Re: [gentoo-user] purchasing a dell laptop

[Alan McKinnon]

On 21/06/2015 21:16, gottlieb@×××.edu wrote:
> I am seriously thinking of updating my dell 6430s laptop purchased 3
> years ago.  NYU has an arrangement with dell so that is the only maker
> I am considering.  This machine will be essentially gentoo only (I
> configure my computers to dual boot some version of windows for ease
> in dealing with dell support).
>
> The hardest decision is size vs performance, but I know you can't help
> with that.  I have pretty much decided on the dell 7450.  My questions
> concern three options: Graphics, Wireless, Screen.  But would appreciate
> any other advice you have.

I've used nothing bur Dell laptops for 10 years (currently on #5), and
I've yet to run into any hardware support issues.

>
> I will definitely get
>   * 16GB ram (2 x 8GB)
>   * 512GB solid state disk
>   * most powerful CPU compatible with the options chosen
>
> 1. Graphics.
>     I can afford a high-end graphics co-processor, but prefer the
>     software/administrative simplicity of intel graphics.  I do not
>     play high speed games or otherwise run graphics intensive
>     applications. Am I correct in believing that Linux (the kernel)
>     supports (the dell option)
>        Intel Core i7-5600U Processor, UMA graphics, Smart Card
>     directly with no extra gentoo package needed?

All intel cards I've ever seen are supported. My current machine has an
AMD co-card, the one before a Nvidia co-card. Both times I just used the
Intel hardware, it does eveything I need

>
> 2. Wireless.
>
>     My current home router/wireless-access-point (linksys WRT54G)
>     supports 10/100 wired and 802.11bg wireless.  I have no problems
>     with this device or our home network, but I could upgrade to a
>     1-gigabit version if deemed important.
>
>     Currently I must install net-wireless/broadcom-sta.  This has caused
>     no problems to date, but a wireless chip supported directly by linux
>     would be preferable.

Hmm, broadcom. Lots of effort, IMNSHO not worth the effort.
>
>     I would appreciate help choosing among the following dell options
>     (the prices are about the same).
>         a. Intel Tri Band Wireless-AC 17265 802.11AC
>            Wi-Fi + Wi-Gig + BT 4.0 LE Wireless Card
>         b. Dell Wireless 1707 802.11n Single Band
>            Wi-Fi + BT 4.0LE Wireless Card
>         c. Dell Wireless 1560 (802.11ac 2x2, WiFi & BT)
>         d. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 802.11AC
>            Wi-Fi + BT 4.0 LE Wireless Card (2X2)

"Dell" branded wireless is pot luck what it might actually be under the
covers. My current one (class n) is actually a broadcom and needs
broadcom-sta (which I can't get to work). Intel wifi cards OTH, seem to
Just Work. I recommend you go with an intel card, or swap it out later
(they are fairly cheap)

>
> 3. Screen
>    I am only considering 1920x1080 (best available) with a camera.
>        a. "Touch" is available for $160.
>           Are touch screens supported on gentoo/gnome?

No idea, never used one. I have a tablet and a phone for Touch, and if I
*really* want to swipe, I guess there's always that latest Windows

>        b. Some screens (including "touch") are "WiGig capable".
>           This requires option 2a above (Tri Band Wireless-AC).
> 	  Is WiGig valuable and is it easy to administer?

Never heard of it :-)



So on the whole, my experience with higher-end Dell is that hardware is
pretty much well-supported across the boards with very few gotchas. The
only two exceptions would be wifi cards (cheap to fix) and maybe GPU
co-processor (if you are unlucky to get an unsupported cutting edge one
and need to wait a bit for Linux support to catch up).

-- 
Alan McKinnon
alan.mckinnon@×××××.com