Dell releases XPS 13 with Ubuntu, Thunderbolt 3 and Skylake chips

Dell will soon release a new version of the XPS 13 Developer Edition with Ubuntu. The laptop includes a USB-C interface with Thunderbolt 3 support. In addition, Dell also provides the Precision 5510, which is very similar to the XPS 15, with Ubuntu.

Many details about the Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition with Skylake chip are not yet available. Many parts likely match XPS 13 model 9350 that Dell released with Windows late last year. In addition, Dell employee Jared-D reports on the manufacturer’s Community Forum that release is imminent and that the Skylake XPS 13 will ship with either an Intel AC 8260 or Broadcom DW1820A Wi-Fi card, with the latter featuring the open source driver. will use Broadcom.

The employee also claims that video, USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt via the USB-c connection has been tested and supported. Testing docking stations would require more time. “I believe we are the first and only party to request Linux support for Thunderbolt 3 from Intel,” said Jared-D.

The Dell XPS 15 will not be available with Ubuntu, but in the US the Precision 5510, which is very similar to the XPS 15, has just appeared with Ubuntu 14.04 as an option. Dell no longer uses the Developer Edition name with that system to emphasize that the workstation is aimed at engineers and other professionals. The Precision 3510, 7510 and 7710 also get Ubuntu as an option. Dell says it is working hard on a European release, but details about those introductions are not yet known. Dell has been working on Ubuntu support for a limited group of laptops under the name Project Sputnik for years.