The Dell XPS 13 is the best-known developer-focused, high-end Linux laptop. Here's how it got there.

Today, the Dell XPS-13 with Ubuntu Linux is easily the most well-known Linux laptop. Many users, especially developers – including Linus Torvalds – love it. As Torvalds recently said, “Normally, I wouldn’t name names, but I’m making an exception for the XPS 13 just because I liked it so much that I also ended up buying one for my daughter when she went off to college.”

So, how did Dell – best known for good-quality, mass-produced PCs – end up building top-of-the-line Ubuntu Linux laptops? Well, Barton George, Dell Technologies’ Developer Community manager, shared the “Project Sputnik” story this week in a presentation at the popular Linux and open-source community show, All Things Open.

  • joojmachine@lemmy.ml
    36·
    1 year ago

    linux users when a laptop that ships Linux isn’t absolutely perfect and cost $20 (they don’t care that it helps get linux to average users)

    • frippa@lemmy.ml
      7·
      1 year ago

      We are pretty happy with framework, tuxedo and system76 even if their products often cost loads of money and for sure aren’t perfect.

      • joojmachine@lemmy.ml
        1·
        1 year ago

        and yet people still find ways to complain when a manufacturer that is twice as big as all of these examples combined ships laptops with linux to the hands of millions of people, most of the time costing less than offerings by these companies

    • cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      7·
      1 year ago

      Soldered SSD and RAM is something we expect from a cheap chromebook. It’s just not acceptable in a high end laptop.

      There are plenty of other good laptops that come with Linux installed.

      • joojmachine@lemmy.ml
        1·
        1 year ago

        including, *checks notes*, ah yes… most of DELL’s other offerings with linux pre-installed

          • joojmachine@lemmy.ml
            1·
            1 year ago

            Is it something that depends on the region? In Brazil their Linux offerings are usually way cheaper precisely because you can forgo the Windows license.

    • MiddledAgedGuy@beehaw.org
      3·
      1 year ago

      I came here to disagree with you, but in thinking a little about it, I’m not sure I do.

      I find the lack of ports and upgradability extremely problematic. And while I understand they’re supposed to be light, slim, quality laptops, the price point feels high even so.

      But, these are personal gripes with the device. And nothing to do with Linux. But these are basically the same things Apple aims for and people seem to love that.

      So, I might argue the price doesn’t make it reasonable for the average user. But otherwise the more devices with Linux pre-installed, the better.