XPS 12 Owners Lounge

Why is it a non-starter? The HD5000 gets you maybe a max of 15% improvement over the 4400. All designs based on the 22nm node are thermally limited. The 5100/5200 are the only ones that MAY be worth holding out for, but you will have to wait until Christmas to see broad availability (I know rumor says Apple will get dibs by Sept on Macbook Pros).

The HD4000/4400/4600/5000 differential is 25-30% max, and the delta between 4400 and 5000 is 15%. I guess if you really want to squeeze out those extra frames in some games, but reality is the 5000 isn't going to play games much better than the 4400. Bottom line, non of these outside of the 5200 will be serious game devices. I'm just hoping to play some couple year old titles on this thing! Although I hate how every review site dismisses the IGP without at least some measure of testing. We got it though, it isn't gonna play 1080p games at ultra.

Anyways...hello all, just plunked down massive cash for the i7 Haswell XPS 12 - it is a bit overpriced, and now that I read the SSD is user replaceable, I'm wondering if I should cancel and resubmit my order with the 128 baseline for 1399 and do my own SSD upgrade? I guess the 100 or so bucks saved might not be worth the hassle...

 

I ordered the "new" XPS 12 last night. I'll be back in the US for a few weeks, and would like to have it around the time I arrive, so I had to kinda rush and order it now. Went with the base model since I have a beast desktop at home, and the base haswell/4GB/128GB should be fine for me for what we're gonna use it for on the move. Ordered on 7/11/2013 and it will arrive by 7/29 to my buddy's house in LA.

Looking forward to the new toy.

A somewhat less technical question for you guys: what kinda cases are you using to carry yours? I've always liked those neoprene/memoryfoam style cases, but for some reason Google and Bing aren't returning anything interesting...

 

Another question for those who like SD Cards, do you have a recommended SD Card adapter you use? Are there other options besides USB adapters? I do a lot of wedding photography, so it would be useful to be able to throw pics onto the comp quickly.

 

I've read elsewhere that a Macbook case (I think for the 13" size? not sure) is a very good fit.

Did you get the i5 or the i7 processor? Trying to decide what I need. People have told me that the former is plenty for my basic use (word processing, internet, email, very basic photo editing), but my husband says if I want to have this computer for awhile (I've had my current laptop 4 years), you never know how quickly performance starts to go downhill, so I should start off with the i7 from now. Any thoughts on this?

 

Wow, that might be neat since there are so many cases for Macbooks.

I went with the i5. If you're just using it for the basic stuff you listed above, I'm thinking a 4Gb Ram i5 would be more than enough. The things I'll be doing that will tax the computer the most are some video/photo editing and playing games (Starcraft 2, etc.), and I'm sure that it will handle these well.

If you like to do many things at once, you might consider getting 8GB of ram. But if you are looking at the haswell version that was just launched, getting the 8GB version also forces you to get a bunch of other upgraded stuff. But because the new version just came out, you can get some great deals on the outgoing model.

 

I do like to do a lot of things at once, LOL! But I think you can only get the 8GB RAM with the i7, correct?

 

The difference between an i5 and i7 is never going to matter in that situation. By the time you're really noticing that your processor is too slow for basic computing (which is likely to be four or five years away unless something big happens to the industry), then the i7 will be just as far behind as the i5. The difference between several generations of processors is always going to matter much more than the difference between processors within one generation.

Pick your specs based on whether you want the larger hard drive. If your computing needs require more RAM or a faster processor, then you already know it. If you don't know it, then you don't need it.

I mostly use a four-year-old core 2 duo laptop, and even it is still just fine for everything you indicated you want a computer for ("word processing, internet, email, basic photo editing"). I could keep using it for another couple of years without having the slightest issue with any productivity or entertainment tasks. Unless you're doing something processor-intensive (games, super-hi-res video, video editing, and so on), then your laptop will likely break and get tossed out before your processor gets to be too slow.

That said, you might very well want a bigger hard drive, and if you're not willing to replace it yourself then you have no choice but to also pay the $200 for the i7 upgrade.

 

Well, you are right--I should have been more specific in saying that the upgrade would take me to the i7 processor and the 8GB RAM. My current 4-year old netbook has just 1 GB RAM, and I am having A LOT of issues with it at this point (e.g., if I have more than a couple tabs open in my browser, it starts slowly up, and if the pages have flash--which almost every web page does!--I'll start getting crashes). Of course, having 4x the RAM (4GB) might completely solve this problem, but I'm not sure.

