Dell XPS 11 Speculation Thread

Since I did not see a speculation thread on the XPS 11, I decided to create one.



Here are a few links

It seems like an interesting concept that I would be interested in purchasing. It's like the Yoga,
but with a better screen.

What we know:
Screen Size: 11.6 inches
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Connectivity: USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, SD card reader, and HDMI Ports
Active Stylus: Yes

I will try to keep this thread updated as more information comes out.

 

The question is for me to wait for this one or to get the XPS 12 updated with haswell and the bigger battery. I am sure the xps 11 will be overpriced at first at least.

 

Yeah I thought about that also. Either the refreshed XPS 12 or the VAIO duo 13. But I do think that I will settle on the XPS 11 because I like the idea of a Quad-HD screen.

 

I REALLY dislike what Dell did with the XPS.

The XPS 12 had a much better design than the Yoga 13, but people took the Yoga because it had a more reasonable screen (high PPI isn't the best on small Windows screens...) and it included an SD card reader, and had a bigger screen in a similar sized package.

They didn't LIKE the keyboard, the XPS 12 flip design was much better, but the Yoga 13 was a better overall laptop.

Dell should have updated the XPS 13 to include a flip model (while keeping a small package), added an SD card slot, and been done with it.

I really don't think this 11 will be the answer to the Yoga...

 

Well I guess they are just trying to cater to all preferences and also ensure that they sell to those who would prefer the yoga type style. The main reason I would consider the xps 12 is I work out of the country and wanna get something sooner and doesn't seem like the xps 11 will be out for a while. We shall see I am sure that it will be good for what I want it to do either way.

 

Yeah. I 'm still trying to decide on whether or not to get the VAIO Duo 13 or this. I'll probably end up with the Duo.

 

vaio have cr#p keyboard

 

Hi,
reviewing the images of Dell XPS 11 I didn't see any vents for fan, is this devise fanless or the vents are hidden somewhere.
Thanks,

 

I´ve read some conflicting reports on this. KT Bradford, who has had hands on, says it´s fanless in the comments here:
Dell XPS 11 vs. Dell Venue 11 Pro: Laptop vs. Tablet - Techlicious

However, Ronald Tiefenthäler writes that Dell said it is not fanless but has a “Lüfter”:
Dell: XPS 11 im Yoga-Style, Refresh für XPS 13 und XPS 15 - Notebookcheck.com News

My German isn´t very good. Maybe Lüfter is some kind of special fan?

Here´s some more info about the XPS 11. First the official datasheet:
Newsroom | Dell

And some additional info below.

The keyboard is a solid surface touch keyboard but it does have 0.5 mm travel according to Engadget:
Dell's XPS 11 foldable Ultrabook coming in November for $1,000 and up

The pen (if it is the same Synaptics digitizer as the Venue line) appears to be adequate for note taking:
Dell Venue 8 and 11 Pro - Page 12

No silo for the pen but a clip on Kensington Lock.

The screen features the new IGZO-technology, promising excellent color reproduction, even in poor lighting conditions.

Dell hasn’t been too clear about battery life. In this video Dell claims "11+ hours of life" (at 0:40):
Dell XPS 11 Convertible Ultrabook - YouTube

But here it says “approx. 8 hrs.”:
http://www.notebookcheck.com/filead...nue_XPS_Launch/Presentation/dell_event_18.jpg

Dell uses Haswell-Y processors for the XPS 11, which appears to impact performance noticeably. The new Sony VAIO Tap 11 uses the same Core i5-4210Y and benchmarks were below machines with a Core i5-4200U:
Sony VAIO Tap 11 Review | Tablet Reviews

The XPS 11 also has the more powerful Core i5-4300Y as an option. I haven´t been able to find a review of that processor.

Starting price $999 and available in November:
Press Releases | Dell

 

Is this thing ever coming out? Great concept, but the initial "hands on" reviewers are already judging the keyboard to be a real problem. We're now in November (the supposed launch month) and there is not even a peep about this thing that is any different from the initial news reveal. Something in my gut tells me that Dell might scrap this just like Samsung scrapped their Ativ Q.

 

I think Dell initially targeted the holiday season for the release of the XPS 11. I was hoping that meant early Q4, maybe sometime around the release of Windows 8.1. Looks like they were really targeting the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas shopping season instead. I can´t imagine Dell releasing it too long after Thanksgiving unless something has gone seriously wrong, as Thanksgiving-to-Christmas sales account for such a large chunk of annual revenue. I also don´t think they´re pulling the product. Unlike Samsung and its Ativ Q, Dell has kept on showing the XPS 11 at various events. The only firm release date I can find online is 12/6/2013, which is from the official Microsoft Store so there is at least some credence to it:
Buy Dell XPS 11 Touchscreen 2-in-1 - Microsoft Store

 

I've seen contradicting on the keyboard's haptic feedback. Is there one or not?

