Dell Vostro V13

[MooPi]

Looking for a testimonial for the New Dell Vostro V13 Ubuntu laptop. I'm going to sell my netbook and this looks like an acceptable replacement. But I'm to chicken to jump without someone's first hand knowledge.

[Dayofswords]

this? http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/vostro-v13/pd.aspx?refid=vostro-v13&cs=04&s=bsd
looks nice

EDIT:found a review
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/dell-vostro-v13-hands-on-impressions-yes/


Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 32-Bit with Downgrade Rights Service to Windows® XP Professional
Ha!

[pwnst*r]

that non-user replaceable battery is a turn off.

[MooPi]

looks nice

EDIT:found a review
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/dell-vostro-v13-hands-on-impressions-yes/


Ha!
Look to the left and you'll see the wimp in the room loaded with Ubuntu LInux

[ttk153]

I ordered one last night. I am very excited about it and I will post a review. I bought the model that comes with ubuntu preinstalled and has the celeron processor. It came to $490 with tax and shipping. I can't wait.

[Psumi]

that non-user replaceable battery is a turn off.

Seriously.

[Saunter]

I have another thread going here on the Vostro v13:

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19313273.aspx

I received mine about a week ago. It booted-up Kubuntu 9.10 from the live CD without any problems. Everything worked fine after installation including wireless and bluetooth. I just needed to turn up the PCM slider in the mixer to get more sound. I like the v13 mostly because the form-factor is ideal for working in an airline coach seat: It fits perfectly on the tray table and I can see the screen at the proper angle even if the person in front of me is reclined. The light weight and thin case are also very handy.

It seems that many are worried about the non-swappable battery. I was too, but then remembered that I've never swapped a laptop battery anyway! I just recharge the one installed. I spent 7 hours roundtrip in coach with it yesterday. The battery seems to be good for about 3 hours without recharging. If it ever goes bad, it will require opening the case to replace it, but that's probably a long way in the future.

My only problem so far is connecting to my home wireless network. I can connect fine to anyone else's, just not my own! The Network Manager says that I'm connected, tells me the assigned IP address and so on, but I can't do anything! I can't even ping my own router! It must be some glitch in the driver because my other laptop running Kubuntu 9.10 connects OK. I also dual-boot the v13 with *******7 and that connects just fine. Weird!

[karimketchum]

I've had mine for about 10 days. It's great. Ubuntu 9.04. Everything works perfectly. Solid machine.

[Psumi]

I've had mine for about 10 days. It's great. Ubuntu 9.04. Everything works perfectly. Solid machine.

And if we need to replace the battery?

[a_frenchswallow]

Just received mine the other day with Ubuntu 9. I recommend upgrading to Ubuntu 10, it's a bit nicer and free (of course).

Seems to be working great, very light, nice keyboard, battery life is about 3 hours, and it feels solid. The price is outstanding too - for what you get.

The only problem I've come across so far is the wireless turned disabled, however the function key + wireless key turns on and off the Bluetooth but not the wireless. Trying to figure out how to fix it now.

[Shakz]

Man thats pretty sweet that they charge you 100 dollars less for a better OS :-D

[lobotomy42]

I've had it for five days - so far, so good!

Only downside is the synaptics touchpad issue:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3525/t/19324786.aspx

[admhttn]

Anyone have any trouble with the wifi card? I've been searching around, mine is disabled at boot. Works great in windows, but i can't "enable" it in ubuntu 10.04.

At best- I've used "ifconfig wlan0 up" to make the antenna light come on... but it still doesn't seem to work.

(I've created another thread for this, but no replies):(

Thanks,
Adam

[cooltd825]

did you try "sudo ifconfig wlan0 up"?

[Yeti can't ski]

Hello there, did anyone find a solution for the Synaptics touchpad issue?

[bitinerant]

Anyone have any trouble with the wifi card? I've been searching around, mine is disabled at boot. Works great in windows, but i can't "enable" it in ubuntu 10.04.

The fix for the WiFi, at least for Ubuntu 10.10, is:


sudo aptitude install bcmwl-kernel-source

One user says to shut down after this, not just reboot, so I did this to be safe and WiFi works well now. (I'm still searching for a fix for the touchpad.)

[Yeti can't ski]

Good news on the touchpad issue:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=10332866#post10332866