Dell XPS XPS14-9092sLV 14-Inch Ultrabook (Silver)

I love this laptop so much! The screen is super clear the resolution is absolutely stunning! The keyboard is so smooth and it being backlit is just an extra bonus. The trackpad is super smooth and I love how there are no raised buttons on it! It boots up very quickly and the battery lasts for such a long time. Just today I've been on it for about 6-7 hours and it just died about 20 minutes ago. It doesn't overheat and the top always stays cool. The only place you feel any heat is on the bottom. In comparison to a Macbook Pro, it is heavier, but worth the extra weight. It's a solid machine and it looks so sleek! Love this laptop, great choice if you're considering a Dell, Utrabook or trying to decide between Mac or Windows. The only downside to this laptop is that it doesn't have a DVD drive, but it's still an excellent choice!

I got the Case Logic PLS-14 14.1-Inch Neoprene Laptop Sleeve (Black) to protect my laptop when I have to take it places. This sleeve is high quality and the perfect size for this laptop!

i bought this after returning a lenovo t430s that came defective, this laptop is great, it's not too heavy, beautiful 1600x900p screen, great battery life (around 6 hours for web browsing and basic stuff), sleek design, surprisingly great multi-touch trackpad nearly as good as ones on apple macbooks. I've had it for about two weeks and so far there have been no issues.

Buy Dell XPS XPS14-9092sLV 14-Inch Ultrabook (Silver) Now

I purchased this computer from Dell Outlet (as a refurb...find a dell coupon and get a better deal). I went with the standard i5 processor and the intel hd 4000 video. I have added 8gb of RAM, a Samsung 840 series ssd, and windows 8 pro. I realized after owning it for a few months that something was wrong with it. I'm the type to re-install an operating system when I get a computer, I hate the bloat. After doing some reading this is what I realized:

-If you do a complete reformat and install of windows...you need to initially tell it not to download updates or drivers automatically (you can prevent the need to do this if you clone your drive to a new one, or if you use the windows install without full format. Apparently Windows 8 preserves the diver structure, which is new to me.) . If you let it do this, windows will grab the "best" drivers it can find, and will install drivers that are far from optimal from the hardware company, and usually leaving you only half working.

-After you boot and activate windows (with expectation that firmware is up to date) go to dell and grab all drivers at once, install in the following order:

-Intel chipset drivers (restart)

-Other Intel software, video, sound, networking (all system hardware drivers..restart)

-Dell software you want (I like the Dell quickset software. It has some good power saving features that are great. I also suggest the touchpad, and

audio software)

-Activate your TPM in bios (this is unnecessary, but I had issues with the rest of the process if TPM was active before this, Bitlocker is great)

-Activate windows 8 quick start in bios (SSD + Quickstart gets me to my login within 4 seconds from cold boot!)

I know this is a bit complicated compared to other typical setups, but for some reason, and Im guessing that it has part to do with Dell power optimization in Dell specific drivers, this is what works. Dell needs to make this clear, but they have failed to. On this front, the product fails. But, once properly setup, this laptop is AMAZING.

Pros:

-The Upgraded Warranty. I even got this with my refurb model. It is a huge jump ahead of Dells regular service. It is easiest to take care of any Dell service issue through the chat service they provide. Ive had two experiences since I bought it. 1. They send a DVD with windows on it (no dvd drive), and I wanted to install my SSD. I called them, they furiously apologized, commented on my computer prowess for installing a new drive (I hear this is part of the "xps service" ;), and then over nighted a USB key with windows 8 Pro (upgrade from the home that came with it). After finding that they would do this, Id kinda suggest everyone who gets a DVD request a USB key as soon as they get the computer. 2. When installing the SSD, I lost a screw...I chatted with them, they commented on my computing prowess again (which I love ;), and then over-nighted me a new set of screws (like all the screws for the device). I believe they may have seen the light and are trying to return to the Dell roots of great service, which was lost along the way some where in India.

-QUALITY build! This machine is a block of aluminum. I would actually say that (except for the keyboard) this thing is built better than a Macbook Pro. It feels rigid, and has a little more weight than you might expect from it..but I like that. I'm done with the "featherweight" direction electronics have taken. They feel cheap, this feels EXPENSIVE

-Amazing battery. Once I successfully optimized this thing it has been regularly hitting 8+hrs of mixed internet use (maybe 20% media/video, 80% text/pictures)

-Screen resolution. Some have declared these screens substandard (for not being IPS), I honestly do not find that to be the case. My screen is bright, vivid, and I find 1600x900 (though not an industry standard) is my new preference.

