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XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

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Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#351

Post by aaronmdjones »

slowmotiony wrote: post #336
aaronmdjones wrote: post #333

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would also love to replace my 15" laptop that has 32 GB of RAM (a Eurocom M5 Pro). Finding a suitable vendor with nice specifications has been hard work...

I just bought the version with least RAM and bought 32GB RipJaws from Amazon. It only took like 10 minutes to exchange it and I'm super happy with it.

Yeah, that's what I did with my M5; I got the 16GB (2x 8) version, and then took another 2x 8GB from my old laptop too.

The thing is, I'm having trouble finding a worthy replacement (this is years old now and is dying; the left hinge is on the way out, the keyboard doesn't work properly (and it's the second keyboard this laptop has had), and the power jack is ... temperamental, but that's another story).

This laptop can hold up to 4 SO-DIMMs (8GB each), 2x 2.5" HDDs, 2x M.2 2242/2280 SSDs, has 4 USB 3.0 ports (one of which is also an eSATAp port), 2 DisplayPorts, an HDMI port, a SIM card slot, SD card reader, gigabit wired Ethernet, 3 audio jacks (headphones/microphone/line-out), a Core i7-4720HQ and a 15.6" 1080p IPS matte display. It also has a GeForce GTX965M but I don't use that (it's always powered off).

I'm in the United Kingdom, and I'm having difficulty finding something that can even come close to that, without going back to Eurocom (which I may end up doing). The most important aspect to me is the large memory support (I can barely get by with 16GB for all the development work I do, so 32GB is really nice) and storage (both HDDs are in a RAID-1 for /home, and both SSDs are in a RAID-1 for / -- which was handy, because one of the SSDs failed a few months ago, and I didn't have to do anything). Avoiding the Microsoft Tax would also be a bonus.

To compare to the laptop this thread is about: I only see an option for 1 drive instead of 4 and it doesn't even go to 1TB, there's no wired Ethernet and no HDMI/DisplayPort connectivity.

The only reason I'm hesitant to go with Eurocom again is their long lead time & shipping charges (they're in North America), and their laptop keyboards don't seem to last...

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#352

Post by dagw »

torgard wrote: post #246
scns wrote: post #243

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Check out tuxedocomputers, you can get a danish or swedish layout and configure the laptops to your liking. They use the same barebones System76 uses.

Thanks, will do

ggsdata.se sells the same laptop with Swedish keyboard and Linux pre installed.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#353

Post by lmm »

dingo_bat wrote: post #52

Where's the fucking USB ports?!? I have literally used or observed zero USB C devices till now. I've seen newer phones but who plugs phones into computers anymore? The main issue is flash drives, external HDDs, mice, keyboards, LTE modems, Kindle, and so on. None of those are available in type C variants and I don't want to be inconvenienced by my new laptop. If I wanted to hurt myself I'd just buy from Apple!

For anything where the other end is a standard connector you can get a C-to-whatever cable - C-to-micro for the Kindle and C-to-B for the LTE modem should work fine.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#354

Post by rkangel »

modin wrote: post #112
torgard wrote: post #98

Max 8gb for regular display... I mean, who uses touch screens for development? I can't really imagine a scenario where it would be helpful for me. Maybe when doing work in Illustrator and Photoshop, but I usually use a different machine for that anyhow, because of Adobe's lack of Linux support. I don't want to pay for something I won't use. I am otherwise actively looking for a laptop. System76 does not have European…

> I mean, who uses touch screens for development? Co-workers are less likely to touch it and leave marks, that's the only upside I see. > I am otherwise actively looking for a laptop. I got a X1 Carbon a few days ago. I'm pretty content so far.

I've just had a look at the X1 (UK site). Annoyingly you have to have the most expensive model if you want 16Gb of RAM.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#355

Post by wazoox »

I have the 1st gen XPS 13 developer and I'm happy with it. The build quality isn't as good as Apple, particularly the touchpad is notably inferior, and the right speaker died a long time ago. From time to time, I need to open it to remove dirt from the fan, and that's about it. 5 years later, works perfectly.

