Dell XPS 13 (Late 2015/2016) 9350

by Ching-Wan Yip

Last Updated: April 20, 2017 5:14 PM

First published: April 7, 2016

DISCLAIMER - this is an exhaustive, in-depth hands on evaluation intended for technical audiences. extreme conditions are used to test characteristics of wide range of devices. general users are unlikely to encounter all the potential issues in day to day, limited scope of usage. a long list of problems does not indicate operating difficulties in everyday scenarios. over 40+ years of personal computing, very few technologies have achieved near perfection status, especially performing many different kinds of tasks, and being compared to different design/price point/intended market products. please review the information with these in mind.

announced: 2015/10/08 http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/ph/press-releases/2015-08-10-dell-xps-just-got-better

consumer edition

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-13-9350-laptop/pd

developer edition (Ubuntu Linux 14.04 SP1)

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9350-laptop-ubuntu/pd

manuals

http://www.dell.com/support/home/US/en/19/product-support/servicetag/1P3PP72/manuals

only quick start guide (windows 10) on the box

user guide, service manual, reference guide, Re-Image " How-To" administrator guide, quick start (Windows 7) (also Me and My Dell) need to download

Good

• Thunderbolt 3/USB-C 3.1 Gen 2
• ultra thin InfinityEdge display brezel
• very small AC charger (w/ LEDs)
• battery gauge button and indicator
• very fancy BIOS
• nice texture soft touch palm rest area
• good size touchpad
• 3-in-1 SD card reader
• 2.9 lb touch, 2.7 lb non-touch
• McAfee LiveSafe 12 Month
• "11 inch" chassis - if you are into those things, i would rather have full size keys for few millimeters
• Fn-right Ctrl for property key
• charging light in front (orange warning, white chargin)

Bad

• no anti-glare screen
• poor i7 model battery life, graphics performance on 3200x1800
• horrible default Dell 1820A (Broadcom) wireless card
• intel Wireless 8260 2x2 802.11ac 2.4/5GHz + Bluetooth4.1 only in Developer edition?
• cannot image NVMe SSD with Acronis TrueImage 2016 WinPE - need Intel RST driver injection? build 6569 new NVMe support native or WinPE doesn't work either unless disable BIOS SATA RAID to ACHI or disable (then Windows won't boot) see https://forum.acronis.com/forum/109628
• cannot create USB Recovery with OEM partitions with some USB flash drives, no download windows media available in support either
• BIOS sometimes don't get update automatically by Dell Update
• no HDMI or mDP port - you are going to need some adapters
• screen doesn't lay flat like ultrabook like Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
• boring clamshell vs dGPU detachable Microsoft Surface Book or convertible Lenovo ThinkPad Yogas [4 different models - 260, X1Y, 460, P40] (not counting super weak Core M detachables like XPS 12 2016, X1 Tablet)
• no digitizer overlay screen with pen in touch model
• no fingerprint reader
• no WiGig
• no RapidCharge, takes 3:30+ to fully charge
• gold edition only has 8GB RAM
• no Ethernet port
• fimsy right USB port
• one test model keyboard backlight does not work
• terrible webcam location, lower left of frame - impossible to view straight - poor quality also
• no separate Pg Up, Pg Dn, Home, End keys, share with arrows; two keys \ and ` are half width
• no TrackPoint (only in Latitude line)
• TrackPad (Elan) got two fingers gesture issues?
• no buttons (only in Latitude 7370 business "equivalent", but those got you should not get Core M. preferable 5 like ThinkPad, except 2014 models, immediate bcktrack, good move Lenovo)
• 10+°C hotter than other recent laptops, over 50°C on bottom
• no Fn lock LED
• no message in logo boot for F12 one time boot menu
• crapware - Candy Crush Soda Saga, Minecraft W10 beta, Dropbox 20GB, Twitter, Photoshop Express, Dell Shop
• Dell Digital Delivery keeps popping up
• Dell Update - no full UI like Lenovo System Update or Acer, Sony etc.
• 1 uear warranty default
• no OSD for backlit keyboard
• default paint location can't be save
• cannot boot with UUI 1.9.6.4 ubuntu 15.10 USB, need Rufus 2.8 (need update to syslinux-6.03. GPT & FAT32 8192)
• some scaling issue, use 100% instead of FHD
• Firefox think it is slow?
• connected standby not supported
• no USB port on ac adapter like Microsoft or Sony
• no ALS? (adaptive brightness of display default off in Dell power plan) not that there are ever any good
• less battery life than Microsoft Surface Book? form over function for thin and small make battery smaller?
• sometimes screen won't refresh, not sure software problem or hardware
• Thunderbolt firmware/driver not update by Dell Update?

