hope this helps those in the same boat as me waiting on the laptop. Apparently, 6-8 weeks ago, one of the BIG gaming companies made a very large order of the M17's. Apparently this order used up the stock of wireless cards, LCDs, and ATI video cards. This is why we are seeing such a long delay in delivery of the M17 laptops. 

While it doesn't help us in getting our machines sooner, at least I can now understand WHY they are so delayed and messed up. From what I could find, it sounds like the expectation is:

1) Wireless cards have now come in

2) LCDs are expected to be in around the 15th or so

3) ATI Video cards (single and dual) are expected to be in around 3/20 or so

These dates may not be exact, but is somewhere close to what Dell is expecting in parts delivery. So if you have a date prior to like 2/23, you can probably expect a delay to around end of the month (March).

I finally got a great sales person that was able to work with me and get everything straightened out (including the discounts and such). Took some work for him but he did an AWESOME job!!!! He said he will stay in touch with me throughout the process and will follow the order through delivery for everything and keep me updated. 

I'll provide any additional news that I may turn up.

DELL - if you had put on the site that many of the components were back-ordered due to a very very large previous order - and when the expectation of those components places them at DELL - you would probable have a lot happier customer base. We only ask to be told what is going on so we don't just keep getting delay notices every time a delivery date arrives :)

Good luck all - sounds like Dell actually expects to start shipping again end of the month!!!!!!