Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 9365 convertable

by Ching-Wan Yip

Last Updated: June 16, 2017 3:08 PM

First published: April 18, 2017

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.

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/xps-13-9365-2-in-1-laptop

manals (no datasheet or spec PDF) - http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-13-9365-2-in-1-laptop/manuals

announced: 2017/01/02

videos - ad 2017/04/06 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsyUo4T7dnQ

Good

• 3200x1800 or FHD display (no OLED or 4K though)
• 5 segement battery level LED indicators
• battery charging status LED in the front
• new layout, separate PgUp/PgDn keys, Home and End replaced PrtSc, Ins, which moved to F11, F12
• fancy F11 boot menu
• comes with USB-C to USB-A converter
• USB-C charger instead of separate charger like XPS 13 clamshell
• almost clean load - except Bamboo Paper (understanable for tablet), McAfee LifeSafe 12-month (at least not trial), Office 30 days trial, several store apps (Sling TV, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Fallout Shelter, Facebook, Twitter, March of Empires, Asphalt 8: Royal Revolt, and Microsoft's own Solitaire, Skype Preview, Office 365 - en/es/fr (trial) etc. (download on first connect to internet) etc.)

Bad

• website hiding the true base frequencies of 4.5W TDP fanless 4MB cache -Y (Core M) processors, no where it tells you
  i7-7Y75 is 1.3 GHz, up to 3.6GHz 4MB
  i5-7Y54 is 1.2 GHz, up to 3.2GHz 4MB
  vs 15W -U CPUs
  you can feel it is slower just waiting for 1st boot - do not turn off screen. goes as low as 0.78GHz.
  Easy get to Tj Max and has to throttle. it only goes to 3.x GHz briefly, then "turbo" to 1.x GHz every once a while (~15%), and stays at 0.x GHz (to cool down?)
• Dell not telling you explicitly it has a HD 615 graphics subsystem in product page, not the "regular" i5/i7 HD 620 like "normal" -U CPUs
• cost extra $49.99 Active Pen PN556W 2048 levels. no in chassis charging storage (holster/garage/silo whatever you want to call the hole) or magnetic attachment. needs AAAA battery? 5xxx series needs three (one AAAA and two 319 coin) batteries?
• no Windows button on tablet mode to go to start or Windows+Down volume to screen capture? can use pen button for that function? lose 2nd button for erase?
• little, narrow power on button on right side very difficult to hit
• battery down to 95% after few hours of us - FCC (Full Charge Capacity) at 43,700 mWh (design capacity 45,995 mWh)
• 4/8/16GB LPDDR3 1866 RAM, not DDR4-2133
• spec page said PCIe only 8Gb/s, not NVMe 4x 32Gbps
• disappointing Toshiba PCIe NVMe SSD performance vs current gen Samsung (can be less than half (depends on benchmarks) vs. PM961? in X1C5, T470s, Yoga 910)? b/c x1, not x4? cannot use Toshiba/OCZ SSD Utility, no way to pull out SMART values? smartmontools not recognize it (need stornvme.drv?)?
• it gets hot. 51°C near the hinge, 48°C on bottom when core is 92°C (8°C from Tj, Max.)
• out of the box from 2017/05/06 images still Windows 10 version 14393, not Creators Update version 1703 build 15063.296 pre-loaded?
• BIOS - duplicate windows boot manager may appear, no inserted USB drive may shows up
• rotate may not work, try put in tent mode first
• no HDMI port
• no USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, need to use USB-C adapter
• only 2 USB-C ports, only left side is charging, onyl right side has video?
• no mini-RJ45 Ethernet port
• hello camera beneath display (at least you can flip it around in tent mode, unlike the regular XPS 13)
• some keys half width (not Lift and Lock or Wave keyboard?)
• no physical trackpad buttons
• no WiGig 18265 option
• no dTPM 2.0?
• thin brezel is not always a good thing for tablet, hard to hold without touching the screen
• thunderbolt 3 (15D9, aka C-level 2C 2016) port does not support eGPU (external GPU). it may work with AKiTiO Node (not selling through amazon prine?), Mantiz Venus (not available to public yet?), Razer core (supposedly someone got it working but no detail how? but table still show red mark)using alternate firmwares - https://egpu.io/forums/pc-setup/egpu-dell-xps-13-9365-2-in-1/ , https://egpu.io/external-gpu-buyers-guide-2017/#tb3-enclosures
  
