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Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

jeffgeerling.com

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Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#71

Post by krn »

goatherders wrote: post #60
krn wrote: post #39

In terms of durability, Dell XPS is a consumer-grade product and should not be relied on for any serious work. The only real alternatives to Apple Macbook in terms of build quality, design and performance are ThinkPad X1 Carbon[1] and Dell Precision 5530[2], which is XPS business-grade counterpart. [1] https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x/Th... [2] http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops…

Rather than say something snarky I would be interested to know what makes you say it is consumer-grade and should not be relied on for serious work. I use mine to run multiple businesses and my bank account suggests I do serious work.

"Security & Durability

Unlike its consumer counterpart, XPS, the Precision 5530 passed 14 tests for for MIL-SPEC durability, the standards that the U.S. Military equipment must pass for ruggedness. That means it can be operated in extremely hot and cold environments (as low as minus 20.2 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 140 degrees), survive the shocks of drops and gusts of dusts, among other things."

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#72

Post by CoolGuySteve »

krn wrote: post #39

In terms of durability, Dell XPS is a consumer-grade product and should not be relied on for any serious work. The only real alternatives to Apple Macbook in terms of build quality, design and performance are ThinkPad X1 Carbon[1] and Dell Precision 5530[2], which is XPS business-grade counterpart. [1] https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x/Th... [2] http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops…

The XPS line is listed on their business website and I bought it using a small business account, so clearly your unsubstantiated statement is not in agreement with Dell's opinion.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#73

Post by bitL »

eknkc wrote: post #36

What I'm mostly curious about these posts is, how the heck do you guys switch operating systems that easily? I guess it would work if you are already using Linux or Windows on a Mac hardware but that's gotta be rare. I mean, hardware is nothing compared to the OS.. I can switch to any other Mac and it would take me a couple hours to be comfortable. That would be it. If I'm switching to a Dell XPS, I don't really care…

Get Linux Mint with Cinnamon, install MacBuntu and Docky, enjoy a fluid macOS UI experience on Linux.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#74

Post by jonmb »

bogomipz wrote: post #64
tamatsyk wrote: post #55

Good summary, I share most of the points provided in the post. Also, I think a few more things worth to mention. Pros: - XPS has a decent hardware (I got 16GB, i8Gen, 500GB SSD and forgot about having a few docker containers running on the background which was an issue with my MacBook Pro 15 (8GB, 2.5Gh) - It is really 1k$ cheaper than the same config MacBook model. Apple's Retina and Touchbar are really cool, howeve…

>"WiFi is super shitty in XPS series. If you have not had any issues yet - than you have not bought one yet. It is better to replace with 30$ adapter to not have issues with differently configured routers;" This is really surprising. Can you say what specific replacement worked for you on that laptop?

I also have the XPS and have experienced my WiFi dropping. Usually a few times a week. I've heard you can contact Dell support and they will send you a wifi adapter but I haven't tried it yet myself. Curious to hear of specific replacement options too.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#75

Post by mmanulis »

reacharavindh wrote: post #9

I have a Dell XPS 13 as my personal machine. It runs Linux. Everything works. But, I still find myself using my MacBook Pro (provided by work) for almost everything even at home. Two things that keep me in the Mac land. 1. Retina Display and the 16:10 aspect ratio. 2. Smooth, and usable touchpad. XPS13's display is too rectangle and I'm not watching movies in it. It feels too cramped for looking at code. GNOME out of…

For touchpad, replace Synaptics with libinput and it just works (tm), including palm rejection.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#76

Post by gxs »

tamatsyk wrote: post #55

Good summary, I share most of the points provided in the post. Also, I think a few more things worth to mention. Pros: - XPS has a decent hardware (I got 16GB, i8Gen, 500GB SSD and forgot about having a few docker containers running on the background which was an issue with my MacBook Pro 15 (8GB, 2.5Gh) - It is really 1k$ cheaper than the same config MacBook model. Apple's Retina and Touchbar are really cool, howeve…

The trackpad is what kills me. On the Mac, the non-mechanical touchpad is so efficient, at least as a pointing device can be.

It's spacious, I don't get erroneous output, and most importantly, you get a uniform click no matter where on the trackpad your finger is.

In the hinged trackpads, it's a pain to click at the top - often you have to slide your finger down.

This is less of an issue if you're more of a keyboard only type - but for me it's one of the first things I notice when I use a windows laptop.

Other pros/cons I more or less agree on, but in my book this is a big one that is commonly left out.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#78

Post by tamatsyk »

bogomipz wrote: post #64
tamatsyk wrote: post #55

Good summary, I share most of the points provided in the post. Also, I think a few more things worth to mention. Pros: - XPS has a decent hardware (I got 16GB, i8Gen, 500GB SSD and forgot about having a few docker containers running on the background which was an issue with my MacBook Pro 15 (8GB, 2.5Gh) - It is really 1k$ cheaper than the same config MacBook model. Apple's Retina and Touchbar are really cool, howeve…

>"WiFi is super shitty in XPS series. If you have not had any issues yet - than you have not bought one yet. It is better to replace with 30$ adapter to not have issues with differently configured routers;" This is really surprising. Can you say what specific replacement worked for you on that laptop?

Yeah, it was nice for a first few weeks and when I went travelling I got into issues. Some WiFi's did not work and a guy with a MBP next to me was just smiling :D

Just google for XPS WiFi issue and you will get plenty of results. This model should be a good fit: Intel 8265 Generic, 2230, 2x2 AC+BT (8265NGWMG), look for Intel wifi cards they are much much better than default ones.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#79

Post by bogomipz »

jonmb wrote: post #74
bogomipz wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>"WiFi is super shitty in XPS series. If you have not had any issues yet - than you have not bought one yet. It is better to replace with 30$ adapter to not have issues with differently configured routers;" This is really surprising. Can you say what specific replacement worked for you on that laptop?

I also have the XPS and have experienced my WiFi dropping. Usually a few times a week. I've heard you can contact Dell support and they will send you a wifi adapter but I haven't tried it yet myself. Curious to hear of specific replacement options too.

That stinks. You would think a decent wifi chipset would be a solved problem in 2018. Especially from a company that has been shipping laptops for as long as Dell has.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Review from a lifelong Mac user

#80

Post by jseliger »

krn wrote: post #39

In terms of durability, Dell XPS is a consumer-grade product and should not be relied on for any serious work. The only real alternatives to Apple Macbook in terms of build quality, design and performance are ThinkPad X1 Carbon[1] and Dell Precision 5530[2], which is XPS business-grade counterpart. [1] https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x/Th... [2] http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops…

This is a side note, but many years ago before I began using Macs, I found PC maker websites baffling and hard to understand.

Today, that continues. I click the Lenovo link and hit a popup asking for my email. I decline that. I try to hit "View or customize" in Firefox, and that fails. I switch to Chrome, and again have to decline giving my email, and that works. But then I hit a screen that says,

"We value your opinion!

After your visit, would you be willing to provide some quick feedback? It will only take a minute."

No.

Then I get six options to choose from, ranging from about $1,100 up through $2,000. What are the differences among these? I'm not entirely sure.

I know I can wade through these and figure them out, but the user experience doesn't seem very good.

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