Student Laptop : Thinkpad T420s vs Dell XPS 15z

AMA · 07-16-2011, 11:08 AM

Hello,

I'm going to buy a new laptop very soon. I'm using linux since a while so i'll install a linux distro on it too. I'm a college student so i'm gonna take my laptop to class etc, plus multimedia, programming, and some photoshop via vmware i think.

Thinkpads seem to be pretty linux-friendly from what i've read on the net, so my first choice is the Thinkpad T420s:

Code:

Description  
ThinkPad T420s - Express - 3 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty Modifier
Processor: Processeur Intel Core i5-2520M (2,50 GHz, 3 Mo L3) Modifier
Operating system: Windows 7 Professional 64 Authentique Modifier
Operating system language: Windows 7 Professional 64 Authentique Anglais Modifier
Display type: Ecran 14,0" HD+ (1600 x 900) antireflets avec rétro-éclairage par LED, prêt pour le haut débit pour mobile Modifier
System graphics: Processeur Intel Core i5-2520M (2,50 GHz, 3 Mo L3) Modifier
Total memory: Mémoire 4 Go PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333 MHz SODIMM (2 modules DIMM) à 1066 MHz Modifier
Keyboard: Clavier anglais (Etats-Unis) international avec le symbole de l'euro Modifier
Camera: 720p HD Camera Modifier
Hard drive: Disque dur 320 Go, 7200 tr/min Modifier
Optical device: graveur DVD Modifier
System expansion slots: Emplacement de carte Express Modifier
Battery: Batterie Li-Ion 6 cellules - 66+ Modifier
Power cord: Pack aux normes de la France Modifier
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 3.0 Modifier
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN) Modifier
Integrated mobile broadband: Bande large mobile intégrée - En option Modifier
Language pack: Module de langue WE (FR/GE/IT/IT/DU/EN)

I've come out to another one which also:
http://www.dell.com/fr/p/xps-15z/pd?...s-15z#TechSpec

So which one seems the best ? Do you have any other similar choices ?

Thanks.

kasl33 · 07-16-2011, 02:06 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I have a Dell XPS L501X which has very common hardware (something Dell is good at providing) which works extremely well with Linux. I never have hardware/driver issues.

My friend has a thinkpad and his hardware is all pretty common too - meaning he has no issues with Linux on it either.

So, I say go with whichever fits your budget and your style. Personally, I'm a little jealous of the little red mouse control button (whatever you call it) that the thinkpads have.

sirio400516x · 07-27-2011, 03:30 AM

Hi kasl_33, I am interested in what you said because I am trying to figure out if a Dell XPS is fedora 15 compatible. You said you never had problems

Quote:

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I have a Dell XPS L501X which has very common hardware (something Dell is good at providing) which works extremely well with Linux. I never have hardware/driver issues.

I have been reading for a while and I know that there is at least one certain issue with XPS hardware configuration and I mean the nvidia graphic card. Nvidia developed this new technology, Optimus, which seems to not work, yet (I hope), under linux. Have you experienced this issue? If yes, how did you solve this problem? All relevant I found is
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=266620
and
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1713308

Thanks

cascade9 · 07-27-2011, 04:00 AM

The dell has optimus-

Quote:

Carte graphique 1Go NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M avec Optimus

http://www.dell.com/fr/p/xps-15z/pd?...s-15z#TechSpec

Sometimes you can force the nVidia GPU from the BIOS, but thats not common (and I'm not sure if the dell can do that, but I dont think it can). Sometimes its possible to force the nVidia GPU with software as well.

If you cant force the nVidia GPU in BIOS, or use software to force the GPU, then it just sits there sucking power and creating heat.

Its best just to avoid optimus for linux use.

sirio400516x · 07-27-2011, 04:22 AM

I see, that's very unuseful. Btw I know for sure that dell BIOS doesn't allow you to force or disable the nvidia graphics.

kasl33 · 07-27-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirio400516x

Hi kasl_33, I am interested in what you said because I am trying to figure out if a Dell XPS is fedora 15 compatible. You said you never had problems

I have been reading for a while and I know that there is at least one certain issue with XPS hardware configuration and I mean the nvidia graphic card. Nvidia developed this new technology, Optimus, which seems to not work, yet (I hope), under linux. Have you experienced this issue? If yes, how did you solve this problem? All relevant I found is
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=266620
and
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1713308

Thanks

I don't have the optimus I have the geforce gt 435 m