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Dell 2015 XPS 13: Smallest 13" Notebook With Broadwell-U, QHD+ Display Reviewed

Posted by timothy on from the if-you-can-defy-them-they're-only-guidelines-of-physics dept.

MojoKid writes Dell's 2015 XPS 13 notebook made a splash out at CES this year with its near bezel-less 13-inch QHD+ (3200X1800) display and Intel's new 5th Gen Core series Broadwell-U processor. At 2.8 pounds, the 2015 XPS 13 isn't the absolute lightest 13-inch ultrabook book out there but it's lighter than a 13-inch MacBook Air and only a few ounces heavier than Lenovo's Core M-powered Yoga 3 Pro. The machine's Z dimensions are thin, at .33" up front to .6" at its back edge. However, its 11.98" width almost defies the laws of physics, squeezing a 13.3" (diagonal) display into an 11.98-inch frame making it what is essentially the smallest 13-inch ultrabook to hit the market yet. Performance-wise, this review shows its benchmarks numbers are strong and Intel's Broadwell-U seems to be an appreciable upgrade versus the previous generation architecture, along with lower power consumption.

118 comments

  1. OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

    ...if it has a screen resolution I like, AND a good processor, that probably means it has Intel Integrated Graphics or something, or an awful pointing device, right?

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    1. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by halfEvilTech · · Score: 1

      well per the review:
      Graphics: Integrated Intel HD 5500
      and priced at $1399 as configured

    2. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It runs the Intel 5500, part of the new broadwell-u. Decent jump from the 4400, but you won't be running firestrike on it....

    3. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I suspect that in a computer of that size you wouldn't want anything other than integrated graphics. Sure, AMD or NVIDIA could provide a part low clocked enough, or cut down enough, to fit within the size and thermal constraints; but once they've done that they probably won't be much better than the already-integrated graphics.

      Unless you have enough room for a proper GPU, low end discrete GPUs are increasingly somewhat pointless, since they always add complexity and cost; but don't necessarily outperform integrated ones by all that much.

    4. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by DocSavage64109 · · Score: 1

      I've been waiting for a decent and affordable laptop ever since Toshiba first came out with color screens on theirs. I still don't have a laptop.

    5. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by geekmux · · Score: 0

      well per the review: Graphics: Integrated Intel HD 5500 and priced at $1399 as configured

      Damn. I was hoping I could get my 8-bit fix on this machine by playing Minecraft.

      Seems it's a bit underpowered.

      (The difficulty in which we fight to render circa 1980's graphics on hardware today is clear proof that time machines exist.)

    6. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

      I've been waiting for a decent and affordable laptop ever since Toshiba first came out with color screens on theirs. I still don't have a laptop.

      I don't know what you call "decent and affordable", but I bought a new laptop last year - quad core, 8 gig ram, 500 gig hd hdmi out, usb3, for $401.00. At the local big-chain pharmacy (they sell everything these days). They also have lower-spec machines for less if you can make do with 4 gig ram and dual core.

      --
      "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    7. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by NatasRevol · · Score: 1

      That's called compromise. And what you have to do in a small package.

      Can you fit a V12 in a Mini?

      --
      There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
    8. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

      If weight and price aren't problems, there are a ton of vendors selling high res displays with nice GPUs and lots of RAM. Including Razor and Apple.

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
    9. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by BaronAaron · · Score: 2

      Umm Minecraft seems playable on a Intel HD 5500 to me.

    10. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can you fit a V12 in a Mini?

      Yes, of course. The driver's position must be moved, however, perhaps to the roof. And forget about passengers; most modern Americans don't fit in a mini anyway...

    11. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by MojoKid · · Score: 1

      Broadwell-U is actually a solid upgrade in graphics and the integrated HD5500 GPU actually competes with low-end discrete AMD and NVIDIA mobile solutions.

    12. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by mlts · · Score: 1

      I hope the RAM is installed is replaceable. If not, 8GB was something acceptable back in 2008... but a laptop should be at 16, if not 32 gigs of RAM. This is the biggest turnoff of the MacBook Airs. Disk space can be worked around using the third party SSD that goes in the SD card. Network connectivity can be augmented via a Thunderbolt or USB NIC. The CPU is good enough for most tasks, but RAM is the biggest bottleneck.

