XPS 13 Ultrabook Arrives

Ohhh thanks for the pics!! Can you take some pics showing the laptop next to familiarly-sized objects? It's hard to tell how big/small it is by itself ><.... if you could find a netbook or 13'' laptop to compare it to that would be perfect (one of the selling points of the xps 13 is a 13 inch screen in a 12 inch notebook body)

Also, I read that 'backlit trackpad' is a feature.... but I haven't been able to find out any more about it online... could you take a pic of that? Thanks!!

 

Here is mine when compared to my Android Evo 4G.

Also a note on the fan. After Windows finished all of its initial search indexing, Defender scanning, all while I was installing, un-installing crap the fan as quieted down tremendously and really only comes up when I am running heavier loads.

 

It is starting to sound like this one has loud fan noise too.

I guess I'm better off keeping my Sony Z2.

 

So how does the T-Mobile option work? Can you use this without having cellphone service with them? If so would the monthly charge be for just Data?

 

There are a couple of threads going, so I'm no sure where the best place is to post this. Since this currently seemly to be the most active, I'll start here, but I wonder-- is there any way for the threads to be combined? The title of the other thread (review/owners thread) seems to be more appropriate for hands on observations and ongoing issues....

Okay, moving on to my first imporessions. I got the computer late yesterday and have only had a couple hours to play with it, so these really are first impressions. I have not spend nearly enough time tweaking it to my liking... And, disclaimer: I regularly find myself comparing it to the Macbook Air, because, for me, that is the gold standard of slim and light engineering. My search for an ultrabook began when I first encountered one. I even, once, bought one, in hopes I could make it work. I ended up returning it, but I have been trying to match the experience ever since.

Above all: this is a beautiful, amazing, and extremely well constructed computer. I just love how it looks-- as understated as the MBA, but with softer, rounder edges. Speaking of soft-- I love how the deck feels under my palms and wrists. It's different than anything I have used before, kind of rubbery and cool. (It does seem to be collecting oil from my wrists. I will try to add a picture of that later.) I like how the keys feel when I'm typing. I haven't missed a single keystroke (like the UX31). The keys are a little clicky, louder than a MBA, but not louder than any other pc I have ever used. (I have yet to run into a PC that matches the MBA's eerie quietness.) And, this thing is solid. Unlike the Toshiba, there isn't a bit of wobble in the screen when I type. Since I type most of the time sitting in a chair with the laptop on my knees, this really matters-- there's nothing more disorienting than trying to follow text on a wiggly screen. And unlike every other ultrabook I have tested, the touchpad works well-- almost perfectly, out of the box. (Some adjustments which I will note below.) The wifi is robust, and fast enough that I didn't even bother to check it on speedtest.net until moments ago, when I discovered (no surprise) that it's just as fast as all my other wireless n cards. Unlike the Toshiba, when the fan isn't on, it's dead quiet.

This brings me to my reservations. So far, only two: the fan does kick in at regular intervals, and when it kicks in, it's loud. Remember that thing I said about holding the computer on my lap? Well the vent runs right straight across the back of the computer, so my knees block about half of it, and this seems to cause the fan to kick in about every two minutes. It also kicks in the minute I connect to the Internet, and when Windows Update does any background work. Never for more than about five seconds, but it's pretty noticeable. Not like the refrigerator whine of the Toshiba, so I might be able to live with it, but I'm really on the fence. Later I will put the computer on my desk and see if it stops, but I'm a writer, and I write with my computer in my lap, and I don't plan on changing that habit. I am really hoping that a smarter notebook geek than me will help us figure out some bios tweaks or speedfan tweeks that will allow the fan to run less often, or more continously, but less loudly.

My only other reservation is the touchpad-- two finger scroll works really well, as does selecting and navigating. But the pad itself is really big, and I'm finding that I accidentally "palm-check" it more than I would like, and end up with the cursor in some weird spot that I don't discover until I start typing in the wrong place. No fun. The palm-check feature of the touchpad keeps this from happening while typing (just keep moving the slider towards "heavier" until you get the result you want), but when I'm reading over what I just wrote, that feature turns off by design, and I find myself accidentally hopping all over the page. I am fiddling with making the touchpad require a harder touch, which helps, and I have hopes that I'll end up with a balance that works okay.

