This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Studio 15 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 Studio 15. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Dell Studio 15 page on LapWik.
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
For full specifications see the Dell Studio 15 specifications page.
| Name | Dell Studio 15 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 2.16GHz (various CPU - example also P8400) |
| Screen | 15.4” WXGA Widescreen (also WXGA+) |
| RAM | 3-4 GB |
| HDD | 250GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 / 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 |
| Network | Ethernet, Dell 1397 802.11abg (or Intel 5100/5300agn), Bluetooth |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | See notes |
| Sound | Yes | See notes |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | See notes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | See notes |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| Card Reader | Yes | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Camera | Yes | Uses the uvc driver |
The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 works with the openGL driver radeonhd. Proprietary ATI modules provide full support. Instructions for doing this is available in the guides section of this site.
The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 has no information yet.
The VGA out successfully drives an external monitor (tested on openSUSE-11.1 with proprietary ati driver and KDE-4.3.2).
The Dell 1397 wireless controller found in the Studio 15 laptop is supported by a hybrid driver released by Broadcom. More information can be found at http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/10/03/linux-driver-available-for-dell-wireless-cards.aspx.
The drivers are available at http://www.broadcom.com/support/802.11/linux_sta.php.
The Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN and 5300AGN wireless can also be procured with this laptop. They both require the 2.6.27 kernel to function (tested on openSUSE-11.1 and openSUSE-11.2).
Headset sound (both side jacks), integrated and external mic and speaker sound, to function properly in terms of appropriate muting and unmuting requires an alsa version more recent than 1.0.18a. (See Discussion below) HDMI audio not functioning yet.
The bluetooth should work with the latest Ubuntu kernel. If you are not using the latest Ubuntu kernel, you must apply the patches described here:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/linux/kernel/949392.
All of the laptop's basic features are supported by Linux. Dell ships Ubuntu with some versions of the Studio line.