      The paucity of RAM is my biggest complaint. For a lightweight laptop, the other stuff is acceptable. It would be nice if Dell and other PC vendors would hop on the Thunderbolt bandwagon which would allow for an external GPU (assuming enough PCI lanes are available to make it worthwhile.)

      Of course it would be nice to have dock connector, but Dimensions are consumer level models, and they would likely never get used.

    13. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by kilodelta · · Score: 1

      Even though I've not been a dell employee for a few years I still have the employee purchase plan. I wonder how much I could get one for.

    14. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 4, Informative

      That's called compromise. And what you have to do in a small package.

      Can you fit a V12 in a Mini?

      If you can fit a V-12 lambourghini engine with all-wheel drive into a 1971 Fiat 500, then you can probably find someone crazy enough to do the same for the new mini cooper.

      --
      "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    15. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by NatasRevol · · Score: 1

      I think my point might have been missed by you.

      --
      There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
    16. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by TWX · · Score: 2

      Well, you and the other four of you can still buy the Lenovo Thinkpad line, like the Yoga 12.5" or Yoga 14", or the Helix...

      I've had Thinkpads several times over the years and use one now. I've accidently hit the pointing stick while typing more than I've used it. They're solid machines so that's why we continue to buy them, but the pointing stick is definitely a niche feature.

      --
      Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
    17. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      The more laptops you buy, the bigger the discount. Just buy enough to get that discount up to 100%.

      --
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    18. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the fuck are you even talking about? Your Atari didn't have an 8 bit palette. Minecraft isn't "8 bit". Do you even know what 8 bit means?

    19. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by ArcadeMan · · Score: 4, Funny

      Cut them some slack, it's the only nipple they get to touch.

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      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    20. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by kamapuaa · · Score: 1

      WTF? If you want a super portable game machine, buy a gameboy.

      --
      Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
    21. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's soldered down. Also, intel's dual core mobile chips still only support max. 16GB of RAM.

    22. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Solandri · · Score: 2

      Unless you have enough room for a proper GPU, low end discrete GPUs are increasingly somewhat pointless, since they always add complexity and cost; but don't necessarily outperform integrated ones by all that much.

      Here are game benchmarks for the Intel HD5500, nVidia 820m, and AMD R7 M265 (older 35 Watt tech I throw in only for comparison since their current lowest-end R9 is equivalent to an 840m).

      The 820m is a 15 Watt part, and best case hits nearly 2x the framerate of the HD5500. Probably about 1.7x faster on average, with a few titles being CPU-bottlenecked. The R9 M265X is also a 35 Watt part like the 840m and performs slightly better, so I imagine if/when AMD puts out 15 Watt version of the R9 to compete with the 820m, it'll roughly double the HD5500's FPS as well.

      Having a discrete GPU does complicate the cooling solution (the iGPU on the Intel gets cooled by the CPU's cooler). But if you're planning to do some gaming, you should still opt for the dGPU over the iGPU if at all possible. The exception would be if you only play titles not needing powerful GPUs, like Sims, DOTA, LOL, WoW.

    23. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Minecraft certainly has an 8-bit design aesthetic, but that's about as far as it goes. Conflating graphic design and computational complexity doesn't make you sound funny. It just makes you sound like an idiot.

    24. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by asliarun · · Score: 2

      "8GB was something acceptable back in 2008... but a laptop should be at 16, if not 32 gigs of RAM."

      On what basis are you saying that? What are these deal-breaker applications that will need 32 or 16 gigs of RAM? Mind you, this post is about an ultra portable 13" laptop - I would assume that no one in their right mind would want to use this as a full blown workstation. I would imagine most users would use a laptop like this for standard stuff like browsing, Office apps, for presentations, etc.

      Maybe a few would run Photoshop or Visual Studio or Eclipse. Is 8GB not enough for Photoshop or Eclipse anymore?? And I do feel that with HD 5500, 8GB RAM, and a speedy SSD, Photoshop would run just fine.

      And back in 2008, Windows XP 64 bit had barely come out and almost no one was using 64 bit apps. From what I remember, almost everyone had between 2GB - 4GB RAM in standard laptop builds. Much less 8GB.

      I'm honestly scratching my head to try and imagine why 32 GB or 16GB would be considered bare minimum for an ultraportable laptop.

    25. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      The trouble is that the entire i5-5200u, CPU and GPU, is also 15 watt part. Unless Dell is somehow just throwing away usable space inside that case, I suspect that fan noise, battery life, or both are going to hurt if you double the demands of the core silicon.