 

On the Dell press release it states that keyboard sensitivity is adjustable, I guess that means haptic feedback? It also seems that the XPS 11 only has a 4gb of RAM option. I wish we knew more about this machine, I've been holding out waiting for this to come out. I thought we would have a lot more information by now.

 

I personally haven´t seen any conflicting reports, just that the keyboard will have haptic feedback. For additional information you can now peruse manuals and other documents for the XPS 11:
Manuals and Documents for XPS 11 9P33 | Dell US

The availability of these documents would seem to indicate that a release is imminent. In fact, Dutch website Tweakers claims the XPS 11 will be released in the Netherlands this week, on November 15:
Dell start verkoop nieuwe XPS-laptops en Venue 11 Pro-tablet - Computer - Nieuws - Tweakers

That would be a bit of a surprise as it´s not even out in the US yet but we´ll see. Tweakers does seem to have pretty good sources at Dell as they were the first to announce the Precision M3800, among other scoops:
Report: Dell Precision M3800 workstation to launch with 3,200 x 1,800 display option (updated)

 

Dell australia sales said the tentative date is 15 nov for the xps11. I wonder how these will compare to the venue 11 pro price wise.

 

Hi blingers.

Where did you get this info from?

I just had a chat with their sales rep and still with the "no release date".

I've been waiting for months for this thing!

Thanks a lot.

 

New XPS 11 2-in-1 Touch Screen Ultrabook

 

I got it from dell chat too. Its available in australia today now.

 

I wonder why the i5- 4300y CPU isn't listed. I remember seeing it as one of the options on the brochure PDF that someone posted up on this thread. I went ahead and ordered an i5-4210y version, hopefully it doesn't give me problems like the XPS 12 did.

 

Just ordered the mid-level one with the 128GB and Core i5 and the XPS 11 Leather Sleeve and two-day shipping for $999 + tax. Ship date will be supposedly 12/9.

 

Just curious how were you able to get both the system and sleeve for $999?

 

There´s no pen in the order description. Did you have an option to order a pen with the XPS 11?

 

Kind of a shame battery life is only 8 hours vs the 11 hours initially claimed, and the fact there is no mention of a pen is no. It is really shame as this would have been the perfect device if the pen was a tad better(and the talk of silo or something of the sort panned out). Would be interesting to see how the battery life claims pan out. The only other pen enabled hybrid in the 11in category is Sony Flip 11, which they showed prototypes of, but the downside there is quad core Atom and late Q1 release.

You think it is possible to test out the pen from the Venue Pro on your XPS 11 to see if it works or not?

 

I spoke to Dell customer service and they confirmed that no stylus comes with the system. You can purchase a stylus separately for $29.99 and after looking over the product description it should work with the venue pro and the XPS 11. The reviews for the stylus however, are horrible.

 

I am holding out hope that the pen will work better on the XPS 11 IGZO panel than on the Venue tablets. IGZO technology is supposed to improve stylus performance according to this video:
Sharp IGZO Display Delivers Better Stylus Performance - YouTube

However, if I understand correctly, some Synaptics technology will have to be built into the screen for the pen to work. Since I have not seen any mention of this technology in the current XPS 11 documentation at all, I am wondering if some versions will have this layer built in and some versions don´t. Usually manufacturers make it abundantly clear if a device is compatible with a stylus, even if the stylus has to be bought separately. Did Dell customer service confirm specifically that the current versions of the XPS 11 are all compatible with the stylus?

 

I think that might be a confusion with Dell Venue 11 Pro, as the XPS 11 was usually mentioned with it.

8 hours seem reasonable, since the battery capacity is only 40WHr. That's in line with Haswell devices. I hope its close to it in reality, because the resolution is very high. Yea, there's the fact that its IGZO, but claims saying IGZO saves power and actual is usually very different. Funny thing is that, if IGZO does save power, it would be used to merely offset the high power use of the FullHD+ display.

The biggest gripe I have is the battery life and stylus. If the battery life is 8 hours in not-min-brightness-min-use and stylus works and works properly it would be a lot better. I am also disappointed that the option for the 4300Y is only available in some countries. It seems Malaysia and Australia Dell has the 4300Y, while Canadian and US customers are stuck with the 4210Y.

 

Yeah I could deal with 8 hours if it's on at least 65% brightness or higher. I have been reading the threads over TPR about the pens, and I am also disappointed, but a little hopeful that it could be fixed with software, but I doubt that will happen. The only other option in this category is the TPY, but imho is a bit larger for a 12.5in device, though specs are there. The only other option would be wait and see if Sony takes the Flip 11 out of the prototype phase, though Atom CPU is a bit of a :+/

 

Is there a big difference in performance betweent the two?

