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Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

arstechnica.com

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Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#21

Post by Mikeb85 »

shmerl wrote: post #13

I wish all manufacturers would just allow buying computers without an OS. I recently tried to check if Lenovo offers Windows refund for those who reject the EULA. No dice. They still claim Windows tax is mandatory even if you don't need Windows. What I never understood though is how can they legally do it. Doesn't it violate product tying laws?

When I bought my Thinkpad, they gave me a significant ($150) discount when I said I didn't want Windows. It still came with Windows, apparently doing the actual refund process is more difficult than just giving a discount code...

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#22

Post by marinhero »

dubya wrote: post #4
rayiner wrote: post #2

Really disappointing that it only gets 5.5 hours of Wi-Fi browsing with a 91 watt-hour battery (on integrated graphics). The rMBP pushes 9-10 hours under those conditions.

Running Linux or OS X?

both

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#23

Post by AceJohnny2 »

jgrowl wrote: post #16

I received mine a couple of weeks ago and have been pretty happy so far. Everything worked out of the box in ubuntu (camera, multimedia keys, trackpad, touchscreen, bluetooth, wifi, etc). My only complaints are: - The Glossy monitor is incredibly reflective. I wish there was a matte option. - I got the UHD screen option but there are still too many scaling issues in linux. Ubuntu looks fine with some minor tweaks but…

> The Glossy monitor is incredibly reflective. I wish there was a matte option.

What the hell. This is a subject I have a strong opinion on. A "developer"-oriented laptop must have a matte finish. I want no specular reflections distracting me from my low-contrast text. This simple issue makes it a dealbreaker for me.

That said, maybe it can be mitigated. Quick googling tells me there exist anti-glare screen covers, maybe some exist that fit the M3800.

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#24

Post by farresito »

shmerl wrote: post #13

I wish all manufacturers would just allow buying computers without an OS. I recently tried to check if Lenovo offers Windows refund for those who reject the EULA. No dice. They still claim Windows tax is mandatory even if you don't need Windows. What I never understood though is how can they legally do it. Doesn't it violate product tying laws?

Someone mentioned here in Hacker News a few weeks ago that he managed to buy a Thinkpad without OS and with a Windows' refund.

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#25

Post by karlgrz »

jgrowl wrote: post #16

I received mine a couple of weeks ago and have been pretty happy so far. Everything worked out of the box in ubuntu (camera, multimedia keys, trackpad, touchscreen, bluetooth, wifi, etc). My only complaints are: - The Glossy monitor is incredibly reflective. I wish there was a matte option. - I got the UHD screen option but there are still too many scaling issues in linux. Ubuntu looks fine with some minor tweaks but…

I've been using a Dell XPS 15 with the UHD touchscreen display since November and I love it! I also reduced to 1080p resolution, for the same annoying reasons (applications are just too hit/miss).

For the touchpad, I tweaked the initial settings a bit using the following articles:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticsTouchpad http://askubuntu.com/questions/483707/14-04-touchpad-is-too-...

I had a 2014 Retina Macbook Pro prior to this, and the touchpad, after these tweaks, is on par with that experience (although it is a bit more clicky but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Hope this helps!

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#26

Post by nfoz »

Oh interesting, this is the M3800 which is Dell's beefy 15" Linux laptop. Glad to see it getting some light.

If you're looking for something more portable, the New XPS 13 is in development and is supposed to launch soon. I follow the project lead's blog here: http://bartongeorge.net/

My hats off to the Dell team; they're very open about what they're doing, making better drivers etc. before launching the product.

For now I'm trying out a 2015 Chromebook Pixel with Debian GNU/Linux install..ing. Still working on it. It has a lot of the same problems mentioned here: - Suuuper glossy screen (basically a mirror with a dark background) - Limited keyboard: no pageup/pagedown.. even more limited than the Dell, it doesn't have a DEL key, just Power in its place... much key remapping will be required to make this usable. - No physical trackpad buttons, and that's a huuuge problem, because even Google's touchpad driver fails some basic tests of operation as compared to a Mac (e.g. cursor stutters its motion if you click while moving the cursor). The lack of touchpad buttons across most laptops now is shocking. - Keys are a bit shallow

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#27

Post by tpeaton »

stormbrew wrote: post #3

Why in god's name does a laptop that large not have independent home/end/pgup/pgdn keys. This trend drives me nuts.

I have an older xps 13, which has the same keyboard layout as the m3800. I actually really like stacking page up/down, home, and end on the arrow keys. I use keyboard shortcuts as much as possible and can hit these very quickly. The function key right next to the left control key in conjunction with these works very well for me. It took a few days to get used to, but I love it now. Certainly much better than some of the other more funky positioning of dedicated keys on some keyboards.

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#28

Post by bluedino »

Dell has achieved feature parity with the Retina MacBook Pro, and has made huge improvements on their last 'MBP competitor', the XPS 15.

However, looking at it objectively, the article pretty much sums it up:

  Thunderbolt port doesn't really work in Ubuntu
  Application-level 4k scaling issues are pretty much all over the place
  If all you're after is Linux on a laptop, you can do it for cheaper than the M3800's starting price
  I kind of hoped the Dell logo on the back would light up, but sadly it doesn't
  Battery life with the Nvidia GPU enabled is far too short for a day's worth of working
Not quite a MacBook, but if you absolutely must have Linux instead of OS X, and don't want to fiddle with installing and tweaking it, it's very serviceable. But if you don't need the NVIDIA GPU there are cheaper options.

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#29

Post by jgrowl »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #23
jgrowl wrote: post #16

I received mine a couple of weeks ago and have been pretty happy so far. Everything worked out of the box in ubuntu (camera, multimedia keys, trackpad, touchscreen, bluetooth, wifi, etc). My only complaints are: - The Glossy monitor is incredibly reflective. I wish there was a matte option. - I got the UHD screen option but there are still too many scaling issues in linux. Ubuntu looks fine with some minor tweaks but…

> The Glossy monitor is incredibly reflective. I wish there was a matte option. What the hell. This is a subject I have a strong opinion on. A "developer"-oriented laptop must have a matte finish. I want no specular reflections distracting me from my low-contrast text. This simple issue makes it a dealbreaker for me. That said, maybe it can be mitigated. Quick googling tells me there exist anti-glare screen covers, m…

I actually tried getting a screen cover but I totally failed trying to put it on. Still though, I was able to tell it didn't really help the glare at all. I just threw it in the trash :(

Re: Dell’s Linux PC sequel still just works, but adds 4K screen and rough edges

#30

Post by bluedino »

nfoz wrote: post #26

Oh interesting, this is the M3800 which is Dell's beefy 15" Linux laptop. Glad to see it getting some light. If you're looking for something more portable, the New XPS 13 is in development and is supposed to launch soon. I follow the project lead's blog here: http://bartongeorge.net/ My hats off to the Dell team; they're very open about what they're doing, making better drivers etc. before launching the product. For…

>> the M3800 which is Dell's beefy 15" Linux laptop.

Actually, the 6.3lb M4800 is Dell's beefy laptop.

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