      I don't know exactly how much you save if you wholly disable the GPU portion of the intel part, probably a little less than half, so even in that case you are talking about a pretty substantial bump in thermal load.

      I don't deny that the integrated graphics are feeble, merely note that you are unlikely to get anything exciting into hardware that size. Even if we assume 100% efficient disabling of the integrated GPU, and savings of ~50%, a discrete GPU arrangement would involve a 50% TDP increase. If the integrated graphics can't be cleanly disabled, it might creep closer to doubling. I doubt that that would be a pleasant machine to work with.

    26. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      If your machinist is good enough you can probably fit a V12 in a wristwatch. It's just that all those cylinders will be very, very, tiny and the actual power generated will be rather unimpressive.

      If you wanted the same effect in a laptop, you could probably add a GTX980 (250watt TDP) to this laptop as long as it was clocked at maybe 50MHz, rather than the usual 1100.

    27. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think the point may not be missed. Clearly, the Fiat illustrates that you now have an ugly device, which may be powerful but its engine and power consumption is obviously out of the scope of the intended goal.

      So yes, you may be able to fit it, but it will look ugly, it's going to be expensive and nobody is going to use it to it's potential.

    28. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think my point might have been missed by you.

      You may have misunderstood the meaning of the word "can" with the word "should".

    29. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just using a Web browser and basic applications, I've gone over 8 GB easily. Newer operating systems are getting fatter, add-on programs take up space, browsers and add-ons can really grab memory like no tomorrow.

      Don't forget that if you value security in any way, you will be browsing the Web in a virtual machine... and Windows doesn't have the ability (yet) to "deduplicate" RAM pages like ESXi. This means that you have to factor RAM for not just the minimum it takes to fire up a browser... but enough for at least two different operating systems.

      Virtualization is here to stay, and is a must have tool. There is a reason why VMWare Fusion is a must have for Macs and VMWare Workstation is a must have for Windows machines -- the time it takes to recover from a malware attack is reduced from possibly days to weeks (find OS, download files, restore data) to seconds (roll back snapshot to known good one.) Plus, one doesn't want to run just one VM. I like having one VM for general browsing, one for client stuff, one for business, and so on.

      Yes, even though this is a thin laptop... security is a must no matter what form factor.

    30. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by TeknoHog · · Score: 1

      ...if it has a screen resolution I like, AND a good processor, that probably means it has Intel Integrated Graphics or something, or an awful pointing device, right?

      We did consider a model where the GPU is hanging on the side off a Thunderbolt cable, but our test group preferred the integrated one.

      I still wonder if we made the right choice, though -- the bag-on-the-side would really have differentiated our product from the rest.

      --
      Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
    31. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by funwithBSD · · Score: 1

      Your life sucks. I am running MacOS + Win7 in Parallels and I am using all my memory, but it does not make it any slower.

      5 of that is used by the VM, so normally I have plenty of memory available.

      --
      Never answer an anonymous letter. - Yogi Berra
    32. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Problem is that it probably comes w/ either Windows 8.1, which is unusable, or Windows 7, which is fast getting dated. So until Windows 10 is out, this great thing ain't worth buying.

    33. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Why does Intel deliberately disable chips to support at the max 16GB or anything like it? Under 32-bit, 4GB was the maximum theoretical limit, so I understood. For 64-bit, the maximum theoretical limit is 17,179,869,184GB. Assuming that a certain portion of it will be reserved for BIOS or something, let's half that and make it 8,589,934,592GB. Intel can still have the capability of addressing that much in their system. So why artificially cripple it to 16GB, when people may want 32 or even 64GB as memory gets cheaper?

    34. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by csirac · · Score: 1

      I bought my 2009 X61s, a 12" thing, with 8GB RAM. That model was released in 2007. My X230, bought early 2012, has 16GB RAM. I don't know why this 12-13" form factor noadays has gone *backwards* back-to-7-years-ago specs... is it because "UltraBook" has to mean "one DIMM slot"? It's infuriating. Instead of replacing my X230 (the X240 only does 8GB RAM) when the screen broke, I bought parts to repair it. Which was probably for the best anyway (my X230 still does the job), but it's still weird I no longer have any replacement options for this apparently unicorn piece of hardware.

