On the surface this is indeed unsettling. However, it is only accusation at this time. Since the summons and complaint are not evidence nor is any subsequent discovery, we will have to be patient for trial testimony or a settlement. I am cringing though.

My thoughts flash back to Packard-Bell and the discovery they were recycling used parts by placing them in "new" systems. It was the beginning of the end for them.

DA

And I just bought a new Dell desktop since they have an assembly plant within commuting distance from me. But the plant is scheduled for closing.

Here's more that was omitted in my first post.
"Though the American company had nothing to do with the industrial espionage in China in 2002 that led to faulty components, it paid the price with millions of faulty PCs."

And I found this to be very un-fortunate on their part in the situation.
"Documents recently unsealed in a three-year-old lawsuit against Dell show that the company's employees were actually aware that the computers were likely to break. Still, the employees tried to play down the problem to customers and allowed customers to rely on trouble-prone machines, putting their businesses at risk. Even the firm defending Dell in the lawsuit was affected when Dell balked at fixing 1,000 suspect computers, according to e-mail messages revealed in the dispute."

See link;

Here is a link that might be useful: Technology Blog

a lot of computer manufacturers fell prey to the faulty capacitors, but once a company finds out they have that kind of issue they need to step up and take responsibility for their products, even if it means recalls or paying for them to be repaired. Note the dates of when these issues happened most new computers would not have those faulty capacitors unless they are using old parts.
If it were a car manufacturer and a part that important failed you would be hearing about it big time and there would be recalls.

Before too many personal users begin to run around as if "the sky is falling" it appears this accusation is dedicated to just two Optiplex models of the commercial Dell line. If indeed the issue has merit hopefully this limitation will prevail.

DA

Raven is right. I should have pointed out that if you were a victim, that you would have known way before now. Please accept my apologies if I sent any into a tail spin here. These computers were sold between the years of 2002 & 2005. I just thought it was in poor taste that they refused to own up to the fact it was their computers and the parts they were using. The lawsuit just came to a head and known to the Public.

Now, here's a fine example of how it should have been handled.

My son bought a Toshiba Satellite laptop 2-3 years ago. Toshiba put out an update to the BIOS without informing the public. Two weeks ago, my son tried to boot up his laptop and found himself locked out, not being able to access without a password to enter upon boot to get beyond the BIOS. I called Toshiba, they not only sent me a box for free to ship it to a Service Depot, but are fixing it for free with return shipping free as well. They even called and sent an e-mail informing me that it was received at the Depot. Now that is Service in it's finest. If Dell would have done the same, they wouldn't be in this mess! Yet they chose to hide the fact from those who purchased the computers in 2002 - 2005.

Shame on them I say!

Toshiba put out an update to the BIOS without informing the public. Two weeks ago, my son tried to boot up his laptop and found himself locked out, not being able to access without a password to enter upon boot to get beyond the BIOS. I called Toshiba, they not only sent me a box for free to ship it to a Service Depot, but are fixing it for free with return shipping free as well. They even called and sent an e-mail informing me that it was received at the Depot. Now that is Service in it's finest.
Well I for one would not have been very happy to all of a sudden been locked out, and to have no computer until a box was mailed to me, and I packed and mailed it in, and it was fixed and returned, even if there was no charge.

And I was getting ready to replace my old Dell with a new one--just relying on their reputation. Will have to rethink that.

My only experience with Dell was a laptop that I bought not long after XP had been introduced. I ordered and received a "free upgrade" of memory; instead of 128MB, I received 256MB. Well, it wasn't long until this machine was so slow it would hardly run in spite of all the trimming down I did. I decided to add more RAM, and found out to my chagrin that I could add only 128MB more because one of the memory modules was not accessible except to a certified Dell repair person. That's the sort of stuff that makes people shy away from a product line. In other words, this laptop was not upgradeable at all. I have noticed other stock models of Dells, both desktop and laptop, unless pre-configured by the buyer, seem to be short on the amount of RAM to really be efficient. I have since stuck with HPs and not regretted it at all. I have been able to add RAM and do other upgrades with no problem at all.

I read the article and felt saddened. We have owned Dell computers exclusively since the beginning. We still have 3 desktops and two laptops. Never had a problem all these years except for one desktop which is an Optiplex. This computer was purchased for our office and always had small problems since day one, 4 yrs ago.

Others have criticized Dell service, but we have always found their service efficient and quick. We never sent a computer back, they would send a technician to the house to do any major repairs.

We own two business machines, the Optiplex and a Vostro laptop. Both came with extended warranties. The laptop has always run well despite my husbands rough handling (dropped it twice from the desk and has knocked it out of the car a few times. Never got damaged...amazed! The Optiplex has had multiple service calls and it still doesn't work right. The USB drives keep quitting and require restarts to get things working. They have replaced the card readers and finally the motherboard. Same problems continue and I've learned to live with it. I do intend to contact them again after reading the article.

I always liked the fact that their computers could be ordered with exactly what you wanted installed. You could configure the machine and not have to deal with all the junk usually installed on a store-bought computer.

They do offer excellent service on their office machines. Very quick phone response, and always techs in the US.

We are considering purchasing another desktop to replace my husbands 8 yr old computer and now am not sure if we'd go with another Dell.

I tend to think of Dell like Ford. Ford seems to be finding its way back to America, maybe Dell will do the same.

Jane

I have owned 5 Dell computer starting in 1998. latest purchase was Feb '10. In all those years, I have called Dell tech twice. First was just for an audio setting and the second was pure stupidity on my part. BTW, all 5 computers are running like a charm...(now watch everything go to pot..LOL)
You don't want to hear about my experience with my first computer. Packard Hell!!!!!