• WAVES MaxxAudioPro and Realtek Audio enhancement and stereo mix may crash
• CABC disable doesn't work with FHD (firmware issue?), only QHD+ at first, may work with Feb update https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/5mlogw/just_bought_an_xps_2_in_1_from_bb_ama/ (be careful using it, 9360 has bricking issue before https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/5bvy6m/updated_fhd_9360_with_9550_cabc_disabled_firmware/ )
• the hinge (tested 20,000 cycles? vs IdeaPad Yoga 25,000 and ThinkPad 30,000) doesn't lay flat, it is at an angle, it rest on top lid and base, but the hinges can be slightly off and not perfectly aligned, essentially a line and a rectangle at a slant, one side no level and it will wobble like people in forum observed. people worry about it not covered in warranty or accidental damage, but considered wear and tear part, see http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19995568 
  
• the problem in the hinge probably cause this, the lid won't close perfectly, so they must have put 4 very strong, tight (>500 gauss with field that reverse within cm) magnets in the palm rest two side and lid to hold it together. it make it hard to open, and worse, it leaks even out of the back of the lid. you can hold a pen or flash drive (not recommened) at those spots. (discovered by Ken Sharp)
  
• with ferro powder to show fields
  
  using PASCO probe, here is the magnetic field measurment
  
• PN557W pen has even stronger magnets. 720+ gauss.
  iron powder chamber pic where the fields are
  
  
• under the bottom regulatory cover, a new line of chinese warning about 使用过度恐伤害视力 roughly translate to something like "excessive usage may harm your eyesight", it is not in english and not in 9350. also in 9360.
• USB error (even using only 120mA (USB-A (40mA active) flash and HDMI idle or Ethernet & HDMI active using
  Satechi usb-c - http://www.satechi.net/index.php/satechi-type-c-power-meter
  and
  USB-A (sold by DROK) YB26VA dual output ( http://www.wonmeter.com/, http://www.prodctodc.com/ )
  USB meters ) and network stability (forum people suggests lower WiFi to 75% may "solve" problem) with Dell DA200 usb-c to ethernet/hdmi/vga/usb-a adapter
  
  
• Dell driver downloads flagged by malwarebytes adw as threats
  

*1

• same Intel 8265 wireless half the recieving speed vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 370
• "... Dell has explicitly stated that the XPS 2-in-1 can run its processor at well over the 4.5 W TDP limit for faster performance, though the CPU can only sustain a clock rate ... for single-threaded workloads
• "... Multi-threaded performance from the i7-7Y75 ... even the older m7-6Y75 is able to outperform our XPS 2-in-1 configuration ... sustaining slower core clock rates ... when under extended stress conditions. ... running ... benchmarks consecutively one after another shows progressively lower scores each time ...."
• Toshiba NVMe SSD, not Samsung

*2

• "battery life ... you can get more ... from the HP Spectre x360 and the Lenovo Yoga 910, both of which also offer more powerful U series processors but are slightly heavier ..."

Specifications

• 4/8/16GB LPDDR3 1866 2133 MHz, dual channel SDRAM
• Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C
• 512 GB PCIe 3.1 Toshiba NVMe 1.1b THNSN5512GPUK NV (XG4 Non-SED Sequential Read/Write 1,500/980 MiB/s https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/docget.jsp?did=55015 ) 432 GB free/464 GB available OOBE, 1TB/256GB/128GB available
• PCIe 8Gb/s (according to spec sheet)
• 8265 2x2 (consumer models Killer defaults to 1535)
• precision touchpad 305 dpi 4.13x2.36 seemless glass button
• keyboard - "full size" (some keys half width) 1.3mm travel, chiclet, backlit
• CNC Al, carbon-fiber composite palm rest with soft touch paint
• 5 lights battery status
• speakers - avg 2W, peak 2.5W x2
• combo audio jack
• microphone - dual array
• webcam - 720p, 0.92 megapixel still 74.6 degree
• chipset - Integrated in processor
• Noble lock

GeekBench

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

Handbrake

http://handbrake.fr/

2h10m 7.27GB DVD

SSD

CrystalDiskMark

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

5.2.1 x64

CrystalDiskInfo

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

Disk Not Found - NVMe problem?

