Let's DELL

[MoneyFace =p]

I believe Dell will love to make their battery removable on their XPS ultrabooks, but current technologies just doesn't allow that to happen for now. This is why they circumvent this problem with their innovative, small and very portable Dell Power Companion to provide extra omph of power whenever needed. No other makers have done so to their ultrabooks.

Talking about their Dell Power Companion...

First of all, it is truly a fresh idea that many powerbank manufacturers have never think of. By amalgamating existing powerbank design mainly for USB devices together with external battery pack for notebook, it has truly created another product that value-adds and expand more purpose to the product itself. Forging many more possibilities to its charging capabilities, no longer just revolving around USB devices. However, one thing i didn't like about Dell is, again, exclusivity. Again, i have to say it will have sold like hotcakes and monopolise the market for a while if they were to implement a universal output port to extend compatibility across all major brands' laptop power ports.

PC power supply manufacturers have been introducing universal notebook power brick for some time. Hopefully some time sooner they can create rivalling laptop powerbanks. It will certainly be interesting to see laptop power bricks manufacturers integrating these batteries pack into their existing traditional power brick design.

What i am talking is different from this Dell Power Companion. More of a fusion power brick cum powerbank, where it will bypass internal battery to charge laptop directly (in AC mode) with figure 8 wire plugged into the other side of power brick just like traditional wired power bricks, or the internal battery will charge laptop (in battery mode) when figure 8 wire is unplugged, or in hybrid mode where internal battery is low on charge and AC power will charge both internal battery and notebook concurrently when figure 8 wire is plugged in.

I think i need to patent this idea before someone else do. kekeke~

For now, just hoping power supply specialist like Delta and FSP will create something more universal than this DPC to allow real all-day battery life on-the-go on other similar ultrabooks.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Talking about their Dell Power Companion...

First of all, it is truly a fresh idea that many powerbank manufacturers have never think of. By amalgamating existing powerbank design mainly for USB devices together with external battery pack for notebook, it has truly created another product that value-adds and expand more purpose to the product itself. Forging many more possibilities to its charging capabilities, no longer just revolving around USB devices. However, one thing i didn't like about Dell is, again, exclusivity. Again, i have to say it will have sold like hotcakes and monopolise the market for a while if they were to implement a universal output port to extend compatibility across all major brands' laptop power ports.

PC power supply manufacturers have been introducing universal notebook power brick for some time. Hopefully some time sooner they can create rivalling laptop powerbanks. It will certainly be interesting to see laptop power bricks manufacturers integrating these batteries pack into their existing traditional power brick design.

What i am talking is different from this Dell Power Companion. More of a fusion power brick cum powerbank, where it will bypass internal battery to charge laptop directly (in AC mode) with figure 8 wire plugged into the other side of power brick just like traditional wired power bricks, or the internal battery will charge laptop (in battery mode) when figure 8 wire is unplugged, or in hybrid mode where internal battery is low on charge and AC power will charge both internal battery and notebook concurrently when figure 8 wire is plugged in.

I think i need to patent this idea before someone else do. kekeke~

For now, just hoping power supply specialist like Delta and FSP will create something more universal than this DPC to allow real all-day battery life on-the-go on other similar ultrabooks.

Just to add on, this DPC could have also provide USB input charging like a traditional powerbank, apart from charging from just their notebook AC power brick. That will enable users to charge this DPC, as well as their XPS notebook concurrently, rather than one at a time right now with just a single AC power brick provided.

 

[kimsix]

Still on power, I like to have Intel develop their own fast and wireless charging hardware inside their mobile chipset.

Wireless charging fits the XPS brand of classy looks, no more the need to have boring power adaptor and wires onto wires.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Actually the Dell XPS 13 should leave a small depression on the top of the screen so can open it with one hand.. I saw the video the last part he's got a valid gripe. The MacBook can just open with 1 finger but Dell XPS 13 need to use both hands.

But then it will again be a challenge for Dell to implement it to keep it with their InfinityEdge screen.

I feel it is more of a problem with its hinge being so stiff. So adding the top depression may provide slightly more gripe, but definitely does not solve and overcome the problem of hinge stiffness. This problem is more apparent and rampant on ultrabooks maybe due to its lightweight, as I also experienced this with my old Sony VAIO CR. But being a mainstream 2.1 kg laptop, the weight of the base was able to suppress and minimise the effect of stiff hinge due to gravity.

Notice the small strip of grip support protruding on centre top of the screen bezel, like the VAIO CR below right?

Or you actually meant the small strip of chamfered area shown in the middle of the edge of XPS 13?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Still on power, I like to have Intel develop their own fast and wireless charging hardware inside their mobile chipset.

Wireless charging fits the XPS brand of classy looks, no more the need to have boring power adaptor and wires onto wires.

No please, at least for now. Power efficiency is so low and charging is so hot and slow at the same time. Just look at Samsung Galaxy S6. Even if inventors are able to do wireless charging fast enough on laptops, the magnitude of magnetic field around the charging base can cause significant negative impact on user's health. I seriously don't wish so much energy to pass through my body.

