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Dell Precision M90
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Precision M90 laptop. A large screen notebook with high end components, the Precision M90 is one big and heavy computer.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
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Specifications
| Name | Dell Precision M90 |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2500 2Ghz |
| Screen | 17” UXGA |
| RAM | 2GB |
| HDD | 80GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Nvidia Quadro NVS FX1500M |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet + Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless + Bluetooth |
| Other | 6 x USB2.0 + 1 x Firewire |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 module |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested |
Notes
The Nvidia Quadro NVS FX1500M included with the M90 can function with either the open source nv or the proprietary nvidia module.
For installation instructions for the proprietary nvidia module you can view our Configuring a nVidia graphics chip guide.
There are some models of the Precision M90 that have the Dell Wireless 1390 network card. Compatibility isn't know at this time but it likely will need ndiswrapper to function.
Summary
The Dell Precision M90 is certainly one big and heavy notebook but it does have excellent Linux support.
Discussion
My M90 works great with Linux Mint 13 Maya w/Mate desktop using an Intel 60 GB SSD for quite an overal speed boost for boot and a variety of application operations. Wireless is iwl3945 and works well.
The following is basic system information:
-Computer-
Processor : 2x Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T7200 @ 2.00GHz
Memory : 2050MB (784MB used)
Operating System : Linux Mint 13 Maya
User Name : xxxx (xxxx)
Date/Time : Tue 30 Oct 2012 02:30:03 PM PDT
-Display-
Resolution : 1440×900 pixels
OpenGL Renderer : Quadro FX 1500M/PCIe/SSE2
X11 Vendor : The X.Org Foundation
-Multimedia-
Audio Adapter : HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
-Input Devices-
Lid Switch
Power Button
Sleep Button
AT Translated Set 2 keyboard
Video Bus
Dell WMI hotkeys
Logitech USB Receiver
Logitech USB Receiver
SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad
HDA Intel Mic
HDA Intel Headphone
-Printers (CUPS)-
HP-Photosmart-D110-series
-SCSI Disks-
ATA INTEL SSDSC2CT06
Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A
Hibernation was erratic with Ubuntu 8.10 and is OK with Ubuntu 9.10. A number of scary USB error are printed on the console when I boot, but everything works fine otherwise.
Screen will go nuts sometimes using OpenGL
I've been using this laptop for almost two years. Works great most of the time, but sometimes the screen will just go crazy if a 3D application is running. The screen will just turn into a bunch of high frequency noise as if it was being sent a bad signal.
The m90 always had graphics problems
Wireless varies
My M90 came with a Dell 1490 Wifi card–based on the Broadcom BCM4310