This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which drivers you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required drivers have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.

Page Contents Authors Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Related Resources Summary

Authors

Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell XPS M1330 laptop. This is a small sized laptop and is (probably) the successor to the Dell XPS M1210.

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Specifications

Processor	Intel Core Duo T7100 1.8Ghz
Screen	13.3" WXGA
RAM	4GB
HDD	250GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS
Network	10/100 Ethernet + Intel 4965AGN 802.11abgn Wireless
Other	2 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes	See notes below
Sound	Yes	See notes below
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	See notes below
USB	Yes
Firewire	Tested at least as Network-Connection
Express Card Slot	Yes
Memory Card Reader	Worked at least with SD-Card

Notes

For the Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS in the M1330 you will need to use the proprietary nvidia driver as the open source nv driver does not yet support this chip.

Some models of the Dell XPS M1330 include the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 craphics chip. This has not been tested.

You can use the Linux UVC driver to get the inbuilt webcam working with the M1330. However these drivers are still experimental and quality isn't that great at the moment.

The 4965AGN wireless controller found in the M1330 is supported by the iwlwifi driver. By far the easiest method to use this driver is just to install a distribution which uses kernel version 2.6.22 or greater. An up to date Fedora 7 installation includes kernel 2.6.22 so that is recommended.

Sound does not function on the M1330 until at least version 1.0.15rc1 of the ALSA drivers are installed. Unfortunately at this time no Linux distribution includes these so you will need to download and compile the drivers yourself.

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring a nVidia graphics chip
Configuring the audio
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Configuring the iwl4965 driver for the Intel 4965AGN wireless controller
Increasing battery life

Summary

The sound is the biggest issue with the Dell XPS M1330. Other than that, as long as you use a distribution with kernel 2.6.22, this laptop works quite well although you do need some Linux knowledge to get some of the features of the M1330 working properly.


Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.