Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Review & Owner's Thread

[Silenus]

With 20 more I can get mini display port to HDMI and USB SD card reader, maybe a cheap usb hub too.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

[Azureal]

With 20 more I can get mini display port to HDMI and USB SD card reader, maybe a cheap usb hub too.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Well, that's a good point. Your main objective with the case is to keep your new toy safe from bumps and bruises! :-)

[7ouie]

Works great with Windows 8 CTP.

Are the touchpad drivers working for you? Whenever I enable two finger scroll, and use it, the machine does the freeze and random key inputs.

[7ouie]

Hmm perhaps a decent alternative to the XPS 13. Doesn't look like edge to edge gorilla glass and there's no mention of carbon fiber (two main selling points for me with the XPS 13). But it does have Ivy Bridge and more ports. Pricing looks similar. Main complaint I can see so far is the keyboard configuration.

HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook
HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes -- Engadget

"there's the 13.3-inch Envy Spectre XT, whose all-metal body looks nothing like the glass-class clad Envy 14 Spectre we reviewed earlier this year. As with its big brother, the major selling point here is design -- in this case, a 3.07-pound machine with a 14.5mm-thick profile. As for specs, you can expect an Ivy Bridge CPU, paired with a 128GB SSD and a battery rated for eight hours of runtime. Like the other Ultrabooks in HP's stable, it makes room for a USB 3.0 port, HDMI and an Ethernet jack, and similar to other Envys it comes with full copies of Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements, along with a two-year subscription to Norton Internet Security. We're told the warranty on this Envy is one year, not two, but users owners do get a dedicated customer support line, for what that's worth."

HP ENVY Spectre XT
Starts at $999.99; available on June 8

Operating system: Windows 7 Premium (64-bit)
Display: 13.3-inches (1366 x 768 resolution)
CPU: Available with third-generation Intel Core processors
Memory: 4GB 1600MHz DDR3
Storage: 128GB (up to 256GB) SSD
Input devices: Backlit Keyboard and HP Imagepad
Connectivity: 802.11a/g/n, 2x2 WLAN, Bluetooth, Intel Wireless Display
Ports include: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 (1), HDMI
Dimensions: 327 x 221 x 14.5 mm
vs XPS 13 UB: 314.96 x 205.74 x 18.03 (someone might want to double check my #s)
Weight: 3.07 lbs.
vs XPS 13 UB: 2.99lbs
Battery life: up to eight hours
Included software: two-year subscription to Norton Internet Security, full versions of Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 10
Beats Audio with quad speakers
HP CoolSense technology
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
One-year subscription to Absolute Data Protect
Concierge phone line dedicated exclusively to HP ENVY Spectre owners

[Frenchris]

Hmm perhaps a decent alternative to the XPS 13. Doesn't look like edge to edge gorilla glass and there's no mention of carbon fiber (two main selling points for me with the XPS 13). But it does have Ivy Bridge and more ports. Pricing looks similar. Main complaint I can see so far is the keyboard configuration.

HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook
HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes -- Engadget

"there's the 13.3-inch Envy Spectre XT, whose all-metal body looks nothing like the glass-class clad Envy 14 Spectre we reviewed earlier this year. As with its big brother, the major selling point here is design -- in this case, a 3.07-pound machine with a 14.5mm-thick profile. As for specs, you can expect an Ivy Bridge CPU, paired with a 128GB SSD and a battery rated for eight hours of runtime. Like the other Ultrabooks in HP's stable, it makes room for a USB 3.0 port, HDMI and an Ethernet jack, and similar to other Envys it comes with full copies of Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements, along with a two-year subscription to Norton Internet Security. We're told the warranty on this Envy is one year, not two, but users owners do get a dedicated customer support line, for what that's worth."

HP ENVY Spectre XT
Starts at $999.99; available on June 8

Operating system: Windows 7 Premium (64-bit)
Display: 13.3-inches (1366 x 768 resolution)
CPU: Available with third-generation Intel Core processors
Memory: 4GB 1600MHz DDR3
Storage: 128GB (up to 256GB) SSD
Input devices: Backlit Keyboard and HP Imagepad
Connectivity: 802.11a/g/n, 2x2 WLAN, Bluetooth, Intel Wireless Display
Ports include: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 (1), HDMI
Dimensions: 327 x 221 x 14.5 mm
vs XPS 13 UB: 314.96 x 205.74 x 18.03 (someone might want to double check my #s)
Weight: 3.07 lbs.
vs XPS 13 UB: 2.99lbs
Battery life: up to eight hours
Included software: two-year subscription to Norton Internet Security, full versions of Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 10
Beats Audio with quad speakers
HP CoolSense technology
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
One-year subscription to Absolute Data Protect
Concierge phone line dedicated exclusively to HP ENVY Spectre owners

I agree, what the Heck is doing mister Dell ?
It takes too long and it disapoint me to see HP coming with cheaper models with all options (3 USB, Ethernet, higher definition screen...).

Not to mention that everyone HATES Mcaffee crap, please go to any other antivirus, BUT this one!

HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes -- Engadget

[d2daanny]

After all the problems I have been having with the XPS 13, I returned it a while ago. I also returned the T-Mobile Hotspot. Was anyone else charged separately for both of these? I'm asking because I am being refused a refund on the T-Mobile Hotspot because I am being told that I was refunded for XPS 13 already, which should have included the cost but did not.

[apatz]

After all the problems I have been having with the XPS 13, I returned it a while ago. I also returned the T-Mobile Hotspot. Was anyone else charged separately for both of these? I'm asking because I am being refused a refund on the T-Mobile Hotspot because I am being told that I was refunded for XPS 13 already, which should have included the cost but did not.

I was charged and billed separately as was everybody else.

[heavyharmonies]

I agree, what the Heck is doing mister Dell ?
It takes too long and it disapoint me to see HP coming with cheaper models with all options (3 USB, Ethernet, higher definition screen...).

Not to mention that everyone HATES Mcaffee crap, please go to any other antivirus, BUT this one!

HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes -- Engadget

1. All the models in that link are the same screen resolution as the XPS 13, so where do you see higher definition screen?

2. If you hate McAfee, just uninstall it! It takes all of 30 seconds. I seriously do not get all the complaining I see about the antivirus choices on various laptops. It makes zero sense when there are perfectly-capable free alternatives out there.

[LordRasta]

I've put a Delta Chi Skinit on every item I own but I just can't bring myself to cover up the aluminum top on this Ultrabook...

[go45cvi]

Is there any information on the ivy bridge refresh yet? Perhaps a higher res screen?