XPS 13 Laptop Snapdragon vs Ultra which one to get?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › XPS 13 Laptop Snapdragon vs Ultra which one to get?

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Handle9

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#3320256 13-Dec-2024 19:09

SpartanVXL: It can’t do windows 11 because of Microsoft? Or another reason?

Because if it’s the former then MS are likely dropping the TPM requirement with a few caveats.

Edit: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2550265/microsoft-now-allowing-windows-11-on-older-incompatible-pcs.html

It's very very easy to modify windows 11 to bypass the requirement for TPM and a lot of the Microsoft spyware. I'd give that a go in parallel to looking at new shiny laptops.

https://www.makeuseof.com/rufus-bypass-tpm-secure-boot-requirements-windows-11/

Handle9

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#3320258 13-Dec-2024 19:12

mudguard: If it helps, I have an XPS15 with a touchscreen I never use. It was the higher spec screen so I got it for that reason only.

A touchscreen is a barely nice to have IMO. To touch the screen you have to take your hands off the mouse and keyboard which defeats the purpose of a laptop.

If it's a convertible I get the use case just not if you are using it as a conventional clamshell.

SpartanVXL

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#3320286 13-Dec-2024 21:06

Handle9:
SpartanVXL: It can’t do windows 11 because of Microsoft? Or another reason?

Because if it’s the former then MS are likely dropping the TPM requirement with a few caveats.

Edit: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2550265/microsoft-now-allowing-windows-11-on-older-incompatible-pcs.html

It's very very easy to modify windows 11 to bypass the requirement for TPM and a lot of the Microsoft spyware. I'd give that a go in parallel to looking at new shiny laptops.

https://www.makeuseof.com/rufus-bypass-tpm-secure-boot-requirements-windows-11/

Yes, the only difference now is MS has official instructions for it.

JayADee

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#3321147 16-Dec-2024 11:26

So here is a twist!

After considerable research I’m staying with the form factor I like and grabbed a good deal from PB Tech.

To replace my Surface Pro 4 I’ve bought a Surface Pro 11 Snapdragon X-plus, 512 GB, 16 GB RAM and decided to forgo the OLED screen and X-Elite chip for the much cheaper price.

All the apps I need run native or a couple I run go well in emulation.

PB Tech’s Xmas deal as of this morning has a low unit price and also throws in a HyperDrive Next 4 port USB-C Hub with 4K HDMI which I was going to need for my old USB-A portable hard drive anyway. I also bought an Armor-X rugged case that uses the SP11’s own kickstand and has clear areas to show off the sapphire blue SP I picked. Last time I got an Urban Armor Metropolis case which I still have on my SP4 which is a super protective case I liked a lot but UAG Met uses it’s own kickstand vs this one that allows use of the SP11 kickstand and lets you see the body of the SP11 through the clear areas.

$2006.70 with shipping for SP11, case and Hub.

I’ll be using my present Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and I may buy a third party, compatible pen: first I’ll see how my old SP4 pen works on it.

Edit: added a word to correct grammar.

JayADee

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#3333438 20-Jan-2025 11:42

As an update I am really happy with this Surface Pro 11. I really like the case too and since the keyboard with pen went on sale a week later I grabbed that too. Since my travel mouse's bluetooth finally completely died I also got a logitech MX Anywhere 3S mouse and can recommend thatas well.

The battery life is fantastic. It's nice not to have to worry about it.

The only down side is the mirror like, shiny screen.

The display itself is excellent though. No regrets over not buying the OLED.

One minor hiccup is when shutting down windows if using a type cover you do need to wait until the type cover fully powers off (about 15 seconds) before closing it or else the keyboard won't be recognised and will need to be detached and reattached upon next start up. I haven't bothered to try it but I am guessing if you turned off sleep when the type cover closes it might not do that.

I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about it.

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