Update, 8/13: The link for the XPS 700 Exchange Program is now live:
In late May last year, we launched the XPS 700. Many customers purchased it, anticipating strong performance along with an upgrade path to future technology.
At Dell, our number one goal is to delight our customers with our products and services. As anyone who reads Direct2Dell knows, we did not do that for some of our XPS 700 customers. On behalf of Dell, I want to apologize for that. We have taken steps to improve your experience.
So what have we learned from this? First, where the chipset is concerned, XPS 7xx-action lawsuit customers want more information on what features we do and do not support in our implementation. Take a look at the chipset section of the XPS 710 Tech Specs page. Second, if we do experience significant delays, it’s important for us to give customers more detailed insight as to the causes where we can. So, what’s next? We want to show XPS 700 customers our appreciation for sticking with us throughout this process—we appreciate your business.
BIOS Update Coming Soon
The current version of the XPS 700 BIOS added Windows XP 64 support and enabled Intel’s Virtualization Technology (VT). To build on that, we will publish an update to the XPS 700 BIOS in the next few weeks. After applying the BIOS update, your XPS 700 will support the following features:
- NVIDIA SLI-Ready (Enhanced Performance Profile) Memory
- BIOS overclocking for the Extreme processors (Reminder: overclocking can cause system instability and reduce operating life)
- RAID 5
- RAID 1 + 0
The BIOS update cannot enable support for Intel Quad-Core processors.
XPS 700 Motherboard Exchange Program
Since the early days of Direct2Dell, many XPS 700 customers have asked Dell for an upgrade path. Back in December, Lionel blogged about this, saying we had not made a decision. That changes today.
To show our gratitude for your patience, we will offer all XPS 700 customers worldwide a choice of upgrade paths to Dell’s next-generation of XPS gaming motherboards. Now here they are:
Motherboard Exchange Options:
- Motherboard exchange AND a discounted quad-core processor: Later this year, we will offer XPS 700 customers the option to exchange your original motherboard with Dell’s next-generation XPS gaming motherboard bundled with a quad-core processor at an 25% discount off our Electronics and Accessories quad-core processor price at the time of purchase. This option will be available to XPS 700 customers for sixty days following our rollout of the motherboard exchange program later this year. We will make the motherboard and the installation available to these customers at no cost. To streamline the process, all motherboard exchanges will be done by Dell-authorized onsite service technicians. We will offer the processor discount at the time you schedule your on-site appointment for the motherboard exchange. Additional pricing details have not yet been determined.
- Motherboard exchange at no cost: Later this year, we will offer XPS 700 customers the option to exchange their original motherboard for Dell’s next-generation XPS gaming motherboard. We will make the motherboard and the installation available to these customers at no charge. To streamline the process, all motherboard exchanges will be done by Dell-authorized onsite service technicians.
Since both motherboard exchange options involve a next-generation product, there are some details I can’t discuss at this point. We will share more information later this year—appreciate your patience. In that same timeframe, XPS 710 customers will also have the option to purchase a parts bundle that includes an upgrade to Dell’s next-generation motherboard as well as installation service. Pricing has not yet been determined.
We remain committed to addressing your concerns. In subsequent posts, Lionel will blog about other XPS 700 customer questions and issues.
We Want to Hear From You
Our development teams are working with key members of Direct2Dell and the Dell Community Forum to gather and address your questions, feedback, and comments. The most direct way to be heard on this subject is to reply to this blog entry or this thread on the Dell Community Forum.