14 DAY TRIAL // The Dell XPS 13 is a complex and capable machine, which offers a choice between 4th gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors and comes with a sleek, slim Ultrabook figure.
The device has a 13.3-inch screen with a solid 1920 x1080 resolution and can be fitted with up to 8GB of RAM and 256 SSD. There’s also a Developer Edition dubbed “Sputnik” which instead of your regular Windows 8 runs Linux.
Anyway, as you can see the machine offers an impressive configuration, but there’s a caveat. A huge thread on the Dell Community forum, indicates the Ultrabook suffers from a very annoying issue. As users kuqiki puts it.
“I have just recently received a new XPS 13 with the new haswell i7 processor, 8gb RAM, 256gb ssd, and windows 8.1.”
“I really like this laptop, but it makes a really bizarre noise. It happens constantly as soon as its powered on, like a high pitched whirring sound from somewhere beneath the keyboard.”
“It also seems pretty inconsistent, like it flickers in frequency, and when you use programs (e.g scroll through webpages) it gets louder.”
After discussing it with other forum members and Dell staffers, it was observed the noises eventually cease or become less audible, once the keyboard backlight is off.
As Heldenhaft explains “Yes, i disable the backlight of the keyboard and the noise is gone...great..but i use the system at night (bedroom) :)...Hmm...sorry if i connect a usb device (arduino) and the leds are off, the noise is back...”
Dell is currently looking into the issue and has apparently stumbled upon some incongruities revolving around the keyboard and the SSD, but no permanent fix has been provided yet, except turning the keyboard lighting off and replacing the SSD.
Also note, the Ubuntu Developer Edition of the Dell XPS 13 seems to be also affected. So before going out to purchase the device, take a minute to consider this problem and ask yourself if you can deal with it. After all the price for the device is quite hefty, starting at $1,049 / €763.