Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Review & Owner's Thread

[mkslive]

Did you install quickset and other drivers?

I have installed Quickset (where can I find it after installation?). I have installed some drivers. What (other) drivers do I need?

[alphadog00]

Can't seem to find the Light sensor option. When I go to Location settings, the only options are: Turn on the Windows location platform and Help improve Microsoft Location services.

I have a clean install of Windows.

Can anybody help?

Is this Windows 7 or 8? This is what I have in control panel:

[mkslive]

Forgot to mention, of course :S I am using Windows 8 CP. Do I have to install software to have the sensor option? The low light is a big strain to my eyes.

[LordRasta]

Hello old friends. I have finally retired the M1330 (it served me well) and just got the XPS 13. Naturally I blew it away and did a fresh install. I now have one "unknown device" and for the life of me I cannot figure out which device it is. I have installed ALL the drivers from the Dell site but none of the applications.

[alphadog00]

Forgot to mention, of course :S I am using Windows 8 CP. Do I have to install software to have the sensor option? The low light is a big strain to my eyes.

no idea - Win 8 is not supported yet - so not sure what you can do. It sounds like it doesn't like driver for the ambient light sensor is not working. You will probably just have to manually increase the brightness when you need to.

[alphadog00]

Hello old friends. I have finally retired the M1330 (it served me well) and just got the XPS 13. Naturally I blew it away and did a fresh install. I now have one "unknown device" and for the life of me I cannot figure out which device it is. I have installed ALL the drivers from the Dell site but none of the applications.

If you right click on the device in device manager and look through anything that is reported in the details or drivers tab - that may give you a clue.

You missed something, but I am not sure what.

[mkslive]

no idea - Win 8 is not supported yet - so not sure what you can do. It sounds like it doesn't like driver for the ambient light sensor is not working. You will probably just have to manually increase the brightness when you need to.

Ah. That's too bad. But thanks anyway
First no to-finger scrolling not working in Win8, and now the light sensor. Dumb choice of me to install a beta OS as the primary OS. But then, the "problems" will be solved later this year.

[og1996]

Ah. That's too bad. But thanks anyway
First no to-finger scrolling not working in Win8, and now the light sensor. Dumb choice of me to install a beta OS as the primary OS. But then, the "problems" will be solved later this year.

To access the ambient light sensor (I assume that's what you're looking for in Windows 8), follow these instructions:
1. Click on the battery icon in your taskbar.
2. Click on 'More power options'
3. Click 'Change plan settings' for the active power plan.
4. Click 'Change advanced power settings'.
5. Scroll down to and expand 'Display'.
6. Under 'Display', locate 'Enable adaptive brightness'.
7. Turn it on/off as desired.

Bill mentioned another upcoming driver for the touchpad -- I bet that will address our Windows 8 problems.

Something kinda neat that I've noticed on my xps regarding the ambient light sensor...I normally have it on, so it plays with my brightness. If I key up the brightness a couple of steps, the ambient light sensor will still adjust it up or down - sometimes annoying, but sometimes just right. However, if I set my brightness all the way up and keep tapping the key a few more times past max brightness, I get a little popup window saying something like 'Dell adaptive brightness is now off'. The laptop then stops using the light sensor until the machine is either plugged in, or the lid is closed. Neat!

[Dell-Bill_B]

Intel said new ultrabooks should be announced during the 1st week of June, but already HP is announcing now new ivy bridge laptops...
No specific news regarding Dell... maybe that's a sign that something good is coming ?

Got a link to that announcement? I'm doubting it. EDIT: nevermind. I Googled.

[LordRasta]

If you right click on the device in device manager and look through anything that is reported in the details or drivers tab - that may give you a clue.

You missed something, but I am not sure what.

Thanks alphadog, I'll check it out later. So far I really enjoy this laptop.