In answer to the replace it myself question--NO, I don't want to have to do that; I want to get what I need now to last me the lifetime of this computer, and I'm willing to pay a little more if that's what that means. So, re-phrasing it that way, does it seem worth it for me to bump up to the 8MB?

 

That's not fair! Ordered mine on 9 July, the first day they were available, and the ETA in the UK is 13 August

 

For what you say you'll use the machine for, no. It's really pretty hard for the "average" computer user to go over 4GB of RAM doing "basic" computing tasks, and those basic tasks are unlikely to change in a big way during the lifetime of the machine. Basic productivity software like MS Office takes hardly any RAM for anything but very specialized uses. Even RAM-hogging media programs like iTunes will only take up a fraction of 4GB if your library is limited to what fits on a 128GB SSD. These aren't things that are meaningfully going to change in the lifespan of the machine. If you're one of those people that likes to have 30 tabs of a web browser up at all times, with ten solid programs set to auto-start when the laptop boots, while letting several long YouTube videos cache at once, then you could definitely use up 4GB of RAM. But, with "normal" usage, you won't, and it would take a pretty big change in basic computing habits over the next few years (bigger than we've seen so far) for your 4GB of RAM to bottleneck you the way 1GB would right now if you were using an older laptop.

All that said, yeah, I'd personally get 8GB too, given the choice, just to be safe. You could get 8GB with an i5 on an Ivy Bridge XPS 12, and it seems obnoxious and greedy to force the processor upgrade on the newer model just to get 4GB more of inexpensive RAM. I'd pay even an extra $100 for the RAM (which would still be very overpriced), but $200 more to also get a processor bump that I'll never notice? I just don't know if I can make myself do that.

I still think it's very odd that Dell removed the i5/8/256 model, which seems to have been the most popular version of the Ivy Bridge machine. Do they really think demand is so high that they can force people to accept an expensive processor upgrade just to get other specs? Hard drives and RAM have got cheaper since the XPS 12 was first announced, and yet they've basically made the machine more expensive. With all the excellent competition out there from lighter machines with better displays, I just don't know what Dell was thinking. They must really think that the XPS 12 form-factor will catch on this year.

Having to pay for the i7 upgrade might literally be what sends me off to buy a Samsung instead. I'm already on the fence, and an extra $200 for no good reason is more than enough to push me to the other side right now.

 

Thanks Epic for your feedback. I am someone who likes to use multiple tabs, but my maximum is probably 7-8; 3-5 is probably more my average.

Still, I may spring for the extra $200. I'm not a big gadget person--I don't have a smart phone or ANY other device (i.e., no Kindle, no tablet, no other computer other than my work PC)--so it's worth it to me to spend a bit more on the one thing I will use all of the time.

 

Anyone care to share what kind of case/sleeve/bag they're using for their XPS 12?

 

Amazon.com: Mobile Edge MESSM3-13 13-Inch Neoprene SlipSuit (Navy): Computers & Accessories

I works very well with the XPS12

 

I ended up ordering this.....One of the reviews says his XPS 12 fits perfectly, but I'm wondering if it really is thick enough. Says the product is only .5 inch thick!

Amazon.com: Red VG Hydei Nylon Laptop Carrying Bag Case w/ Shoulder Strap for Dell - XPS Ultrabook 12.5" Touch-Screen Laptop: Clothing

 

Who on here's gonna get their Haswell XPS 12 first? I'm dying to hear how the battery life and performance is in real tests...!

 

Well, it won't be me. My estimated shipping date in July 28 and delivery date in UK August 13. They really do mean shipping. Probably on a slow boat from China.

 

I'll be down to share when I get mine on July 29thish....but I'm hoping I'm not the first one to get mine.

 

Haven't ordered yet but plan to do so tonight.

 

Dell tells me 24 July to receive mine!

Will try to be first here with pics and impressions!

 

Just ordered!!! Ship date 7/25, expected delivery 7/30.

 

All eyes on you SmugPanda!!!! Don't disappoint us

 

Ok order is placed now.

He told me going to expedite the shipping date so not entirely sure when it will arrive.

1399 128GB version. (I can just replace it or get a USB drive for my music

-50.00 coupon
-75.00 haggling with the dell sales guys
-4.0% cashback from ebates/redflag
-1.5% credit card rebate.

