XPS 14 UltraBook Owners Lounge

Just pulled the trigger, so starting a new thread.

Gone for the base model, and I will remove the HDD and replace with a super-fast Samsung 830 128GB SSD. I'll keep the 32GB mSATA to store a backup of my photos, music and programming code and whack the 500GB HDD into a caddy for external storage.

ETA: 16th July

 

I ordered mine yesterday ETA is July 13th.

XPS 14 Intel i7-3517U 8gb Ram 512gb SSD

 

Ordered mine i5, 500gb, 630m

ETA July 18

 

I ordered the XPS14 within 10 minutes of it being available on the Dell US website. Tracking confirmation shows it will be delivered tomorrow.

I got the i7 cpu, 630m, 8GB memory and 500GB hdd.

I am planning to boot fedora 17 linux from the 32GB msata and mount /home on the 500GB hdd. I may eventually replace the 500GB disk with an ssd.

I will post up my findings on how well it supports linux (fedora 17 x86_64).

 

Congratulations. Looking forward to hearing all about it a few days after you've had it.

 

Think I'll be jumping on the bandwagon as well although I'm apprehensive that I'll get mine on time for my vacation in july!

 

Hi Thors! You'll remember me from the Samsung S9 15" thread where I ordered it & returned after a few days because of the slow SSD and hard keyboard. No concerns on that front here as the keyboard is decent and it comes with HHD which I'll rip out and replace with a new Samsung 830. It seems build quality will be on a par with the S9 also, so looking forward to seeing it.


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How about warranty?

My first post - hello.

 

1 year, next day onsite.


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I managed to get 3 year warranty with mine and it was still cheaper than the base price after coupon. So pretty happy with that.

 

I got the 4 year advanced warranty as I need the notebook to last at least that long, I was able to get a discount so that helped.

This notebook is to replace the xps M1330 notebook which died a long time ago, I ordered the xps 13 but sent it back as this one had a better screen, the ivy cpu although a little heavier.

 

How easy will it be to replace the msata drive with a 128gb one

 

The teardown guide makes it look pretty simple. Just open the bottom lid and the msata drive is accessible.

Here is a link to the L421x manuals. Teardowns are in the owners manual.
Documentation

 

Why disc speeds are so slow if this model has hybrid one? Shouldn't it work like SSD + HDD in our desktops? I mean OS on SSD, data on HDD.

Hmm?

 

No. Because the mSATA doesn't contain the OS or programs its just used as a cache. And they've fitted a slow 5400rpm disk instead of 7200rpm anyway. Bin it and buy an aftermarket SSD. Use the HDD for external storage in a USB caddy or just flog it on eBay.


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I don't think I can handle that. I mean pulling off the cover. I am too afraid of braking it (as I watched 15z disassembly). Besides... does Dell allow swaps?

 

My good sirs, can I inquire how did you get your discounts?

 

I don't think everything/anything is acessible w/o semi-major disassembly (from the instructions). Seems everything requires a minimum of cover removal, speaker removal, battery removal. Battery is being 'billed' as non-user-replaceable. Not sure what that means, it looks easier to replace than anything else. But mSATA, HD, memory all require those first 3 steps to get at the under-carriage for work. Definitely not a Latitude

 

It's the price you have to pay for the slim build and premium materials. If you're happy with a brick with plastic panels on the bottom, then parts can easily be changed.

 

Thank you! This is exactly what I have been looking for, think I'm going to order the base model and upgrade the memory and SSD on my own in the future.

 

One thing to keep in mind when you order is that the CPU is soldered to the systemboard and cannot be upgraded. The memory, msata and hard drive can all be easily upgraded in the future.

 

I agree, not complaining, just saying it's not as easy...folks should keep that in mind. Also saying that I'd like to see some additional config options, which I'm sure will come eventually, especially on the business side, so that I can configure exactly what I want and not have to open the case in the first place.

As for bricks w/ plastic panels...yea, for the most part. But there are options...Latitudes are plenty durable, not all that heavy, and super easy to swap parts out w/o removing half the insides. The XPS issue here is due totally to the thin form factor. Otherwise, it'd be easier I suspect. Actually, come to think of it, the V131 is semi-thin and even easier to swap parts out than my Latitude E series. So, it can be done. Just not in the cards for this design.

Anyway...just waiting to see some configuration choices before I order. Then it'll be a new XPS 14 for me.

 

I am in canada and have a really good rep.

This is why I went the top end one as I knew you couldn't update the cpu.

 

My XPS 14 was delivered today. I am upgrading from a Dell Vostro v131 so I will be making comparisons to that system. So far I am impressed. When it arrived it was double boxed to prevent damage during shipping. The keyboard is very sturdy and has no flex compared to the v131. The touchpad does not have physical buttons, but it does click to provide feedback. I don't think the touchpad will take very long to get used to, but I have always preferred physical buttons. I am happy with the screen so far, but then again coming from the vostro with probably the worst screen I have ever used I may not be the best to judge screen quality.

