XPS 12 Owners Lounge

Update: the onsite technician just left, and I got 4th LCD panel with image retention. This one, which is guaranteed to resolve the IR issue by a technical support supervisor from Dell, actually has more obvious IR than the previous one.
And what is more interesting is that I cannot connect to Dell's support website to initiate an online chat to discuss further matters.

 

Anyone had the "Spring Update" Windows 8.1 update pack install, and having touchpad driver issues? ever since the update, whenever the computer goes to sleep and then wakes up, the touchpad driver "helper app" (for lack of a better term) isn't running anymore (and it won't run again until I restart the computer). The pointer speed is slow, and gestures do not work anymore (like two finger scrolling). I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling to no avail... I'll try backing out the update pack if possible if nobody knows of a solution, but I'd rather not. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

I'm having the same issue and haven't been able to find a solution either.

 

Yeah it's happening to me too, but randomly on any start-up, cold or from sleep (a proper cold startup -- I have hibernate and rapid-start disabled). It's only happening about 1/3 of the time for me, though, and a reboot fixes it. The touchpad process is in the task scheduler -- as an emergency measure until the problem is patched, you could probably go in and set it to re-try more aggressively in the event of failure.

 

I had the issue as well, after installing Win 8.1 update 1 AND the new A05 firmware.

I have since reverted to F/W A04 again, but kept the Win 8.1 update in place.

THE PROBLEM HAS GONE AWAY.

so my opinion is it was the A05 firmware update from Dell that caused the problem, nothing to do with Microsoft

 

Nice catch! I did both at the same time - naturally I blamed Microsloth.... Confirmed! Reverting back to A04 fixed the issue.

 

Hello to all, I'm in plans to buy a new Laptop for my job, I'm searching and searching, etc,etc... I have arrived to this final list:

XPS 12 Processor: i7-4500 -- Memory: 8GB - color gamut 75% of srgb, It has the resolution screen I like most: 1920x1080, tablet mode that seems interesting to me.
Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus Core i5 - (great color gamut, more than 90% srgb but screen resolution is too high for my taste, maybe could get some screen scaling issues) (only laptop)
Macbook pro retina 13 Core i5 under Windows (I dont like OSX) - It has best color rendition of the laptops in the market: 100% srgb but same about Samsung about probably scaling issues in Windows. (only laptop)
Microsoft Surface 2 Pro: Discarded, BSOD everywhere and issues with wifi like Vaios
--------------------

For the XPS 12 seems the IR is gone with firmware A04 and Win8.1 update 1, besides this, do you have any issue like wifi connection issues (Sony Vaios are the king in wifi issues), what is experiencie with this laptop?... I really like the idea to have a convertible laptop because besides my job, I think it could be useful to use with my music keyboard as a electronic music sheet, currently I use my iPad 2 but its old, too small, slow and I don't like iOS, for that I like more this kind (XPS) of machine.

My concerns are this:
- How is it working under windows 8.1 update 1, office 2013 + viewing pdfs, its laggy or not?... (I plan to use VMARE to support some virtual machines to demo on customers)
- How about wifi (preferably on 5 Ghz) do you have disconnections? does it work fine?
- How about the screen, do you like it?...
- How about the fans, are noisy?...
- Could become hot easier?
- How about the audio speakers? good for watching videos?
- How is battery life under browsing internet for example? (On my smartphone LG G2, browsing internet my battery drains less than 8% per hour as a reference with 50% of backlight)

Are you happy with your XPS 12?... any real recommendation from you will be great, I will be glad if you could be as neutral as possible.

 

I don't know how you came to that conclusion, but it's wrong.

There are a few persistent problems with this machine: image retention, buzzing sound while charging, [for some] wifi issues, [for some] fan noise

If you can live with these, the XPS 12 is recommendable. I haven't tried any of the other laptops you've mentioned.