Specification

• 6th Gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 (Skylake)
• Corning Gorilla Glass NBT
• carbon fiber composite
• blacklit chiclet keyboard 1.3mm travel
• Widescreen HD 720p webcam
• dual array digital microphone
• CNB machine aluminum
• glass integrated button?
• noble lock slot
• 56wHr 4 cell battery
• 2 USB 3.0 (1 with PowerShare)
• LPDDR3-1866MHz
• Height: 0.33 – 0.6" (9-15mm) | Width: 11.98" (304mm) | Depth: 7.88" (200mm)

Pricing

as of 2016/04/08

• $2499.99 - i7-6560U (4MB, up to 3.2GHz 540)/16GB/1TB PCI-e touch QHD+ developer edition
• $2129.99 - i7-6560U (4MB, up to 3.2GHz 540)/16GB/512GB PCI-e touch QHD+
• $2079.99 - i7-6560U (4MB, up to 3.2GHz 540)/16GB/512GB PCI-e touch QHD+ developer edition
• $1749.99 - i7-6560U (4MB, up to 3.2GHz 540)/8GB/256GB PCI-e touch QHD+ Gold
• $1649.99 - i7-6560U (4MB, up to 3.2GHz 540)/8GB/256GB PCI-e touch QHD+ developer edition
• $1499.99 - i5-6200U (3MB, up to 2.8GHz 520)/8GB/256GB PCI-e touch QHD+
• $1099.00 - i5-6200U (3MB, up to 2.8GHz 520)/8GB/256GB PCI-e FHD AG developer edition
• $999.99 - i5-6200U (3MB, up to 2.8GHz 520)/8GB/128GB FHD AG
• $799.99 - i3-6100U (3MB, up to 2.3GHz 520)/4GB/128GB FHD AG

Tested System

i5, 8GB, 256GB FHD non-touch

i7, 16GB, 512GB QHD+ touch

pending

Wireless

dell 1820A (rebranded broadcom BCM4350) 802.11ac

just some of the postings of the nightmare, stay away from it, get the Intel 8260

confirmed

Netgear Nighthawk R7500
AC2350 (600+1733 Mbps)
wave 2 Quantenna chipset
firmware 1.0.0.82

Netgear Nighthawk R7000
AC 1900 (600+1300)
firmware V1.0.3.24_1.1.20

edimax BR6478AC
HW Rev. A FW 2.00
5GHz 802.11 AC1200 (867+300)

TRENDnet TEW-692GR
1.0.2.0
5GHz 450Mbps

Linksys WRT610N
1.00.03 B15

have weak signal (<10' line of signt, no other on AP, 20dBm worse than intel 7260/8260 with 10dBm dips) dropout, slow (not steady throughput), connect problem, cannot auto reconnect

Xirrus WiFi Inspector cannot see any networks with it

mostly "ok" with Enterprise Cisco 1xxx/2xxx (n) 2xxx (ac) APs

no native driver in Ubuntu 15.10, need 4.3+ kernel patch, also issue with Bluetooth (no native driver out of box Windows 10?)

