XPS 18: 18" <5lbs tablet

I have a XPS18 U2771 processor. Added 4GB of RAM to up the memory to 8GB total. Bought 32 mSata card to improve the disk performance, but Intel RST (updated to latest version compatible with Windows 8.1) doesn´t give me the option to accelerate the hard drive.

Is it processor related? The Sata interface is already assigned to Intel Rapid Response (the old RAID mode) but until now is a no go.

Anybody has experienced this?

Right now I´m using the MSATA as a Readyboost drive, but I think that it´s not the optimal setting.

Thanks in advance.

 

What kind of 8 GB Memory are people buying?Dell? Crucial? Kingston?etc etc....I seen in a earlier thread that someone said it wasn't seeing the 12 GB Total and then another person said it was seeing it.I haven't seen much information or talk on this computer besides here .By the way which is great information ! ! ! Does anyone have any links to more information?Do i upgrade the msata or the SSD..Just curious on what people think is the best way to go???
If you are going to get one from Dell Outlet i was able to get one for $975... i7,,,8 Pro,,,with the stand with no coupon.They will tell you that your going to get the stand but it wont come with your computer.When your computer comes....simply open it up...and when the stand is not in there...call them right away and you should have it in 2 days.Thanks again for all the great post on this computer.

 

That's what I thought about the stand. I ordered one so maybe they will credit me.?.

About the ram. I'll let you know what I ordered if it works. I'll know late next week.

About the mSata. Using it as a cache drive isn't necessary if you use an SSD or large mSata drive for your OS. You gain nothing and lose nothing. My plan is to remove the msata and install an sad. If I need more storage (doubtful, I use nas enclosures), I can always install a high capacity msata as a second drive. That is what I've culled from my internet searching.

 

I have both the mSata and SSD combo 256 on both... my first XPS-18 was the 2117u proccessor... it came with a 256SSD i put in a 256mSata... and use the mSata as a storage dump drive...great to have... and what I do... I just got an I7 that came with a SSD 128GB...little small so upgrading to 500 and a 256mSata ... between the two the i7 is of course faster but not too-too much...the u2771 keeps up with most of my stuff...however gets bogged down with some of the graphics I do...that is why I went with the i7...now the SSD is a must...I have seen the ones with HD's they are louder and run hotter on the back... the SSD is quite and cool...the fan hardly comes on...

Ram I bought ebay DDRIII 1600 8gb chips and work fine... make sure it is DDRIII and PC3 12800 or better otherwise you will have problems with it..

On the Wireless replacement...it's all about what you like...I have both types in my system...both are good...same range and everything...

Rick is right about not needing the mSata in the tablet...except the 32gb catch drive will help the system when bogged down... I need the storage when working with my photo's so the extra space is a + ... I have only been using mine a month...but I would not go back to a normal laptop now...

If you have any questions I will try to answer them...

 

Just a point about swapping the wifi card, you need an intel card to utilize WiDi.

 

Hi everyone....
Just bought this tablet...should receive it by mon or tuesday.
Already received my crucial 1tb ssd.

So when i receive it , i'll do the swap.

is there a way to preserve the windows 8 partition somewhere to copy it on the ssd, and restore from it.....?

I don't wanna buy another windows 8 pro licence...

THanks in advance

Simon

 

If you have a desktop PC, I recommend using Acronis True Image to clone the original to the SSD.

"ATI" has a feature to create a bootable USB version to boot from. Connect the original HDD and your 1TB SSD to your desktop SATA ports (disconnect existing drives just in case),
and boot from the "ATI" USB stick. Do a clone operation, original source HDD to target SSD. Voila! 1TB SSD now has everything the original drive had and boots.

As an IT person, I use ATI for cloning everything. It works great.

 

Thanks lancorp....., of course there will be a remaining space, does acronis allow to merge the empty space with the "old patition"?

Thanks

Simon

P.s.: i like the concept behind this tablet, so opened !!!!!

