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Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

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Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#121

Post by nextos »

davexunit wrote: post #12
mkhattab wrote: post #11

I'm conflicted about the price being in the range of MBPs and Dell competing with Apple, supposedly, based on quality and design. I think they would be much more competitive if they were to price this laptop significantly cheaper than MBPs without sacrificing too much quality. I think Dell has the resources to do this. It's difficult for me to ignore brand image and I guess this makes me a fan boy. Although, I really…

Thinkpads make rock solid GNU/Linux machines. I highly recommend the X220. It has some issues such as not being Coreboot compatible and needing nonfree firmware to drive the wireless chip. The former has no fix, but the latter can be fixed with a little hack and an Atheros chip.

I love x220, but they are far from perfect. Some serious glitches:

- Small & noisy fan - Awful trackpad (but awesome trackpoint) - Low resolution wide screen

I cannot understand why Lenovo is destroying the x2 series. Now they:

- Replaced the standard processor with a ULV one - Removed trackpoint buttons - Introduced island-style keys - Removed ThinkLight

They should have simply improved a bit the glitches i mentioned.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#122

Post by akurtzhs »

yapcguy wrote: post #97
thirdsight wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Someone who gets it! I'm doomed to stay with a 2010 vintage Lenovo T-series by the looks.

The problem with the new T440p, and the entire Lenovo line in general, is the awful keyboard and trackpad. They moved to a chiclet style keyboard in the previous generation, removed the top row of keys, and have now inverted the function keys so they perform media functions first. In order to get an F4 you have to press Fn+F4. Ridiculous! Also they have removed the physical buttons surrounding the trackpad. Previousl…

I'm using a T440s, and I haven't had any problems with the keyboard, other than hitting PrtSc. Between Right Alt and Right Ctrl is not the proper place for that key.

Fn+Escape turns on Function Lock, and it stays on permanently through reboots.

I agree with you that the clickpad buttons are inferior. It's much harder to drag and drop, for example.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#124

Post by jskonhovd »

lowry wrote: post #72

Warning: Ubuntu on this laptop does not support video output on USB 3.0 docking stations.

I am guessing you are referring to the USB 3.0 DisplayLink Docking Station. Yes, DisplayLink has issues with supporting Linux. We can only hope that Dell and other PC manufacturers will put pressure on them to support Linux.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#125

Post by lvillani »

I have one of the first-gen (non Sputnik) systems. I simultaneously love it and hate it so much that after one year I had to put my (mixed) feelings in writing here: http://lorenzo.villani.me/2013/08/19/dell-xps-13-l321x-the-r... (this is little more than a pondered rant, unlike OP's thorough review).

However, I think this year I'm probably going to bite the bullet and buy a 13" Retina MacBook Pro.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#126

Post by micampe »

robertfw wrote: post #104

I've been using one of these with the HD screen since the spring, here are some thoughts: Nice: - Good battery life. With screen on full, wifi on I can get between 3-5 hours depending on CPU utilization. With screen brightness turned down, wifi off, low utilization, ~6 hours - Keyboard and mouse pad are great - No issues with unsupported bits and pieces from ubuntu, with exception of video output via usb - the batter…

3-5 hours is good battery life in 2014?

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#127

Post by binarycrusader »

surge wrote: post #19
mkhattab wrote: post #11

I'm conflicted about the price being in the range of MBPs and Dell competing with Apple, supposedly, based on quality and design. I think they would be much more competitive if they were to price this laptop significantly cheaper than MBPs without sacrificing too much quality. I think Dell has the resources to do this. It's difficult for me to ignore brand image and I guess this makes me a fan boy. Although, I really…

I compared this to a Macbook Pro 13", which is the closest comparable hardware. It came out better in features and cost ($300 cheaper then a Macbook Pro with similar SSD and memory), and was thinner and lighter. I wanted the Macbook Pro, but I didn't see the $300 difference in the Pro.

The Macbook has a better trackpad and the (legal) ability to run every major desktop OS.

That's worth $300 to me...

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#128

Post by mixmastamyk »

Nice, I'd consider getting one. Wish it was a bit bigger though... I have an XPS 16 which isn't very heavy and don't want a smaller screen.

When I use the wife's Mac I'm always fumbling around the keyboard shortcuts. However, the screen is amazing. If this Dell had a bit more DPI I'd be sold.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#129

Post by prof_hobart »

Al-Khwarizmi wrote: post #36

A laptop targeted to developers should have a TrackPoint to move the cursor without taking the hands off the keyboard, a non-shortscreen monitor to see more lines of code, a matte screen to read the code better, and a numpad to, well, type numbers. OK, I guess I'm asking too much for today's standards, even if all these things were common ten years ago (sigh...), but when I saw "developer edition" I thought I would s…

I absolutely detest TrackPoint-type sticks. I find them largely unusable for pointing, and every one I've ever had has got in the way of actually typing. We have them at work and thankfully they are removable. A non-removable one would be a deal-breaker for any laptop for me.

Re: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition review

#130

Post by alexchamberlain »

micampe wrote: post #126
robertfw wrote: post #104

I've been using one of these with the HD screen since the spring, here are some thoughts: Nice: - Good battery life. With screen on full, wifi on I can get between 3-5 hours depending on CPU utilization. With screen brightness turned down, wifi off, low utilization, ~6 hours - Keyboard and mouse pad are great - No issues with unsupported bits and pieces from ubuntu, with exception of video output via usb - the batter…

3-5 hours is good battery life in 2014?

It's the one thing that hasn't improved over the years.
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