Dell Precision M3800 mobile workstation - Developer Edition now available!!

Also, http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/b/techcenter/archive/2015/01/27/you-asked-for-it-ubuntu-officially-on-the-precision-m3800-worldwide

This is great news!

I don't want to be "that guy" though, but...

1. This seems to be the same hardware as last year's m3800 model.  Are there any plans to use more up to date hardware like the broadwell cpu?
2. What about a GeForce GPU option?  The GeForce has much better price/performance compared to the Quadro, and I would primarily be using my next computer for Programming with some occasional gaming on the side.  I like to have some power at my disposal (so a dedicated card is prefered), but I don't want to pay for a card designed for stuff like CAD work which I will never use.

This seems to be the same hardware as last year's m3800 model.  Are there any plans to use more up to date hardware like the broadwell cpu?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2865877/dell-plans-laptops-with-intels-skylake-chips-in-second-half-of-year.html

Though actually, the processor was changed to the i7-4712HQ from the i7-4702HQ. The high-end display has been changed from a QHD+ panel to a UHD panel. Thunderbolt 2 support was added to the hardware for the same cost.

What about a GeForce GPU option?  The GeForce has much better price/performance compared to the Quadro, and I would primarily be using my next computer for Programming with some occasional gaming on the side.  I like to have some power at my disposal (so a dedicated card is prefered), but I don't want to pay for a card designed for stuff like CAD work which I will never use.

Sorry, no GeForce option. I'd love it if we could offer a Linux option for gamers right now (seems like the Ubuntu version of the Alienware X51 got dropped), but we have to focus our resources on where we can make the most impact.

Want one with the 4K display today; can't afford one today LOL

What I can afford is a refurb or used M3800 in eBay; will off-the-shelf Ubuntu pretty much work on the M3800? Anything I need to work around? Been using Linux since the late nineties, not afraid to get my hands dirty to make it work, if I have to.

Thanks!

Is there a docking station for this laptop? Does the laptop and docking station (if there is one) support two monitors?

I want to move away from Windows and want something I can hook into a KVM switch to toggle between Windows and Ubuntu. I would get the high end of this laptop if I could use it as a desktop. I have the XPS 13 DE and like it.

I am glad to see you guys trying to push products into Linux.

EDIT:

I see the Dell Docking Station USB 3.0 – D3100 on this page http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/precision-m3800-workstation/pd.aspx , but do not see how to select it when configuring. I see the docking station supports triple monitors, so the question is does the laptop support two monitors?

Though actually, the processor was changed to the i7-4712HQ from the i7-4702HQ. The high-end display has been changed from a QHD+ panel to a UHD panel. Thunderbolt 2 support was added to the hardware for the same cost.

I think you've convinced me then.  But how do I ship to Canada?  I spec'ed out an m3800 on the US website but there didn't seem to be any Canada shipping options, and I went to the Canada website but it didn't offere Ubuntu, and also had fewer configuration options.

@FinalFantasyKid

It should be available in Canada, let me check into this.

thanks!

@FinalFantasyKid

This is what i learned for the team

If you’re looking at the new “Flex” configs you won’t see UBUNTU – You have to be looking at the full custom build to order code, where it was supposed to have been added 

Can you confirm which you were looking at?  If you were looking at the full custom build then there is I problem.  Let me know.

thanks!

Barton

This is the page I've been looking at: http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=pm38001516c1f01ca&model_id=precision-m3800-workstation&c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1

Ubuntu isn't on any of the options, and there are also no options for a second harddrive, and that one only goes up to 8GB RAM.

This one: http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=pm38001516c1f02ca&model_id=precision-m3800-workstation&c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1 has some of the options like the 2nd harddrive and 16GB memory, but still no Ubuntu and also doesn't have the 30% discount on right now.

This is the configuration that I came up with using the US website:

@FinalFantasyKid,

Ive alerted the team and we're looking into it.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for the heads up!

Barton

@FinalFantasyKid,

There was a glitch and it should be fixed now. Check out the link below, select the "Fully Customizable" system on the left.  Under "operating system"  choose  Ubuntu Linux 14.04 SP1

Thanks again for bringing this to our attention!

Thanks Barton

I see it now and has way more options now, including Ubuntu as an OS.  I should be able to spec something up :)  Thanks for all the effort with this project!

@Blugillandlinux

To get Ubuntu going on an older M3800, check out Jared's blog 

HTH

I want to buy one of these, but I have a few questions. Some of which I posted on Barton's blog post, but this may be a more appropriate place.

1) I want to get the 4K display, but in case I can’t stand it and the DPI settings in Ubuntu seem to not be consistent currently. Does 1920×1080 show up as an option in the display resolution and work cleanly?

2) I can't find a list of available ports/connectors for this refresh. Is it the same as last year's model + thunderbolt? Or did we give up something to get thunderbolt?

3) Using Ubuntu, Can I plug in monitors to both the HDMI and mini DisplayPort, and have a 2 monitor external setup (even if the built-in display is off). I currently do this with my E6510 (via DisplayPort and VGA) but want to make sure I have some option for both my external monitors to connect

4) What about docking. Obviously this machine does not have a real docking station like my E6510 is capable of. I’ve read reports that the USB-style docking stations do not work with Linux. Has this been resolved and/or planned to be resolved soon as part of project Sputnik?

5) Is this a custom ubuntu build or a stock build with an additional apt repo for specific drivers? How to handle applying Ubuntu OS updates or re-installs(even if not officially supported)?

I found a way to make a new one happen, so my 3800 should ship on 2/12 :)

Thanks for your support of Linux! It was a major factor in the M3800 defeating the other finalist (Thinkpad W540) as my new laptop.  I'm a 15-year Linux user, from back in the days where a lot of compiling from source was involved in getting what you wanted out of Linux. The Dell Sputnik team rocks!