 

If you choose "Automatic" when you clone, it automatically resizes the destination to use all the space, so, yes.

ps. You might want to change your username here (or ask a moderator to)...it seems as though your email address is your username...not good if you dislike spam.

 

I agree with lancorp... FYI, here is the link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sit...-want-your-username-changed-request-here.html

 

Thanks Lancorp....trying to replace a desktop HD....with an SSD and did not know what software to use...

Tony...

 

I should add to this that Acronis True Image supports cloning to/from a USB-connected drive. So, if your PC has at least two USB ports (3.0 preferred and supported by Acronis), you can get away with doing the clone direct from the device.

I use Cavalry USB 3.0 to SATA adapters like this.
If you are wanting to clone to a mSATA drive instead, get one of these also and connect your mSATA drive to a USB 3.0 port to clone.

So, on the XPS 18, which has two USB 3.0 ports), you should be able to put your Acronis USB boot drive in one USB port and using the BIOS, choose to boot from the USB flash drive.
Once in True Image, plug in your USB 3.0-connected SSD (the destination drive). The LED indicator on the adapter should blink a few times signifying True Image recognizes the drive.
Perform the Automatic Clone operation. The internal HDD will be cloned to the new SSD. Once complete, turn everything off and make the physical swap of drives. Turn on, and boot from the SSD! Done!

This is my daily routine when working on client PC's or setting up new PC's for clients. With True Image, you can also make a "image/backup" of your original drive to keep in case you need a fast recovery. Often I make a backup "image" of a new out-of-the-box system to I have a starting point to roll back to.

True Image works great!

 

Thanks... I am trying to change an iMacHD and a PC Desktop to an SSD... do you think ATI will copy over Mac operating systems...?? Ha the XPS with a USB 3 doc should be able to do everything for the PC's....

Thanks...

 

I'm not sure... I've never really tried, though, as I always use a bootable OSX installer USB thumb drive and run the Mac Disk Utility app to clone drives directly on the Mac. You can run Disk Utility
as one of the first steps of booting from the OSX installer.

 

Ya ... that's what I normally do too... Cool will let you know if I run into any issues... Thanks for the info...

 

This is not a problem with 8.1. The XPS arrived with 8.0 and it still had the same issue with erratic touch screen behavior while being charged.

I do not want to open up the back and void the warranty! Any other suggestions?

 

Contact support and go thru the diagnostics with them... they may need to do some-sort-of repair on the unit... Sorry I was no help...

 

Never mind, again. Got it.

 

No problem. How's the fan noise on the unit? I see that the fan can get quite loud when there's a processor intensive task going on.

Any updates/drivers to address this issue?

 

My XPS 18 came with 8.0 and had some minor issues with the touch screen.I then did all my updates for the Bios and Drivers and updated to 8.1 and the screen has worked perfect since doing all my updates.The fan is quiet by the way and the battery life is very good in my opinion.

Later in the week i will be installing a Samsung 840 256GB SSD and a Kingston KVR16S11/8 8GB Laptop Memory Module - DDR3, 1600MHz, SODIMM, CL11"
I have a external usb DVD player.... to Run a Windows 8 Recovery disc to install to the new SSD
Would anyone know if i have to change anything in the Bios? I don't think i would??? Also my xps 18 came with Windows 8 Pro...Will i have any problems getting that back to 8 Pro? Do i need to pull the key out of the registry?
Thanks for all the great help here in this forum...I have learned a lot......

 

Windows8ate - you will need to turn on legacy support in the bios before you can boot to USB see the post above by lancorp to explain how... then once you do the install you need to change it the bios back... Get the Keyout of the registry just in case...always a good thing...

Braves - I put a 750gb drive in my 2117u unit...to boost the size...took it out and put the SSD 256gb in...noticed the fan ran longer and louder with the regular HD in...also can squeeze about 30mins to 60mins more using an SSD out of the battery... the 750gb is now an external unit....

Lancorp - I got the i7 ... I got an SSD in it... 128gb... ordered a 500gb for it today... ...

