Does the developer edition XPS work? https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/overview/cp/linuxsystem...

I have the 2019 XPS 13 with the hidpi screen. It runs Linux beautifully. I used to run Ubuntu 18.04 and now run Manjaro. Both work without a hitch. I use GNOME, so the hidpi performance is really great. I strongly recommend the XPS 13 line.

I've been very pleased with my 2018 model of the XPS 13 Developer edition. Highly recommend.

Does the graphics system hold up? I wasn't able to find anything with reasonable CUDA cores (I do parallel algorithm development). Anyone have experience with Precision mobile workstations? Still seem quite slim form factor.

> I love that this is a professional laptop that comes with a 144hz screen. But 1080p? Not even 1920x1200? Boo..

Yeah. 16:9 screens are frankly unprofessional. They're for gaming and movies, not work. Give us a 16:10 (like Apple and a handful of other vendors still use).

Give us an LG Gram 17 with a little more oomph and better speakers. The 17" 2560x1600 screen seems like it would be perfect for development - same resolution as the 13" MBP but a little more space to spread it out.

https://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-17Z990-RAAS8U1-ultra-slim-l...

Agree, but as well a big "normal" keyboard (incl. a keypad). Basically like a lenovo p70/1/2/... but thin (and without discrete GPU nor superfast CPU). I just want a big screen & keyboard :(

Or 3:2. I got a Pixelbook on a whim a couple years back and the 3:2 display is one of many things I absolutely love about the hardware.

If only I could do something about the software...

You can. Buy or solder a SuzyQable[1] to unlock the firmware, flash MrChromebox's coreboot build[2], and install linux on it. I'm typing this message right now on my pixelbook running Arch Linux. So far the only problems I have with it is the audio does not work and I can't change screen brightness. The screen brightness is because linux refuses to use DPCD when the PWM line is connected. On the pixelbook the PWM line is connected but doesn't do anything. There are kernel patches you can apply to force DPCD but personally I'm just hoping someone eventually commits a fix upstream to let us toggle it.

[1] https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14746

[2] https://mrchromebox.tech/

> So far the only problems I have with it is the audio does not work

Well that's kind of a deal breaker for me, lol

Still, good to know there are options, and that cable looks handy; thanks for the links!

I actually wanted a 1080p screen, because resolution scaling support on Linux may not be all that great. At least it broke somewhat on a 4k laptop I used.

I like the freedom of Linux, but I find the best support to be for the least common denominator of feature sets.

How about the Dell Precision 5550 or 5570?

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Precision-5550-5750-First...

* 1920x1200 or 3840x2400 * 64MB RAM, ECC w/ Xeon CPU

I second that. Why is it so hard to have something similar to a mac pro? My wish list: Good screen, around 15", 4k or at least more than 1080p, non-glare or glare-reduced, good, large touchpad, not too thick or heavy, usb-c charging, webcam.

Get an X1 Carbon with a 4K screen perhaps.

Maybe? Any (recent, 8th gen and up) 's' model Thinkpad would be fine, especially with a WQHD screen. 4K would bludgeon their battery.

The X1 Carbon (and the XPS 13) use the less powerful U processors.

Agreed. Not a powerhouse (get the X1 extreme if you need discrete graphics), but its an excellent product nonetheless.