A white Dell XPS 13 without any USB A ports is coming

[EunSoo]

source: Techradar http://www.techradar.com/news/the-next-dell-xps-13-gets-teased-way-ahead-of-ces-2018

Verge: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/6/16434992/dell-xps-13-model-ces-2018-ultrabook

 

This laptop is visually similar to the older versions, obviously except for the white make over. But if you look at the side of the laptop (no photos unfortunately), there has been a complete redo

 

Quote

Gone are the full-size USB 3.0 ports in exchange for three USB-C ports. Sadly, this has also meant the SD card reader has been switched out for a Micro SD card slot.

Quote

It’s clear the electronics firm’s latest 13-inch Ultrabook has taken design cues from the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 as it is even thinner than ever.

 - Techradar

 

I think it will be kensington, 2 usb C on the left side and a usb c and microSD on the right. I've always wanted another USB C, at least 2, on my current XPS so that I can have my phone charging off it and have dongles out the other but the replacement of a fullsize SD to microSD is kinda too much. Also the glass under the screen suggests that the XPS may finally get Windows Hello support. And the texture of the frame around the keyboard may be different due to a new material being used:

Quote

The palm rest features a new woven glass fiber material that feels both soft and yet firm at the same time. Similar to carbon fiber, this new material involves weaving a crystalline medium and finishing the surface with a clear resin.

 - Techradar

'soft and yet firm'.... whatever that means. I imagine that its going to feel almost identical to the existing carbon fiber top as I guess one could describe it in a similar way. Dell says that they ditched the carbon fibre for the white model because they weren't 'satisfied with just putting putting a coat of paint' on it. There may be more changes to this new model which Dell will announce at CES 2018 in January.

 

 

what do you think of a white xps? It's definitely not for me but depending on what the top of the lid looks like, it may be more visually appealing to many.

Edited October 6, 2017 by SCGazelle

[Matu20]

If only mice started coming out with type-c connectors, I'd be down.

[vanished]

Is it so thin that a USB type A would physically not fit?  If so, I can understand this but if not there's no excuse.  USB type A devices are still too common, and the way to get everyone to upgrade is offer the new ports in addition to existing ones so people don't feel bad buying new devices that use it, and over time everything will be refreshed.  The way not to do it is just kill ports everyone still uses.

[dizmo]

Hate it. Too much white.

Also, why does Tech Radar think that changing to USB C also means you have to change to microSD? Yet another stupid choice. I'd like to see some kind of tray, where you can stick a microSD or full sized in, but I know that won't come to fruition.

[EunSoo]

2 minutes ago, Matu20 said:

If only mice started coming out with type-c connectors, I'd be down.

I think that for the market that this laptop is for, a Bluetooth mouse like the MX anywhere would be a much better fit. And that's what I end up using with my XPS that does have USB A. 

[EunSoo]

4 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Is it so thin that a USB type A would physically not fit?

I forgot to add this quote to OP:

Quote

It’s clear the electronics firm’s latest 13-inch Ultrabook has taken design cues from the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 as it is even thinner than ever.

 - Techradar

 

this probably has much to do with that decision. I guess they're trying to make it thinner than at least a macbook pro. Even if most people are already content with its current size.

[Matu20]

1 minute ago, SCGazelle said:

I think that for the market that this laptop is for, a Bluetooth mouse like the MX anywhere would be a much better fit. And that's what I end up using with my XPS that does have USB A. 

I am using the latest XPS 13 right now and genuinely despise wireless if not done right (the ones that are, are too expensive).

[EunSoo]

Just now, Matu20 said:

I am using the latest XPS 13 right now and genuinely despise wireless if not done right (the ones that are, are too expensive).

yeah, that makes sense. Though I find it absolutely worth it.

[Crunchy Dragon]

I need my USB Type A lol.

 

No thanks, I"m fine right now(planning on getting a Lenovo P50)

[Trixanity]

Sadly they insist on using the stupid camera placement.

 

I hope it has Thunderbolt support.

 

I like color options. White is fine but not even remotely interested in rose gold.

 

I'm glad they've done something to update the design but I still feel like they could have done more and they haven't fixed some of the more glaring issues. Also, no USB A is stupid at this point in time. I hope they include a dongle at least. #donglelife

[WMGroomAK]

It should at lease be Thunderbolt on the Type-C or it's fairly much useless IMO...  Also wish the articles had a bit more specs about the hardware driving it as opposed to just focusing on the lack of USB-A and the narrow bezel.

 

Based on this image at least two Type-C ports appear to be Thunderbolt...

 

[EunSoo]

23 minutes ago, Trixanity said:

Sadly they insist on using the stupid camera placement.

 

I hope it has Thunderbolt support.

 

I like color options. White is fine but not even remotely interested in rose gold.

 

I'm glad they've done something to update the design but I still feel like they could have done more and they haven't fixed some of the more glaring issues. Also, no USB A is stupid at this point in time. I hope they include a dongle at least. #donglelife

from the first picture, it seems like they will include at least 1 USB C to USB A adaptor.

[EunSoo]

12 minutes ago, WMGroomAK said:

It should at lease be Thunderbolt on the Type-C or it's fairly much useless IMO...  Also wish the articles had a bit more specs about the hardware driving it as opposed to just focusing on the lack of USB-A and the narrow bezel.

 

Based on this image at least two Type-C ports appear to be Thunderbolt...