I have a 4gb Memory Module DDR3 1600mz SODIMM pulled from my i7 laptop if anyone is interested...would trade for a usb 3.0 hub or something else... just PM me... I have no need for it since I put the 8GB in...

 

Hi lancorp....
I did everything. with ATI.and removed the msata drive (32gb)....: now the xps 18 is running only on the 1tb ssd.
in the disk manager (windows), cursiously, the ssd has A LOT of partitions about 4 or 5....that are 100% free...(simple consideration)
And in the device manager the ssd is recognized by its brand/name, but as a standard hard drive, not an ssd


Since then the touchscreen hangs...

Have you removed the msata drive ?





thanks
Simon

p.s.: i've asked for a username change....stilll waiting...

 

Up and running.

Samsung 840Evo 500GB SSD installed (mSata removed). Took awhile, but got it done. I installed from a Windows 8 Pro copy I keep on USB flashdrive. Didn't check but I think licensing is fine. Will check tonight.

The RAM I bought isn't recognized (so, instead of returning it I will put it in an Intel NUC with OpenElec for XBMC that is on it's way (will also put the mSata drive I pulled from my XPS as storage for the NUC)).

My mouse hangs ever so often. Not sure why. Getting it to work out of the box was troublesome but found my way after awhile (just maybe not the right way).

LOVE XBMC on the XPS 18 (which is where slightly more touch friendly). Now, my thinking is no new android tablet in my future, but a Surface Pro 2! Why not have it all in one device?

 

30% Off Coupon at Dell Outlet, works on all desktop and all-in-ones (including the XPS 18).

G376QTC9G829WW

Expires 12/20/2013 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

-------------------------------------------------------

You can get an amazing price on an XPS-18 after the coupon. This is the same discount I got when I got mine. Essentially, wound up getting the i7 model from the outlet store for just a few dollars more than what the base unit sells for on the main website! The outlet store has a discount to start with and then 30% off on top of that makes it an exceptional deal.

 

For those of you who get TOUCH SCREEN TROUBLES

Ok for those of you who get an erratic behavior from the touchscreen....
I've been through this...

Sorry the washing clothes is not a solution....

my guess is that:

• there are those who have the problem out of the box
• the others, who got the problem after replacing a drive removing msata and yadi-yada....

The solution that worked for me is as the following:

In my case i was removing msata and changing main hard drive.

If you have removed the two ZIF "large ribbons cables" and put them back at the end, you probably missed the word "insertion" in the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force)....: start over the ZIF reassembling and VOILÀ LE TOUR EST JOUÉ!

For those who have received it bad out of the box....that means that the chinese-slave workers haven't properfly inserted the zif ribbons at their place.....

You have to open your device, and do what i did....

It even has fixed the "charging" unit screen strange behavior for me!!!!!

Good Luck.

Sorry for the chinese-slave workers.....if the device was twice the price and made in america...i would have bought it here in america.

 

How do those ZIF cables come off?

Do they come out (to the back of the unit, off the board? Do you pull down toward the bottom of the unit parallel to the board?

I took the board off (two screws) and removed the 'touch' strip. Seemed easier since I didn't know how to disconnect the ZIP.

 

You have to be careful with the Zif's... the front of them flip-up...you put the cable in...then flip it down...do not put too much pressure or your will break the plastic peace... if you use a small flat-head screw driver...be careful you don't poke a hole in the cable... now on the Zif's there is a gold line that runs across it...the plastic flap should flip down over this... so you do not see it unless directly over the cable...

I am assuming this is what you are talking about Smayrand ... Never crossed my mind that could be the issue... I always check those things when I open up any computer along with any other plug-in's... the tech in me...

Hope this explains it well enough...

Rick - I put a 256gb mSata in and formatted it as extra drive space... really gives you more space... just a thought...

Tony C.

 

TC95: these ZIfs are especially nasty....So you just have to align and insert......and btw: these zif cables....are plugged to the touch screen.....
Mine were so f*** up that just touching the back of the unit (chargin or not , on the dock or not), it was generating a lot of big dots (like a touch event)....