ATTO Disk Benchmark

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

3.05

BlackMagic

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

Disk Speed Test

Wireless

intel 8265 driver 19.50.1 does not work with Cisco AP with Creators Update- slow to <1Mbps, connection failures etc. works fine with Asus RT-AC5300 3.0.0.4.380_7378 firmware and Netgear

do

\powershell Get-NetAdapterRsc
\powershell Disable-NetAdapterRsc -Name "WiFi's name here"

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/wifi-issues-with-creators-update/4a20ba4f-33dc-4397-9823-e12dcb2607ba

Thermal

FLIR One for iOS

hwinfo 5.50 sensors - well over 4.5W TCP, 92°C core temperature (8°C from Tjunction Max.)

IntelBurnTest

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

v2.54

Luxmark

http://www.luxmark.info/

3.1

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

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24075/Intel-Extreme-Tuning-Utility-Intel-XTU-

same as other tests confirmed. turbo to 3.x GHz (15W power) very briefly, temperature almost Tj max critical, thermal throttle, "turbo" goes from 2.x GHz to 1.x GHz (~15% of time only), barely above base frequeuncy, other times goes to 0.x GHz. takes long time in fanless to cool down to 3x, 4x °C before it can go to the completely meaningless "up to" speed. even worse if GPU part has to be used, CPU can't clock as high because of heat and power limit.

playing back youtube 2160p on extended DisplayPort of TB16 Thunderbolt dock

LCD

Sharp SHP146A - LQ133M1 Dell P/N V6V6D

Battery

BIOS

very colorful F12 boot menu

Programs

• Vulcan Run Time Libraries by LunarG, Inc for ???
• XPSOSD

Drivers

• Dell Update Application - 1.9.14.0 ,A00 - 20170508
• Dell Help & Support Application - 2.4.18.0 ,A00 - 20170413
• Firmware Update for enabling or disabling Dynamic Brightness Control - 0.0.0.15 ,A00 - 20170220
• XPSOSD - 0.0.0.2 ,A00 - 20170106
• Dell Digital Delivery Application - 3.1.1117.0 ,A00 - 20161226
• Realtek High Definition Audio Driver - 6.0.1.8108 ,A07 - 20170512
• Dell XPS13 9365 A05 System BIOS 1.0.15 - 1.0.15 ,1.0.15 - 20170512
• Intel Integrated Sensor Solution Driver - 3.10.100.3363 ,A01 - 20170220
• Intel Chipset Device Software Driver - 10.1.1.38 ,A05 - 20170220
• Intel(R) Management Engine Components Installer - 11.6.0.1047 ,A01 - 20170220
• Intel(R) Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update - 3.09.00.011, A01 - 20170220
• Intel(R) Thunderbolt(TM) Controller Driver - 16.2.55.275 ,A01 -20170108
• Realtek PCI-E Memory Card Reader Driver - 10.0.14393.21292 ,A04 - 20161226
• Intel HID Event Filter Driver - 1.1.0.317 ,A01 - 20161226
• Intel Virtual Buttons Driver - 1.1.0.21 ,A01 - 20161226
• Intel Serial IO Driver - 30.100.1633.3 ,A02 - 20161226
• Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework - 8.2.11000.2996 ,A04 - 20161226
• Dell Data Protection | Encryption - 8.12.0.24 ,A23 - 20170214
• Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver - 2.43.2017.220 ,A04 - 20170510
• Realtek USB Audio Driver - 6.3.9600.85 ,A04 - 20170509
• Dell Wired Dock (WD15) / Docking Monitor Stand (DS1000) Firmware Update Utility - 1.0.0.8 ,1.0.0.8 - 20170107
• ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller Driver - 1.16.41.3 ,A03 - 20161226
• Realtek IR Camera Driver - 10.0.14393.11257 ,A02 - 20170511
• Intel 8265 Bluetooth Driver - 19.50.0.5 ,A05 - 20170516
• Intel 8265 WIFI Driver - 19.50.1.5 ,A04 - 20170405
• Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver - 2.43.2016.1026 ,A03 - 20161226
• Dell TPM 2.0 Firmware Update Utility - 1.3.2.8 ,A02 - 20170413
• Synaptics VFS7552 Touch Fingerprint Sensor Driver - 5.1.3217.26 ,A03 - 20170223
• SanDisk X400 Series Solid State Drive Firmware Update - X4152012 ,A00 - 20170327
• Toshiba XG4 non-SED Solid State Drive Firmware Update - 5KDA4103 ,A00 - 20170208
• SK Hynix SC308 Solid State Drive Firmware Update - 30001P10 ,A00 - 20170110
• Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and Management Console - 15.2.2.1030 ,A02 - 20170106
• LITEONIT Solid State Drive Firmware - 4XX11XX ,A00 - 20161226
• Dell 64BIT BIOS Flash Utility - A00 ,A00 - 20170213
• Dell Command | Power Manager - 2.2.0 ,A00 - 20170210
• Modern Standby Power Saver Settings Utility - A00, A00 - 20161226
• Dell Command | Deploy XPS 9365 Windows 10 Driver Pack - 1.0 ,A02 - 20170502
• Dell Command | Integration Suite for Microsoft System Center 2012 - 4.2 ,A00 - 20170329
• Dell Command | Update - 2.3.0 ,A00 - 20170213
• Dell Command | Deploy WinPE 10.0 Driver Pack - 1.0 ,A04 - 20170210
• Dell Command | PowerShell Provider - 1.2.0.221 ,A00 - 20170201
• Dell Command | Configure - 3.2.0.209 ,A01 - 20170131
• Dell Command | Intel® vPro™ Out of Band - 2.1 ,A00 - 20170118
• Dell Command | Monitor - 9.2.0.135 ,A00-00 - 20170113
• Intel HD 620/640/615 Graphics driver - 21.20.16.4627 ,A04 - 20170421 (Iintel driver at 15.45.18.4664 20170503)