      Why do I want 16GB? Because I really enjoy being able to reproduce all my work on this tiny little magical piece of machinery which fits in my backpack with no effort whatsoever. It's the *future*. I shouldn't have to accept mediocrity in the place of something that currently already works. I shouldn't have to stand up more resources at work and VPN in when I already have a working solution. I enjoy being able to work offline; working from flaky 3/4G isn't fun.

    35. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by unixisc · · Score: 1

      I typically don't close browser tabs when the newer pages I open have something interesting that I may want to reference in future. So sometimes, I have something like 20 or more tabs running. So I wouldn't sneer at having more memory - usage, as opposed to the capability of apps, do tend to fill it up. And that's w/o even using the VMs

    36. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      but can it play sega cd?

    37. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by epyT-R · · Score: 0

      Recovering from a malware infestation on a single user machine is about as simple as restoring an image.. You don't need a VM for that. Security requires good software, not shit wrapped up in virtualized bandaids.

    38. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by MojoKid · · Score: 1

      Damn-it... no, you got me. #win

    39. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except for the offer of a free upgrade to 10 for a year after it comes out.

    40. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by fuzzywig · · Score: 1
      Which bowser and which applications? Are you sure you're not counting cache as used RAM?

      I'm currently on a Win7 machine, with 8Gb of RAM, running firefox, thunderbird and two VMs (1GB of RAM each) and a bunch of other stuff and I'm just over 4GB used.

    41. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      bingo! overpriced. Only has the iGPU onboard the CPU, Iris 5500. They're not as horrible as they used to be, but ANY dGPU will beat the crap out of it.

      It's only real plus is the high res screen, but it's a pointless plus since it relies on iGPU.

      I'll just wait for the next clevo/sager 13" refresh and get a dGPU to go with that and a more realistic price point.

    42. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Shirley+Marquez · · Score: 1

      The current recommended amount of RAM for building current versions of Android is 16GB. That's just one example.

    43. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Shirley+Marquez · · Score: 1

      MSI and Gigabyte both make notebooks in the 4 pound class with 1080p displays and serious NVidia GPUs. (One of the new models has a GTX 965M.) But their battery life is terrible if the GPU actually turns on; they use NVidia Optimus so the GPU is only on when you need it. They throw off a LOT of heat when the GPU is running and the fans roar. And that still makes them over a pound heavier than the Dell, with lower resolution displays and poorer build quality. But if you need graphics on the go, systems like that do exist.

    44. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Haven't you read the memo ?

      640Kb is supposed to be more than enough for everyone.

      CAPTCHA: coconut. strangely fitting, ain't it ?

    45. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why would you use a ultra-mobile netbook for building Android ?

      Next thing you know, you want to build Android on the phone itself.

    46. Re: OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are a tool. For most users, 4gb of ram works flawlessly.

    47. Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far by johncandale · · Score: 1

      Just because minecraft uses grid blocks does not mean it is a simple graphics program

  2. What the Macbook 13" should be by dciman · · Score: 2

    This is the form factor the 13' Macbook Pro should be.

    I love my Mid2014 13", but the form factor needs an update. Especially with competing models like this coming out.

    I'll still take the build quality and metal construction of my Macbook though.

    1. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by BaronAaron · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The Dell 2015 XPS 13 uses machined aluminum and carbon fiber. How is this different in terms of build quality than a Macbook?

    2. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 2

      I'd have a hard time to trust Dell re. specs & perfs. Couple of years ago, a not-so-tecky colleague bought a Dell Latitude 15" (roughly) at the time I bought the MBA 13" (and helped her to config etc...). The Dell battery was ~2h (5h MBA) while 5-7 h advertised - the Dell was already much heavier, much thicker compared to the MBA (ok, 13" vs 15" but look at the MBA 15"..) ... but the advertised battery life was valid "if you purchase the [ugly] battery extension" that makes the device even more thicker. The build quality of the Latitude was pretty bad - closing the lid makes some noise like the plastic threatens to crack. The keyboard design has been botched up (eg arrow keys near small pg up/dn) and the touchpad .... the touchpad works like hell. The guys still didn't figure in 2012 what a touchpad algo should be.
      Don't know about this new model - but I'd be very cautious before purchasing a dell myself.

      --
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    3. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by Guspaz · · Score: 1

      For all the beefs that people have with Apple, their battery life ratings are not one of them. It's generally agreed that Apple's battery life figures are reasonably accurate for the described scenarios.

    4. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And a touchpad that is usable. Dell just cannot get that right...