I tought i had broken my thing by upgrading my ssd and removing de msata......: RickINHOUSTON : you're too far....the zif are visible to the naked eye when you remove the cover..

Please TC95: give me a feedback about it....pretty sure if you did a mod...the sad part is for those who are not hardware literate afraid of opening it......: i'd like that somebody confirms it has changed something for him....like it did for me.....

removed the msata, the 5400rpm, replaced with a crucial 1tb....

Only remaining thng is replacing the 4gb memory by an eight gb, for a total of 12gb...

The screen isn't that good....but for the rest ....: i'm replacing my beast with it without the compromise of a laptop...

 

Thank ... AEDan1977 ... :thumbsup: ... for the picture....

you can see in the picture what the inside looks like....


Now I will point out what we are talking about....



You can see the four cables that block the rest of the parts... Memory - mSata - HD




This show how the ZIF socket works and how to open and close... these are very small so very fragile...it does not take much to break...very little pressure will open it... I use eye-glass flat-head screwdrivers to open... they will not let you exert too much force... if you break it your not dead... but you can only it is going to take electrical tape and crazy glue to put back together... the only problem you can not take apart once done ... just don't break it ...!!!

Hope this helps ... Tony...

 

just for the pleasure of sharing about zif: i've been updating 2 iPod 5.5th generation for the last 6 months or so: replacing the hd with ssd, compact flash......etc. And these zif cables (they call it zif ribbon also), are always badly aligned, not inserted properly. This is why after closing the xps and seeing it was acting fool i tought to the "nasty zif ribbon-cables".
What i like from the xps18 is: it could easily assembled in america. I don't understand why....assembled in china....jobs jobs jobs...flying offshore
I've been a programmer for 23 years ....and would accept now half of my income to assemble this kind of device: they're truly easy....

THey're not as easy as a big Workstation but Hey ! Since we have the xps-18 hormones boosted what do we need more ?

Seriously, the next iteration of xps-18 should have 32gb of ram and a 2tb ssd...AND A BETTER screen .

I have a beast (32gb ram with lot of ssds) plugged to 2 hp 24" monitors but the xps is really a Workstation alternative: i used to have all the laptops (especially MacBook), but nothing will replace the xps-18 from now on......: this device is really perfectible but the concept behind is Genius: Working all day long with a mouse and a keyboard...and at the end of the day (after eating broccolis and doing big gym...... ) i turn into a couch potatoe and dig the web for eating informations about technology and future of html5.....i find myself a bit addict....

I've sold my 128gb iPad last week...almost brand new....hate these closed platforms.....Dell xps-18: torx t7, small philips screwdriver et voilà you're Under the Hood just like this old chevy 454....

Simon (formerly known as [email protected])

 

But just so you know...you don't have to disconnect the Zip cables to get under them. You can remove the two screws that board is held down with. Then you take the small strp marked Touch and remove it from the board by pushing down on the white part of the attachment, it slides down, and the touch strip can be removed. Then you can just move the entire board and brown flat strips out of the way. When putting back together again, just insert the touch strip and push the white part of the connection back up to 'grab' it.

 

RIckInHouston: you're so fudging right.....
Actually for removing the msata and swap the hdd to sata i souldn't have removed the zif ribbons.....


I realized after the fact.


But for those crazy nuts like me who did unzif or the one who received a defect touchscreen, it's worth it to check that the zifs are inserted properly....

Of course this is not v8 engine, you must be careful...best tool for unlocking the zifs for me is my nails (that are short, i'm a man, man),

ZIF (zero insertion force rimes with delicacy (nails, woman, delicacy))

Good Luck .....everyone...

I like the xps-18 it's really for the computer/hardware literate people....the dock should give you more though....no hdmi is near to be a shame nowadays, but with smart tvs it's not truly an issue...

 

sm4188020128 - I just picked up two usb 3.0 to HDMI adapters off ebay and it works like a champ...you have to install the software for it... but I have no issues... So I am running two external 1900x1028 monitors on mine right now...