Perhaps something will come out soon that will smoke this but honestly for what I am gonna use it for I think it will be ok and since I work / live in a different country that overprices luxury items I need to take advantage of it now

 

how did u get haggling and the cash-back together ? (i am assuming haggling is over phone and placing order for cashback is via web)

 

I was waiting for the haswell version of the XPS 12, I'm buying the laptop for my wife since her current HP is around 6 years old and the battery is dead.
I too am annoyed that the i5/8/256 model is not available with the haswell version. I called them up to tried to see if they could customize and they said no. Since the ram is soldered onto the motherboard I went for the icore 7 version with 8gigs of ram. I skipped the SSD upgrade since they wanted to charge 300 for 256, which I can get on amazon for $180 and will install my self. Should be able to sell the 128 for $50.
My delivery date right now says july 26th

Can't wait to see how this laptop preforms should be great for her & in tablet mode our 1 year old.
When Windows 8.1 is released it will be the icing on the cake.
I'll post my impressions (well hers) once it arrives


any one else notice that the wifi now supports 802.11AC

 

I'm wondering about getting the $50.00 coupon too--what was this for? I tried to apply one of the coupons on the web site (for $100) but was told by a Dell rep that the coupon didn't apply to touch screen laptops, although that exception was not listed. The rep offered me a $50 coupon, but I would have had to order from her, and I didn't want to do that--she kept trying to upsell me on things just during our short conversation. I did get about $28 off for being a state employee, but that was it.

 

Considering the way things are usually priced in the UK comparing the $ against the £ where they often seem to make $1 = £1, I am very happy with what I paid in the UK for mine. i7 with 8Gb and 512Gb SSD and Windows 8 Pro for £971.10 plus VAT (which I can reclaim). That's about $1465 at today's rate. I may have to wait a little longer for delivery but I will certainly make use of the 512Gb SSD. The same model on the US website seems to be $2,000! Just for once, I'm glad to be in the UK (especially with the Summer weather we have at last got!).

I can't wait to get my hands on it!

 

Hey there

Peteostro - Totally agree. 300 bucks for 128 GB upgrade when I can (if I want to do it, at this point it's not a big deal to me) and sell the one in there and buy something for a lot less than that.

Arjenprabu / btobey - Haggling means chatting up the Dell agents until you get one who wants to make the sale. What happened with me is a few of them were supposed to get back to me
and they did not so I was a bit upset because one of them had told me that he was going to put 100.00 coupon in for me.

Well when I rechatted i mentioned this was offered like you the 50.00. I persevered and he said ok well give you 75.00 and then while this was going on I had been going through
Dell Canada Coupon Codes: Get $53 Off w/ July 2013 Coupons, Promo Codes to try and find some working coupons and of course none of them worked.

Except one but it was for 50.00 but I'm good with it as he is going to give me 75.00 refund as the promised it already

The cashback is if you link to dell.ca through paypal, redflagdeals or ebates.ca (through their web "portals" i guess) they will give you cash back on your purchases at some "supporting" online retailers.

Dell.ca happens to be a part of all that so why not and my credit card has it's own cashback thing too

 

@norm2002 - Yep it's 1999 CDN. A rip off really considering how I could teach a 5 year old on how to install a new SSD that would cost probably less than half that

 

If you can buy on the Dell US Business website, it says you can get an instant $100 discount on the XPS 12. Not sure if that helps you.

 

@norm2002 - Unfortunately though the US starting price seems to be 1499 where in Canada it's 1399 for some reason.

Oh wait, maybe a lot of the persons talking here would be American so this would help

Sorry for the assumptions hehe

 

Anyone wanna update me on the pros/cons to wiping the dell installation off of these XPS 12s ?

I usually do that to save space.

Is there any guides here well I will go look just wondering if anyone has any data on how much space you can save

 

Not on the new xps 12 (haswell) . .. only the 2012 models have the $100 off
i can't find a coupon that gives $100 off on the new xps 12.

If anyone has any pointers, please post here.

 

The page I linked to is definitely for the Haswell models. Under Processor for each of the 3 models it says 4th Generation.

 

Just ordered from dell home.

anyone else noticing the "order status" page go bonkers? its redirecting me to product support page (instead of order status!!)
(on dell us website)

 

I'm itching to order one but do not see any reviews on real world battery usage yet.

None of you are worried about being early adopters?

