Dell Laptops Facing Week-Plus Shipping Delays

Expecting a shiny new Dell in time to head back to school? You might want to rethink your purchase, as some Dell models are facing lengthy delays of up to 11 days, meaning they may not be in hand by the time you head to campus.

NotebookReview reports that its Dell forum has become a hotbed of activity in recent weeks, with most posts discussing shipping delays at Dell. Dell itself has acknowledged some of these issues publicly: Its XPS M1330 (pictured), an otherwise stellar notebook and one of the best thin-and-light models on the market today, is experiencing sustained backlogs in all colors except black. The primary culprit appears to be the paint job quality, but certain parts shortages are an issue, too. The white M1330 has been discontinued altogether.

The shortage also extends, apparently, to Inspiron 1420, 1520, and 1720 models. 

One poster has been kind enough to break down the delays by color, at least for the 1520: Black and white models have no current delay, while red, green, and pink ones are held up for 11 days. Component options you select may increase that delay further, though.

Have you ordered a new Dell and found yourself twiddling your thumbs, hoping it will someday arrive? Share your experience in the comments section. 

LINK: Shipping "Dell-ays"