Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Review & Owner's Thread

Just an FYI, after calibrating my system to respond better to my battery, it is back to dropping to 92% as soon as i unplug the laptop.

 

Just a quick update on the dell uk site there is a number of new updates dated the 5-04-12 including new touchpad,network,sound & graphics drivers plus a few others.

 

@Bill

Ok, so I am looking at the updates that have the "new" date and several of them have not changed from the previous versions with sever saying in the description that it is the "initial version".

Some that are saying initial version are really crack headed and have stuff listed under "previous versions" for other drivers/software.

This is getting confusing.

 

Yes i agree total confusion now, with driver updates. havent a clue now whats changed and what hasn`t.

 

Bill,

Any word on updated audio drivers anytime soon? I am on the release version and have the headphone issues, but I've read the current version has a lower max volume, so I'm hesitant to upgrade.

 

Yes the ones currently showing even with the release date of 05-04-12 lower the volume considerably.

 

No clue what's going on with the downloads page right now. I just sent a note to the appropriate folks to get the word on what's going on. No updates on the audio drivers at this time.

 

Update:

Nothing of substance to add just yet, but one thing that I was told about regarding the incorrect web post dates is that is a known issue. We know the root cause and are looking into how to change the dates.

Also of note, awareness of this issue has reached way up the chain. We will solve this as quickly as possible. I'll be providing substantive updates as they become available.

One thing to get cleared up: No files currently posted will cause any damage to your system. If you prefer to wait to update any drivers while we figure this out, that's understandable.

 

Can I get some advice on the following problem with my xps 13 please?
For some reason Windows Memory Diagnostic tool doesn't work.

After telling it to run it asks you to reboot and then it will run before Windows loads. Only this never happens. The screen goes black and freezes there indefinitely (with the fan on max).

The same thing happens if WMD is run from Advanced boot options (i.e. press F8 when the computer starts, then Esc, then TAB).

However the computer passes all the memory tests from the Dell software - i.e. the memory tests run through the "PC Checkup" section of the Dell Support Centre. I note though that these tests include a link to the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, which as I say doesn't work.

Thanks,
tak!

 

*sigh* I just received my xps 13 yesterday, I didn't get a chance to play with it till today and it looks like I have faulty keys too. The first thing I did was go through each key starting from the bottom, was almost home free when I ran into 3 troublesome keys. The Delete/Insert/&F10 on the top row have this almost mouse click type noise coming from them, the F10 is less but it's there, with the Delete/Insert it's very obvious.

This is really disappointing as I have yet to really even get a chance to play with this thing.

What would be the turnaround time in getting this fixed? Also will the fix keep the laptop in mint condition? I don't know about a tech opening this up to fix it and leaving behind a scratch or 2.

Am I worrying for nothing?

Kinda frustrated at the quality control here, are they rushing these out due to demand?

 

If you hit the twitter link in my sig, they should have a tech out the next business day after they set up the dispatch. If you get a response from them this evening, they should have the tech ringing your doorbell by Monday. (Estimate)

Even if you don't have a Twitter account, strongly suggest you set one up just for this.

 

I did just just as you had suggested to the others and setup a twitter, let's see how this works out.

 

It's off hours for some of the crew. Let's hope whoever's minding the store is on the ball.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to be doing this from now on; I used to accidentally zoom in/out when scrolling with two fingers. This tip is great!

I'm curious about 4 things,

• How do I get the trackpad icon to stay off the notification area of the task bar? I keep unchecking "display icon in task bar" but it returns after every restart.
• About the continued motion tab in the trackpad settings, what does it mean, what does it do, and how would I use it?
• About the USB3 driver update, is it the Dell-Driver 692G7_A00_ZPE.exe under Serial ATA on the Drivers and Downloads page? The date says 29/2/2012 though, that's hardly an update, is it?
• I tried to install the Dell-Application 7NXR2_A00_ZPE.exe for Intel Rapid Start Technology, Version 1.0.0.1008 A00 under Application, but I get a message saying my computer doesn't satisfy the minimum requirement for it. What gives?

