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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Dell is so frustrating (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Dell has got to be one of the most frustrating companies that put out a linux laptop. They put out a laptop certified for ubuntu but then never support newer releases. A big part of their hardware is always proprietary drivers like webcam, fingerprint reader etc.. Then you update to a new LTS release because lets be serious 20.04 at this point is going to sunset in a couple of years... However after you update the webcam stops working, or some other hardware stops working. Then you are constantly troubleshooting to get it working and every kernel update it breaks again. If you ever did ask support they will just tell you to go back to 20.04 image from dell. Not to mention all their OS tools are made for windows even the ones for making linux recovery images... like WTF! I am two years in on this laptop and I am just getting rid of it I cannot put up with this nonsense anymore from them.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (3 children)

Is it the XPS 13 (9370)? If so, apparently everything works fine in Arch, except the fingerprint sensor. So might be worth a shot giving it a try.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of your issues are partly related to Ububtu. Personally, I wouldn't recommend using it even if a device has official support for it.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 6 months ago

I ended up on a first gen dell developer xps and didn't win the Intel nic lottery. Dell's Ubuntu repo bricked my laptop a dozen times til I moved to arch, which actually had the decency to include the broadcom driver.

The hardware is alright, but the total lack of effort in maintaining has been from the jump.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

Well, mine runs fine with a clean install of Ubuntu 23.10, I did not encounter any of the issues OP mentions. (note: my model doesn't have a fingerprint sensor)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

I'm running Ubuntu on an XPS and everything worked OOTB (except for IR-cameras) - even the nvidia drivers. Ubuntu has really good hardware support, but I wouldn't count on Dell being reliable on linux compatibility.