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    Linux Support

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by nicolasavru, Jun 6, 2011.

  1. nicolasavru

    nicolasavru Newbie

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    I am looking for a new laptop and after getting reports of poor Linux support on the Aliwnware M17x R3 ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/568692-linux-support.html), I am now looking at the XPS 17 L702x. I use Linux primarily and boot into Windows for gaming. Gaming-wise, my requirements are for good performance (not necessarily at max, but at least at high, and not at max resolution) in upcoming games, particularly Skyrim and Diablo 3. Hopefully the 555M is sufficient for that, along with some future-proofing.

    As such, even if it is not possible to get automatic switching in Linux, it will be satisfactory to disable the Nvidia GPU (either in software or on BIOS) for additional battery life.

    Can any L702x owners comment on how well the hardware works with Linux in general (i.e, any specific issues, etc.). I am particularly interested in whether Nvidia Optimus on the 555M works under Linux or, at the very least, if it is possible to disable the discrete GPU in BIOS and use only onboard graphics in Linux (most gaming will be done in Windows).

    From what I've been able to find, Optimus support in the L702x is fairly promising with project Bumblebee:
    https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Bumblebee
    https://lists.launchpad.net/hybrid-graphics-linux/msg01136.html
    http://www.martin-juhl.dk/2011/05/crazy-bumble-weeks/

    I would very much appreciate it if some Linux users here could do some testing with it and report on the results.

    Thanks.
     
    nicolasavru, Jun 6, 2011
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  2. nicolasavru

    nicolasavru Newbie

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    No Linux users on here? bump ~_~
     
    nicolasavru, Jun 7, 2011
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  3. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I can't speak for the XPS line, but while there is no option in the BIOS, similar Sager/Clevo notebooks have a button that will disable the NVIDIA GPU.
     
    saturnotaku, Jun 7, 2011
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