FWIW I had a Dell Insprion 9100 lappy which started overheating then melting interally due to a design fault. After about 20 mins on the phone to Dell I had a brand spanking new Inspiron 9400 with top spec arriving and a few battery thrown in.
They even left it 4 months before asking for me to return the 9100.
I've been quite happy with Dell and both my Dad and sister have Dells on the go at the mo.