For your general concerns:

- How is it working under windows 8.1 update 1, office 2013 + viewing pdfs, its laggy or not?... (I plan to use VMARE to support some virtual machines to demo on customers)
-> no lags in office and no lags if you're using the right pdf viewer, plenty of performance for virtual machines

- How about wifi (preferably on 5 Ghz) do you have disconnections? does it work fine?
-> never tried, but 2.4GHz disconnects from time to time with the newest driver (I use an older one)

- How about the screen, do you like it?...
-> image retention, other than that great

- How about the fans, are noisy?...
-> not in my case, it's silent most of the time (fan not running)

- Could become hot easier?
-> it gets warm while gaming, but not really >hot<

- How about the audio speakers? good for watching videos?
-> pretty good, but only with Dell Audio installed, otherwise not loud enough

- How is battery life under browsing internet for example? (On my smartphone LG G2, browsing internet my battery drains less than 8% per hour as a reference with 50% of backlight)
-> I'd say the battery would last for ~6-8hrs

I hope this helps

 

Yes, you misunderstood... the issue that A04 firmware reversion from A05 fixes is the touchpad not waking from sleep properly. Image Retention is not something firmware will fix.

One thing I'll add, the XPS 12 has IMO the best keyboard of any current generation Ultrabook. The Carbon X1 update ruined itself with the lack of F keys, Yoga 2 Pro is worse... Asus is laughable, HP & Acer are just average.

 

The only thing I'm worried about buying the XPS12 is the screen, I saw in some site that Dell recognized that problem, but seems here all the people have issues with it, so I don't know to buy this computer or not...
Its incredible, there is not issue free laptop today, all has some kind of issue...

 

I already returned my XPS 12 due to the IR. Glad I did. I've been watching this thread and hoped that there was going to be some kind of solution provided. Sad to see that it is the same old Dell service I've experienced in the past.

I swore off Dell for years until I saw the XPS 12. The design is pretty amazing and a good fit for my use on a daily basis.

But...

It seems that Dell still behaves as it has in the past. Dell ignores problems and does not take care of it's customers.

Never again, Dell!

 

May I ask when did you buy it?

 

Purchased about 2 months ago.

I've thought about buying the XPS 13, but with Dells track record with dealing with problems, I think I'll buy something else.

 

I like the design of XPS 12 too and could be ideal for my use, but looking at all the problems people have, I dont think I will buy it, the worse thing is that
there is no windows laptop free of problems, mostly of them are the worse quality I saw in years... =(

ACER is pure crap, really bad quality, discarded
LENOVO, bad screen, wifi issues, bad customer service, discarded.
HP, if DELL has bad quality, HP is miles a way worse, discarded
ASUS, I dont find the Zenbooks in Mexico, there are only cheap crap from ASUS
SAMSUNG, I like the ATIV BOOK 9 Plus, there is no way to find it in Mexico.
Microsoft Surface 2 pro, pure quality crap, wifi issues, bluetooth issues, battery drains in W81, BSODs everywhere, one word for this: crap

The only viable option is Macbook pro 13 running native W81, I think is the best hardware at the moment, but seems the battery does not last so long in Windows81...

 

So they accepted your return despite that it was out of the 30-day return window. Thanks for your information!

 

Just got a replacement 9Q33 for my 9Q23 today. First thing I did was look in device manager. I was disappointed to see it was an LGD03FD. However, I ran the IR test and it showed no initial IR. We shall see how that holds up because it doesn't show right away. Second thing I noticed is that the display flickers on grey screens. Third and final thing that I think everyone will be glad to hear, I took the back off and discovered it is a true REVISION A01 LCD!!! Manufacture date is: 140217, So FEBRUARY 17, 2014! The LG sticker says A01 as well and panel model LP125WF1 (SP) (A3). Here is a link to the pictures XPS 12 9Q33 A01 LCD Info - Imgur.

 

They swapped out my panel on Monday. Not only does the panel still have IR, the touchscreen doesn't work. I'm pretty sure they put the 9Q23 panel in my 9Q33.

 

It's official. I hate dell.

A 4 hour service call, two LCD screens later ( both with non-functional touch ), I am back to my old IR infested screen.
Dell needs to get their act together, fast

 

@wildman013
The same thing happened to me. Does your screen say "XPS" on the top left corner? Then it's the 9Q23 model.

@all: I was going to get my XPS 12 exchanged with an XPS 13, but I've changed my mind. After reading about countless complaints about the coil whine and backlight bleeding problems with the XPS 13, I decided to keep it. There's not a single (premium) ultrabook out there that doesn't have any issues. Macbooks look and feel great, but don't work ideally with Windows.

The next thing I'll want to do is to replace the wifi module. Maybe top of the line 802.11n from Intel or 802.11ac with a Broadcom/Qualcomm chip. Has someone here done this before? I've read something about locked wifi module manufacturers before, does the XPS 12 have that?

