Does Linux even work properly on Dell XPS laptops?

the more i am delving into things, the dell documentations are saying that the two really aren’t compatible except for like an outdated version of ubuntu… I never even thought about this, but looking back in time, I’ve tried many distros and the all have had some sort of internal issues that I couldn’t figure out and had to wipe the disk and try a new one…

Considering it was a windows computer to begin with, is this causing problems with my Linux installations or is it more likely user error? Especially the firmware and driver side of things, as outlined in my prior post. Did Dell lock down their XPS laptops to basically only be compatible with Windows??? Im tired of distro hopping because of all the issues I have with other distros on my machine. I’m hoping you kind folks could help clear this up for me and offer insight? perhaps the bios needs some special configuring to help make Linux work as it should? Thanks

edit: whoops, I should clarify the exact model, I have an xps 13 9310 dell laptop

ThatHermanoGuy,

I have two XPS laptops that run the latest Ubuntu Linux flawlessly. Hell, that’s why I bought them. They are literally sold with Linux preinstalled, why wouldn’t they work?

I even get BIOS/firmware updates in GNOME Software!

Macaroni9538,

dude how do you get firmware and driver updates via the gnome store??? I know I’ve seen it at least once in my life time, but it’s been a long long time. I have the lvfs repo enabled, so idk what the heck is going on. and when you say they come pre-intalled with linux, is that an option you have to choose when purchsing the laptop?

ThatHermanoGuy,

If comes from fwupd which I believe is installed by default on Ubuntu. The manufacturer needs to support it, of course. To get Linux preinstalled, you have to buy one of their “developer editions.” They make them almost impossible to find on their website, but they’re buried there somewhere.

skullgiver, (edited )
@skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl avatar

deleted_by_author

    •
    Macaroni9538,

    thanks, good to know. I dont use bluetooth anyway, so not a problem

    sxan, (edited )
    @sxan@midwest.social avatar

    I’ve owned 3 of different generations. The first had a broadcom chipset, which gave me occasional trouble. The most recent, ca 2020, was rock solid and worked without issue under Arch. All hardware worked flawlessly. Currently runing Artix on it, and the challenges I’m finding have less to do with the XPS/Linux combo, and more with Artix.

    Go ahead; it’ll work fine.

    Edit: fixed typos

    Macaroni9538,

    thank you!

    Dr_Bandid,

    The real problem is that certain XPS laptops like the 9500 had terrible design problems that dell tried to mask with software in linux. E.g., speaker balancing or high idle power draw. Other design atrocities such as unstable touchpads or improper grounding were initially blamed on linux even though the problem was hardware.

    I got mine two years ago and I’ve regretted it since two weeks into it. But since my job bought it for me, I’m stuck with the POS. Do yourself a favor and stick with Thinkpad, or even better Framework.

    Macaroni9538,

    yea i’m just about ready to invest in a new computer. the damn usb-c ports are so unreliable too after years of wear and tear. things disconnect just by the slightest shift in cable.

    Dr_Bandid,

    That’s also true! I’m really disappointed in what the XPS line became after 2020. :(

    EddoWagt,

    Are you sure the ports aren’t dirty? That’s often/always the case with faulty USB-C ports

    eager_eagle,
    @eager_eagle@lemmy.world avatar

    Yes, I use one daily. The fingerprint reader of my model doesn’t have the right drivers, but the rest is fine. Bluetooth works on mine, but might be dependent on the exact XPS model

    riotrick,
    @riotrick@lemmy.world avatar

    Yes, the fingerprint reader on the 13 plus (9320) works fine.

    StrangeAstronomer,

    I’ve been using a Dell XPS L502X with fedora since it was delivered 10/8/2011. No real problems, but I recently moved to voidlinux and almost doubled my battery life. Dell put quite a lot of time into supporting linux.

    gunpachi,
    @gunpachi@lemmings.world avatar

    Void is probably my favourite rolling release distro. I ran it for 2 years on my old PC and had very few problems.

    Syrup,

    Dell provides XPS laptop with Ubuntu on it. It works great and Ubuntu can be replaced with other distro ( I did successfully tested Mint and now Debian 11)

    xe3,

    With the exception of a fingerprint reader (which does not have a working Linux driver) I have had an exceptional experience over the last 5 years with Linux (Both Fedora, Ubuntu Gnome and Ubuntu Budgie) and a Dell XPS 9380

    Macaroni9538,

    Ok great to hear, thanks!

    AbidanYre,

    I’ve used debian without any issues on a couple XPS laptops, though the current one is admittedly a few years old at this point.

    AFLYINTOASTER,

    Says it can run Linux Ubuntu right on their website

    Macaroni9538,

    Yes I know, I believe i mentioned that in my post. when you look for firmware or drivers, the only option for linux is an outdated version of ubuntu

    sping,

    Outdated?

    riotrick,
    @riotrick@lemmy.world avatar

    At least on the 13 plus they support the LTS versions of Ubuntu. 20.04 and 22.04 at the moment. Basically any distro will work, just the alder webcam needs specific drivers that are not generally available.

    riotrick,
    @riotrick@lemmy.world avatar

    I have a 13 plus (9320). Everything works in any distro, except for the webcam. Dell provides drivers for it for ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04, and only for the default kernels it comes with. You can also get it working on arch.

    Work is being done on these alder lake webcams, but there still is no support for them in the kernel at the moment.

    I run mine in ubuntu with a newer kernel. And use my phone with droidcam as a webcam as a work-a-round. The newer kernels run better for battery life etc. I still have the default kernel installed, so I can reboot and use that, when I really need the built in cam.

    maggoats,

    Got an XPS 13 9350, works fine, bluetooth and all, though I upgraded Ubuntu and the kernel and the integrated webcam hasn’t worked since, which I still don’t really understand.

    nsqn,

    I had the same experience with my Latitude 9430. Apparently, Dell doesn't even maintain any model specific PPAs for Ubuntu 22.04 like they do for other models. "Linux compatible" apparently was only valid for this model and Ubuntu 20.04...

    ciko22i3,
    @ciko22i3@sopuli.xyz avatar

    I remember only being able to run Manjaro on my Inspiron 15 7559 (i tried ubuntu, debian and a few others, couldn’t get them to boot even in live environment)

    Maybe try that. Manjaro gets a lot of hate but it saved me that time.

    Macaroni9538,

    hey man, i like manjaro, not sure why there’s so much hate…

    pyromaniac_donkey,

    Yes. Mine works flawlessly.

    bia,

    I sure hope so . I have a new XPS 13 9315 on the way!

    I’ve been running a 2019 XPS 13 on Debian without any major issues, just sleep that has high battery drain. But I think that’s a common issue.

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