Dell XPS 13 2015 Skylake Infinity Display Owners Thread

Has the backlight bleed issue from the left and right edges been fixed on the refreshed skylake model of the XPS 13? I currently have the broadwell version which I have gotten replaced multiple times but every single one I received had the backlight bleed issue.

 

my two xps 9350 FHD does not have any backlight bleed what so ever!

 

That would be very helpful. It's too bad that this site's forums software doesn't allow one to search within the threads for better research (unless I missed it somehow).

 

Yep, no other issues for me either. Even touchpad doesn't bother me after a few adjustments.

 

Interesting... the only other alternative I've been considering is Surface Pro 4 i5. I saw some reports of coil whine against it too. Didn't realize it was that wide spread.

 

top right in the search bar just check the box that says "search this thread only" instead of the forum

 

I must be lucky - I don't have coil whine or any issues with the display (adaptive lighting). Either that or I just don't notice. And I am usually extremely picky.

 

Yeah, that's the problem with these catch-all Owners threads, after a while new owners just stop reading them (understandably at 100+ pages) and so they turn into Twitter.

 

Who would've though it was hiding there in plain sight. Totally missed it. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

Has the sleep problem been fixed?

 

I had two 9350 (FHD, matte) and each had backlight bleeding:

for example , or
the second unit I got had even bleeding on colored backgrounds like this

So no, I don't think this issue is solved for now, however I don't think there is a solution to this anyway. As far as I can see you have to deal with backlight bleeding if you want to have an IPS panel. It is very well known, not only with Dell notebooks. I had like 5 different ultrabooks the last months and each brought bleeding with them. The only difference is how visible it is and whether it bothers oneself.

 

I didn't either until I looked into it. I considered exchanging my XPS13 for a slightly loose touchpad but ultimately decided not to because I was worried about getting one with coil whine, light bleed, etc.

The speculation is the whine has always been there, but the lack of fan noise on these newer computers makes the noise more audible.

 

I see. Good for you, I'd do the same. It sounds like some units have it a lot less pronounced. I reconsidered SP4 as it's got its own share of issues. Just on the fence if I should roll a dice on another XPS or not. I have about 10 days left to decide. Damn my acute sense of hearing.

 

I'm the same way. Like a damn dog lol.

 

did anyone try to install the synaptic touchpad drivers instead of PTP? Does it solve the bouncy scrolling?

 

I have had multiple XPS 13's 9343 QHD models and they all suffer from it on the left and right edges. Some of them much more pronounced than others. I am surprised that more people didn't find it as a deal breaker. So Dell is warranty replacing my 9343 with a 9350 model and I hoped that on the new model that the issue would have been fixed.

Also seeing here there is a big coil whine issue which I never noticed on many 9343 I had.

 

question,i've bought a dell xps 13 for my girlfriend....now i want to make a clean install

what i should do to make the boot from the usb ?

i've two options

change boot mode in

uefi mode mode , secure boot off
legacy mode , secure boot off

i need thje boot from usb..

thanks

 

solved...other question, by usb-c i can charge the laptop right ?

there's dock station which can add power directly to the laptop that i don't need the 45w adapter plugged ?

 

How did you? I was considering the same USB boot at some point but got lost in all new to me secure boot settings.

 

I have no idea, I don't think so but I don't want to look through 105 pages. I think some people did something with sleep/hibernate but I don't think the problem itself has been solved. That's why I was hoping for a stickied page so it can just tell us and new comers what the problems are and a status of solution (unknown, temporary, final).

 

Hi everyone.
I would like to buy this laptop, but I'm a little bit frightened by the Content Adaptive Backlight Control issue (I mean the fact that you can not adjust brightness by your own).
I would like to know if the automatic-brightness is on only in battery mode or also when the laptop is connected to an outlet.

Thank you!

lorenzo

 

it is with every fhd notebook no matter whether on battery or not.

 

You can adjust brightness on your own. Just like normal. Brightness is just slightly adjusted based on the screen content. I have had the FHD version for almost 2 months and I don't have any problems with CABC whatsoever.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

Pretty sure sleep problem got fixed after I updated the Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Driver..
Haven't had the problem for a few weeks

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

New Ars Technica review - late, but a good read nonetheless:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016...nderbolt-3-make-the-best-a-little-bit-better/

 

You can Control brightness just like on all other laptops. I have never noticed the Adaptive Backlight Control.
I would also like to add that besides the snapping scrolling now and then, which is almost gone since a few updates, I have to say that this is by far the best trackpad I have ever used on a laptop, the precision is awesome. The only thing bothering me is the keyboard, wobbly keys and low travel, but coming from a Lenovo like I do that is to be expected i guess.

 

I'm working on a Yoga 2 right now, and I guess I can understand what you mean. Maybe the travel is as short as that of the new MacBook Air, far too short.

 

i change boot setting in legacy mode , secure boot off...

then my usb stick works and the ssd is founded by windows install

 

I came from a Lenovo, too (X1 Carbon). There's definitely less travel on the XPS13, but I adjusted easily to the keyboard. It's certainly better than the keyboard on that new MacBook Air. I do notice the difference when I go back to the Lenovo, though.

