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Dell Vostro 1710
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Vostro 1710 laptop.
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.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Dell Vostro 1710. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Dell Vostro 1710 page on LapWik.
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Specifications
For full specifications see the Dell Vostro 1710 specifications page.
| Name | Dell Vostro 1710 |
| Processor | Intel Celeron-M 540 1.86GHz |
| Screen | 17” WXGA+ Widescreen |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 80GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 |
| Network | Ethernet, Intel 802.11abg |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested |
Notes
Graphics
The NVIDIA Geforce 8600M is also available for this laptop. This hasn't been tested but will likely work with the proprietary nvidia modules.
Wireless
Some variants of the Vostro 1710 include the Dell Wireless 1395 and 1505 controllers. These are Broadcom based controller which are not as well supported under Linux. If you are ordering this laptop it is recommended you select the Intel wireless option as used here.
Keyboard
In Ubuntu some users are reporting keyboard issues when installed from the installation DVD. It seems that installing from in installation CD doesn't cause this problem.
Summary
The Dell Vostro 1710 works well with Linux. If you stay away from the Broadcom based wireless controllers you shouldn't have too many problems here.
Discussion
Successfully used with Ubuntu 8.10
http://www.finalcog.com/dell-vostro-1710-linux-ubuntu-x86-64-review
Some more info re: wireless and Ubuntu 8.10 x86_64 - http://www.finalcog.com/dell-vostro-1710-linux-ubuntu-x86-64-review
ethernet has problem with Gigabits networks (work with 100Mb
thanks
Thanks for this info. I've already tried the Dell Studio 1735 and had trouble with a number of hardware issues, so your post helped me decide to order the Vostro. I'll be getting it with the Intel wifi, so that should solve my biggest concern.
Another review of Vostro 1710
http://blog.ptpbs.com/?p=37 ← another good review of that laptop
Trouble with the network
On my Vostro 1710 there is built in a Realtek RTL8111/8168B (reported by lspci). In the beginning there was not even a eth0 device. I learned that you can workaround it by activating Wake up by LAN in the BIOS. Then you find a device eth0, it is up, looks like working, but you can't get any connection.
The Dell-WLAN-Card is a Broadcom BCM4310. Not supported by Linux.
The good news: The Express Card Slot is working.
The display with the high resolution works fine!