What has changed is that most of the drivers are self-updating, so they can configure that at the factory. So, yes, the basic configuration has gotten better.
What has not changed is that Dell basically does grab-bag components in their systems and just because you have two machines of the same model# and rev#, does NOT mean that you have the same two machines.
This means that Dell has substandard abilities to 1) control their supply chain, 2) track and fix problems, 3) diagnose problems in the field, 4) prevent problems.
But sure, because Microsoft is now doing a far better job of auto-configuration in it's OS products, the setup problem is mitigated.
I avoid Dell like the plague, and advise everyone else to do the same. Sure, you may know someone who got away with it for a long time — there's usually some good items in a grab-bag — but the systemic reliability is just not there.
As they mention no automatic driver downloads and talk about Chipset drivers I'd say at least before Windows 7. So a thing or two might have changed.
Yes, this was pre-Win7
What has changed is that most of the drivers are self-updating, so they can configure that at the factory. So, yes, the basic configuration has gotten better.
What has not changed is that Dell basically does grab-bag components in their systems and just because you have two machines of the same model# and rev#, does NOT mean that you have the same two machines.
This means that Dell has substandard abilities to 1) control their supply chain, 2) track and fix problems, 3) diagnose problems in the field, 4) prevent problems.
But sure, because Microsoft is now doing a far better job of auto-configuration in it's OS products, the setup problem is mitigated.
I avoid Dell like the plague, and advise everyone else to do the same. Sure, you may know someone who got away with it for a long time — there's usually some good items in a grab-bag — but the systemic reliability is just not there.
"I avoid Dell like the plague, and advise everyone else to do the same."
But who is still trustwoethy.
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