This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron 710m laptop. The Inspiron 710m is a laptop very similar to the Dell Inspiron 700m. Like the 700m, Linux compatibility is very good.
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.
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| Name | Dell Inspiron 710m |
| Processor | Intel Pentium-M 755 2.0GHz |
| Screen | 12.1” WXGA |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 60GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD-ROM/CD-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 2200 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 2 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-intel8x0 module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw2200 module |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Yes | SD and SDHC |
The screen on the Dell Inspiron 710m has a native resolution of 1280×800. This can be an issue with many Linux distributions due to the way the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 functions. Information on how to fix this can be viewed on our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.
Some minor configuration work may be necessary to get the screen on the Dell Inspiron 710m working in Linux. Otherwise installation and configuration was easy.
Discussion
More to add…
Microphone (both microphone 1 and microphone 2) does NOT work.
Only GNOME Classic (with and without Effects) works. Cinnamon, MATE and GNOME3 do NOT work.
I installed Linux Mint 12 on a Dell 710m and fully upgraded.
However, the Fn key does NOT work, and so ALL the “Fn” functions on the keyboard are NOT working.
No problem with screen resolution (1280×800) here!
Hope that helps!
I have PCLinuxOS 2007 running on this laptop with 2GB memory. The only issue I've run into as yet is with the sound. It only works thru the headphone jack, not the speakers. After a lot of googling, I haven't found a resolution yet, but PCLOS is in the process of a major version upgrade (as of Dec 08) and I'm hoping that'll fix this problem.
I haven't tested the modem, but everything else works great; wireless functions well, no problems with the screen resolution after upgrading from the Live CD, and some of the Function buttons (sreen brightness, wireless on/off, “keypad” buttons) work. I watch DVDs, surf and play old DOS games (DOSBox works great) as well as some older Windows games in Wine. USB works with thumb drives and my backup hard drive. CD writing with K3B is good as well. Other than the niggling sound issue, I love this Distro on this laptop.
looking to change
I have a 710m and am looking at switching to Ubuntu. my laptop is slow from the Dell/microshaft bloatware and I am sick of it. I have some concern with the mentioning of “display” issues. In your experience did the display work, just not in ideal resolutions? Or was it a black screen or otherwise not readable/workable display? My concern is that if my display is not usable I don't know that I am capable enough to get it back to a working condition and I really don't want to lose my notebook. If the display works to a degree and I can still use it to operate on the machine I am confident that I can correct the issue.
Please let me know - chess1983(a-t)comcast(d-o-t)net
Re: looking to change
I'm typing this on a 710m running Ubuntu 8.04. It works like a charm. What I did: Download and burn the 'live' CD. Free up a lot of space on your Windows partition. Make a backup. Defrag the Windows partition. Insert the 'live' CD and boot from it. Then install Ubuntu and choose to keep Windows. It will resize the Windows partition and install Linux on a new partition. So I can still use Windows if I want to. The display is just fine and I don't think I had to tweak anything (I started with the 7.10 distro and upgraded to 8.04 recently). Hope this helps.