I will try to post a few pictures later this morning-- not glamour shots, which are piling up all over the web, but things like grease on the deck, and glare on the screen, and the size of the thing compared to my current thirteen inch and 12 inch notebooks.

Somebody in some review said that this touchpad has two-finger right click, but I can't find it. If anybody has found it, please let me know! I would love it. And if anybody has any thoughts about the fan.....

 

@ shelleyevans: Great write-up. I suggest you post it (and subsequent pictures and observations) on "Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Review & Owner's Thread."

This thread was more relevant on the day the XPS 13 was first available.

BTW, that noise is a deal-breaker to many users. Dell should have used CPUs of lower TDP (thermal design power), picked a quiet fan, and updated the BIOS. Also, that rubberized material on the palmrest is very fragile, picks up hand oil too readily and looks unkempt after a few months.

 

Its a hotspot that you can connect up to 5 wifi devices to. It is 4G. There's no contract, you can pay as you need it for as much as you want or on a month to month basis.

It comes with 90 days prepaid service that starts when you activate it. When you join the hotspot's wifi, any web site you go to initially takes you to a tmobile site where you activate it. Once activated then you can browse the internet at 4G speeds.

Its nice that there is no contract required.

 

Question for shelleyevans (or anyone else, really):
Since you're a writer, how do you deal with NOT having dedicated Home and End keys on your laptop?

I personally use them all the time, and I find it extremely difficult to write or edit without the Home and Keys. This unfortunately makes my laptop choices somewhat limited. I've tried using a laptop without these keys, but it's just too frustrating for me.

Any tips ??

Thanks...

 

Consider a ThinkPad laptop. ThinkPad keyboards are legendary and always include the traditional keys you need.

Dell Vostro laptops, such as the 3450, do have the Home, PgUp, PgDn and End keys.

 

To add on to this, the 90 day prepaid is broken in to 3 30 day codes. So you do not have to use it all at once. You can use it when you need to. If you need it for vacation or business you can purchase only what you need at the time.

Not a bad way to go. For me I have hot spot in my phone, but will make use of this somehow.

 

Please see my continued thoughts at: http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...abook-review-owners-thread-3.html#post8349736

 

Glad to see the discussion going on and that units are already on site. Let me know if there are any specific questions I can answer. One I saw was screen resolution. Our feeling is 720P is plenty on a 13" screen, but we have been looking at higher screen resolution options since before launch. TBH, we had to make a choice.

Have-to-haves were edge to edge and Gorilla Glass. When we were planning and considering supply chain line of sight for the screen, we didn't feel like there was an edge to edge 13" screen available at the time that both fit the spec and played nice with Gorilla glass at the factory. So we decided to launch with the 720P we had that we knew would both function and keep up with manufacturing and services demand. We will continue to evaluate the situation and update you when we have news to share.

 

I will make sure we're looking at the fan complaints as well.

 

One thing that is quite perplexing that virtually all reviews have touched on is why omit the SD card reader? What prompted that decision?

 

Please, while I have not opened a support call with Dell the fan is the one thing that is causing this system from being great. Right now it is like an elegant leaf blower.

 

So... are you saying that this laptop really blows?

 

That was the result of a trade-off. Some trade-offs are made for money reasons. For example, it may add $4.59 per box to include a random item on a box. If you do the math on forecast unit sales, that could amount to a big chunk of change. Some trade-offs are made to meet an overall design or capability requirement. In the case of the SD card reader, it was definitely not the former. It came down to the size spec. Edge to edge 13" screen in an 11"-ish footprint was what we were looking for. There simply is not enough room in the chassis and motherboard to fit the SD reader in. Other 11" chassis have had to make same sacrifice, reference: Macbook Air 11.

We've heard this from customers and seen it in a couple of reviews already. I've already emailed the appropriate teams about this. At this point they have not had time to reply yet, but I'll post back what I hear.

 

Thanks for coming here and observing what is going on. That is rare for a maker.

