GNU/Linux on Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 5491

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Almost a couple of years ago I bought new portable rig. So, now I would like to write my experience using it with the Windows 10 bundled in and different GNU/Linux flavors.

Basically I was looking for something

  • not too much big to handle around (let’s say 13” – 14”)
  • not too small to make me blind 😀
  • as light as possible
  • with interesting performance
  • and, lastly, as compatible as possible with GNU/Linux flavors.

(ok, the last one is a non-requirement but you know… new systems…)

Obviously, these characteristics are fairly incompatible with everything with a powerful discrete GPU. In my case I needed something to study, write and test code for signal processing and machine learning algorithms, so my decision ended up comparing the Dell Inspiron 14 with the HP Envy. Finally, I have chosen the Dell mainly for the historical hardware support for Linux.

Next, I decided to install 2 GNU/Linux distributions with Long Term Support and almost known to work on Dell hardware: Ubuntu 20.04 and Kubuntu 20.04.

What works:
-> Multiboot with Win10;
-> WiFi management (except some strange behavior noticed on Ubuntu which autosolved it probably with updates installed);
-> Double video card management (Intel/nVidia) on Ubuntu;
-> Webcam + microphone array;
-> Touch screen + gyroscopes;
-> USBs, SD card reader, HDMI;
-> Power and temperature management seems fine with powerd and thermald.

The main problem I noticed concerns power management, since the battery last for a very short time ( 3 hours when it was new, 1 hour after 2 years of usage – nothing even comparable with other products). Furthermore the touchscreen user experience is quite different depending on the software in use, the display manager and the desktop environment. The best experience seems to be reachable on Wayland + GNOME, but I have noticed that KDE is improving fix after fix.

In conclusion, GNU/Linux on Dell Inspiron 14 works out-of-the-box, in particular taking into account latest releases of Ubuntu, openSUSE or Fedora. The main disadvantage of this device basically is linked to the high inefficiency in power management, since the battery will need to be replaced in a few months (thus making it less portable than it should).

Hopefully in the near future we will see more devices based on ARM technology to further raise competition also in terms of hardware power consumption and CPU capabilities.

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