Dell XPS 13 with Ubuntu pre-installed

[jordiqui]

Dell launches a version of its XPS 13 under the name "Developer Edition", more expensive than the same version with Windows 8.

The version of Ubuntu included is 12.04 LTS, and the computer is aimed at developers, with driver optimization and compatibility with all its components without having to fight with the system or look for specific drivers, especially in issues of WiFi or graphic support where it can be a real headache. To do this, they have worked directly with Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu.

The basic components of this 13-inch Ultrabook consist of a third-generation Intel Core i5 processor with integrated HD 4000 graphics, a 256 GB SSD, 8 GB of DDR3 RAM at 1600 MHz and a 6-cell battery capable of delivering just over 6 hours of autonomy. The screen is 1366 x 768 pixels in resolution.

Curiously, the price of the Dell XPS 13 Developers Edition is $1550 in its version with the intel i7, more expensive than the $1500 of the model with Windows, so it is to be assumed that the extra cost comes from the expenses of developing compatible drivers for the Linux distribution. The price includes a year of direct professional support from Dell.

Link

PD: I think it is correct to make a donation for the developers of the linux project whenever one is in a position to be able to do so. I think it is correct that an assembler develops drivers for the controllers that usually give more compatibility problems with the Ubuntu version of linux, but paying more than for the Windows version, is within the personal opinion of each one obviously. But normally users who mount linux, apart from being involved in the field of computer science, for the security that the system offers and its reliability, it is also for the spirit of free software. It seems that Dell overlooks this issue and makes it more expensive than the Windows 8 version. In the end, to each their own.

[cobito]

Personally, I think it's a mistake to associate free software with free software. I don't think the main reason most Linux users use the operating system is because it's cheap, but for many other reasons.

For me, the failure on the part of Dell is not having assembled a laptop with hardware whose drivers are available for Linux. And putting as an excuse the graphics or wifi drivers seems to me to be nothing short of a joke because there are very few exceptions of this type of hardware that don't work in Linux

For graphics hardware we have to:

·Intel has released all the drivers for its graphics chips.
·There are proprietary drivers for the PowerVR graphics chips that some Intel platforms have.
·There are very competent proprietary drivers for nVidia cards
·There are functional drivers for ATI graphics cards.
·There are free alternatives that are making great strides in performance for both nVidia and ATI.

For wifi cards there are:
·Proprietary drivers and firmwares of quality for all Broadcom chips, for the 2100 and 2200 series of Intel, and for all Realtek chips.
·There are free drivers and firmware for practically all models and brands on the market (except those mentioned above).
·There is the possibility of an ndiswapper to install a Windows driver for network devices, which makes any wifi card directly compatible in Linux.

I suppose it will be more of a payment for support, because I really don't know what Dell and Canonical are doing writing or fixing drivers for Linux.

[deeiivid]

I will be happy the day when you can buy a computer WITHOUT an OS so that I can put the one I want.

At least the advantage of this one is that I don't pay for it and if I change it at least I won't have thrown away the money... but well.
I have just tried to venture into the world of Linux again, which I have already come out of a few times with a lesson learned and have ended up going back to Hackintosh.

[Nemo]

Deeivid, yes you can buy brand name computers (assembled, of course) without an OS installed. In fact, my previous laptop was purchased without any OS.
Regards

[deeiivid]

@Nemo:

Deeivid, yes you can buy brand name computers (assembled, of course) without an OS installed. In fact, I bought my previous laptop without any OS.
Best regards

Where?

[Nemo]

Well, that one in particular was an AHTEC. It allowed you to configure the laptop to your liking. Something like what you do at Dell or Apple. But in the operating system section, you could disable the option and buy it without an operating system installed, with the consequent savings.

Best regards.