(I'm posting hoping someone can convince me to buy o e today...haha)

 

Soon. I think that no one has gotten theirs shipped yet so that might be why

 

I've ordered an i7/8GB/256GB/WinPro. The Australian EPP site has a 20% discount code at the moment so I got it for $1650. ETA is 31/7/2013 (or 7/31/2013, if you live somewhere that hates logic).

I do wish you could get it with built in HSPA though. Tethering is drama.

 

Based on Anandtech's review you are concluding that?

Review Apple MacBook Air 11 Mid 2013 i5 1.3 GHz 128 GB - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

Air 2012/Air 2013

Anno 2070: 22/32.8 = 49%
Tomb Raider: 19/26 = 37%
Bioshock Infinite: 37%

It seems the gain can be lot less at 15-20% but the differences can also reach 40-50% depending on games where it becomes the difference between slightly jerky play to being smooth.

The Iris parts(both Normal and Pro) are much higher TDP parts so you won't ever see it in such thin and lights anyway.

 

Keep in mind that ordering from Dell Business sometimes limits your options for returning the machine if you don't like it. (The trade-off is that sometimes you get a free OS upgrade or better customer support.) Given all the problems that the previous version had, I'd make sure I could return even a non-defective unit.

That said, I'm feeling good about the new trackpad and wifi chip. I'm not willing to pay $1700 for a 256 SSD when the Ivy version could be had for $1500, but part of me is tempted to just order the relatively cheap base model and accept that it'll need replacing a year sooner. Common sense says to wait for a review, but... new toys...

 

I thought about that but it worked out more than 10% cheaper to buy from Dell Business. And I considered that nearly all the parts in the XPS 12 with the exception of the processor and, fortunately, the wifi chip and trackpad are the same so in that sense we are not really early adopters. I accept that I will not be able to return a non-faulty unit.

And on the bright side, I just had a call from the Dell Sales rep that my machine is finished. Apparently, it still takes 2 or 3 days to get to the courier but, as he doesn't know yet where it is coming from, he cannot yet tell me which courier or when it is due for delivery. Keeping my fingers crossed. Should know by the end of the week.

 

I pulled the trigger on the 10th to get the i7 8gb ram and 512 gb SSD. I hope to have it by the 25th but hold out hope that i will get it this week. As soon as I get mine I will post benchmarks asap and my thoughts

 

That's one information source that is a great place to start. You are comparing HD4000 to 5000 there to get to 50% improvement. I agree with that at the high end. Don't think the 4400 is dead in the middle but it is probably close. I think dell has said the 4400 is "1.6x" faster than last year's model.

My argument centers more around why the 4400 is a deal breaker for some. Neither the 4400 or 5000 are hard core gaming devices but most can play a decent range of games well and it seems unlikely the 5000 will suddenly make a unplayable game suddenly work so much better. I can understand preferring a higher end part but we always have to make compromises in technology decisions.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

Even better! Just received tracking info confirming it has left Shanghai, China today and is due to be delivered to me in the UK on Thursday!

 

So much for being first! When did you place your order (date)? I ordered July 12.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

July 9 at 13:30 UK time, 09:30 EDT.

 

That's what I thought, too. But I saw a Sony Vaio Duo 13 that can be customized with a i7-4650U, which has HD Graphics 5000. Here's a link to Sony's site.

That being said, I'm not sure how worth the HD 5000 is. I guess it depends on the type of games you play. If you are playing top of the line stuff like Guild Wars 2 and Planetside 2, I'm not sure the HD5000 will be enough. You will be better off with finding a notebook/ultrabook with discrete graphics. But if you are playing less demanding games like League of Legends, a HD 4400 will be just fine. Hell, a HD 4000 is fine for that game. So I guess there are a range of titles in-between those which might fit in the sweet spot of what HD 5000 can do. Perhaps Skyrim or Anno 2070. I'm not sure.

 

HD500 is not considered an iris part though. I think if we see a xps12 with an iris option I'll be surprised. Or any true ultrabook for that matter as was previously commented. We might see some 4.5 lb notebooks use it.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

Wahoo!! I just got notified my XPS 12 (9q33) has shipped and is expected at my door tomorrow!!! a whole week and a day ahead of schedule!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup: I will be posting my first thoughts and benchmarks from Geek Bench pcmark 7 and 3d mark 7 I will post the results as soon as possible. as well as the experience index numbers.

 

Wow, nice.

The hard stats are awesome, but I'm personally more interested in how the new wifi and touchpad work, since those were kind of the dealbreakers for the previous model.

 

Wow! Sweet!! We're looking forward to your review chris!!