Dell Unveils Linux-Powered XPS 13 Developer Edition

If you prefer Linux to Windows, Dell has a new lightweight laptop for you to consider. The company just launched the XPS 13 Developer Edition, which comes with Ubuntu Linux 14.04 SP1 preloaded instead of Windows 10. Starting at $1,549, the developer edition comes in three different configurations, each with Core i7 processors and 13.3-inch, 3200 x 1800 touch screens. 

Our favorite laptop overall, the Dell XPS 13 packs long battery life, strong performance and a gorgeous, nearly-bezel free screen into an extremely light package. The base model of the regular XPS 13 weighs just 2.6 pounds and starts at $799 with a Core i3 processor, but configurations with the 3200 x 1800 touch screen, which the Developer Edition has, tip the scales at a still-svelte 2.9 pounds and start at $1,399 with a Core i5 CPU. 

MORE: Dell XPS 13 User Guide

In addition to its high-res display, the $1,549 config of the XPS 13 Developer Edition comes with a Core i7-6560U CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB PCIe SSD. The non-developer edition of the XPS 13 with the same specs and Windows 10 Home costs $100 more, but comes with a special gold-colored chassis. 

Dell is also selling $1,949 and $2,349 configurations of the Dell XPS 13 Developer edition. The $1,949 XPS 13 has the same Core i7 CPU but jumps up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD while the $2,349 XPS 13 swaps out the 512GB SSD for a 1TB model. You can get a Windows XPS 13 with the same specs as the $1,949 Developer Edition for $1,999.

Linux fans who want a less expensive XPS 13 or longer endurance should consider buying one of the Windows models that comes with a non-touch display and installing Ubuntu after purchase. On the Laptop Mag Battery Test, a non-touch model lasted 11 hours and 42 minutes while the touch version clocked in at 8 hours and 8 minutes. Dell sells a model with a Core i5 CPU, 1920 x 1080 display and 128GB SSD for $999.

Avram Piltch
Online Editorial Director
The official Geeks Geek, as his weekly column is titled, Avram Piltch has guided the editorial and production of Laptopmag.com since 2007. With his technical knowledge and passion for testing, Avram programmed several of LAPTOP's real-world benchmarks, including the LAPTOP Battery Test. He holds a master's degree in English from NYU.