I have previously owned the xps m1210, xps studio 13 and the vostro v131 and the build quality on the XPS 14 is a step above all of the previously mentioned systems by a large margin.

Now I am going to install fedora 17 linux on the msata drive and use the 500GB disk for my home directory.













I tried to get a good picture of the screen, but this is the best I could do.

 

Waiting for fan's noise report then.

 

Definitely interested in hearing about the fan noise. Looks gorgeous.

I do worry about the weight, though. My M1330 is lighter, and I got a taste of lighter still with a couple other laptops. It really does make more of a difference than I would have guessed. Not sure if I'm ready for 4.7lbs + accessories as a daily carry, in addition to everything else I take with me.

 

I'll be fine with the i5, I won't be playing any games or doing video work. I just need something that looks decent around $1,000 to run Office and Creative Suite.

 

I took a look at the owners manual and replacement sections. The XPS 14 Ultrabook has a single 204 pin SoDIMM slot for RAM?

The machine looks really sharp. Should be popular. I can't wait to see one in person.

 

Looking great, thanks for the photos. I have 2 questions though

1. Is the palmrest attract grease easily? If so, would it be easy to clean it up?

2. I'm a traditional 2 thumbs user, would I be running into any sort of difficulties using this trackpad? I tested on the Sony Vaio S, Samsung 9s and other PC with integrated touchpad, It didnt work very well, gave wrong signal and confused the crap out of it

 

Could you let us know if it gets warm or if there is any fan noise when watching youtube videos or other light tasks?

Pulled the trigger on mine lastnight and it says its shipped already even though the ETA isn't until 18/07. Can't wait!

 

Wow yours shipped fast I ordered on June 26 my still is in production, the only thing I added was the warranty and microsoft office.

 

I didn't add anything but I thought seen as they were all pre-made it wouldn't really have to go through production? I checked the status 5 hours after I got my confirmation and it was already shipped. I haven't got a number to track the shipment yet though so don't know if the courier has it.



Edit: I just asked a rep and they told me that I am in production also. This must of been a mistake on the order status page. I'm waiting a while longer

 

Fedora 17 Linux installed successfully and everything I have tested has worked so far. Anyone planning to run Linux should not have anything to worry about. Using the msata ssd as a boot drive works great and just requires a few changes in the bios settings to configure as a boot device. 32GB is plenty of room to install Fedora Linux, but it would be a pretty tight fit for booting windows 7. All of my user data (/home) is stored on the 500GB 5400rpm disk.

My opinion is that anyone that complains about the fan noise on this system is being too picky or has unrealistic expectations. No laptop with an any decent amount of processing power is going to be completely silent. The system has to cool itself somehow. I had the XPS 14 sitting next to my v131 while transferring files between the systems and I couldn't hear the XPS over the vostro it was next to. I don't use my laptop for games so I didn't test any, but at idle the system is almost completely silent.

This was a concern I had before I ordered it. The v131 I had before was about 1lbs. lighter and I also carried around an M1330 for a while (great system btw, just outdated). When I pick up the 14 I can feel that it has more weight to it, but at the same time it has a smaller physical size than my v131. With the battery life on this system I think the extra weight is ok if it means I don't need to carry an ac adapter everywhere I take it. The XPS 14 is nowhere near as heavy or bulky as my work system (Latitude E6510).

1. The palm rest appears to use the same soft touch material Dell uses on the latitude systems. I have never had a problem with the palmrest getting greasy when using Latitude E6420s at work but I have really dry skin so probably can't give a good answer.

2. The touchpad is the hardest thing for me to adjust too as it is the first system I have owned without physical buttons separate from the tracking area. The trackpad is a Synaptics so the windows utility should have configuration options to make it easier to use but I didn't check before I installed Linux. The bottom corners of the touchpad do have a tactile click when pressed but I have a habit of resting my finger on the area where the button would normally be which is causing the trackpad to get confused. I am going to try to tweak my trackpad configuration the create a dead zone at the bottom area.

I played some videos on youtube and crunchyroll at 720p for about an hour last night and the fan does speed up but the noise level is still acceptable to me. When I was watching the videos I had the system sitting on my lap and it was warm, but never uncomfortable. The palm/keyboard area doesn't seem to radiate heat like other systems I have used. At idle the system is almost completely silent.

 

Just out of interest, what config do you have? i7 processor or i5?

 

i7, 630m, 8GB memory, 32GB msata + 500GB 5400rpm sata

 

Thanks for your reply, I guess I would check it out in person to see whether its grease magnet or not.

I do that too, I rest my thumbs on the left clicker, and turn out with these integrated touchpad, it'd send wrong signal and confused the mouse. Would love to know if you could create a dead zone at the bottom area ! I'm waiting on your reply.