Wi-Fi sense issue?

tests

Netgear Nighthawk R7000 AC 1900 (600+1300) (firmware V1.0.3.24_1.1.20) 802.11ac http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/R7000.aspx

copy to Synology DiskStation DS1511+ Atom D525 1.8GHz 1GB DSM 5.1-5004 SHR 5x ST2000DL003-9VT166

cannot even substain throughput, the 5GHz graph below scale doesn't even show how bad it is, the dips actually drop to zero all the time. rock solid using intel 6xxx/7xxx/8xxx

xxxMbps/xx.xMBps download from QNAP 6x Seagate ST3000DM001-9YN1CC4H RAID6 TS-659 Pro II 1GB, QTS 4.1.3 build 20150313)

pending

Netgear Nighthawk R7500 AC2350 (600+1733 Mbps) http://downloadcenter.netgear.com/en/product/R7500 wave 2 Quantenna chipset firmware 1.0.0.82 http://downloadcenter.netgear.com/en/product/R7500 -

max. xxxMbps/xx.xMBps - download from QNAP 4 (5-8 of 8 bays) SSD (2x 850 Pro 512 + 2x MX100 CT512) RAID6 TVS-871 (i7-4790S, 16GB, QTS 4.1.3 build 20150313) https://www.qnap.com/i/en/product/model.php?II=160

max. xxxMbps/xx.xMBps (xx.xxMBps on server side) - upload to OCZ Vertex 460A + MX200 CT250 + SanDisk XPS240Gx2

pending

TamoSoft Throughput Test

Ver. 1.0 Build 29 (earlier tests with build 28)

http://www.tamos.com/products/throughput-test/

server: ThinkPad Yoga on Ethernet w/ Lenovo or Belkin GigE USB 3.0

Speedtest

http://www.speedtest.net/

http://beta.speedtest.net/ (no Flash)

i5 Dell 1820A

i7 touch Intel 8260

Links about wireless problems

The Developer Edition XPS 13 ,,, use Intel Wi-Fi adaptors (instead of Dell-branded parts).
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/dells-skylake-xps-13-precision-workstations-now-come-with-ubuntu-preinstalled/

Network Problems - 2016/03/08
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19678073
XPS 13 9350, wifi issues, weak signal, disconnecting, drop out - 2016/02/25
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19676696
Dell XPS 13 9350 AWFUL WiFi connection. Broadcom 1820A Adapter - 2016/02/03
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19670877
XPS13 Wifi Connection Problems - 2016/02/02
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19670690
XPS 13 9350 Video Stream Issues - 2016/01/29
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19670336
update problem - 2016/01/25
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19669702
Wifi issue with my XPS - 2016/01/24
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19669676
Really weak Wi-Fi signal - XPS 13 9350 - 2016/01/12
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19668249
Wifi DNS issue XPS 13" 9350 Broadcom - 2016/01/05
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19667124
XPS 13 9350 wifi won't automatically reconnect to known network - 2016/12/19
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19665293
wireless problems - 2016/12/15
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/laptops/ultraportable-laptops/1404207/dell-xps-13-late-2015-review

WiFi driver interfers with display USB-C - 201/02/25
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19676676
BT problem? (potential workaround) - 2016/03/22, 2016/02/22
https://plus.google.com/communities/114528776750711434800
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19676254

"Archlinux - Broadcom BCM4350 is now supported in the current linux kernel (as of version 4.4.1-1)
The wireless module brcmfmac also needs the firmware brcmfmac4350-pcie.bin from the related linux-firmware package. "
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dell_XPS_13_%282016%29

XPS13 9350 skylake no wifi on Ubuntu 15.10 - 2016/01/23
http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/f/4613/t/19659067?pi22229=10
ubuntu - 4.2.x kernels no support for WiFi, need 4.4.2
http://askubuntu.com/questions/736653/dell-xps-13-9350-linux
or 4.3 with patch in 15.10 (and 14.x)
https://secretundergroundla.ir/wifi-on-xps-13-9350-with-ubuntu-15-10/
http://askubuntu.com/questions/709794/dell-xps-13-9350-compatibility

mint - poor range and poor compatibility, need 4.3+ debian
https://thomashunter.name/blog/installing-linux-mint-on-an-xps13-9350/

Device Manager

its toolbar looks weird with default 150% scaling

CPU - Handbrake

http://handbrake.fr/

Handbrake - 2h10m 7.27GB DVD

Adobe Media Encoder

10 seconds 4K MP4 to H.264 high bitrate

pending

Pr 2015.0.2 release 9.0.2 (6) build prior to P50

WinSAT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_System_Assessment_Tool

GeekBench

http://www.primatelabs.com/geekbench/download/windows/

3.4.1 x32

PCMark

http://www.futuremark.com/benchmarks/pcmark

PCMark 8 Home

SiSoftware Sandra

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/

2014 SP1C 20.25 -

* didn't completely finished test first time. mouse crashed on second time.