 

I tell you we live in the future of computing, with that beast.
tc95: thanks for the advice, is that generic adapters or is there a specific brand ?

many regards

Simon

 

Good to hear it's working! Sorry for the delay getting back.

It's normal for new Windows 8.x drives from Dell systems to have 4 or 5 partitions. I've not spent any time determining what they all are (nor do I care),
but that is normal.

With regards to Device Manager, I've never seen a SSD look any different in device manager than a HDD...it will display it's brand name/model number info,
but that is normal.

Sounds to me your migration went perfect.

With regards to the mSATA, you can leave it in and use it for more storage if you want...just format it and assign a drive letter and you have a small drive for
who-knows-what...considering you have a 1TB SSD (lucky you), an extra 32GB is probably unneeded!

Enjoy.

 

Simon - this is the one's I purchased... actually have them plugged into a USB 2 HUB you loose the touch capability...called Dell... I need a USB 3.0 HUB...and everything will be fine...plugged it in directly and it works fine...so my wish list is a USB 3.0 HUB.... :thumbsup:

ebay listing for Monitor Adapter

Let me know...if it works for you... Tony C.

 

I tried a second time to get this 8GB stick of ram to work and be recognized. The first time failed (not seated completely?). Now it's working and is seen in the bios and my computer section:

 1 x G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C9S-8GRSL

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C9S-8GRSL

Up and running.

 

Just a simple question for you all: the machine is now "at my hand".....
How one can work with it like a laptop in a lazy boy .....
I mean...for my programming work i need to sit on a chair and use it on a table or the stand....

I know you can't have it all ...

But does someone of you has figured it out ?

Working with it like if it's a laptop with the bluetooth keyboard (or not ?)......in a la-z-boy ?

regards
Simon

 

I was using an old Core 2 Duo laptop with USB / Sata connections in back. I could transfer a movie over my network from an external hard drive via USB from this laptop to my network storage at 35mb/sec (to an unraid box, so write speeds are slow).

Now, with the XPS18 using an external SSD USB 3.0 external drive to my network (now wireless) I am down to 8 - 10 mb/sec. I've gone backwards. Everything else is great. I bought a USB3.0 / ethernet dongle but am having compatibility issues. It's not working, may need to test another.

 

Just want to confirm that a Kingston KVR16S11/8 8GB Laptop Memory Module - DDR3, 1600MHz, SODIMM, CL11" did indeed work and was seen as 12 GB total by my computer...Now on to the Hard Drive install.....Which will be a Samsung 840 Pro SSD....Plan on installing windows 8 recovery disk by a DVD drive....Still a little confused by the Legacy and Secure boot...but sure will get there somehow....if anybody has any pointers it would be greatly appreciated....By the way has anybody had problems with connecting to blue tooth?Never was able to connect....It said it was paired but would connect for 1 second and quit.....not to worried till i connect the new hard Drive and then go from there as i think its a 8.1 issue or Drivers.....Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and enjoy your XPS 18....

 

windows8ate - if you get the Samsung 840 Pro SSD just run the software with it... put the SSD in an external enclosure... and let it copy over...don't do anything on the laptop...close all other programs...and it's done... the Samsung copy program is fast and accurate...I've done it on 5 machines... 2 of my-own and 3 other peoples...even works on miss-matched drives... took a 500gb out of an i3 XPS-18 and put in a 120gb for a friend...(all he could afford at the time)... worked flawless... even used the software on an old Sony laptop with an Centrino chipset...took all night to copy but once done...the laptop runs better than some newer AMD ones...

I have had no issues with Blue tooth...make sure your device is in program mode...then once paired I rebooted and everything worked fine... using external speakers... headsets... and a Bluetooth remote control...

Let me know if there is anything else...

 

Will have more time over the weekend, but I have some kind of driver issue with Bluetooth audio in device manager. Anyone know what that could be? I thought I downloaded everything from Dell's website.?.