-Once I mastered Windows 8 gestures (kill lock screen, setup script to go to desktop automatically, few other tweaks) , I've found the touch-pad to be great. You do need the dell touch-pad software for any gestures to work

-Sound is pretty good for the size of the device. It sounds good as long as you have the dell sound software running

-HD4000 can get through light gaming. I played through Portals 2 on Mid/High settings, and was also able to play through the Tell Tell Walking Dead game on high. This thing wont WOW you graphically, but with an SSD it can keep you entertained. This is obviously the price you pay for increased mobility and battery life. There is an upgrade available for the graphics, but I don't play enough to be tempted (I also read accounts of the laptop having issues switching between the on board hd4000 and the graphics card upgrade. Seems the power savings software creates choppiness. This may have been remedied).

-Dell refurbished price. Their refurbished stuff is like new! I've been buying it for years without issue, highly recommended!

Cons:

-Weight! I know I said I liked it, and I do, but..I think there may be a happy medium just a few ounces under this.

-Lack of a dvd drive. I know this is an "ultrabook", but from my understanding, the only reason that it is, is that it doesn't have a disc drive (dvd/blueray). I wish they had done exactly what they had done, forget about Intel branding, and added a light weight slot load dvd (like Apple has done for years). I bought the laptop knowing this, so its not like I can blame them.

-Software/driver issues from above. This took me a while to figure out, and I have some "computing prowess". It may just be too much of a headache for the lay user.

-Retail Pricing (its like 60% premium to the refurbish stuff)

-The type of screw they used on the bottom of the device are very delicate. They are torx based, and are not hardened well enough. After opening the device twice I needed to replace the whole lot of them (which they sent for free..so its hard to complain about!)

-The black rubberized finish on the deck of the laptop attracts grease from palms. Use rubbing alcohol on it, or use whatever you clean your lcd with (carefully, and lightly or you could damage the electronics).

-The real reason I took a star off is the keyboard. I came from a dell vostro laptop (low end business model) that had a great keyboard. It had a good tactile feel, it had a splash tray underneath it for spill protection, and it allowed a certain access to the undersides of the keys for cleaning. This keyboard has a more consumer feel. The letter font is "cutting edge", the keys are smooth and slightly concave, and though I find the back lighting to be great from time to time, it makes it look a lil flashy (it an be turned up and down form the keyboard). the keys are also built in a way that they raised out of finely cut key holes, this prevents most trash/dirt from interfering, but if something get under a key, its hard to get it out!

In all, as long as it lasts (this is written at month 6 of ownership), and the aluminum holds up (so far I cant even find a scratch on it), Im a very happy camper!

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I bought this computer on black Friday, about 800 dollar. Honestly, it worth for this price. I had check many 14 inch computer on line, and most of ultrabook are over 900 dollars.

pro: battery. it can last over 7 hours. It is good for people who have a long travel.

high resolution for 14 inch PC. It is 1600*900

Ultra thin. it is about 3 CM when i fold it.

con: it is noisy when i was running game, and the heat is a little bit too high.

touch pad. there is no hot key to disable it

a little bit too heavy. it is good for PC to have a metal shell, but it too heavy for a 14 inch PC.

The graphic card need to improve. GT 630 M doesn't match i5 CPU.

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First, I must say I am a pro consumer who knows and follows the current technology. I used many notebooks the last 20 years and followed the progress. So my review is from many perspectives which are the build quality, the technology used, the value of the item, etc.

This is an excellent notebook. It is light, very powerful for browsing, photo editing, video playing (inc. MP4s etc) even for light gaming with the GT630 version.

The screen is superb (have the 900p), can be seen from many angles. The screen also looks very nice as the entire surface is glass though the screen it self is actually smaller. So it is a smart design IMHO.

I saw wireless issues reported when I researching, took the leap of faith and did not experience any problems with the wireless connection.

Since it is all metal construction I would expect some wireless problems (metal blocks RF waves). Either they improved it or my environment/router is wireless friendly towards this notebook.

Shortly, for the price tag this notebook is an excellent deal. I got mice form the Amazon outlet, it was a scratch item but only the box was actually. The notebook inside was untouched, brand new.

This notebook uses the newer thinner 7mm hard disks so upgrading it to more than 500GB is an issue but I actually put a 480GB 7mm SSD in it. Plus an msata 256GB SSD to have 2 drives. The memory is upgradable to 12GB at most which should be sufficient for most people.

Excellent ultrabook. 5 stars.

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