Dell XPS14z alternative / real bad customer service experience

Question

Hi I bought a DELL XPS 14z in February (the 9th Dell XPS I have purchased for my company direct from Dell in the last 12 months, but 1st 14z).  Great machine: i7, 8GB RAM, 256 SSD......  problem is it hasn't worked right since I unboxed it. One of the USB ports is 'erratic', the sound (despite 101 changes to settings) is rubbish but worst of all the wireless connection has been terrible - making the machine unfit for purpose.   At first, when I connected to my work network, it would disable the entire network for everyone!  At home it would take 15-20 minutes to decide to connect, before dropping in and out at random, and in other places it might not identify a network at all.  I rang tech support and after updating drivers (Intel N6230) etc they solved the first problem (killing my work network) but not the rest.  After about a month they sent out a local technician with an incompatible part (Dell 1702 wireless card) that just wouldn't work at all, no matter what the local tech did.  After more 'help' from the remote tech support, the laptop refused to boot completely!  Another call by the local technician, a new Intel N6230 card and I'm back to square one and unable to join the work wireless network without killing the network for all.   Overall my experience with remote customer and tech support has been terrible.  very stressful, lost about 3.5 days of work in total, and no solution at the end.  They have awarded me a refund and are collecting the unit on Monday.  I now have a dilemma -  I need a new machine but am so cross/angry/disappointed with Dell customer service that I can't bring myself to get another 14z.  Anyone go any advice on the following: 1) I used Samsung for 8 years hassle free and only switched the company to Dell so I could buy direct.  Are there any other decent alternatives to the XPS14z, that offer the same spec as I had?  I have spent a day googling but can't find one!!! 2) If I did get another 14z, would I be likely to encounter the same problems?  Is there something really wrong with the 14z that kills my work network, or is it the Intel 6230?   3) Should I or could I swallow my pride and call up the people that made me so cross, and ask nicely for more of their product?!   You can probably tell from the above that I really WANT a working XPS14z, but don't want the risk that it will fail again, and am still too  angry anyway.  Basically, should I say to Dell 'stuff it' or 'more please'? MR

DELL-Terry B · Answer

I am sorry to read that you have had such a poor experence with tech support and the XPS 14z. I like the 14z myself, and it sounds like you do as well. Here is a thread where other XPS 14z customers are discussing WIFI issues. Perhaps it may help make up your mind.

en.community.dell.com/.../19425940.aspx

Please let me know what you decide to do.

TB

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