And worse still, you need that bloody wire to connect to the wireless charging base. So what's the point?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

I find it new that laptop maker chose to locate the physical power button on the right of keyboard instead of the usual above. I am glad they still keep it separate from the keyboard as many manufacturer choose to fuse them inside the keyboard, usually beside the Del key, as seen on ASUS Zenbook, likely in an effort to minimise real estate usage to bring down size (slightly).

Having used to older notebook keyboards with Del key on top right corner of most keyboard layouts, sometimes i did accidentally mistaken the Power button for Del key and sh!t happened. My concern with the decision to put Power button on right side of keyboard on XPS 13, despite being away separately from keyboard, is that there is still a tendency to accidentally press it, thinking as Del key if user stretch too far to reach for Del key and end up at the Power button.

This is because when we are typing on keyboard, we are constantly shifting our fingers around in a horizontal east-west motion, rather than vertical north-south motion. If the power button is placed on top of keyboard that most laptops are, the probability of accidental press can really reduce all the way down to zero.

I don't really want to face the same nightmare to shut down my laptop in the midst of churning up my thesis. So i felt this is a flaw worth reviewing by the design team.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

And linus did a crazy 'benchmark' on the Dell XPS 13 2015 model:

Spoiler

And the ultrabook survives the wet ordeal! Though that doesn't mean you should bring it out expose to rain without worrying, free and easy, taking it for granted.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

And wait, did i also mentioned that they also find the keys on the Dell XPS 13 keyboard non-clicky? This is a very good point worth looking at, as most laptop's keyboards are generally noisy and clicky.

This can be a nuisance, especially if you are typing in a room with your baby sleeping. Those having your SG50 darlings should take this into consideration. Good point to take note on behalf of my brother-in-law too!

Oohh that reminds me of... today's my baby nephew's first month (满月)! Had an internal celebration with the in-law earlier yesterday too.

 

[koreanlover]

Hi Guys,

warranty period for the products are as follow:

• XPS13 - 1 yr warranty
• ext HDD- 2 yrs warranty
• bluetooth speaker - 1 yr warranty
• power companion - 1 yr warranty
• 24" & 27" monitor - 3 yrs warranty
• Alienware Alpha - 1 yr warranty

*All warranties start from date of redemption.

Thanks.

Edited to include Alienware

Thanks, but Dell didn't give me any receipt.
They track the warranty by my IC ?

 

[kimsix]

I read through XPS13 manual and good news for those who wants more complete package

http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/a.../xps-13-9350-laptop_Reference Guide_en-us.pdf

XPS13 have a 16GB model which Dell Singapore is yet to offer onsite

XPS13 have an Intel Iris model that is HD Graphics 540.

Intel iGPU naming in Skylake is super strange as they moved down from 6000 in Broadwell to 500 for Skylake and they never append Iris Pro for Skylake now.

HD Graphics 540 have 48EU and 64MB of eDRAM, two times more EU than HD Graphics 520 and the eDRAM can acts as fast L4 Cache for some games as shown here Broadwell with eDRAM leads the pack

 

[kimsix]

Also from the manual, i see XPS13 card reader can support SDXC UHS cards

This is good news, you can quickly access your digicam files through the SDXC card or you can buy a blank card and use it as a storage drive!

SDXC can go up to 2TB however the best value now is 256GB, which i got PNY one from Amazon for $110, and that doubles up XPS13 storage.

 

[kimsix]

For the tweakers in all of us, Dell puts up their service manual online.
http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/xps-13-9350-laptop_Service Manual_en-us.pdf

ohayo! you can refer to this manual to learn how to tear open your new XPS13?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Around 22:35 the reviewer was comparing the flimsiness of both notebook's screen and shown Dell XPS 13's screen to wobble and resonate more flimsily than that of Apple MacBook, probably due to a thinner frame profile for Dell XPS's screen.

Even though this doesn't concern much for MacBook, it does for Dell XPS 13, especially when you are referring to the models with touchscreen feature on Dell XPS 13. This is mainly because you wouldn't want the screen to wobble as much as the force you applied as you are using tapping on the screen.

This suddenly struck me again as i remember how bad the touch experience was using my M1 bundled Acer Aspire V5 with touchscreen. Every time i tap on the screen, the whole screen will just wobble a little, and results in a constant vibration of varying magnitude as i continue my touchscreen tapping throughout.

Aside from the thin frame, i strongly believe the quality of the hinge also play strong part in contributing to the wobbly effect as it is not able to maintain its grip to produce damping effect against the resonating tap on the screen.

The wobbly effect on the Dell XPS 13 as demonstrated in video seems to be worse than even my Acer notebook, potentially marring touchscreen experience for those trying to embrace it. Use stylus won't make it any better, as i've also tried using it on my Acer notebook. I feel that the only way to lessen the impact can only be doing really light and gentle tapping on the screen. Those demure and gentle ladies shouldn't have any issues with it but for rough man like me, i think mlmlwm.