 

That is not accurate. I returned it within the 14 day window. I was simply stating that I was happy with my choice to return.

In essence, it was a warning to potential buyers and others who recently bought the printer and could still return the Dell XPS 12.

I'm back to my extremely worn and battle tested Thinkpad T420.

 

The replacement panel does have the XPS logo in the corner. I knew my 9Q23 had that before they replaced it with the 9Q33. I spent over an hour on the phone and they wouldn't admit it was the wrong panel, but are replacing it. Hopefully, they will at least give me one with a working touchscreen.

 

Have been offered a full refund by Dell. Not yet decided what to do.
Have asked them to arrange a rev A01 screen and try once again before refunding

 

I have the same issue since installing Bios A05. How can I revert back. to A04. The Dell driver site doesn't list the previous Bios.

As a work around I have set the power option so that closing the lid hibernates. Strange but seems to work.

 

It was a bit of a pain to find it. Ended up googling "XPS 12 9Q33 BIOS A04' and found it. Don't remember the link though, sorry.

 

Just ordered an XPS 12 from Costco, and this IR issue has me concerned. Is it something that seems to happen on every unit, or just some? Costco has the units in stock, so no telling how recently mine will have been manufactured and so no idea if it will have any newer panel installed. Probably not...

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

It affects all XPS12 units manufactured before Jan 2014. In Feb 2014, Dell switched to a new screen which has solved the issue. YMMV

 

@akg7091: I'd like to see some proof with that claim. There hasn't been a single case of an IR free XPS 12 yet.
Support even indirectly admitted that they weren't expecting a solution in the near future.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk

 

Apparently I can't edit my own post... You were referring to the revision 1 panel from balong48, I guess. I must have read straight over his post, because he only reported about his >initial< experiences. There were countless claims about IR free displays, but none of them actually was. I'll open my display later today to see which revision I have (got it replaced a few weeks ago). Mine definitely still has IR.

 

This is as per information I got from the Dell rep handling my case. He told me he has arranged a "new batch" screen for me. Expecting it to be replaced by Thursday. I will be posting my results soon.

 

And we'll be happy to hear about it. But as of right now (and you can see it just from reading this thread), Dell has promised exactly the same thing a number of times, and each time it was incorrect. There is not a single verified account of an XPS 12 without meaningful IR, and Balong hasn't had his long enough yet for us to know for sure. Note also that his new screen does have IR -- it just hasn't got very bad yet:

That's his post on the official Dell forums from three days ago. However, since every other case or IR on a new machine has worsened over time, we really won't know anything for a few weeks.

So, as of right now -- no, the problem has not been solved. No one should be making decisions on the assumption that the issue is fixed.

 

can you put 16gb of ram in this machine?

 

They replaced my panel today and the box showed rev A00 but the panel has A03. IR is still there but at least the touchscreen is working again.

 

The RAM isn't user replaceable, and there is no current configuration with more than 8GB of RAM. Does any ultrabook allow 16GB of RAM?

 

One of the few negatives of the XPS 12. Even the Yoga 2 Pro has changed to soldered memory.. to save space. I know the original Yoga had user replaceable RAM, but it like most other Ultrabooks has only one slot. 8gb laptop memory is the most you'll find in one stick for now (future 16gb sticks of laptop ram) DRAM Memory Modules | 16 Gigabyte DDR3 unbuffered DIMMs | Intelligent Memory

 

So, I tweeted about my concerns about IR on my recently ordered XPS 12, and this is how @DellCares responded (for what it's worth):

Even if that were true, I know that I could be getting stock that's been sitting in Costco's warehouse for months. But, from what I've read, this doesn't seem to be... well... exactly... the "truth."

 

Sooooo, I ordered 3 different wifi modules with Intel and Broadcom chipsets. What I didn't realize is that the XPS 12 has an M.2 interface for communication modules.
There's absolutely no alternative on the market right now except an 802.11n version of the Intel 7260. I guess we're all stuck with Intel for a while until the M.2 interface has reached more devices and manufacturers start releasing modules with that interface.

In the meantime, could some of you please measure the maximum throughput they get in an 802.11n network on the 2.4GHz band? Even next to my 300Mbit/s capable router I only get ~55Mbit/s, which seems to be too little.
For measuring, you'll need a shared directory on another machine in the same network and the following tool: LAN Speed Test

There might be better tools for this job, but I found this first and it worked just fine.

Thanks in advance!

