Customer satisfaction is obviously not their priority!

The Dell XPS 630i is the first and last Dell product I will buy! I find their integrity to be disappointingly lacking. I bought my PC at the end of May 2008. Prior to placing my order, I configured my selection, and then consulted a Dell rep to insure there were no incompatibilities with the configuration I selected. My plan was to use my monitor, a Hyundai L70N Flat screen and my speakers, Boston Acoustic Digital BA735 (a Sub-Woofer with two satellites). Once fully connected, I noticed my speakers were not producing any sound. They were working fine on my old Gateway but not on the new Dell XPS! The Boston Acoustics were bought along with the Gateway in 2001. After reviewing the manual and spending significant time troubleshooting my dilemma, trying to get the speakers to work was futile. The only sound I was able to get was from the headset. I contacted Dell support and after at least 40 minutes of conversation with the Dell rep in India, it was determined by Dell that my Boston Acoustic speakers were incompatible and not supported by the Dell XPS 630i! The Dell tech. rep. told me I could either buy speakers that were compatible or install a separate sound card that is compatible with my speakers, at my cost! I contacted Dell Customer support, explained the problem and was given the very same response! I offered to split the cost on either comparable speakers or a compatible sound card. They said they were very sorry, but they couldn't do that. I reiterated the time I spent with their Customer rep prior to placing my order, they understood and still refused to help. They obviously have a dismal customer satisfaction policy. I chose Dell because of their supposed reputation of quality of product and service, apparently, I have found that to be a myth.

I received a call from Dell yesterday about my dilemma.
Dell offered me a choice. They offered me a pair of PC speakers which were not comparable to the Boston Acoustics or a Creative Labs Soundblaster SB X-FI Audio(EE00) sound card. I chose the sound card. I received the sound card today. It came securely in a plastic envelope between two pieces of foam rubber with no documentation! I downloaded the required software from Creative Labs and installed the sound card with no problem. I still could not get the Boston Acoustics to work! I re-connected the Boston Acoustics to my old Gateway and they worked fine! I had ordered new Logitech 540X speakers and received them today. I connected them first to my old Gateway and they worked fine. Then I connected them to the new Creative SB sound card and they also worked fine. Then I connected them to the original audio card that came with the Dell XPS and they worked fine too! I don't know what this all means. The bottom line is the shared audio card on the XPS, Realtek HD Audio will not drive the Boston Acoustics digital BA735 speakers. Dell is supposed to contact me tomorrow for follow up. I don't know what prompted Dell to contact me and make the offering they made. I suspect it may have had something to do about the epinions.com rating I submitted. I don't know.

The Creative sound card Dell sent me sells for $89.95.
The Logitech X540 speakers I bought new sold for $78.00 including shipping! I requested Dell (Rep "Joe") to have Dell rebate me $78.00 for the Logitech speakers and I would return the Creative sound card. After a few days, "Joe" called me and told me Dell couldn't do that.
So, I have a Creative sound card I dont need, and somewhat unhappy about this whole episode!