Agilent makes an IR transceiver that is a compromise between IrDA's 850nm wavelength and CIR's 940nm wavelength. It also has stronger output than older IrDA transceivers. I would guess that Dell is using this or something similar with the same capabilities. When modulated at the CIR receiver's carrier frequency, range should be adequate for typical use, although it is unlikely to have the range of a dedicated, high power, CIR emitter.

What software are you using that gives you such short CIR range?