 

Wow, that's good information, thank you about the M.2 info and the LAN speed test software. I'm curious what your computer says for Wifi speed in the network properties? I've known similar problems to be caused by certain routers... also a 20mhz vs 40mhz issue on routers.

 

Any ideas what the Idle temps are on this, Mine sits between 50-60C. Not sure if thats normal since I bought it used.

 

A technician just came and replaced the panels in my 2 XPS12's (Ivy Bridge). How can I tell what revision or make they are?
I guess the proof is in the pudding and I should just run it in to see if the problem is fixed (or at least better).

Cheers.

 

Wow no, that isn't normal for an ultrabook, that should be your max temp range under load.

Just took a quick look at Notebookcheck's review of the XPS 12 and their idle temp ranges were 25-30C with a max of 43C under load. Better check your task manager and see if there's something running in the background.

 

For my XPS 12, its around 60 idle and always above 70C when watching online videos in chrome.
Not quite good.

 

Its the same under Linux and Windows, so it's not the OS causing it, or any applications. I already opened it up and cleaned out the insides and redid the thermal paste, still sitting at 50C

 

Bad fan, or possibly bad temperature reading... does it feel hot to the touch? Also, at that temp it should run slow, is that noticeable? Your best hope may be that it's still under warranty (I know you got it used)....

Have you run the boot Diagnostics? XPS 12 Fan - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

Here's a link on fan replacement: Dell XPS 12 (9Q23) Cooling Fan Removal and Installation

Good luck to you.

 

Not hot at all. Feels slightly warm but no where near what 50 feels like on other laptops. Runs normal. Don't see any slow down.

Already ran the diagnostics. It came back normal. Must be the sensor.

The fan doesn't come on till about 60C, runs fine when it does come on.


Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Just received the replacement XPS 12 that is supposed to be free from the IR issue (as promised by the escalation team member who handled my case). However, after 1 hour use I can see IR at the bottom part of the screen, though not as obvious as the one I have before. But we all know that it gets increasingly obvious over time.
It is nice of Dell to update the OS to windows 8.1 pre-installed (my original one has windows 8 pre-installed). However, the biggest issue is not resolved. Besides, the fan noise on the replacement system is significantly larger than the previous one, which is annoying.

I checked the manufacture date of the screen in AIDA 64, and it is 2012. I do not know if this means it is not a new panel. Someone mentioned that he got a panel made in Feb, 2014. I'd appreciate if you can check this for your IR-free screen...

and I uploaded a photo here
http://imgur.com/bjkdZOj
I believe you guys can see that clearly.

It is sad that I will have to reach the Dell guy next week.

 

Ionaysta, please check if disabling the file indexer helps with your fan noise.
In my experience there's a fair amount of time after a Windows installation when your filesystem is being indexed in the background, especially during idle.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk

 

Is upgrading the wireless card to 7260 worth it? Does it have the same issues as the current one, I get really slow speeds, such as transferring a file on my XPS and Mac.. The Mac gets about 200mbits where the XPS gets around 40-50mbits. Any ideas if the 7260 may fix it?

 

thank you for your advice, however it is pretty quiet when idle, and fan noise start to roar as soon as CPU demanding task is on, such as a benchmark test. ...
Anyway, the IR issue makes me talk to Dell and look for other options.

 

Hey all, Haswell BIOS A6 went up today. The notes specifically mention "improved touchpad performance" after sleep, so the issue where the driver stalls has presumably been fixed.

 

Hey guys,

I currently own an L502x (2011 edition) and want to get rid of it because it's massive. It's been a good laptop overall (wow it's already almost been 3 years!!), but damn that thing is big. I put an SSD into it shortly after getting it, and it's in pristine shape so hopefully I can offload it for around $400.

I have a nice gaming rig at home so gaming on a laptop is a non-factor to me. Just want something for browsing/word processing/reading comics/watching videos. I've been wanting to get a lighter laptop and a tablet so this thing seems like a no brainer.

Everything sounds great except the Image retention issue. This would drive me off the friggen wall as I have long been an owner of plasma tv's.

Does anyone read digital comics or magazines on this thing? How is the app support for those activities when in tablet mode compared to using an iPad?

4GB ram seems low...but the 120GB ssd is plenty. I'm gonna pop into Best Buy or Future Shop soon to see one in person.

Been using XPS laptops since the M1530. To THIS DAY that is still my favorite laptop of all time!

Thanks!