** Aggregate Memory not reported, OpenCL error 339

PassMark

http://www.passmark.com/

IntelBurnTest

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?197835-IntelBurnTest-The-new-stress-testing-program

v2.54

i7

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-boards-software-extreme-tuning-utility.html

6.0.2.8 2015/10/12

JetStream

http://browserbench.org/JetStream/

SunSpider

http://www.webkit.org/perf/sunspider/sunspider.html

1.0.2

Firefox think it is slow to start up?

CPU-Z

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

1.76.0 x64

i7

1.75.0 x64

i5

Boot time

eventvwr

(record ThinkPad T-series, X-series, Yoga series - startup - 9553 ms, shutdown - 1664 ms)

i7

startup
23263
26167
29614
33303
23115
25902
26493
42279
21872
22739
78955

degrade - caused by
(total / degradation)
FileCrypt - Windows sandboxing and encryption filter
1792 292
SearchUI.exe - Search and Cortana application
5490 490
RuntimeBroker.exe
5625 625
4235 235
mcshield.exe - McAfee Scanner service
5568 568

---

shutdown
8106
21818
9116
8243
9825
11819
8597
10073
164198
12014

degrade - caused by
DellUpdate
4976 976
4978 978
4982 982

i5

boot min. 22048 ms (mainpathboottime 9148 ms bootpostboottime 12900 ms)

shutdown min. 7598 ms

delay sometimes Dell Update max. 982 ms

ADK performance test

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/use-windows-7-event-viewer-to-track-down-issues-that-cause-slower-boot-times/3253

http://blogs.technet.com/b/mspfe/archive/2012/09/19/measure-boot-performance-with-the-windows-assessment-and-deployment-toolkit.aspx

assessment - startup and shutdown experience - fast startup

* with missing device drivers

HWInfo

http://www.hwinfo.com/

i7 5.24-2850

Monitor - Sharp SHP144A LQ133Z1 Dell P/N RXN49

i5 5.12-2740

Monitor - Sharp SHP1449 LQ133M1 DJCP6

- Tektronix DPO5104 http://www.tek.com/oscilloscope/mso5000-dpo5000 digital scope and Thorlabs DET36A

or

- Rigol

PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) testing

pending

LCD - color/brightness

x-rite i1display pro i1profiler 1.4.2- http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1454

turn adaptive brightness off

(previous - still crash if ADC on, compare profile also crash like Helix?)

Datacolor Spyder4Pro 4.5.4 - http://spyder.datacolor.com/portfolio-view/spyder4pro/

pending

LCD - viewing angle

pending

GPU-Z

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

i7 540

0.8.8

i5 520

0.8.6

Intel HD Graphics Control Panel

cannot install intel generic driver, cannot validate over Dell custom driver. may be possible to install if uninstall first

GPU Shark

Benchmark - Maxon CineBench

http://www.maxon.net/products/cinebench/overview.html

R15

Unigine Heaven 4.0

https://unigine.com/products/heaven/

Unigine Valley 1.0

https://unigine.com/products/valley/

FurMark

http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/

http://www.geeks3d.com/20150828/furmark-1-17-0-gpu-stress-test-opengl-benchmark/

1.17.0.0

720 preset

3D Mark

http://www.3dmark.com/

Luxmark

http://www.luxmark.info/

3.1

i7

1868

i5

1597

SPECviewperf

12.0.2

i7

Viewset Composite Window 1900 x1060 
 catia-04   12.98
 creo-01     9.00
 energy-01   0.28
 maya-04    12.79
 medical-01  4.18
 showcase-01 6.84 
 snx-02      2.46
 sw-03      22.35

VMD

http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd/

1.9.2

DNA.pdb

Chimera

http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/docs/ContributedSoftware/benchmark/benchmark.html

http://www.rbvi.ucsf.edu/chimera/

1.11rc

molecule benchmark PDB 1f4h

Storage

SSD - 128, 256, 512, 1TB SATA/PCI-e NVMe

Toshiba THNSN5512GPU7 NV

Toshiba THNSN5256GPU7

or

Samsung PM851 BXV7 firmware XB7VD7Q0? M.2 (some have Toshiba?)

some models may come with SanDisk X300, Z400s? are those the so called Class 10, 20, 30, 40, regular/non performance drives?