I would more seriously consider the XPS 13, but there are several changes I would like to see:

1. Warranty - I want a plain 3 or 4 year warranty without all of the bells and whistles of the current offering.
2. SSD capacity and cost - $300 to go from the 128 to 256 is too steep. I would rather have a 160GB SSD option at a much lower cost.
3. Bundled software - I already own the Adobe software. I don't need another copy and the cost associated with it.

 

@Dell-Bill: I am so glad you are bringing this fan issue to the Dell engineers. The truth is that if this fan weren't popping on and off like a-- leaf blower, hair dryer, dvd player-- take your pick-- I would be ecstatic about this computer. And I have been actually moving towards keeping it in spite of the noise, because I like it that well. Although big engineering fixes are not likely in the future for this iteration, it would be nice if we could have the option to run the fan more often at lower speeds, and/or underclock the computer so it generates less heat... ANYthing, really, that could produce a more generally quiet experience. When it's quiet, it's amazing.

 

Can you change your Windows Power scheme to Power Saving (or Max Battery) instead, so the CPU is running in low power (low heat) mode more often? What power mode does the 13 ship with?

 

Yes, in fact! On the other, owners thread, I just posted that after much reading I went into advanced power settings and throttled everything back as much as I could: first changed the general power scheme from "Dell" to "Power Saving," then going into advanced, and changing most peripherals to "power saving", then going to CPU and setting min to 5% and max to 40%, and cooling to "passive". I have now been typing on the computer for over an hour, both on and off the internet, with greatly improved noise. And much less heat. Fan doesn't come on as often, and when it does come on, it's much quieter. Some might balk at the reduced CPU power, but it truly doesn't matter to me. At the moment, I'm cautiously optimistic, and if it continues, I will be thrilled.

 

One thing I change in the power config was active cooling to passive cooling when plugged in. This does not mean it does not use the fan to cool, but will slow the proc down to cool as well.

 

I wouldn't think you'd need to be so aggressive on the power miser settings. While its quiet, it's probably quite crippled.

Did you try the default settings for Power Saver or Max Battery? If your just web surfing, doing email, etc., you should get similar results, but still have the CPU power when you need it. Limiting the CPU to 40% underpowers an already not-so-peppy CPU.

 

Did you get the hotspot to work? I think I've activated it, but no where is it offering me any free months. Nor do I see anything type of offer in the packaging. Please help, thanks!

 

oh. no sandy bride design too. other brand already plan release ivy bride ultrabook. dell too out of day.

 

What do you mean by, it turned out to be not what you expected ? I am helping a friend to decide if this ultrabook is the best choice so far based on price, features and reliability.

 

You're welcome. I think cutting the warranty on this particular platform is going to be a tough sell. It has relatively few customer replaceable parts (CRU in Dell-speak), so that puts it in the area of needing depot or Dell certified technicians to repair. This is just the logic we use, and no comment on anyone's technical ability. We're admittedly not the cost leaders for SSD's, but I don't think any PC vendor is. One factor here is this is an mSATA drive, and there aren't that many models in the supply chain just yet. You should see those prices come down to our normal levels at some point. Bundled software often helps subsidize the overall price of the system. I don't know if that's the case here or not, jut something to think about.

Thanks for your commentary. Your posts are actually making their way to a lot of people's inboxes. I've been asked to reach out to you about a couple of things, so check your PM box later.

I guess what you mean is "Oh no. It's a Sandy Bridge Ultrabook." Don't worry. We're planning for Ivy Bridge too. We're kinda tight with Intel.

 

Sorry if this is out of line, but I have a few questions that I hope you could answer.

1) Why aren't there more options for higher resolution displays/matte displays on dell consumer laptops? More specifically, I am interested in the xps 14z and the xps 13... is it lack of demand? Or maybe to hit a certain price point?

2) What is the reason for choosing to go with ulv processors vs 'normal' mobile processors? Is it a heat issue? Battery? Price? Other factors? I love the 'ultrabook' form factor in general, but I have an irrational dislike for ulv processors. Are they really not as bad as I think?

3) Can you provide any info on upcoming laptops with ivy bridge in them? I'm really excited about the estimated battery life increases... don't worry I won't tell anyone else

That's all for now, thanks for your time

 

I know this question was meant for the Dell rep, but I'd like to chime in based on personal experience.