 

The dell driver site got whacked somehow, a lot of drivers now have a 4/5 date but they are not new.

@noced - you are missing the special partition for rapid start - the 8gb one. I posted a link to how to re-recreate it (A dell thread on Dell forums).

 

Just chatted with Scott from the @DellCares team. He's waiting on a DM from you with service tag and ship to address so he can set up a service call for the keyboard and AC adapter. If you can get that to him today by 4:45 PM, CST, he'll be able to have the parts to the tech by Monday. From there it depends on how soon the onsite service provider can get in touch with you and schedule an appointment. Ball's in your court.

Correction: AC adapter already on the way. He needs to confirm details for the onsite service of the keyboard.

 

Eh! But I didn't do anything to it. It's still there in Disk Management.

 

I got the replacement adapter yesterday. Same flextronics model with the same buzzing noise :-(

 

Me too. Dell Brasil replaced the flextronic with another flextronic with the same buzz too. I'm afraid of call Dell tech again and receive another flextronic.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

 

Hmm. I need to play with this. In looking at Terry's instructions to the XPS 15z guys who upgraded to aftermarket SSDs, there is one line in there that I wonder whether it applies here:

"c) Create partition primary size=8192 id=84"

I'm wondering if that "id=84" bit has anything to do with it.

 

One more thing: We have an engineer working on a white paper about Rapid Start now. I'm also going to have a blog post introducing it up on Direct2Dell Thursday. Obviously I have a lot of research to do, and I'm no help now, but I'll figure it out. We're also planning a video discussing the white paper and Rapid Start in a few weeks as well. I imagine you guys will be interested in the white paper more than anything else. I'll have it embedded in my post for download.

 

@noced
In Disk Management, does your existing 8GB partition have a black bar or a blue bar above it? I have the rough draft of the white paper, so I can copy/paste the steps out for you. Just need to know the status of your partition first so I know which step to start copying from.

 

You might try the Twitter team for assistance. I'm not familiar with how the Brazil team performs, but their sister team in the US and Canada is on point. Try reaching out to them on Twitter via @DellAjuda.

 

I recently purchased a Dell XPS13 - all was going well until this morning when I tried to restart it and it is completely dead, dead, dead. I have been getting messages AC adapter cannot be recognised but I ignored them (which I am sure was a big mistake) since I have a genuine Dell AC adapter connected to the latop. I have 5 lights on which I think means the battery is fully charged and when I plug the ac adapter to the laptop the charging light comes on but nothing else is happening. it is not booting at all. I am going to give it back to Dell but in the meantime I want to be able to restart it so that I can move out some files I was working on last night. Can anyone help? This model does not have a reset button and you cannot take the battery out so not sure how to force a reboot.

 

Yes the ID TYPE is the key.

 

That's my nightmare right there. With my previous notebooks, if the system somehow got stuck like above, I used to yank the battery out. Any way to do that on XPS 13?

 

Wait! I want that system. We'll send you a new one first. Are you in the US or Canada? If so, please PM me your email address, and we'll take it offline. I can get you hooked in with Dell-Jesse_L, and he can work out the logistics for us.

And you are going to need 4 more quality posts before they enable PM for you here.

 

Email me, bro. I'll send you the pdf draft. You can check it out and let me know what you think if you want.

 

Correct. I rebuilt my XPS 13 the day I got it and used this command to restore Intel Rapid Start functionality.

 

I am in London and Dell is picking up the laptop on Wednesday - everything is shut down for Easter. But before I give it back to dell there is nothing i can do to force a restart. I have searched for hours on the internet - nothing. Dell says we need to give it an engineer but to be frank I never had such a shut down before. I am currently from the 4 year old Sony that has never failed me. I like the dell but reliability is a big issue for me. By the way the wireless drops all the time as well and I heard this is because of the media card. The machine might look good but for me it is not worth its money not one bit. So if anybody can help me with restarting I will much appreciate it. Thanks

 

Leave it unplugged and on until all the lights go out. Then press and hold power for like 10 seconds. Then re-attach the power and see if it will POST. Not sure if this works, but it's the only way I can think of to clear flea power with a non-removable battery.

