Zoom in / Dell XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition in its graphite color.
Dell
Dell extends its Linux love to the Dell XPS 13 Plus. The developer edition of the laptop is certified for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Canonical announced today. This means the laptop will ship from August with the latest version of Ubuntu, and XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition owners can download Ubuntu 22.04 LTS today (even if they bought it with Windows 11) for guaranteed performance.
The XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition is the first 22.04 LTS-certified laptop, joining only some Raspberry Pi devices in the certification. However, Dell has certified some of its XPS laptops, as well as other machines, for Ubuntu for generations. HP and Lenovo also have Ubuntu-certified systems.
Of course, Ubuntu’s certification means that all components will “work as expected,” as Canonical’s announcement today says. Additionally, Ubuntu LTS certification means that the device will have support for at least 10 years. Ubuntu’s release cycle page states that LTS (long-term support) releases include 10 years of “base package” support and security updates.
“Certified devices also include specific software or drivers that differ from the default distribution where necessary. They are defined in a meta-package that automatically [installs] the optimal configuration of packages, drivers and kernel to ensure the best experience on this device,” Canonical said in a statement.
“These changes make up the factory images used by partners like Dell, but are also pushed up to the main Ubuntu distribution so that certified devices receive the appropriate meta-package even when users install Ubuntu themselves.”
Enlarge / The XPS 13 Developer Edition is also available in platinum.
Ubuntu 22.04, announced in April, brings a new version of the Gnome 42 Linux desktop environment that promises “increased desktop performance with triple buffering, more control over … power management settings,” Canonical said. Other changes include new workspace layouts and touchpad gestures, and more customization options, such as a dark style on various desktops.
Since 2013, Dell Developer Edition laptops have been aimed at programmers, and the XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition represents the 10th generation.
Dell’s XPS 13 Plus typically features a visibly redesigned machine, including a MacBook-like capacitive touch bar that replaces the function row and other gimmicks to allow it to use a 28W instead of a 15W CPU. The XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition laptop reaches up to an Intel Core i7-1280P with six performance cores (1.8-4.8 GHz), eight efficient cores (1.3-3.6 GHz) and 20 threads.
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