On 21/06/2015 21:16, gottl...@nyu.edu wrote: > I am seriously thinking of updating my dell 6430s laptop purchased 3 > years ago. NYU has an arrangement with dell so that is the only maker > I am considering. This machine will be essentially gentoo only (I > configure my computers to dual boot some version of windows for ease > in dealing with dell support). > > The hardest decision is size vs performance, but I know you can't help > with that. I have pretty much decided on the dell 7450. My questions > concern three options: Graphics, Wireless, Screen. But would appreciate > any other advice you have.
I've used nothing bur Dell laptops for 10 years (currently on #5), and I've yet to run into any hardware support issues. > > I will definitely get > * 16GB ram (2 x 8GB) > * 512GB solid state disk > * most powerful CPU compatible with the options chosen > > 1. Graphics. > I can afford a high-end graphics co-processor, but prefer the > software/administrative simplicity of intel graphics. I do not > play high speed games or otherwise run graphics intensive > applications. Am I correct in believing that Linux (the kernel) > supports (the dell option) > Intel Core i7-5600U Processor, UMA graphics, Smart Card > directly with no extra gentoo package needed? All intel cards I've ever seen are supported. My current machine has an AMD co-card, the one before a Nvidia co-card. Both times I just used the Intel hardware, it does eveything I need > > 2. Wireless. > > My current home router/wireless-access-point (linksys WRT54G) > supports 10/100 wired and 802.11bg wireless. I have no problems > with this device or our home network, but I could upgrade to a > 1-gigabit version if deemed important. > > Currently I must install net-wireless/broadcom-sta. This has caused > no problems to date, but a wireless chip supported directly by linux > would be preferable. Hmm, broadcom. Lots of effort, IMNSHO not worth the effort. > > I would appreciate help choosing among the following dell options > (the prices are about the same). > a. Intel Tri Band Wireless-AC 17265 802.11AC > Wi-Fi + Wi-Gig + BT 4.0 LE Wireless Card > b. Dell Wireless 1707 802.11n Single Band > Wi-Fi + BT 4.0LE Wireless Card > c. Dell Wireless 1560 (802.11ac 2x2, WiFi & BT) > d. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 802.11AC > Wi-Fi + BT 4.0 LE Wireless Card (2X2) "Dell" branded wireless is pot luck what it might actually be under the covers. My current one (class n) is actually a broadcom and needs broadcom-sta (which I can't get to work). Intel wifi cards OTH, seem to Just Work. I recommend you go with an intel card, or swap it out later (they are fairly cheap) > > 3. Screen > I am only considering 1920x1080 (best available) with a camera. > a. "Touch" is available for $160. > Are touch screens supported on gentoo/gnome? No idea, never used one. I have a tablet and a phone for Touch, and if I *really* want to swipe, I guess there's always that latest Windows > b. Some screens (including "touch") are "WiGig capable". > This requires option 2a above (Tri Band Wireless-AC). > Is WiGig valuable and is it easy to administer? Never heard of it :-) So on the whole, my experience with higher-end Dell is that hardware is pretty much well-supported across the boards with very few gotchas. The only two exceptions would be wifi cards (cheap to fix) and maybe GPU co-processor (if you are unlucky to get an unsupported cutting edge one and need to wait a bit for Linux support to catch up). -- Alan McKinnon alan.mckin...@gmail.com