    5. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by danbob999 · · Score: 5, Funny

      The Dell 2015 XPS 13 uses machined aluminum and carbon fiber. How is this different in terms of build quality than a Macbook?

      It isn't but people here equate "build quality" with "looks". Especially if it looks like an Apple product.

    6. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So one retarded comparison point for you is enough to judge an entire company's product line? You're likely comparing a budget-oriented, desktop-replacement class laptop with a premium branded ultrabook that probably cost at least 2x more.

    7. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by TeknoHog · · Score: 1

      This is the form factor the 13' Macbook Pro should be.

      More like a Mackbook - not exactly carry-on luggage for your daily commute.

      --
      Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
    8. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 1

      Wrong. Latitude is Dell's business laptop brand. Supposed to be stronger/better than the home user laptop. Price, wrong again. With the same specs (SSD+8GB at the time), prices were similar. Yes, most of the Latitude product line was built on the same model. I wouldn't comment if that laptop wouldn't have been that deceitful. And I reply to an AC because I really feel Dell deserves that.

      --
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    9. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Latitude is the BASE business line.

    10. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by Andtalath · · Score: 1

      Dell has the widest selection of quality of all computer manufacturers.

      The most annoying part is that series or prices are not good measurements.

      Dell is like a box of chocolates ;)

    11. Re:What the Macbook 13" should be by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 1

      Not really.

      --
      Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
  3. Does it whine like the late 2013 model? by T0min · · Score: 2

    The question is if it does make an electric noise like the 2013 model did. http://en.community.dell.com/s... Otherwise I think even the 2013 model is a good laptop and runs Linux great. I own one of those and it makes that noise but it's not that bad. It's just that 1k5€ laptop shouldn't have such issues.

    1. Re: Does it whine like the late 2013 model? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Coil whine is gone, according to MobileTechReview.

    2. Re: Does it whine like the late 2013 model? by ph1ll · · Score: 1

      Agreed. Apart from that one glitch, it's a damn fine laptop. And it runs Ubuntu beautifully.

      --
      --- "We've always been at war with Eastasia."
  4. Maybe what the 11" Macbook should be. by Dr.+Evil · · Score: 1

    The 11" Macbook is 11.8" wide x 7.6" deep. This Dell is 12" x 7.9"...

    If I could get a 13" retina display on a 11" Macbook, I would be very happy.

  5. Re:And I stopped reading right... by MojoKid · · Score: 0

    Broadwell-U is a solid upgrade in graphics versus previous gen, and the integrated HD5500 GPU actually competes with low-end discrete AMD and NVIDIA mobile chips.

  6. And I'll wait by kilodelta · · Score: 1

    Until they come with Windows 10 installed. I hate Windows 8.

    1. Re:And I'll wait by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Fully second this!!!

  7. Dell still fails..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Tapered design I wonder where they got that from! They are just trying to beat Apple to the punch with the rumored 12" MacBook! History shows introducing products first ends in a loss! Dell is still a failed company, even after giving its shareholders their money back!

  8. Laws of Physics? by NaCh0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, squeezing those 13 inches into a 12 inch chassis almost defies the pythagorean theorem!!!

    Just wow.

    1. Re:Laws of Physics? by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

      In other news, the LHC routinely almost breaks the fundamental speed limit of the universe!

      These maniacs must be stopped.

      --
      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  9. And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    NBD=next business day

    We have sixty XPS 12 laptops, and almost a dozen of them bricked one night after a bad driver update. We paid $329 more to Dell for four year next business day support, and the laptops were well over $2,000 each. Because Dell didn't have any spare parts local, they told us it would be a little over a week to get a repair. They were a very new model at the time, so I understood why they couldn't do next business day. We weren't mad at that point. Three weeks later, they received the parts but we didn't get them since a larger customer had the same problem. Then Dell said it would be ten more weeks until they received replacement boards from manufacturing. We asked for new laptops at that point, and Dell refused. Two more weeks, Dell repaired one laptop. Eight weeks after that the local Dell guy finally received the rest of the boards and was able to repair all but one laptop. At that point, we asked for a refund on the service contract, and they refused. They did not live up to their contract. The one remaining laptop that wouldn't boot was shipped back to Dell three times before we finally gave-up on it. They never fixed or replaced it.

    1. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by VTBlue · · Score: 1

      This is why contracts need to be reviewed by lawyers. I'm sure there a few firms would relish the chance to sue Dell for breach of contract and irreparable harm.