Trust me, the reliability problems are not systemic. You got a bad one maybe. Our IFIR (initial field incident rate) is way, way below forecast. I'd have done an exchange before I threw in the towel.

 

thank you it is unplugged but it cannot be turned on. It shows 5 lights on for battery - any ideas how long does it take to drain on standby? I read quite a few threads with people having similar problems with other dell modems so it is pretty worrying. Thank you for your help.

 

New AC adapter works great, NO noise at all, received the LiteOn model.

Next step: Waiting on the tech to give me a call to setup an appointment.

 

How do you know it's a LiteOn model? I got a replacement, the noise is quieter, but still there. Especially when the XPS 13 is charged and on standby.

 

On the back it says Lite-On Technology Corporation (left side, kinda middle). I don't have mine plugged into the laptop, just the power outlet and it makes no noise even when its right up to my ear, the previous one made a high pitch whine.

 

I contacted the facebook team, and on the 30th they took my address, but i have not seen a replacement. How long did it take to get yours? I may have to ping the twitter guys...

 

I know it's not on, but I used poor wording. I'm saying leave it unplugged til the lights go out. Probably a dumb suggestion since it's not drawing any power save the 5 LEDs, so it'll probably be picked up before the battery drains. Mostly I haz a sad that you opted for return over exchange.

Scott went ahead and used the contact/shipping info on file to set up the onsite. You should hear from the onsite provider Monday or Tuesday.

The Facebook team is basically one guy doing the support part, and he has his hands full. I hear he's kicking tail lately, but he has a lot of volume. The Twitter team is staffed up 24/7, so they're naturally a little quicker. You could also PM Dell-Jesse_L or DellChrisM here.

 

I reported yesterday afternoon and received it today (less than 24 hour turnaround). I reported via Twitter.

 

Looking forward to it, so how does the onsite thing work? Does the tech repair it here at my residence or does he take it back to a shop?

 

Has your keyboard issue been sorted? How did it go? Really curious...

 

Has anyone re-partitioned their drive to put back Intel Rapid start? There were some directions ealier in this thread on how to create the 8 GB Partition and set it as a hibernation partition, however, even after doing this successfully ( I can see an 8 GB Hibernation Partition after my C: Drive Partition in Disk Manager ) I still get the message "Your computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing this software" When I try to install Rapid Start from the driver downloads.

 

One last detail here: When I go into the BIOS settings, Intel Rapid Start Technology on the adanced tab is greyed out for me. Is there some setting that enables this? I'm on the A03 BIOS.

 

I had to reboot after partitioning and then install the drivers

 

You do have to reboot for the partion to become the active hibernation partition, but even after it became the active hibernation partition, the drivers still complain.

 

If you follow the instructions and create the correct partition type, then the driver will install.

Directions are here by Terry from Dell:

Intel Rapid Start Technology - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

KenPC clarifies a bit later down the page.

This is how i did mine.

 

These are the instructions I used when I put the partition back, including KenPC's clarification about i being 8192 MB.

 

In Disk Manager, does the restore partition have a blue bar or black bar above it?

 

On the spot. I always advise people watch them work. It makes them more conscientious.

 

A Dell tech contacted me, and he will be calling me back on Monday to schedule a time to come replace my keyboard. So it hasn't been sorted yet, but I'll post an update once it is replaced. I hope it goes well,; my last run in with a tech sent on behalf of Dell was a horrible disaster. It ended with me having to return a laptop for a refund.

I'm currently experiencing another problem with the keyboard as well. Backlight on the keyboard doesn't work on start up, but it will turn back on once I put the laptop to sleep and wake it up (close and open it). Weird.

 

Is it considered bad form to bump on these forums? I posted this a couple days ago, no response, and I have a feeling it'll never get read again unless I bump it...