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    Dell releases powerful, well-supported Linux Ultrabook

    (arstechnica.com)
    520 points iProject | 14 comments | 29 Nov 12 14:09 UTC | HN request time: 0.999s | source | bottom
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    chimeracoder ◴[29 Nov 12 15:55 UTC] No.4848349[source]▶
    I was one of the beta testers for this laptop, so I've been using it for the last few months. [If anybody has any questions about it, I'd be happy to answer them - I've used many different laptops over the years for comparison.]

    I couldn't be happier with it - I have a larger laptop that I use as my "main" computer at home (essentially as if it were a desktop), and the XPS13 is what I take with me everywhere and use for presentations, developing on the go, etc.

    I've used Linux as my main OS for some years now, and for me the main appeal of this computer was the size/weight/battery life when compared to my larger laptop. If you've been waiting for a Linux ultrabook for portable development (or even just ultra-portable general use), this is it.

    Compared to my work computer (a Macbook Air), the difference is enormous. Hardware-wise, the XPS13 just feels slimmer, even though the difference in size/weight is negligible. The biggest physical differences are the keys and trackpad - I'm typing this now on a mechanical keyboard, and I've gotten so used to the Das Keyboard that I can't stand the feel of chiclet-style keys. However, the shape of the XPS13 keys (slightly indented) alleviates some of the annoyances I have with most laptop keyboards (the Air included). The trackpad is highly sensitive, and I like the texture slightly more than that of the Macbook Air.

    Battery life is great, even with Bluetooth turned on (though I usually leave this off - I still haven't found a real use for Bluetooth on my computers!).

    I should mention the display - it's the perfect size for me. I actually dislike the Macbook Air on this one point - it absolutely kills my eyes by the end of the day (both the default size and default brightness/contrast). I have neither of these problems with the XPS13, but it's still crisp enough that I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

    Overall, I'm incredibly happy that I got it, and I actually get slightly annoyed now when I have to use my Macbook Air for work - I wish I could be using the XPS13 instead. Aside from the fact that I'd rather be using Linux any day, hands-down, the computer just feels more physically appealing in itself. Even at its price[1], it's worth every penny.

    [1] I should note that I received my testing laptop at a 20% discount, though after using it, I would be willing to pay full price for it if I'd had to.

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    llimllib ◴[29 Nov 12 16:53 UTC] No.4848674[source]▶
    I also am a beta tester for this laptop.

    I use my retina macbook for everything, and have not found myself using the dell at all, even when traveling. I didn't consider bringing it because I like the Mac so much more.

    It is really nice hardware, with the exception that the screen has a much narrower viewing angle than either my macbook or my wife's macbook air. Also the trackpad is not as smooth as my macbook's, and more frequently registers the wrong kind of click.

    Ubuntu has worked very well, and seems to be completely supported.

    I greatly prefer the mac hardware, and would recommend an Air over the Dell.

    edit: since parent disclosed that he got 20% off, I'll disclose that I was very fortunate to receive one for free at a conference raffle.

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    1. Surio ◴[30 Nov 12 01:55 UTC] No.4851451[source]▶
    Please don't get me wrong or take it the wrong way,

    But I just can't seem to get over the fact that you are obviously not a Linux person (you seem to have strong preferences and by the looks of it, you know well that you are very much a Mac person), who won a Linux laptop for free and hasn't used it at all.

    Had you but magnanimously declined the offer and passed it on, someone else could have used it happily all along....

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    2. ◴[30 Nov 12 03:18 UTC] No.4851659[source]▶
    3. w1ntermute ◴[30 Nov 12 03:36 UTC] No.4851702[source]▶
    Yeah, that's the first thing I thought when I read his post. What a waste - I know several people who would have been delighted to get this laptop.
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    4. benihana ◴[30 Nov 12 03:49 UTC] No.4851738[source]▶
    Give me a break. Do you think Dell really wanted to give this only to customers who loved it? No! The point of these beta tests is to get feedback from people. If they only gave to people who say "it's so great I love it!" what's the point of giving it away at all? They could just sell it to those people. Dell gave out these laptops to hear people like OP's comments so that they might improve their product and actually sell some to their target audience: geeks like Linus who want a portable, well built linux laptop, or geeks who have Apple laptops that would be willing to switch to a comparable linux laptop for whatever reason. Dell was beta testing these to get feedback, not to provide someone else to use their product happily for free.
    replies(1): >>4851963 #
    5. steevdave ◴[30 Nov 12 04:18 UTC] No.4851813[source]▶
    I would be one of those people, but at 1500 dollars, seems a bit steep, for the hardware involved. I just got my Chromebook (ARM, 3G) and I'm amazed at just how well everything runs on it. But I don't think that the Dell is my target anyway, as I'm more of a u-boot, and kernel work is more my area of expertise rather than shoving things off into the cloud.