Reviews

• *1 https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-XPS-13-9365-2-in-1-Convertible-Review.193704.0.html
• *2 http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-xps-13-2-in-1
• http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/15/14615286/dell-xps-13-review-2017-2in1-laptop
• http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/139895-dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review-the-convertible-king
• https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/27/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review/
• https://www.cnet.com/products/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-2017/review/
• http://www.zdnet.com/product/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-2017/
• https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/03/review-dell-makes-a-great-laptop-better-with-the-xps-13-convertible/
• http://www.pcmag.com/review/351337/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-9365
• http://www.digitaltrends.com/laptop-reviews/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review/
• http://hothardware.com/reviews/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review
• https://www.thurrott.com/hardware/106364/review-dell-xps-13-kaby-lake
• http://www.trustedreviews.com/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review
• http://www.techradar.com/reviews/dell-xps-13-2-in-1
• http://www.techspot.com/review/1344-dell-xps-13-2in1/
• https://betanews.com/2017/04/21/dell-xps13-review/
• https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/review/3006847/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-2017-review
• https://www.stuff.tv/dell/xps-13-2-in-1/review
• http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/laptops/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review-3652628/
• http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/dell-xps-13-2-1-10195980
• http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/dell/1405497/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review-the-xps-gets-slimmer-but-its-price-soars
• http://www.cio.com/article/3176010/laptop-computers/4-things-you-ll-love-about-dell-s-xps-13-2-in-1-and-4-you-wont.html
• https://venturebeat.com/2017/03/12/dell-xps-2-in-1-review/
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/brookecrothers/2017/03/12/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-2017-vs-12-inch-macbook-2016-smackdown-review/
• http://www.tomsguide.com/faq/id-3299027/dell-xps-microsoft-surface-pro-buy.html
• https://www.pcauthority.com.au/Review/458263,review-dell-xps-13-2-in-1-hybrid.aspx
• https://blogs.harvard.edu/philg/2017/02/22/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-review-bluetooth-touchscreen-and-wifi-failures/