Samsung Magician 4.9.5 only work for consumer, not OEM?

NVM Express driver 1.1 doesn't work either. no device

Storage - CrystalDiskInfo

http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskInfo/index-e.html

6.7.x cannot see Samsung

6.8.x cannot see Toshiba 256 or 512

Storage - CrystalDiskMark

http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalDiskMark/index-e.html

(other data from 3.x)

Anvil's Storage Utilities

http://www.thessdreview.com/daily-news/latest-buzz/anvil-storage-utilities-releases-new-storage-and-ssd-benchmark/

1.1 2014

AS SSD

http://alex-is.de/PHP/fusion/downloads.php?download_id=9

1.9.5686.35387

ATTO Disk Benchmark

http://www.attotech.com/products/product.php?sku=Disk_Benchmark

2.46? Samsung

3.05 - Toshiba 256

3.05 - Toshiba 512

BlackMagic

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/intensity/software

Disk Speed Test

i7 10.6.6

numbers in meters unreadable

i5 10.5.4 2016

crashed after a while

Thunderbolt 3

Dell (and others) Thnderbolt 3 and USB-C peripherals is a nightmare

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19660321

need to plug Thunderbolt device in to see firmware version (pluggable said Intel will fix in next version)

update from NVM (Non-volatile memory) firmware from 12 to 15 (no 16, 18?)

no PD (Power Delivery) firmware update from 1.0.2 to 1.0.7? [requires using HDMI to update in case of ThinkPad P50 and using admin cmd and setup.bat, not GUI]

Thunderbolt 3 dock sold out/recall (bug?)? change from Thunderbold 3 cable to combo (w/ DisplayPort over USB-C) cable in Summer

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/SLN301075

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/SLN301105

six PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge (realtek? GBE GigE, Audio?)? one Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller (ASmedia?) - no driver from Windows Update, need to download from support

USB-C - HDMI to ViewSonic 4K ok with Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

DP

USB-C 3.1 Gen 2

network

pending

USB-C

ASL AllSimpleLife USB-C to mini DisplayPort

doesn't work at all. no beep, doesn't detect Dell P2815Q monitor

Dell USB-C to HDMI (2.0) adapter

it is a bit wonky, i couldn't get it to switch back with Windows-P to laptop display after switch to external HDMI, it keeps auto revert to monitor 2 only. i have to unplug the cable to get back laptop panel.

seems like some people got issues with those kind of adapters too.  see
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/dell-xps-13-2015-skylake-infinity-display-owners-thread.782674/page-176

post said dell support said you have to go in BIOS and muck with Thunderbolt settings

won't detect ViewSonic 4K over HDMI 2.0 or 1.4 (MHL 2.0) - not good

Sharp HDMI 2.0a, HDCP 2.2 - 4096x2160 besides 3840x2160, default back to 250% scaling and 59p Hz instead of 60pHz

Dell USB-C to Ethernet

seems unstable speed copying to network share. Belkin & Lenov USB 3.0 adapters usually has a stable speed?

Dell USB-C to USB-A

15% slower than plug directly in USB 3.0?

Dell USB-C dock

only 1 external display (4K, mDP & HDMI) when internal LCD on? Thunderbolt 3 dock can do 4K + ultrawide in MST using just DP port

USB-C bus powered drive

Seagate Innov8

that's half of what techradar review said they got,

http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/storage/disk-drives-hdd-ssd/seagate-innov8-8tb-external-hard-disk-drive-1319115/review
"... SMR-based ... six ... platters. ... 128MB cache ... is a monster in sequential read. It reached a staggering 203MBps in that test ... Sequential write ... 60.24MBps. ..."
and it is not steady again like the other USB-C stuff. not sure it is hardware or software

USB 3.0

external SSD to internal SSD

max.

