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Windows 10 Haters: Try Linux On Kaby Lake Chips With Dell's New XPS 13 (pcworld.com)

Posted by msmash on from the affinity-for-Linux-laptops dept.

Attention Linux enthusiasts. Your OS of your choice can finally work on laptops with Intel's Kaby Lake chips. Dell is releasing three new models of slick XPS 13 Developer Edition that will be available with Ubuntu OS and 7th Generation Core processors in the U.S. and Canada starting on Oct. 10, reports PCWorld. From the article:Prices for XPS 13 DE will start at $949. Dell also announced the XPS 13 model with Kaby Lake and Windows 10, which will ship on Oct. 4 starting at $799. Dell didn't share details on what version of Ubuntu desktop OS will be preloaded. It officially supports Ubuntu 14.04 in existing laptops, but could pre-load version 16.04 on the new XPS 13 DE. Dell has remained committed to Linux while major PC vendors shift to Windows 10 on PCs. Intel made a major commitment to supporting Windows 10 with its new Kaby Lake chips but hasn't talked much about Linux support. XPS 13 DE is perhaps the sexiest and thinnest Linux laptop available, with an edge-to-edge screen being a stand-out feature. It is the latest in Dell's Project Sputnik line of laptops, and it is targeted at computer enthusiasts who want a Windows or Mac alternative. A knock against Linux is that the OS has lagged behind Windows on driver development and on supporting the latest technologies like USB-C ports, 4K screens, and Thunderbolt. Project Sputnik started four years ago as an effort between Dell and the open-source community to bridge that gap, and since then, the resulting laptops have achieved cult status among Linux enthusiasts. A Dell XPS 13 with a Core i5 chip will have a full HD screen, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. Another configuration will have a 3200 x 1800-pixel screen, Core i5, and a 256GB SSD. A fully loaded model will have a Core i7 chip, a 512GB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and a 3200 x 1800-pixel screen.

8 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. The more hated windows 10 is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    the better for linux. So, lets all hate win 10 a bit.

    1. Re:The more hated windows 10 is by courteaudotbiz · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The problem here is that the Linux version is 150$ more expensive. So basically, you pay more to have a free OS. Sound logical.

    2. Re:The more hated windows 10 is by donaldm · · Score: 4, Interesting

      the better for linux. So, lets all hate win 10 a bit.

      That's not difficult, after all why would I want to run malware

      From the first sentence of the Wiki for those who are in denial or can't be bothered clicking on the link.

      "Malware, short for malicious software, is any software used to disrupt computer operations, gather sensitive information, gain access to private computer systems, or display unwanted advertising."

      Sound familiar? Of course, most people will say "But I don't have anything to hide" - Sad really, they have been in the water too long and now it's started to get hot. I hope they enjoy their gold plated chains.

      Oh I almost forgot Linux also works on Skylake systems as well.

      --
      There ain't no such thing as proprietary standards only proprietary formats. Standards are by definition open.
    3. Re:The more hated windows 10 is by ukoda · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The Linux version has different parts. From memory the WiFi chipset is different as the one in the Windows version has poor Linux support whereas the XPS DE has changed to a chipset with good driver support. Not sure what your time is worth but $150 was worth it from a machine where everything worked first time on Linux. Compared to the Apple MBA that my XPS DE replaced it is a dream. It took many hours to get the Mac working on Linux and I never did get the camera working on it. So yea I spent $150 on a free OS, then promptly replaced Ubuntu with Mint 18 anyway. It worked first time too, no drivers needed.
      If the $150 really worries you then XPS is probably the wrong range of machines to look at, there are plenty of cheaper options out there.

  2. Ubuntu is a poor choice to demo. by Hylandr · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Try Korora Linux instead.

    Debian/Ubuntu slow, Fedora/Centos Fast.

    --
    ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
  3. Advertising? by Chmarr · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Aren't articles like this supposed to have a brown title bar, or something? I'm confoozed.

  4. Re: What if I am an Ubuntu hater, too? by Shane_Optima · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I can't quite square hating Ubuntu for being "dumbed-down" and promoting Red Hat. Their antics at the helm of GNOME alone plainly show the utter contempt in which they hold their users (which, to be fair, must be deserved to some degree--I mean, for whatever reason, people kept using GNOME.)

    Ubuntu has a very handy five year LTS snapshot release style that RH has refused to match for their desktop product, which is only support for something like 18 months. They also have extended the dpkg system with PPAs which (last time I checked) Debian did not support out of the box.

    Appreciating all of that and being a fan of Mir or the Unity desktop are two entirely different things. Just use a derivative like Xubuntu or Kubuntu instead. Problem solved. All of the advantages of Ubuntu (and by extension Debian) with few of the disadvantages.

  5. Are hardware backdoors disabled on the Linux vers? by Ungrounded+Lightning · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Are the hardware back doors (such as Intel AMT) disabled (or disablable) on the Linux version?

    --
    Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way