Linux Driver/Software Support for M6700

I'm looking at getting the M6700 Covet just because I spend a minimum of 12+ hours a day everyday on a machine and I enjoy coding on a really nice machine. First thing I will end up doing is removing the OS and installing Gentoo. And It's not that I really need so much power or RAM, but I do find a need for it once every blue moon.

I'm curious to know if anyone has had any linux drivers issues with any of the components on this machine, or if they find that it's a bit overkill or that linux drivers just don't take advantage of certain features on it. In the past I've found that it's more an issue of the Linux Desktop that just doesn't support much of the hardware capabilities such as advanced video techniques, pad swipes, finger print scans, etc... and I'm ok w/ that, but would just like to know where it currently stands.

Any comments much appreciated.

 

I run Gentoo on my M6700 with K3000M. I use KDE4 with Compiz as my desktop environment. The nvidia drivers as are as far as I'm aware complete other then they do not support Optimus. All other functionality of that card is usable in linux. Bumblebee 3.0 provides a way of using Optimus functionality. Not as seamless as in windows but arguably more powerful from what I understand. I had to disable Optimus in BIOS initially to get X up and running until I had installed these tools. I have everything working that I personally want except for LCD backlight control. I am sure I will get that going also once I get round to looking at it.

To get the Broadcom wireless adapter working I had to disable the wireless switch in BIOS otherwise the kernel would hang when attempting to bring up the interface. This is no big deal for me I would rather use a 'software switch' then a hardware one to control it anyhow.

Not sure what you mean by 'advanced video techniques'. I don't think there is anything quite like compiz and KDE4 works really well. When I am forced to use windows or OSX I cant help think how primitive these OS's feel in comparison. People often say compiz is just eye candy but I think with expo it really does improve productivity. I often have several applications running full screen on various faces of my eight sided 'cube' and being able to swap between these smoothly and use expo or key combinations to organise windows in the remaining panes is really useful.

I presume you mean gestures? I cant comment on these features as I dont use them or have any interesting in using them.

In my personal opinion the M6700 is a beautiful machine and really pleasant to use. Despite a few teething troubles I am very happy with this machine. If Dell added hi res displays and a choice of other mobile graphics cards it would be unbeatable in my opinion. There are many people who need a powerful and dependable machine but have no need for certified drivers. The mobile quadro does not have ECC memory either and neither does that laptop so you don't get this 'workstation' class feature anyhow.

I don't think there is any reason to think an M6700 is an overkill for Gentoo. It all depends what you want to do with it. It is configurable from rather modest to quite powerful so there is plenty of room to size it to your needs.

 

Thanks for all the info. That sounds about right for what I expected.

I do like the nvidia drivers, rarely ever have problems with them. I was definately looking to bump it up to the K3000M. Have you used that to power any ext. monitors? Working well?

Thanks again.

 

In General current Dell Laptops run very well with Linux. Optimus is an issue, true. If you use it as an desktop replacement just disable it completely ... for road warriors i'd suggest a pure intel gfx instead. Intel wifi, mobile broadband, etc all works flawless

 

Hello. Does anyone managed to have a fully functionnal touchpad using Linux on the M6700 ? I cannot swipe (vertically or horizontally) to scroll and this is quite annoying.
Thank you.

 

Not me i have the same problems... I have put a bug report in for Linux mint a while ago, but nothing has come of it.

Anyone else able to help here???