292 MBps explorer transfer

309 MBps write internal

310 MBps read external

from external Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SATA-III ASMT 2105 SCSI UASP StarTech enclosure http://www.startech.com/HDD/Enclosures/USB-3-SATA-III-Hard-Drive-Enclosure-UASP-Support~S2510BPU33

USBview 2.0.1

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff560019%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

i7

touchpad? - Elan?

Sonix?

i5

USBDeview 2.52

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

i7

sandisk cruzer used on build date, for? driver install with flash drive?

i5

Create Recovery Media

failed on
lexar JumpDrive Secure II Plus 16

http://www.lexar.com/products/lexar-jumpdrive-secure-ii-plus-usb-flash-drive

with gauge failed windows recovery

and

Kingston Data Traveler 3.0 SE9 G2 USB 16

http://www.kingston.com/us/usb/personal_business/dtse9g2

ok with

silicon power USB 3.0 Jewel J50 16

http://www.silicon-power.com/product/product_detail.php?main=10&sub=79&pro=272&currlang=utf8

and

Kingston DataTraveler microDuo USB 3.0 OTG (On-The-Go) 16

http://support.kingston.com/us/usb/otg

support solution seems not very helpful - no include OEM partitions, use Dell backup

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4997/t/19675376

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4997/t/19652118

in support, download, windows media section - no image available for download for XPS 13 9350

Power

pending

no-manual (sold by DROK) YB26VA dual output ( come only w/ a folded http://www.wonmeter.com/ on one side, http://www.prodctodc.com/ on other side business card ) USB meter.

Audio

speakers on sides?

Dell Audio software

MAXXAudio Pro (Realtek?)

plug in headset, get option popup

LatencyMon

http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon

6.50

i7

i5

DPC Latency Checker

http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml

1.3.0

error

Audio output

TRRS 3.5mm combo output to TRS splitter (optional)

pending

Battery

i7 touch

CONNECTED STANDBY Not supported

6.1% wear after 2 days?

VLC 2.2.3 x64 playing 1080 .ts (episode #2-10 Anime Dimension W) over SMB full screen (~18% CPU 1.3-2.0GHz) , Dell default power scheme.

vs i5

charging vs Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 2

i5

VLC 2.2.2 x64 playing 1080 .ts (Anime Dimension W) over SMB full screen (~10% CPU 1-1.5GHz)

0:10 98% 6:23
0:20 95% 7;04
0:30 92% 6:55
1:00 84% 4:23
1:15 81% 7:22
1:30 78% 4:50
2:00 72% 6:21
2:15 69% 5:57
2:30 67% 6:04
5:48 27% 2:16
6:00 24% 1:53
6:21 20% 1:39 battert saver on
6:28 19% 1:26
6:30 18% 1:24
7:18 9% 0:38 10% warning orange charging light in front
7:21 8% 0:32
7:23 7% 0:34 7% warning
7:25 7% 0:29
7:28 7% 0:20
7:40 7% 0:20
7:45 7% 0:14
7:47 6% 0:19
7:48 3% shutdown



powercfg /batteryreport

102%? 7:14:13 FCC, 7:37:22 Design Capacity



charging
0:00  3%
2:12 79% 0:29 to full charge
2:24 86% 0:19
2:35 90% 0:13
2:45 93% 0:09
2:55 95% 0:06
3:03 96% 0:05
3:06 97% 0:04
3:14 98% 0:03
3:19 98% 0:02
3:26 99% 0:01
3:37 100% 0:00

AC Adapter

45W ?

pending

power usage

P3 Kill A Watt http://www.p3international.com/products/p4400.html - 0.57-0.62A - 41W

APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 https://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500G - - pending W

pending

SD

308MBps write to internal (261 MBps explorer from card). 241MBps read from internal- Sandisk SDXC Extreme Pro 64GB UHS-II UHS speed class 3 U3 280MBps 1867x read, 250MBps 1667x-write

199MBps to internal (82.3MBps explorer from card), 75.5MBps read from internal - Sandisk SDXC Extreme Pro 64GB UHS-I 95MBps, 633x

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 4.1 LE (Dell Wireless 1820A)

Broadcom

Camera

indoor fluorescent lights

DKC-Pro - Digital Kolor Card Pro - digitalimagflow.com (defuncted) http://www.dgkcolortools.com/dkc-pro-multifunction-color-tool.html

x-rite Munsell ColorChecker (Classic)

• http://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=1192
• http://www.xrite.com/top_munsell.aspx?action=products&CategoryID=28
• http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?catid=28

CFL

Sensors

pending

sensors?