Btw I'm gonna be using this laptop for school stuff, web browsing, essay, watch movie, possibly some photo editing. Does this I-5 mobile processor and 4G ram can handle it?

 

If anybody plays starcraft II and owns this, (probably a very narrow niche XD) can you test it out at medium 1080P and do some kind of benchmark? (Try 800 zergling a move or lots of colossi etc. for GPU test, first one CPU) run FRAPS and tell me how it goes? I really want to buy the XPS 14, but I want to make sure that it can play what I want

Akuma or somebody else, can y'all post a GPU-Z? If you have the 630M.

 

4GB should work very well. Dunno if this thing shares RAM with the GPU though.

 

It shares RAM with the GPU unless it has a dedicated graphics card, eg: NVidia. However, new Ivy Bridge chipsets are pretty good in that respect and will out perform a typical dedicated graphics card from about 3/4 years ago.

 

So I bit the bullet, ordered the base model i5 for $1100. Gonna order 8gb sodimm from crucial and either an M4 or an Intel 320ssd. Running dual Intel 320s in my current laptop (e6510), more than happy w/ the speed from those.

Anybody know if the XPS 14 can use (will benefit) from the extra capability of the M4. I assume it's gotta be the latest 6gb/s board, but dunno.

 

The XPS14 should have Sata 3 (6gbps). Let me find the link on Anand though before you take that as proof

Edit: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5872/intel-dual-core-ivy-bridge-launch-and-ultrabook-review

It seems like the UM77 chipset, which I imagine is what they used, has 1 sata 6gb/s. I'm not really sure how msata SSD's work, and if that is what the port is on, (its mSata though... so i guess not? I'm better with desktops XD) but I guess it would be the HDD, in which case if you replace it with a crucial M4, it should benefit.

 

Really considering the xps 14. Probably going to go for the 1,499 model and put in a SSD. The only thing is that I've never done any replacing such as this (for a laptop). Would I be able to replace the 32 gb SSD with a bigger one to put win7 on and whatever games/applications, then use the 500 gb for music, pictures, etc?

 

thx for that link and quick response. i'll try to confirm as wel now that you pointed me to what to look for. i really don't completely understand the combo of chipset and mobo these days and what has what. this helps.

EDIT: so yea, mSATA is come kind of (or actually) a mini pci-e port, not a sata port. So, if UM77 states 1 sata3 on the mobile platform, that's gotta be the actual sata port and the mSATA card runs on the other. Learning new things. So I guess whatever I upgrade on the HDD-to-SSD path will leave the 32gb mSATA in place for other files, maybe (would be perfect for me) a dual boot install w/ another OS of some kind.

 

Yes, there are larger sized mSATA cards, so yea, you could in theory. I assume they become a boot/install choice just like any other drive.

This is all new ground for me. From my reading over the last week, seems mSATA SSDs do not perform quite as well as typical SSDs, but still better than regular HDD. My plan will be a mid-sized SSD (240/256gb) as the primary (replacing the spinning drive that comes in the i5 XPS 14) and then using the stock 32gb mSATA for other stuff. I'll just have an external drive (one of my existing SSDs or large 2.5" HDD) for stuff I don't need to live on the laptop directly.

 

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to ask this: does opening up the laptop void the warranty? Or since I would replace the HDD with a SSD just voids anything HDD/SSD related?

 

Nope. If any dell rep tells you that, they're wrong for future reference. For more info on it/specifics, ask Dell Bill, or go to the long l521x page, because the warranty info is hanging around there somewhere. But long story short, no it does not.

 

Just so you guys are clear, some of the mSATA drives outperform other SSD drives on the market. They come in SATA II and SATA III flavors.

The real issue at hand is that there are a finite number of SATA III channels available in most notebooks (two) so Lenovo and other makers have been putting one channel in the primary drive bay, and typically the second channel goes into a multibay. Lenovo calls theirs the Ultrabay.

You should confirm Dells implementation but it's likely SATA II in the mSATA PCIe slot.

In the case of a 2012 Samsung Series 9 notebook and other Ultrabook class machines, the primary bay is the mSATA drive. The Samsung PM830 256GB mSATA SSD SATA III storage device is blistering fast.

Just wanted to let you know because I see some false assumptions being made here.

For more information, see mSATA - The SSD Review

 

Thors,

Thanks for clearing that up. I've only been reading what I can find. Had not run across anywhere yet talking about SATA III mSATA/m-PCI-e.

So for the moment, let's assume it's a SATA 2 on the mSATA w/ the XPS 14. Any idea if that will perform as well (relatively) as say an Intel 320 SATA II. I'm totally content w/ my current Intel 320 (120gb) drives as far as speed goes. So maybe I'll just put the OS on the mSATA when it arrives and drop one of my Intel 320 drives in there for storage.

 

How's everyone loving their 14?

 

Pulled the trigger tonight. $1023 at the dell kiosk in the mall for the base model.