Dell Computer reportedly plans to replace mainboards in 20 000 of its notebooks made between mid-November to mid-December 2002. Presumably all or nearly all mainboards of the mobile computers are faulty and could short out causing notebook not to boot. The Round Rock, Texas-based PC vendor offers 1 year collect and return (6 day) limited warranty for the customers who got Inspiron 2650 mobile computers, so no one will have to send or bring their notebooks anywhere.

Inspiron 2650 laptops are not cost-effective models at all, but just fine mainstream notebooks.  They are based on the Intel Pentium 4-M processor, equipped with 256MB to 512MB of PC2100 DDR SDRAM RAM, come with 16MB GeForce2 Go100 graphics solution and feature variety of storage options, including HDD, FDD and DVD/CD-RW combo drive. The computers weight something about 3.65KGs and are positioned as desktop replacement laptops.

Unofficial sources indicated that Dell’s Inspiron computers in general and 2650 model in particular are manufactured by Taiwanese Compal Electronics.

It is not the first time when Dell replaces its mobile computers or their components, according to News.com. In 2001 the company replaced memory modules in 200 to 400 thousands of notebooks, while in 2001 Dell changed batteries in 284 thousands of mobile PCs. Typically, such replacements account for 1% or less of Dell’s revenues.

Those, who have bought Inspiron 2650 notebook should contact Dell’s technical support.