    2. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So why didn't your company sue DELL? This is a clear breach of contract. If they take your money for NBD support and they fail as badly as this they will have a hard time defending it.

    3. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 1

      This is why contracts need to be reviewed by lawyers. I'm sure there a few firms would relish the chance to sue Dell for breach of contract and irreparable harm.

      Exactly. If they dropped ~150K for laptops they probably have a lawyer that does work for them. Once the 3 week window passed Dell should have gotten a certified letter and email from their lawyer.

      --
      I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
    4. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LOL, succeed at suing Dell? Ha! We spent about $20k with a lawyer and didn't even get them to blink after our first (and last) purchase with them that went badly. We ordered twenty-four desktops in 2001. Because we had no credit, they required us to pay with a bank check COD so there was no way for us to get a refund. We received the desktops, and none would power-up. They forgot to put the RAM in! We fought them for a few weeks to get the RAM, we had already paid for, and failed. I finally gave-in and bought enough RAM for a few machines because I had several older desktops that really needed to be replaced. They still wouldn't boot. Twenty eight months later we finally dropped our suit after being advised the next step would cost more than the computers were worth at that point.

      The only positive thing was that after having a neighbor of Michael Dell hand deliver a letter to his house, he had a tech contact us about the desktops. It ended-up that that that model had strict requirements on the type of RAM. After buying the RAM he recommended, twenty-three of the twenty-four desktops worked.

    5. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by ITRambo · · Score: 1

      I presume that this was not brought before your company's lawyer to act on it. I believe that he could have created enough stink that Dell would have taken care of you. The "bigger" customer that received better service likely had their lawyers do the talking for them, with bad publicity held out as a battering ram to motivate Dell to act. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

    6. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sounds like you don't have that much experience with Dell. When you mention involving a lawyer, their front-line employees will no longer talk to you. You turn a 'next" business day from something that typically takes a week or two into something that can take months. We buy about three hundred computers from Dell a year and have a couple of people that work almost full-time on begging Dell to honor their warranty. As a wild guess, I think we spend three hours on the phone to get them to dispatch someone for next business day. We're in downtown Seattle so it isn't like a tech will have to drive 250 miles and waste hours getting here. Also, waiting on parts is a major PITA. Dell has so many large customers that five hundred employee and smaller customers are necessarily treated like garbage. A major investor in Silver Lake Partners (that owns a big chunk of Dell) is also a major investor in our company, so we have to keep suffering with this Dell-created pain. I love my job and make good money, but having to deal with Dell makes me want to quit.

    7. Re:And how many weeks will NBD support take?` by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      Speaking of Dell, failure, and lawyers, back during the 'capacitor plague' era the law firm that Dell retained to fight capacitor-plague related lawsuits was itself stuck with capacitor-plagued Dells. I can only imagine that their IT people saw the humor in the situation. True story.

  10. Re:And I stopped reading right... by Noughmad · · Score: 2

    It may compete with discrete GPUs in terms of showing pixels on the screen, but not in terms of keeping your knees warm.

    --
    PlusFive Slashdot reader for Android. Can post comments.
  11. Lighter than the macbook air, again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This isn't the first time Dell had a laptop lighter than the Air. Dell had already released a light laptop before the first macbook air.

  12. Love the XPS 13 series by trawg · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I normally avoid hardware review posts but I'm on my 2nd Dell XPS 13" laptop so wanted to check this out.

    I have been super happy with these devices. The first one was the XPS M1210, which in all seriousness was one of the best computers I've ever owned. It's a bit dated now - it was pre-Macbook Air, so by comparison looks huge and chunky, but compared to previous lappys it was a joy to travel with.

    The first battery piked after a couple years but this is back in the Good Old Days when buying replacement parts was easy.

    The screen crapped out after about 4 years - still usable but had weird patterns all over it. I could have replaced it but by then the newer model was out, and the change in weight profile was significant enough to justify the change.

    I've had the new one for over two years and have been really happy with it. I basically only use it when I travel, and it's slimline form is great.

    The model I have (2012 I think) only has 4GB of RAM, which has been a bit of a hassle, and the CPU is a bit on the slow side compared to my desktop - but this new one with 8GB looks like it would be great.

    It has a nice keyboard with broad, easy to press keys, making it as not-terrible as possible to type on for extended periods (if I'm using it for ages I still plug in a real keyboard though).