Thermal

FLIR One for iOS

during IntelBurnTest

front

back

left

some user went as far as re-paste thermal glue and put cool pads on SSD ;)

http://www.ultrabookreview.com/10395-dell-xps-13-9550-iris-540/

TPM

1.2

WEC 5.81

Acoustic - noise level

Pyle PSPL05R - http://www.pyleaudio.com/sku/PSPL05R/Digital-Sound-Level-Meter-With-recording-Function

?? dBA ambient, 1" from vent got to ?? dBA at ?? °C

pending

OEM software

desktop

programs

• Asmedia USB Host Controller Driver? for dock?
• Dell Customer Connect? what does it do, no UI?
• Dell Digital Delivery
• Dell Foundation Services?
• Dell Help and Support
• Dell SupportAssist
• Dell SupportAssistAgnet (in some model?)
• Dell Update
• Dropbox 20GB
• DW WLAN Card (for Dell/Broadcom 1820A)
• Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework
• Intel HID Event Filter
• Intel Graphics Driver (Dell custom version, cannot install over by generic)
• Intel Management Engine Components
• Intel PROSet/Wireless Software (for Intel 8260, not standard intel generic model release version, can install over)
• Intel Rapid Storage Technology
• Intel Security Assist? (no available for download in support?)
• Intel Serial IO
• McAfee LiveSafe
• Microsoft Office 365
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Preview Redistributable (only in some model?)
• Product Registration
• Realtek Card Reader
• Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
• Realtek USB Audio? for dock?
• Realtek USB Ethernet Controller All-In-One? for dock?
• Thunderbolt Software - Intel
• WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software (for Dell 1820A)

apps

Candy Crush Soda Saga

Dell Shop

Dell Update

no full UI like Lenovo System Update, Sony, Asus equivalents. sometimes won't pull down BIOS update. doesn't update Thunderbolt drivers, firmware, patches?

Dell Help and Support

links just open Dell.com website in IE w/ toolbar disabled?

My XPS

registration

features

setup

Dell Digital Delivery

it keeps popping up even if you didn't buy anything

Dell Support Assist

how often it runs?

Dell Shop

why?

McAfee LiveSafe

12-months? better than 30 days trial

unnecessary customization

IE home URL changed

http://www.msn.com/?cobrand=dell15.msn.com&ocid=DELLDHP15&pc=DCTE

mis-configured app

paint - cannot save in users\username, default location - Windows 10 problem?

Firmware / BIOS

dell update have to reboot more than once to install? no individual package, do several at same time - ME, USB-C, EC etc.

have to do F12 (no message at logo screen to tell you that) to get to one time boot menu and then to BIOS? Esc & F1 doesn't work?

very fancy graphics

ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment diagnostic also

Accessories

accessories
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?category_id=5436&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&mfgpid=245504

batteries
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?category_id=7686&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&mfgpid=245504

adapters
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?category_id=7683&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&mfgpid=245504

disk
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?category_id=6359&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&mfgpid=245504

• $99.99 Dell Power Companion (18000 mAh) PW7015L
• $101.99 Dell Power Companion (12000 mAh) PW7015M
• $194.98 Dell Adapter Plus Power Companion (bundle including Dell Adapter - USB 3.0 to HDMI/VGA/Ethernet/USB 2.0 and Dell Power Companion - external battery pack - Lithium-Ion - 12000 mAh) - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=444-BBCP&mfgpid=245504
• $20.99 Targus Dual USB Car Charger for Dell Tablets
• $49.99 Dell 45-Watt 3-Prong AC Adapter with 3-ft US Power Cord for Select Dell XPS / Inspiron Laptops
  