A coworker recently got the 6th generation model. No problem. Slightly better build. Excellent battery life and performance.

These are definitely reliable workhorses.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#356

Post by TomMarius »

pcurve wrote: post #247
echlebek wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought an XPS 15, also maxed out, years ago and regretted it also. I had all the power problems you mention, except the random shutoffs. The machine was not really usable for professional work. I now have a Thinkpad X1 Carbon 5th gen. It has no major issues and works reliably, even with Linux as the primary OS. Granted, it was more expensive, but well worth the purchase price.

Having experienced a lot of laptop over the years, higher end Thinkpad models are the most reliable. It's disappointing to hear even expensive XPS models are experiencing them same coil whine and battery issues my old Dell laptop had years ago. Thinkpad also appears to use long lasting batteries that hold charge well. I've had 2 think pads, each 6+ years. They still hold battery for hours and hours.

I have T530 since Jan 2013 and had to replace the (Lenovo-sold) battery two times already.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#357

Post by TomMarius »

chrissnell wrote: post #334
windexh8er wrote: post #292

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll say that I wanted to like Dell because they seemed to be focused on delivering quality Linux laptops. However, I will never buy a Dell again. The support is absolutely abysmal. I had a 5510 that I ended up selling for a significant loss about 6 months after buying it because Dell kept "fixing" what I had, sending me back the wrong machine, etc. Total waste of time and money. Buyer beware on quality and support -…

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Lenovo ThinkPad support absolutely blows, too. I had next biz day support and a battery in my T460s died. It took two weeks of calls and emails and tweeting to find out that the replacement battery was backordered. Weeks later, I got a replacement laptop, a P50 that I had to pay extra for. Fuck Lenovo support.

Huh. I used the NBD support several years ago (around 2012) and it was literally next day.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#358

Post by kodr »

torgard wrote: post #98

Max 8gb for regular display... I mean, who uses touch screens for development? I can't really imagine a scenario where it would be helpful for me. Maybe when doing work in Illustrator and Photoshop, but I usually use a different machine for that anyhow, because of Adobe's lack of Linux support. I don't want to pay for something I won't use. I am otherwise actively looking for a laptop. System76 does not have European…

System76 sells Clevo laptop. You may find what you need in other resellers. I bought this one myself: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/defianceIII-15/

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#359

Post by Freak_NL »

torgard wrote: post #235
weego wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think his primary goal is to mention system76 much as possible while pouring scorn on dell

Lol, scorn, that's a big word. I dislike System76 because they refuse to support European layouts. US only. I am very bitter about it. I dislike most laptop manufacturers of this day, because they all either: * Only make touch-screens in 4K * Don't let you upgrade your RAM. * Only sell with Windows bundled. Not paying for Windows, no thanks Dell satisfied only one of those criteria. They are very high in my book. In…

I'm glad the Dutch never widely adopted a different keyboard layout. Vowels with diacritics and the € are entered using a software method (dead keys, compose key, etc.) on a standard US keyboard layout.

I agree with you on System76 though. I am in the process of being a Galago Pro, but I really wish they'd open up or partner with a reliable distributor in the EU to lower shipping costs, provide localised keyboard layouts, and avoid having to pay VAT at the door.

Re: XPS 13 developer edition 7th generation available

#360

Post by suprfnk »

sundvor wrote: post #224
modin wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I mean, who uses touch screens for development? Co-workers are less likely to touch it and leave marks, that's the only upside I see. > I am otherwise actively looking for a laptop. I got a X1 Carbon a few days ago. I'm pretty content so far.

Beautiful machine. Whilst my primary is now a 6 core/32gb desktop, my laptop is the OG X1 Carbon from 2011. I was waiting for the initial release and might have been the first to order it in Australia. It is still looking great today (chassis looks as if it could be just a few weeks old, true I've looked after it but it's also just that solid/high quality panels), although the new is of course hugely improved. Their…

> expected to have 4/8c which will be fantastic

What do you mean by "4/8c"?

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