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7 Posts
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403641
January 21st, 2014 10:00
XPS 13 Developers Edition first impressions
Hi,
My brand new XPS13 (i7/8GB/256GB) arrived today and I'd like to share my initial thoughts with you all.
- Design: nice sturdy ultrabook design with (limited) ultrabook connectivity (only 2 USB ports)
- Ubuntu 12.04 LTS runs very fast and stable (in comparison with my other Ubuntu 13.10 machine)
- Display quality is excellent, very wide viewing angles and the 1080p resolution using Ubuntu is very productive. But noticeable white 'pressure point' in the left corner when using a black background.
- Battery life: I'm getting around 6 hours (first charge) which isn't much in comparison to other Haswell based ultrabooks (the Macbook Pro retina 13 can easily get around 9-10 hours, while using a more power hungry CPU)
- Touch screen: personally I don't see the point of touchscreen when working in Ubuntu (even in Windows). When I want to swipe, I just use my tablet. Maybe a non-touch i7 would be an interesting option.
- Coil whine: I'm experiencing a high-pitched sound when my keyboard backlight is on. When turned off, it's still noticeable, but very low in intensity
- Speakers: Sound quality is decent but on regular base my left speaker makes a quite loud creaking sound.
In brief, I'm very glad a 100% Ubuntu machine is available for purchase with optimal driver support (Sputnik Team: thank you!) but I'm a little bit disappointed in the overall quality. The 'coil whine' issue and the speaker problem are well-known internet-forum topics for over a year, and still Dell isn't able to resolve those issues in the 3th iteration of the XPS 13 product. I'll wait to contact Customer Support for a repair since no clear solution for both stated problems has been found.
But, nevertheless, looking forward to the 14.04 LTS DE version!
No Events found!
slcpunk
35 Posts
0
May 20th, 2014 12:00
That's great. If you guys can just post here when the boards are available, that would be helpful.
Thanks
DELL-Terry B
6 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
1
May 20th, 2014 12:00
Barton asked me to step in here regarding possible service options to help reduce system noise on the XPS 13. Once the remodeled systems boards become available, services will be dependent on your location and the active service contract, and can be next business day, at home or depot services. Please contact technical support in your area for specifics. If you have any problems with technical support please send me a private message and I will be happy to investigate any possible service options.
TB
benmandude
2 Posts
0
May 22nd, 2014 22:00
Thank you for taking this issue seriously. I have found a few work arounds such as turning off the keyboard back lighting, but that doesn't help when I'm working in dim lighting.
I look forward to being able to have this issue fully resolved in the near future.
0x466c79
1 Message
0
May 24th, 2014 16:00
Hey,
is Ubuntu 12.04 still the OS for the new remodeld system or do you want to deliver it with the new LTS Version 14.04?
I heard that the laptop seems to "wake up" from suspend when the lid is closed. Is this issue solved by now?
mmmmnmnm
1 Message
0
May 27th, 2014 03:00
Will an in warranty Outlet XPS 13s be eligible for the coil whine fix?
jbundy03
2 Posts
0
June 24th, 2014 17:00
I recently purchased an Outlet XPS 13. I was aware of the potential coil whine problem going in. I hoped that it was exaggerated. I received my laptop a few weeks ago, and it has the problem. Once the sound is heard, it cannot be unheard. I can't bear to use it now.
I love the form factor, the screen, and especially that it can run Linux. I've seen various threads about a motherboard fix, but an ETA of late June or July. I haven't been able to find any other information.
My return window closes soon, but I just got it extended to July 9 so that I could work with technical support. I called technical support, even knowing that they probably would not have any answers. Indeed, they said to work with the keyboard backlight off, and that the problem had been escalated. I don't even know what that means in this case. I was told that there was no ETA on a fix...
I don't know what to do. I would love to keep this laptop, but it is unbearable to hear that noise. Does anyone have any updates on a fix? Is there any way to extend the return window longer to wait for a fix? I got a i7-4650, which I thought was somewhat rare in the US, so I would like to keep it.
mabuntu
7 Posts
0
June 29th, 2014 10:00
Hi George,
Any update on the hardware?
kind regards
ybit
1 Message
0
July 11th, 2014 09:00
Will the boards be included in all new laptops purchased? If so, are they available yet?
Gabr.Schlatter
1 Message
0
July 25th, 2014 16:00
Hi,
Is there any progress on this problem? I have a XPS13 and have to keep my keyboard-backlight off all the time because otherwise the coil-whine gets much too loud. I think that´s a shame, this notebook was very expensive and shouldn´t have issues like this. I would really appreciate if Dell could help me resolving this issue and i´m sure there are many others still waiting for a solution.
Best,
Gabriel Schlatter
jbundy03
2 Posts
0
July 25th, 2014 23:00
I spoke with tech support around July 8, and they were unable to give me any information about a fix. The support person did offer to call back in a week and to email. He did both, and his email basically said that the engineering team has found a problem in the motherboard circuitry and that they are working on a fix to it by designing a new motherboard. He did not have an ETA for the fix. I expect that any new motherboards will first go into new machines, but at least they have recognized that there is a problem and they are working on a fix.
Fortunately, I still have a Sony Vaio that I like very much and am using to type this reply on while the Dell waits for a new motherboard. It's too bad that this flaw exists, but hopefully it will be fixed soon.
NoakSten
7 Posts
0
July 29th, 2014 02:00
Any update? I'm considering buying an XPS 13, but not if got such a serious problem for that price.
DELL-Terry B
6 Operator
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3.5K Posts
0
July 29th, 2014 07:00
I do have an update on the re designed system boards for the XPS 13. The boards are being made ready for tech support services approximately in mid August. Please contact tech support in your area for availability. If you have any problems with tech support please feel free to contact me directly.
TB
SputnikSpok
2 Posts
0
August 8th, 2014 15:00
Hi Barton
Are the new boards with fixed coil whine issues released for the XPS 13 yet? If I were to order one today (8 Aug 2014) would I receive an XPS 13 with no coil whine issue?
Regards,
Keen customer not wanting to go the Lenovo Yoga route.
DELL-Barton George
9 Technologist
•
537 Posts
0
August 11th, 2014 09:00
Hi Sputnikspok,
The should be, let me double check and get back to you.
thanks!
elpaso66
2 Posts
0
August 11th, 2014 09:00
Please also double-chek the stocks for orders in Europe.
Thanks