Dell Inspiron 15 3530 Laptop – 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Touchscreen Display, Intel Core i7-1355U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Windows 11 Home, 6-Months… by Dell

Very impressed with the quality and performance of this budget laptop.

I bough this to replace my father’s old Inspiron laptop, for his birthday. After booting it up we starting hearing audio issues. No problem, I thought, it was probably a driver issue: So I ran all the updates, BIOS, drivers, software. Initially through windows update, and then through Dell to make sure I had the latest dell updates. (I was wrong, this is a much deeper issue)

The problem went away for a day. It came back the next day.

1st Call) So I uninstalled the Realtek audio driver and reinstalled it – seemed to fix the issue. I called Dell to report it, and to see if there was anything else I could do. The support rep at dell said that I did what he would have asked me to do anyway, so if the issue appears to be gone, we’re all set. He created a ticket to track the issue. The supervisor asked me to review the call, and make sure I was happy with the support representative – and seeing as I thought the issue was fixed – I said: “Yeah, support was great, thank you.”

2nd Call) After rebooting the next day, the sound distortion or glitch, was back. I called Dell, and they said I had to register it in my name to continue to provide support. Seeing as I just bought this, I found it odd, but I followed the instructions. The representative had me register the product. This was a requirement to get support, according to the rep – then they were able to suggest the next step: Dell would send me the speaker parts so I could repair it myself. He said he would send me the video/documentation on how to replace the speakers. I said OK. (This should have been the first red flag, I partially blame myself for allowing them to convince me this was standard service)
I took a break from troubleshooting, to go on with my life and handle other things. The replacement speakers came in quickly, which was surprising. I searched for the support email with the guide on how to replace the speakers. After clicking on the link (from the email the rep sent me) I got – 404 NOT FOUND. The video/info was not there. I had to search through their support documentation to find it.

This is where it gets worse: After looking at the manual, and the type of connection that connects the speaker wires to the board – I realized I didn’t want to touch it. It wasn’t a simple plug, unplug. It was a “pull away from board” connector that looked FRAGILE, soldered right to the board with a flimsy plastic frame to pull away from: I’d rather just get a new laptop that I didn’t have to disassemble.
After I realized the video wasn’t available via the email I got from support – I called Dell, again.

3rd call) The new support tech reviewed the case, and asked me what the issue was. I told her that I received the replacement speakers and I did not feel comfortable replacing it, I just needed a new laptop. She said, “Sir that’s not possible, it is beyond the 30 days.” I replied: “It’s brand new, I ordered it from amazon on 2/7/2025.”

Now this is the worst part: Not only is it brand new – Dell suggested this repair process, not I. They could have offered replacement. Why would the representative have me register the product, when he could have told me to return it?

Her suggestion was to take it to a local dell authorized service tech. I said no. She said, well the only other option is: “We can send you a box,” and :we will fix the speakers for you,” but that it would take a few business days to get it shipped to Dell, get repaired, and sent back to me. That should have been the first option, on the first call.
I don’t know of a company that doesn’t replace their defective products, and suggests their customers fix it themselves, especially when bought within 30 days from a retailer like Amazon.

Amazon suggests contacting Dell in the return process, to fix the issue without having to return it to Amazon – but here I am. I am trying to refund/return it through amazon. If it doesn’t get refunded (Today is 2/25/25) I will definitely be back here to post an update.

To future buyers – Don’t go through Dell support, just return via AMAZON.

Very nice laptop for the price.
Bought this to replace my Dell Inspiron 15 that I can’t upgrade to Windows 11.
The keyboard is nicely designed and easy to use.

Can’t complain for the money. It’s a great computer, fast, good screen, and you can’t beat the value.

It is a really good laptop.
I asked about line in recording before I bought this. Turns out only microphone. No option for line in. Very good laptop but inputs are limited.