 

Ya I had that issue too...when I upgraded to the 2117u with a larger HD I ran the windows 8 install with all the drivers from the website.... had that issue and USB... so somewhere I found a thread that stated how good the Samsung software was...so when I upgraded my i7 unit I just hooked up the SSD with an external enclosure ... ported everything over... and installed the drive and was very happy with it... if you are going to 8.1 there might be some issues... might want to call Dell and see what a 2nd or 3rd level tech says about it... don't waist your time with the person that answers the call...most of them are reading out of a tech manual...

Rick I am in Houston too...Katy... would be happy to meet-up if you need anything....

 

I'm considering getting one of these and had a few questions if anyone can lend a hand.

I see the XPS has a mSATA SSD slot, but only the i5 or better? From reading through some of the thread it looks like there's a switch in the bios to turn it from a cache drive into a boot drive. Any caveats with this doing things this way?

How's the heat and noise?

Anything else I should consider? I'm not generally a huge of touch screens, but my notebook doesn't leave the house a lot and the possibility of a 18" touch screen is intriguing.

 

ZaZ - all of the XPS systems have the mSata slot... even the 2117u that I have I was able to put one in it... there is not a place in the BIOS that I know of to turn off the cache drive feature... I just plugged in the drive formatted as you would a normal HD and wala it works... Now I did keep the cache enabled when formatting it...just in case...you use more than 12gigs of ram for a particular project...

I would remove the normal SATA HD and replace it with an SSD the fan kicks on less and the heat is a lot less... this unit is less noisy and produces less heat than my laptops do...

Buy the laptop case from Dell it's cheaper and easer that way... I went to three stores here in Houston and had to eventually special order one...

Let us know if you have any other questions....

 

Thanks TC. Let me ask you, was that a 7200RPM drive? I was thinking about getting a larger 5400RPM drive, which would hopefully produce less noise and heat. Anyone know if the uses a 7mm bay? I happen to have a 1TB 7mm drive. There's no need to sell it if I can re-use it. I was planning on an Outlet, if some good coupons come up, or eBay purchase if I decide to get the XPS.

 

It doesn't matter now, it's a done deal. I bought one. What can I say? I was weak. I found a 25% coupon for the Dell Outlet, 876W8229L2WXBM if anyone's interested. It said it was for new arrivals, but worked on the XPS. It was about $600 and change out the door. The i5 was $100 or so more, but it didn't seem worth since I don't need much performance. It's supposed to be here by the 9th of January. I'm kind of jazzed. Hopefully, it'll work out well. After never having owned one before, I'm a Dell household now. I just bought an Optiplex i7-3770 to replace my Phenom desktop, though my HTPCs will remain AMD self built boxes.

 

Did it include a 256GB SSD as your signature states? Where did u find the coupon at?

 

Zaz...good find... if you are going with non-SSD hd...I would purchase one of these... mSata Drive and us it as a cashe space... 32gb mSata on Ebay ... this is is actually a pull from a Dell Laptop... should not have an issue with it...

Tested Coupon Code it works...!!! There is an i3 on the site for 769.99 before coupon...!!!

Congrats Again...!!!

 

No, it didn't include the SSD. I'm planning on upgrading it myself. I"m not sure if I'll get the mSATA SSD or just do a regular SSD.

Does anyone know if the XPS 18 uses a 7mm or 9.5mm drive? The max hard drive for XPS 18s sold on Dell's web site seems to be 500GB, which makes me think it uses a 7mm drive. If it is 7mm, I happen to have a 1TB 7mm drive laying around from my X220i, which I could then use in the XPS 18.

I found the coupon on the Dell Outlet Twitter account. I clicked on a dead link, but it popped up some new coupons, which I tried and it worked. I was thinking about calling them and asking for a 25% coupon, but things worked out on their own.

Another question if I may, do all XPS 18 have Bluetooth? I was thinking about trying the ThinkPad Ultraportable Bluetooth Keyboard in place of the one that comes with it. It could work very well and it would allow me to get my stick fix.