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 Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Related Resources Summary

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell XPS M2010. This is more of a desktop replacement rather than a laptop. It includes some very fast component with a very big screen making it not practical to carry it around much. Unfortunately the XPS M2010 is let down by the sound controller not working properly with Linux.

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Specifications

Name	Dell XPS M2010
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz
Screen	20.1" WSXGA+
RAM	1GB
HDD	100GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	ATI Mobility Radeon x1800
Network	10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth
Other	4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
HDD	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes
Sound	Partial
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	Use the ipw3945 driver
Bluetooth	Not Tested
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
SD Card Reader	Not Tested
ExpressCard Slot	Not Tested

Notes

Because of the ATI Mobility Radeon x1800 included with the XPS M2010 it is recommended that you use the proprietary fglrx driver from ATI rather than the radeon driver included with Xorg. This is because the Xorg driver does not support the 3D function at this time.

Currently the internal speakers of the XPS M2010 do not function under Linux although the headphone jack does work. This issue is quite common with some newer laptops. Hopefully future ALSA releases will fix this issue.

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring an ATI graphics chip
Configuring the audio
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life

Summary

The Dell XPS M2010 is one big computer with some high end components. Unfortunately with the sound issues this notebook currently has with Linux it is not the best choice for Linux. Hopefully this issue will be fixed soon.


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