• $99.99 Dell Auto Air DC Adapter - 90 Watt - Dell Part# 450-AAYR - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=450-AAYR&mfgpid=245504
• $99.99 Dell Auto Air DC Adapter - 90 Watt - Dell Part# 469-4546 - (difference from previous?) - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=469-4546&mfgpid=245504
  
• $59.99 Targus Car Charger for Select Dell Venue Tablets and XPS 12/13
• $299.99 Dell Thunderbolt Dock - TB15 with 180W Adapter - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=450-AFIX&mfgpid=245504
• $199.99 - Dell Dock – WD15 with 130W Adapter - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=450-AFGM&mfgpid=245504
  
• $39.99 Dell Adapter - USB-C to HDMI
  
• $44.99 Dell Adapter - USB-C to Ethernet (PXE Boot)
  
• $19.99 Dell Adapter : USB-C to USB-A 3.0
  
• $39.99 Dell Adapter - USB-C to VGA
• $74.99 Dell Adapter - USB-C to HDMI/Ethernet/USB 3.0 -
  http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=470-abqn
  
• $74.99 Dell Adapter - USB 3.0 to HDMI/VGA/Ethernet/USB 2.0
• $34.99 Dell Adapter - Mini DisplayPort to VGA
• $36.99 VisionTEK DisplayPort to VGA (HD-15) Active Adapter Cable
• $36.99 VisionTEK Active Mini DP to VGA Adapter Cable
• $17.99 Dell 2.0 Transfer Cable - USB
• $29.99 C2G USB 2.0 Windows Driverless Transfer Cable - Direct connect adapter - USB 2.0 - USB 2.0 - black
• $12.99 Dell Cable - DC Power Dongle
• $37.99 VisionTek Active Mini DP to DL-DVI Adapter Cable
  
• $69.99 Dell Portable Backup Hard Drive - 1 TB
• $99.99 Dell Portable Backup Hard Drive - 2 TB
• $109.99 Western Digital WD 3TB USB 3.0 WD My Book desktop external hard drive
• $49.99 Dell Premiere Sleeve (S)
• $79.99 Dell Wireless Keyboard & Mouse KM714
• $1799.99 Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD Monitor UP3216Q

Dell Command

from support download, how to use?

Reviews

• http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-XPS-13-9350-InfinityEdge-Ultrabook-Review.153376.0.html
• http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-XPS-13-2016-i7-256-GB-QHD-Notebook-Review.155081.0.html
• http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/7/9860958/dell-xps-13-laptop-review-2015
• http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/dell-xps-13-review-skylake-and-thunderbolt-3-make-the-best-a-little-bit-better/
• http://www.pcworld.com/article/3021274/laptop-computers/dell-skylake-xps-13-review-the-best-ultrabook-just-got-better.html
• http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2457516,00.asp
• http://www.ubergizmo.com/reviews/dell-xps-13-review-9350/
• http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/laptops/dell-xps-13-9350-review-3605875/
• http://www.zdnet.com/product/dell-xps-13-2015/
• http://www.trustedreviews.com/dell-xps-13-2015-review
• http://hothardware.com/reviews/late-2015-dell-xps-13-review-step-into-speedshift
• http://www.digitaltrends.com/laptop-reviews/dell-xps-13-2015-review/
• http://www.computershopper.com/laptops/reviews/dell-xps-13-late-2015-skylake-core-i5
• http://laptopmedia.com/review/dell-xps-13-9350-review-the-refreshed-xps-13-doesnt-go-any-further-than-its-predecessor-but-it-remains-one-of-the-best-13-inch-notebooks-on-the-market/
• http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/laptops/ultraportable-laptops/1404207/dell-xps-13-late-2015-review
• http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/12/29/dell-xps-13-2015-skylake-review
• http://www.toptenreviews.com/computers/laptops/best-ultrabooks/xps13-review/
• http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-windows-ultrabook/
• http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-xps-13
• http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-13-1279013/review
• http://www.alphr.com/dell/dell-xps-13
• http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/review/2438564/dell-xps-13-review