 

USB C can still be adapted to ethernet, SD, HDMI up to 4k30 which is fine for most of the people interested in this laptop. And I think only 1 thunderbolt is needed, which the current ones have, as you are only going to be using one Thunderbolt hub or dock.

[Trixanity]

21 minutes ago, WMGroomAK said:

It should at lease be Thunderbolt on the Type-C or it's fairly much useless IMO...  Also wish the articles had a bit more specs about the hardware driving it as opposed to just focusing on the lack of USB-A and the narrow bezel.

 

Based on this image at least two Type-C ports appear to be Thunderbolt...

 

I can pretty much tell you the specs with certainty: Kaby Lake Refresh 15W CPUs meaning quad core and Intel 620 graphics, 8/16 GB LPDDR3 RAM, 256/512 GB NVMe storage, 13" 1080p/1800p display. There might be a 128 GB entry model and it's possible they may upgrade the display to a 2160p panel on certain models. It'll probably have Killer 1535 AC Wi-Fi and Windows Hello facial recognition. The 1080p panels will be non-touch and the 1800p is with touch.

 

The specs in the Ultrabook segment are really cut and dried. Very few curve balls in the spec department.

[EunSoo]

9 minutes ago, Trixanity said:

Kaby Lake Refresh

they have put in the new 8550u which is 4c/8t (upgrade from the old top of the line 7650u 2c/4t)into the two most expensive models of the XPS 13. So I expect the same in this lineup.

 

Nvm. That's kaby lake refresh. I hate Intel's naming lol. But that is still better than the previous kaby lake and skylake chips.

Edited October 6, 2017 by SCGazelle

[NumLock21]

Those cameras, why?!

[EunSoo]

4 minutes ago, NumLock21 said:

Those cameras, why?!

Why for the black glass on white or for the placement?

[TheKDub]

1 hour ago, Matu20 said:

If only mice started coming out with type-c connectors, I'd be down.

https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Adapter-2-Pack-MacBook-Samsung/dp/B01AUKU1OO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1507327023&sr=1-2&keywords=usb+c+to+a

 

Something like these are always an option, not quite as good as native USB-C though.

[NumLock21]

1 minute ago, SCGazelle said:

Why for the black glass on white or for the placement?

The placement. Their Inspiron have normal placement cameras, why can't they do the same for their XPS line up? Is this how Dell treats their high paying XPS customers?! The infinity edge display with the thin bezels... well you can still see them freaking bezels! Infinity edge display my a**! And that freaking windows OS isn't even activated!

They can just like shift the screen a tad lower so the camera can be place properly on top like any other normal looking laptop. Imaging Dell making a XPS phone and have the cameras on the bottom, how stupid will that be, well it's the same with their new line of XPS laptops.

[Kobathor]

The white glass makes the tiny bezel look much worse than with the black glass. It sticks out like a sore thumb.

[SansVarnic]

Dell MacBookPro !

 

 

But without the price ...

[BuckGup]

6 minutes ago, SansVarnic said:

Dell MacBookPro !

 

 

But without the price ...

I was thinking the same thing

[Trixanity]

2 hours ago, NumLock21 said:

The placement. Their Inspiron have normal placement cameras, why can't they do the same for their XPS line up? Is this how Dell treats their high paying XPS customers?! The infinity edge display with the thin bezels... well you can still see them freaking bezels! Infinity edge display my a**! And that freaking windows OS isn't even activated!

They can just like shift the screen a tad lower so the camera can be place properly on top like any other normal looking laptop. Imaging Dell making a XPS phone and have the cameras on the bottom, how stupid will that be, well it's the same with their new line of XPS laptops.

Worst part is that Dell can't claim it's not possible to put the camera on top with thin bezels. HP did it:

 

I'm guessing Dell will claim it's more aesthetically pleasing to make the top bezel small and makes it look more impressive but it ultimately makes the camera useless as it points up your nose no matter what you do.

 

Xiaomi did actually mount the camera on the bottom on their Xiaomi Mi Mix phone. Difference is it doesn't matter as much on a phone because it's a rectangular slab with a gyroscope. You can turn it upside down to take selfies.

 

Doesn't really work on a laptop though.

[EunSoo]

2 hours ago, NumLock21 said:

The placement. Their Inspiron have normal placement cameras, why can't they do the same for their XPS line up? Is this how Dell treats their high paying XPS customers?! The infinity edge display with the thin bezels... well you can still see them freaking bezels! Infinity edge display my a**! And that freaking windows OS isn't even activated!

They can just like shift the screen a tad lower so the camera can be place properly on top like any other normal looking laptop. Imaging Dell making a XPS phone and have the cameras on the bottom, how stupid will that be, well it's the same with their new line of XPS laptops.

a e s t h e t i c s. That is crappy design but tbh I like it that way cuz I don't use the webcam ever and so I'm fine with the terrible placement to get that little extra symmetrical beauty. But I can totally see which you would hate it.

 

Also that text on the bottom right of the desktop that I assume you thought said windows wasn't activated just says the build version of Windows. It has the same thing on the windows insider edition (beta).

[EunSoo]

2 hours ago, SansVarnic said:

Dell MacBookPro !

 

 

But without the price ...

 

1 hour ago, BuckGup said:

I was thinking the same thing

That's exactly why I bought mine. Though I also like the overall design better than MacBooks.