 

Well... no, but they are both Core i5's, so even if it cost more, it can't be more than $50. It's the i7 options that really get expensive. The 4300Y has 100MHz higher Base clock and 400MHz higher max Turbo, which is not insignificant. That IMO is worth $50. It seems it may be supply limited? Because its only available in certain countries? I don't know. The real thing I see with the 4300Y is getting 4200U's performance only at 11.5W TDP.

I tried justifying the ThinkPad Yoga, but couple of things bother me. The retracting keyboard is not only a potential worry for long-term, but a significant downside because that's the primary reason its significantly thicker and heavier than the Yoga 2 Pro. I am trying to get something more portable than my XPS 12, not go the other way around. I already don't use the Tablet mode on the XPS 12 because its too bulky. The XPS 11 is nearly a pound lighter and significantly thinner.

Another issue with the "TPY" is the battery life. It just doesn't look good(ok neither is the Y2P).

 

Not only that, but the TPY dimensions is almost the same as the Y2P, despite having a screen that is closing in on being smaller by an 1". Then again it's a ThinkPad, so support is going to be in in the States(Georgia to be exact) and in my experience has been excellent.

 

It seems they did release new firmware and it improves things. It doesn't look too bad for note-taking which will be my primary reason for the stylus. Much better than using a dull capacitive "stylus".

Now I would like to see battery life and whether there's an option for the 4300Y in Canada.

 

If you have one of these, or get one soon, please post up a review of real experiences. I see that they may begin shipping very soon. I had Y2P (returned it) and now have Yoga 11s, but will likely return it also. The Y2P performed well, but the size was just a bit too unwieldy in tablet mode (which I use quite a bit). The 11s the right dimensional size, but is a bit heavy and the screen is quite weak (everyone is right, once you go Y2P and QHD, there is no going back). Now, the Dell may be the solution but now I'm concerned about the 4gb max ram and the poor stylus performance.

 

Mine is out for delivery to be delivered today.

Has anyone figured out yet what stylus we can use with this thing?

 

That´s great! I am very curious to know how you like it. If you can find the time to share some of your experiences, it would be greatly appreciated.

I don´t know anybody that has actually used this on the XPS 11 yet but I think it´s supposed to work with this stylus:
Dell Active Stylus for Dell Tablets (Windows) : Computer Accessories | Dell

 

Ok just some quick points. I havent had much time to play with it yet but here goes:

- Build quality is excellent. Carbon fiber and metal. and DOES NOT show finger prints
- Very thin and light but still solid
- Screen is very clear and crisp

The keyboard so far is going to be the hardest to get use to. There is NO give at all on the keys. You are basically tapping on little pads. Going to
be a learning curve.

Any other questions I will try to answer when I play around with it more

 

Can you test something for me? I'm very much looking forward to this device, but I want to see how reviews are.

1. Battery life tests at ~50% brightness with light/moderate browsing or video watching
2. Try tapping the keyboard with an idea that they are really sensitive and use very light pressure. I thought if it is, and if I get used to tapping it really lightly, then it would be useful. Does haptic and sound feedback help? Is it entirely like the Surface keyboard? I find despite being "touch keyboard" it didn't feel like I expect and actually needed some firm pressing to make the key work.

Maybe the digitizer as well.

 

Can you let us know if the Laptop gets hot when under load? Is it loud?

 

Ok Another quick Update:

- I did a video battery test, screen at 50% 30 minutes of video, battery went from 79% to 70%. (this is on factory settings did not touch any settings in battery management)
- Computer is fanless. Does not have any fans so there is no noise at all
- Computer did not get hot at all when doing the video test
- The keyboard has a setting to enable sounds when clicking and also has settings for touch sensitivity. So you can control how hard you press. NO SETTING FOR VIBRATION


The screen is excellent watching HD content. Very crisp.

 

Are you sure there is no fan? The service manual suggests there is.


How about stylus support? - when first announced there was lots of talk about it having a digitiser, but I've recently read it hasn't.

 

If there is a fan I have not heard it once in the 3 hours I have spent with the unit so far. Didnt come on once yet even when playing videos.

I am also wondering about the stylus. If i can find out which one works with the XPS 11 I will order it and try it out. But so far I have not gotten an answer as to which one is compatible.

 

Thanks for the update spridell. Good news about the fan noise - quiet whether there or not.

By the way - which spec did you get?

 

I got the I5 with the 128gb SSD

out of the 128gb its showing 83gb usable.

RE The Fan: there are no vents anywhere on the unit so I dont see where it would expel the air if there was a fan.

 

Since it's no longer a speculation, we have a new thread for owners over here: XPS 11 Owner's Lounge.

 

Excellent.

Anyone else have any other questions you can post them in that thread.