I am a "new toy" freak. As such, I have owned/tested/played with a zillion laptops, netbooks, UMPCs, and tablet PCs... including Pentium III, Celeron, Core Solo, Core 2 Duo, Intel Atom (both single and multicore), and various other "regular", "low voltage", and "ultra-low-voltage" mobile CPUs.

I've experienced the unGodly anemic (Vaio X series with Intel Atom, Kohjinsha UMPC with AMD Geode processor), and yes some of the netbooks and Celeron-based laptops are turtle-esque in comparison to their "big brothers". Even Core 2 Duos now seem a bit sluggish.

I think much of the sluggishness that people experience is as much (or more so) a function of the hard drive as the CPU, and that one change to SSD alone makes systems much more responsive, more "nimble" if you will.

These new (well comparatively anyway) Core iX-XXXX cpus, even the low-voltage versions, are damned speedy for the vast majority of tasks. Even the Toshiba Z830 with its non-turbo-enabled i3 and slower SSD felt very snappy for most tasks... and the Core i5 in theXPS 13 blows right past it, let alone the i7.

What are you planning to do with this laptop? How much audio and video rendering, 3D modeling, statistical dataset processing, and hardcore gaming are you planning to do with an ultraportable?

I think many people that are hung up on "ULV" haven't experienced the current crop of CPUs hands-on. These aren't slouches.

Even the Intel HD3000 graphics, while no monster, is quite capable for most things.

Last night I did something I wasn't even able to do with my Alienware M11X and its dedicated 1GB nVidia graphics: I installer World of Warcraft on the XPS 13, cranked everything up to "Ultra" and still was getting 20fps. Yes, that's an older game, but the Ultra settings will bring many a laptop to its knees. It's a good bellweather of overall performance.

If you're obsessed with benchmark numbers and playing "who's got the biggest peepee?" then that's one thing (and you have bigger issues ), but if we're talking real-world hands-on usability while multitasking, there is nothing wrong with these CPUs by any stretch...

 

Well I already have an xps 15, so all those things are not really an issue (and I rarely play games nowadays).

But if I had to say, I would mostly use it for programming in general (coding and compiling) and maybe some light graphics editing.

My main main concern is that I had a really bad experience when netbooks first started appearing (msi wind and eeepc) and I bought one hoping it would be a cheap, lightweight alternative to my main laptop that I could use for class, as opposed to my laptop which I mostly use as a semi-portable desktop replacement.

However, my entire experience was just terrible... from slow start ups, to slow browsing, unplayable and stuttering videos, near inability to multitask and just a huge pain to do anything with it. I mean sure, the battery life was great and I guess it was pretty cheap.. but I hated that thing in the same way I hate using my phone to browse the internet.

I'm pretty sure ulv have come a long way since then, and that my i7 is overkill for the majority of my day to day uses but I rather play it safe than to get burned again.

Just recently, I had also bought a 16gb asus transfomer. Videos of it in use looked great, user reviews were good and it was highly praised for it's smoothness and usability. Unfortunately, using it was a different story. Besides the general slowness of the UI and the inability to listen to music in one tab while browsing on another... I'm not sure why but the whole experience just sucked for me and I ended up retreating back to the comfort of my laptop. I know, the thing wasn't windows running on an x86 processor but it sure hasn't helped my perception of reduced-power increased-batterylife processors.

On the other hand, I have had a very good experience with the dell xps m1330 so I know that it isn't the small form factor that is turning me off. The only thing I could really conclude is that the m1330 used a 'normal' processor... some older 2.0-2.4ghz core2duo which was enough for my uses. I've since sold them though, so I have been looking for a replacement... something small, long battery, 'powerful enough' and reasonably priced.

 

Dell sells XPS 15, XPS 17, M4600 and M6600 with high-quality, high-resolution displays and top-of-the-line quad-core processors. They are heavy and they can run hot and noisy at times, but they are available if someone needs "ultra" everything.