    If you're looking at a slimline laptop and don't want a Mac, then I seriously recommend checking the XPS series out.

    1. Re:Love the XPS 13 series by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I got an XPS 13 9333 "Sputnik" / Ubuntu pre-installed. Pretty bad driver support, considering, but that's not the main issue.

      The #1 disadvantage is the coil whine. This thing likes to whistle and won't STFU. Dell claims to have fixed coil whine issues on this machine (and tough luck on previous XPS 13 owners) but alas, it was a lie. I should have shelled out a couple hundred more to get a Carbon X1. Now I know.

      Google "XPS coil whine" before you buy.

  13. AMD is not so bad by CrashNBrn · · Score: 1

    Aye. I got a 17" HP Pavilon, AMD A8-5550M Radeon HD, 2.1Ghz with 8GB Ram (single-stick, 2 slots) for $450 (@Office Depot). I'll add another 8GB of RAM and an SSD this year (into the DVD slot). While it certainly wont win any races, or run recent Triple-A PC games... then again who wants to run recent Triple-A games ?? ;-)

  14. Weird site by hackertourist · · Score: 1

    Hothardware.com has all of its headlines in English, but using Hebrew script instead of Roman, making the site unreadable. Or is that just me?

    1. Re:Weird site by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

      Possibly just you. I noticed the headline font changed after I loaded up the page - maybe it went bananas on you for some reason.

      --
      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  15. What bothers me since... ever: by Tsolias · · Score: 0

    God forbids to get a laptop like that with an AMD option.... sorry by God I meant Intel. Why the AMD option is better? because you can save easily 100-200 greens on the price, with the same everyday experience.

    1. Re:What bothers me since... ever: by slaker · · Score: 5, Insightful

      AMD doesn't have a CPU with that level of performance with appropriate TDP.

      --
      -- I wanna decide who lives and who dies - Crow T. Robot, MST3K
    2. Re:What bothers me since... ever: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What bothers me is the amount of oxygen that you steal.

    3. Re:What bothers me since... ever: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I guess there are many intel jerks here and people who don't want the monopoly to fall. Well FYI there are people who don't need or care about 10-20 or even 30% of performance, but care when the same laptop is 100-200 and 300$ less with the same peripherals. Performance doesn't matter when you get a laptop like that and the most intensive work is , skype calls with , presentations, mail checking on meetings and candy crash for those who use facebook. Fuck your arguments(non-existent) and fuck those intel-nazis who are taking over this site. Ohh... and fuck Intel for fixing the market. and fuck that other guy with the oxygen. now he has another reason to stuck his head in his ass.

  16. runs windows by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Every time I see a PC, no matter how hip, with tile GUI I feel pain. Is it curable?

  17. Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by FictionPimp · · Score: 1

    Why do I have to buy a i7 to get a 512GB ssd?

    1. Re:Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by Hrrrg · · Score: 1

      Same answer as always: Because Dell thinks it can maximize it's profits with this lineup. How badly do you want the 512 GB SSD? Yep, I thought so...

    2. Re:Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by FictionPimp · · Score: 1

      So what they get instead is a call asking if the SSD is user serviceable and depending on that answer I either don't buy it or I buy the 128GB and buy a replacement on newegg.

    3. Re:Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by ranton · · Score: 1

      So what they get instead is a call asking if the SSD is user serviceable and depending on that answer I either don't buy it or I buy the 128GB and buy a replacement on newegg.

      You are not a standard customer. A standard customer either lives without it or ponies up the money.

      --
      -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
    4. Re:Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dell aren't looking for customers that want to customise the specs to their hearts desire. They are after the easy money from people that will choose one of the premade configs, It is a business decision aimed at mass production. Does that mean people like yourself may go elsewhere, yep, but you are a tiny segment of the market.

    5. Re:Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because you're a moron.

    6. Re:Why no i5 with 512GB ssd? by T0min · · Score: 1

      Well, you could probably replace the SSD. At least on the 9333 model (aka late 2013 model) it's very easy. It's a standard mSATA SSD and it's quite easily accessible. Just some torx screws on the bottom and then a phillips screw that holds the SSD.

  18. All that and a bag of chips. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mine was due on the 5th of next month. But landed yesterday.

    So far, love it. The AC cable could have been a bit longer. But thats such a minor quibble. If you get one, spring for the infinity touch screen. Worth it.

