This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron 15 laptop.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Dell Inspiron 15. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Dell Inspiron 15 page on LapWik.
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For full specifications see the Dell Inspiron 15 specifications page.
| Name | Dell Inspiron 15 |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Dual Core Intel® Core 2 Duo |
| Screen | 15.6” WXGA (1366×768) Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 4GB |
| HDD | up to 320GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW Blu-ray |
| Graphics | Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Mini-Card Dell Wireless 1515 Wireless-N Mini-Card Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Works | |
| Screen | Works | |
| HDD | Works | |
| Optical Drive | Works | |
| Graphics | Works | |
| Sound | Works | |
| Ethernet | Not Working | No drivers by the look of things |
| Wireless | Yes for Intel, Partial for Broadcom | If you have the Intel wireless card in your laptop then the wireless will work just fine. If you have the Dell card, which is just a re-badged Broadcom card, then you'll need to manually install these drivers |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Works | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Webcam | Works |
If you are buying this laptop you should order it will the Intel wireless card. That will save you many headaches.
The Dell Inspiron 15 works well with Linux if you avoid the Dell wireless controller.
Discussion
on inspiron 15r ubuntu 10.04 doesn't have any touchpad control – 10.04 on an inspiron 1525 for instance I can go to mouse preferences and i have a tab for touchpad (already set up) (no tap to click no touchpad while typing) all good
on 15 r no tab no control over touchpad - touchpad permanently interrupts typing which renders ubuntu 10.04 UNUSEABLE on this machine (in basic configuration) – you can disable tap to click & also click while typing but it is unavailable from a GUI. Personally I could configure it but I haven't the to configure something so basic (requires multiple restarts exiting X) – also – try that with interrupted typing … has caused me to move to Fedora.
Doesn't work on Fedora either
fact is that this laptop is unuseable with linux
CARD READER works great in fedora 11 to 13, debian lenny - squeeze and arch linux
Anybody tried running 3D graphics with OpenGL on an Inspiron 15?
I installed OpenSuse 11.2 x64 version. Only problem I had was the network. I could not get either Ethernet or Wireless to work. After few days of research, I found that Broadcom had contributed a driver for the wireless as explained below:
http://www.broadcom.com/docs/linux_sta/README.txt
I followed the instructions written there, compiled and installed the driver. I use KNetworkManager to set up the connection to my access point with WEP128. Works great.
My ethernet is not working yet, but I can at least get by using wireless.
Below is the download site at Broadcom. I tried it on OpenSuse 11.2 x64, but I believe it should work with Fedora as well with the latest Kernel Versions.2.6.31.xxx
http://www.broadcom.com/support/802.11/linux_sta.php
Good luck!
I run fedora 10 on my dell inspiron 1545, but my bluetooth and wifi is not working, even with my network cable i can't access the internet.
from where i can get wlan driver for inspiron 1545 for fedora 10..?
I own Dell Inspiron 1545 and there arent many disabilities. They limit to media keys, not every distro wants to detect them and problem with wifi - additional drivers are needed.
Those disabilities excludes Ubuntu 9.xx - wifi and media keys just works. On Fedora 11/12, openSUSE 11/11.1/11.2 and Debian you have to look for external resources.
I am running 2.6.30-1.slh.3-sidux-amd64, generally working well. I am still working on the wifi. And what is with the function keys, must be the version I got.
Ubuntu 9.04 installed, everything works pretty well. Still have some problem with the volume control though. also The battery seems to run out quite faster than on vista.
hi. how much inspiron 15 dell?
I run debian testing on my inspiron 15. The initial installation is OK with no problem.
After that it X works with vesa driver and french keyboard is not recognized, so I fix the keyboard the driver (intel) and the resolution of the screen in xorg.conf and now the X server is OK.
For the wifi I use the wl driver from broadcom, it compiles well with the 2.6.26 kernel, with a 2.6.30 compilation ends with an error. With 2.6.26 kernel wifi works well.
The camera works directly.
For the sound I have to enter “alsactl init” after the boot. The speaker is ok but the micro does not work.
Hi, has anyone installed Fedora on an Inspiron 15? If so, how was your experience?
I've ran both Ubu 9.04 and Fedora seamlessly on the i15. It was an extremely easy switch(much easier than any workstation I've loaded Ubu on)
Everything is fine with Fedora, but if you have Dell Wireless wifi adapter you must use external resources for a proper driver.
i have 1545 intel wifi model, works great in fedora, external vga, multimedia keys, bluetooth, wifi, usb, card reader, touchpad, dvd recorder… all works out of the box since fedora 11.
The sound was a bit tricky to get working with Ubuntu 9.04, but everything else worked out of the box… even the Wifi and the webcam.
One of the smoothest Linux installs I've had in a while.
Hi,
What you did for volume, for me it does not seem to work out of the box, well it works but the output is not good.
Installed 9.04 on it and everything was recognized (network, wireless, webcam, usb…).
The only “problem” I have is with xrandr because I would like to bump up the screen resolution (1366×768 is a little bit 'short' IMO)
I should have added I don't have the bluetooth option. I also swapped out the 160gig hard drive for a 500 gig seagate. 8.10 also worked great but 9.04 has much better features.
I run Ubuntu 9.04 64 bit on my Dell new inspiron 15. It works excellent, much faster than the OS it came with.