    Kudos to Dell for doing this, hopefully more vendors will follow suit.

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    6. w1ntermute ◴[30 Nov 12 04:43 UTC] No.4851877{3}[source]▶
    Right, the price is very steep. With that cost, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon would be a much better choice. I would've expected Dell to be able to sell this at a much more competitive price point. But in this case, he got it for free, which is a completely different story.
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    7. Surio ◴[30 Nov 12 05:16 UTC] No.4851963[source]▶
    First off, OP mentioned he got it for free in a conference raffle: Dell already achieved their free publicity/sponsorship/whatever by announcing this laptop in the beginning of the conference, and by the time the raffle winner was announced, it is already out of Dell's hands, and between OP and organisers. At this point, had he mentioned that he is probably not going to be using it at all because of his strong Mac preference, another ticket would have been drawn and hey presto.....

    >>> The point of these beta tests is to get feedback from people

    Exactly. And that's my main point. In all this time, feedback was not at all achieved (edit: contrast with, say @chimeracoder's review above), because by his own account, he barely used the laptop, ergo, no feedback to Dell or anyone else in the matter.....

    Which is why I mentioned in the original comment "someone else could have used it happily all along...." (note the ellipsis, where the ending is left unsaid, as in, it c(w)ould have resulted in feedback, in the very least)

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    8. astrodust ◴[30 Nov 12 07:53 UTC] No.4852318[source]▶
    There's also some starving child in Africa that could've gone to bed with a refrigerator full of sandwiches if you sold this thing on eBay.

    Why jump on someone for giving their opinions on a product they won at a raffle? Are you supposed to decline prizes because you might not like them?

    Also, what the hell is a "Linux person"? Is that someone who doesn't consider a day complete without compiling their own kernel extensions?

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    9. liljimmytables ◴[30 Nov 12 09:07 UTC] No.4852494{3}[source]▶
    > feedback was _not at all achieved_

    To be more precise, _market_ feedback was achieved. A small, pizzling drip of market feedback. When you hand out devices, you're looking for _product_ feedback.

    That said, if someone offered me a free laptop, I probably would keep it because I don't own nearly enough laptops.

    10. robotmay ◴[30 Nov 12 11:55 UTC] No.4852844{4}[source]▶
    How good is Ubuntu support out of the box on the X1? I love the look of it as a replacement for my MBP, but I've found compatibility information a bit scarce.

    EDIT: Just found your other post! That's really cool that is has such good support.

    11. llimllib ◴[30 Nov 12 13:18 UTC] No.4853057[source]▶
    > Also, what the hell is a "Linux person"? Is that someone who doesn't consider a day complete without compiling their own kernel extensions?

    Maybe I count as a linux person because I've written my own kernel extension?

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    12. 1123581321 ◴[30 Nov 12 13:21 UTC] No.4853066[source]▶
    By "Linux person" he means someone who prefers Linux to OSX or Windows for day-to-day use. This person might also be a Linux contributor but does not have to be.

    The point of mentioning it seemed to be that someone who is not a regular Linux user will not thoroughly evaluate the laptop because they won't spend enough time on it and use it in enough ways.

    13. anonymous ◴[30 Nov 12 15:41 UTC] No.4853637{3}[source]▶
    Here's a handy guide:

    Level. Description

    -10. Macintosh/Windows evangelist

    0. Never heard of linux

    1. Heard of linux, never used it

    2. Tried linux once in '97, didn't get OSS working, gave up

    3. Tried linux, couldn't make it be exactly like some other OS, gave up

    4. Uses linux from time to time at home and/or at work as a server os

    5. Uses linux as a desktop os when needed

    6. Uses linux as a desktop os, but dual/triple boots for some apps

    7. Uses linux exclusively

    8. Uses linux exclusively and writes kernel patches

    9. Uses linux exclusively, writes kernel patches and has touched Linus Torvalds

    10. Is Linus Torvalds

    11. Is Linus Torvalds's wife

    14. joonix ◴[30 Nov 12 19:43 UTC] No.4855059[source]▶
    Yes, I knew a linguist who won a $100 million lottery. Fortunately, he gave the winnings away to an accountant, because he wasn't a "numbers guy."