I can understand getting a lemon, it does happen. It's getting Dell to honor their warranty that is frustrating.
Maybe I've been lucky.
I'm an Inspiron 8*** series fan and one of the ones I ordered came with the wrong fixed CD drive.
Not only did they get me the right drive within 3 days, they "upgraded" me free to a CD-RW/DVD drive.
I ordered a "refurb" Inspiron 8200 last year adn they surprised me by upgrading both the vid card and HD.
They've been champions at sending me any part that's ever been "off", to my tastes, with no argument.
I have a prepaid shipping box waiting out in the kitchen right now because one of my laptop ethernet jacks is "wiggly" after 2 years of use and they're replacing that and giving the whole mobo a "service check" just for the sake of maintenance.
Other than getting the occasional incomprehensible Indian tech support person [on the few occasions I've had to call] I have no complaints at all.
Plus, Michael supports the RNC.