On the other hand, I consider XPS 13 as iPad with keyboard: drop it in your bag for mobile convenience. The i5/128GB model is great. My only major concern is fan noise (or rather, lack of smart heat-management logic).

 

The i5 in the XPS 13 will be quite a bit faster than the m1330 cpu, let alone the i7 version in the XPS 13.

T7250 Benches:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 Notebook Processor - Notebookcheck.net Tech

i5-2467m:

Intel Core i5 2467M Notebook Processor - Notebookcheck.net Tech

i7-2637m benches are not available there yet.

 

Not out of line at all. If you have a question for Dell, I have an answer. Maybe somewhat OT for this thread, but I'm not bothered.

I have asked around about the whole matte vs glossy thing a few times. Responses vary, but most answers point to extensive research on purchasing habits that indicates people prefer the glossy look over the matte look. Everything I read in social media tells me different though. Honestly I think there will be more and more matte options from all vendors as time goes by. People are starting to realize that a glossy screen is nice and vibrant on first look, but maybe not so awesome for long term everyday use. Oddly enough, cost is the same for glossy as matte believe it or not. At least for us at our purchasing scale anyway.

Heat, battery mostly. But heavenlyharmonies said as well or better than I could. Check the benchies, and you'll find CPU power for a ULV is not as much an issue as it used to be.

Ivy Bridge specifics are under Intel embargo (marketing speak for gag order) for now. Also couldn't really give any specifics based on Dell's policy to not talk about unreleased products. As we get closer to launching IB, after embargo lifts, I might be persuaded to bend the Dell rule a tad depending on what I say. I'm not one of those "spill the beans" types, but I will give a little detail where it makes sense and doesn't get anyone's nose too bent out of shape.

 

To those that have already received their XPS 13, can you please post back what BIOS version (type "MSInfo32" into the start/search box) your system shipped with? It's looking like the fan fix may come sooner rather than later.

 

Hi Bill,
Thanks for keeping an eye on this. Both units that I have received are running A01.

 

Thanks, will!

(This is a cross post from the Owners' thread.)

 

willmorg, PM coming in like 10 seconds. Let me know how that goes.

 

Running A01 and having the fan issue as well. Ordered Monday, shipped Tuesday. It would be great to get this and the touchpad issue fixed, those are my only two real issues so far. Otherwise I'm very happy with the little guy.

 

PM coming your way. The touch pad driver request has been working since Feb 20, so we should have a new driver shortly to address the palm check issue.

 

Woops. Nevermind. Can't PM you as it looks like you have that turned off?

 

I'm loving the XPS 13 but this fan is also driving me crazy. Really want to love it but that darn fan. I'm on the A01 bios as well, willing to try this new bios update before deciding whether to send it back.

 

Check PM box in 5...4...3...

Edit: Argh. Another person with no PM box. Do they not turn that feature on for new members or something?

 

PM may be off because I'm a new member on here. Don't see any options for it. Oddly enough, my issue with the touchpad isn't the palm rejection issue; that seems to work fine for me. I can't get the two-finger gestures to work reliably (especially scroll, which I use all the time on my L701X).

 

shelleyevans posted a reg hack for something to do with 2 finger scrolling or something. Check her posts, and you'll find it. If you are on Twitter, tweet at me, and I'll get the BIOS over to you.

 

Bios A01 here.

 

New members must have five quality posts in the forum in order to use the PM system.
It's an anti-spam measure.

 

Anyone know if it's possible to open this thing up and upgrade the RAM? A Dell tech told me the ram was soldered to the board... but he didnt really even know what I was talking about when asked about the xps 13 specs (I was on the preorder thing)

Also, I got the i5 and was hoping to drop a i7-2620M in there, its the QS67express chipset so it should be compatible board.

Anyone want to be the first to tear theirs open?

 

No, you can't upgrade the RAM. The Dell Tech was correct. It is soldered to the MB.

 

I just want to note here something I also said in the owner's thread-- I had this thing all boxed up and ready to go back to dell, then heard about the new bios. So I unpacked it, and flashed, and ever since my experience has been completely different. Mostly dead quiet, and, when the fan kicks in, it's more...restrained. Thanks Dell.

 

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear a JIT BIOS update saved the day.