  19. if you don't see all the build options... by Tumbleweed · · Score: 2

    Go into the Dell "Work" section of the site - you can get this with i7 CPU, more SSD capacity options, etc.

  20. Battery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It looks like a great small laptop. As long as it has a user-replaceable battery, I'll probably get one. However, I expect I'll be disappointed. Anyone know?

    1. Re:Battery by Dogers · · Score: 0

      It's an ultrabook - answer: no.

      --
      I am a viral sig. Please copy me and help me spread. Thank you.
    2. Re:Battery by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Replaceable battery? Why? this is not 1998 where batteries only last a year or two. I haven't replaced a laptop battery in 4 years. and it STILL holds 95% capacity.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re: Battery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yes, you can. Unscrew the bottom lid. The battery isn't glued. No big deal.

  21. Yep by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 1

    Love my 11" MacAir, but the bezel around the display is frickin huge, it's nuts. 3/4" top and bottom, 7/8" on each side. That's a lot of wasted real estate in such a small package.

    --
    Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
  22. Also, heat by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 2

    Cooling hi-perf components in such a small package is a nightmare. There was a review a while back of a Samsung ultra portable, the specs were pretty impressive, but performance was identical to the previous model with less powerful GPU and CPU. Because they made so much heat they had to be throttled down.

    --
    Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
  23. They need to make this..... as a 17" model by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    Dammit, Why do all laptop makers think that nobody does real work on their laptops. 17" 4K display in as small of a body as possible.

    GIVE IT TO ME!!!!

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  24. Review of non-touch version by Solandri · · Score: 1

    MobileTechReview covered the non-touch 1920x1080 version here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP6oTd_OhoA

    The size comparison to the Surface Pro 3 (12") is very impressive, almost hilarious.

    The Achilles heel of the Macbook Air has always been the display. Not only is it lower resolution (currently 1440x900), but it's a TN panel with poor color gamut (about 60% sRGB). I suspect this is deliberate market stratification by Apple, to give people a reason to pay extra the Macbook Pro. So the MBP gets a retina IPS panel covering 100% sRGB. The MBP gets a low-res TN panel covering 60% sRGB.

    The Surface Pro 3 took square aim at this chink in Apple's armor, by putting in a 95%-100% sRGB screen. The Dell does as well by using a 1920x1080 Sharp IGZO panel with 98% sRGB coverage. That increases pressure for Apple to put a retina panel on their MBA, at the risk of cannibalizing MBP sales (basically any artist who does color-sensitive work right now is forced to pay extra for the MBP). Comparison to the Dell with the MBA here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2FPvHFLSOI

  25. Dell recommends Windows :) by lippydude · · Score: 1

    Dell Precision M6800 Workstation: Windows 7 Professional: £2,299

    Dell Precision M6800 Mobile Workstation: Red Hat Linux: £2,506 ..

    1. Re:Dell recommends Windows :) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's because they're paid to give us all the shitty crap they shovel on there alongside Windows.

    2. Re:Dell recommends Windows :) by Trongy · · Score: 1

      Redhat does charge USD $299 per year for workstation support.
      https://www.redhat.com/apps/st...

  26. Metric in the 21st century by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    WTF is all that stuff? Can someone translate those dozen or so random measurements into something I can understand?

  27. Still prefer 1920x1200 on 15.4" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That resolution is insane.

    What I'd prefer is WUXGA on a 15.4" screen.

  28. virtual machines by Chirs · · Score: 2

    I'm writing this on a Dell Latitude with 16GB of RAM. I'd like twice as much. I do OpenStack development and regularly run a couple of controller nodes and a couple of compute nodes. That uses pretty much all of my RAM.

    I'd like to be able to simulate a couple of storage nodes as well, and I'd like to be able to have multiple NUMA nodes per compute node to test out the code for simulating NUMA in the OpenStack guest instances.

  29. Why I'm going to get one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My reasons for considering the new XPS 13 as my next laptop:
    1. gorgeous screen, matte (!!) display option - watch this, Apple!
    2. battery life is great (> 8h)
    3. a version called "Developer Edition" with pre-installed Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is coming soon (you can buy one today and install Ubuntu on it, but the soundcard won't work)
    4. proper trackpad

    I'm also considering the new HP Folio 1020 G1 (coming soon), and the new MBA - despite its glossy display (coming soon). This is the year to buy a new ultra-mobile laptop for sure!