Potential buyers looking at the touchscreen model should really test it first as it can really make you hate touchscreen on a laptop...

 

[MoneyFace =p]

For the tweakers in all of us, Dell puts up their service manual online.
http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/xps-13-9350-laptop_Service Manual_en-us.pdf

ohayo! you can refer to this manual to learn how to tear open your new XPS13?

No need manual, just follow ifixit.... with image illustration, choice of tools needed and explanation in fuller glory.

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Dell+XPS+13+Teardown/36157

 

[kimsix]

I see the point of putting service manual publicly online says Dell is o-k with you opening up their products and still maintaining warranty.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Looking at past Dell XPS laptop design, i finally realised something WAS gone:

360 degree rotation! I find this a very essential feature to pair with a touchscreen based laptop. Not because it finally makes a laptop look and behaves like a tablet proper, but more importantly, it offers a solid base for the screen to rely on in order to eliminate the impact of screen resonance mentioned earlier. Even with a conventional tablet, you will still prefer to lie down, put it on a surface (be it floor, desk or anything else) to tap on the screen rather than holding it in the air to tap, as you will also feel some wobbly effect when you hold tablet on one hand and tap from the other.

I also notice this Dell XPS 13's hinge can only extend downwards to a certain angle (170° IIRC) and not all the way to 180° flat, which is yet possible on my Acer Aspire V5, to provide me with a flat flooring to support the screen for tapping.

Dell should employ such 180° flat hinge design in their next revision, or better still make a comeback of 360° design seen in their past XPS 12 shown above. Or they can implement the same design as Lenovo Yoga's flexible watchband hinge or even introduce the same hinge from their very own Inspiron 11 7000 2-in-1 series laptop.

I wouldn't mind sacrificing a little thinness for a rotatable screen that offers sturdy base support for the touchscreen to maximise usage pleasure. Or they should have just re-engineer their XPS hinge design to offer more griping support to reduce the tapping resonance if they do not want to blur the line between their 2-in-1 convertible tablet with current XPS line. Either ways, they seriously need to improve that stiff hinge and provide more grip for the screen.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

I see the point of putting service manual publicly online says Dell is o-k with you opening up their products and still maintaining warranty.

Make sense.. On the contrary, hardly can find manual Sony laptops, at least for mine.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Despite reading raving reviews about their Precision touchpad (on those, i believe, reviews with sponsored product), which touted to have their hardware and driver engineered by Microsoft directly. User experience seemed to be pretty opposite...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/xps-13-one-of-the-worst-touchpads-ever.770504/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/32nb3w/dell_xps_13_2015_touchpad_trackpad_issues_fixed/

As per the video shared previously, it doesn't scroll as fast as MacBook's Force Touch pad, 2 finger scrolling also not smooth at all, pinch zooming not very well controllable and there's also no backward/forward gesture whereas Apple lets you swipe between apps with the touchpad left and right.

And also yikes! That oil smudgy touchpad surface...

While they are trying hard to war with Apple in the touchpad experience race, i find it a little too distant for Microsoft to catch up with Apple. Problem are just everywhere for this Precision touchpad. And i really hope Dell will add a layer of tempered glass sheet on top of that conventional touchpad surface to eliminate those unsightly oil marks, and also gives the touchpad a premium tempered glass feel, just like our screen protectors...

 

[Ohayo!]

I see that the Dell XPS 13 comes with a free McAfee Live Safe 12 month Subscription which most definitely is a very good AV software for home use. However, after it expires, users may be left without any protection and new updates to keep their computer safe from new viruses.

I would highly recommend the 360 Total Security which is free for the budget conscious. It has the Bitdefender engine which is extremely fast and reliable. Also, the settings can be customized to fit your every need. Need more performance over security? Just simply click "Performance". Value security? Pick that.

It is so easy to use that you dont have to be an expert to use it. Best of all? It is a good and free alternative and it doesn't require you to register every year like some other AV.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ohayo!]

One question:

if you guys have an XPS 13 right now, what would you do with it? Is there anything you would want to change (eg. hardware)? and what are your concerns.

Oh. forget to answer the last part.

My concern would be definitely be about the InfinityEdge screen which the Dell XPS 13 showcases. Like mobile phones, the borders are getting thinner which would make the device extremely vulnerable to heavy knocks and damaging the LCD screen.

Likewise for the Dell XPS 13, my concern is that if a person is less careful about his device he could accidentally damage and shatter the screen of the Dell XPS 13. Though this is unlikely, there is still a possiblilty.

Business users and professionals would definitely prefer a more durable laptop, something like the Toughbook. They cannot afford any damage or data loss as they keep all their precious documents inside it; which brings me back to talking about the importance of backups in multiple places. Cloud storage (OneDrive paired with MS Office 2016) is a great solution to this. Some may still prefer local copies for their files..so get a external hard disk to store them!

Remember, redundancy is the key to keeping your data safe!