Latest on the Intel Chipset Issue

Topics in this article

Update March 23: Earlier today I published a post regarding how we will support customers who already have systems with affected versions of the Cougar Point chipset.

XPS 8300Vostro 460Alienware Aurora desktops or Alienware M17x R3 laptops that were received prior to March 1 are potentially affected by the chipset issue. Dell plans to offer all worldwide customers who received one of these systems prior to March 1 an option for a new replacement motherboard.

Please visit that post (or click on the tweet image below) for more information.

I mentioned last week that we started taking orders for new XPS 15 and 17 laptops with updated hardware from Intel. That makes us one of the first large companies to start shipping new Sandy Bridge systems with updated hardware that corrects the issue.

Beyond that, beginning today we’re expanding the list of systems beyond the XPS 15 and 17. We’re now taking orders in Europe and the United States for XPS 8300, Vostro 460 and Alienware Aurora R3 desktops with updated chipset hardware. The Alienware M17x R3 laptop is the only system we’re not yet accepting new orders for. We hope to change that soon.

Update (March 4): As several of you have noticed, we're now taking orders for the Alienware M17x R3. Regardless of the system, we are working to prioritize outstanding pending orders. 

At this point, we are starting to receive new replacement inventories from Intel in all regions, but the process is still going to take some time. We will be working to fulfill existing orders and to ship new system orders with the updated Cougar Point chipset as quickly as we can. The reality is that availability will vary by platform as well as location. I’m simply not going to be able to provide ETA dates for specific orders.

For more information, customers in the United States can refer to article #389728 on support.dell.com. There is a Contact Us section near the lower left hand side of the screen.  If you are outside the United States, you can find the same article by:

  • Going to support.dell.com
  • Choosing your country from the drop-down menu near the top left of the page
  • Typing 389728 in the Search field

I’ll share more details as they become available.

About the Author: Lionel Menchaca

Topics in this article