 

You can get the QHD+ variant of the XPS 13. Dell released an official fix that turns off the Dynamic Backlight Control that is embedded on the display panel. For the 1080p variant, well, it seems it will forever be stuck with DBC. The 3rd iteration of Infinity display XPS 13 might most likely no longer have DBC on both 1080p & QHD+ given Dell's response on the matter.

If you are wondering why the 2nd iteration still had DBC, well, Dell was either negligent enough not to notice Sharp using DBC on its IGZO panels OR was simply being stubborn, playing the innocent, and trying to avoid costs. It is a unnecessary feature and is a complete ******** if you ask me. Whoever invented it should die by a slow death.

 

as far as i can see it only exists because of battery life. so it was on purpose and not happening coincidentally.

 

This feature appears even when the laptop is plugged in...
But I am agree to say that's not a deal breaker, I am a very picky person but I really didn't notice it at all (I've used this laptop for a few days)

 

Do I need to install driver updates manually, or does "Dell Command Update" take care of business automatically? For instance the SSD issue that drained battery?

By the way, what is the difference between "Dell Command Update" and "Dell Update"? They seem to do the same thing? Do I need both?

 

USB-C to HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz) adapter here http://www.accellcables.com/products/usb-c-to-hdmi-2-0-adapter

Although out of stock :-(

 

the most annoying thing with all this is the fact, that you will not be able to run the display at full brightness. it will stuck at about 265 cd/m2 however it could do something way beyond 300.

 

I also came from the Lenovo X1. Even so I would choose the XPS13 over the new X1 any day, the format, screen and touchpad is so awesome.

 

hey guys i have a question lightly based on the xps 13
im curious to know if i got a type c to micro b cable would my phone fast charge ?
its a galaxy s6 edge which supports fast charging with a "fast charger" i know the port is thunderbolt 3 and has power delivery.
it does not fast charge off a usb 3 port .

anybody know the facts ? im sure many users here would benefit from knowing ! cheers

 

Hehe... at the end of the day it was bugging me enough that I initiated a return. Too bad as otherwise it's an outstanding laptop. I'm thinking Lenovo X1 Carbon 4th Gen when it's out.

 

I find the battery life excuse dubious since it would be so dependent on whether the programs/websites used had dark or bright backgrounds.
Since many programs/websites have a white background, CABC could actually reduce battery life.
I returned my FHD because the CABC was easily noticeable and annoying for me (typically had the brightness at 0 or 10%).

With Alienware 13 getting an OLED option later this year, I'm hoping this will also be made available on the XPS13. OLED with i7-6560u (Iris graphics) would make for my ideal travel laptop.

Then again, Dell took 40+ days to process my refund after receiving the returned laptop so I'm not too happy with their customer support. Maybe purchasing it through the Microsoft Store will be better if Dell ever releases an OLED option.

 

CABC reduced brightness even at 100%, so what my guess is, it never ever goes beyond the brightness level you adjust. So if you choose 50% it will stay under 50% all the time. So you will face a better battery life all the time no matter what your brightness level is like in comparison to a fixed level.

 

You make a good point; if CABC does set a max level of brightness at your current brightness setting then it would always save battery life. However, Dell's implementation still has a noticeable effect at 0 brightness. I had the XPS 13 at 0 brightness about 75% of the time and it definitely increased brightness on white backgrounds. In the span of about a second, brightness goes up by 3 or 4 small increments. Granted, not many people will use a laptop at 0 brightness but my eyes are very sensitive to light so it was a deal breaker for me.

 

Thing is, Dynamic Backlight Control is not even worth it. It gives 30 minutes extra battery runtime at best.

 

Cool thanks will try it!

 

I read most of the posts of this topic and noone talks about it... I'd like more infos. Why do we need to refresh the OS or reinstall it? Is it possible to avoid it? In daily usage, how is the fix significant? Thanks.

 

Updating to the latest Intel RST also solves that; can't say that I have noticed any difference though.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25165/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-RAID-Driver

 

Thank you, I'll try this and give my feedback.


It worked! perfect.

 

I know about the fix for the QHD+, but it's an expensive machine.
Do you know when they're going to release the 3rd iteration of XPS 13?

Thank you

 

I don't see any reason why they would release a third generation any time before Kaby Lake comes around, so I'd guess not before 2017.

To be honest: If CABC does indeed give 30 minutes of extra battery life, I'm totally down for it. Of course it should be up to the user to (de-)activate the feature, but I have never been bothered by it; in fact I hardly ever notice it in day-to-day use.

 

That's the thing. Sharp should have put a toggle for it. It did somehow on the QHD+ panel, but not exactly a toggle. You re-flash the panel's firmware to turn DBC OFF or ON. Its weird how Sharp did not do the same on the 1080p. Its also weird how Dell seemed to be unaware of DBC not until it got enough returns from angry purchasers back in March. By then it was already too late for the Skylake XPS

 

IMO Dell had the time to disable DBC but chose not to. Instead, they reduced the DBC reaction time when the Skylake XPS was released. This seems to have worked in their favor as there are far fewer people complaining about the DBC on Skylake vs Broadwell. Dell should have programmed the DBC to be controlled through Windows like every other laptop manufacturer. Maybe this was the only way they could get better battery life than everyone else.

C'mon Dell. Put the upcoming Alienware 13 OLED screen and i7-6560u into a XPS13 and take my money.