Project Sputnik keeps rolling on!
Today I’m proud to announce the new the Linux-based Dell Precision Mobile workstation line: the 3530, 5530, 7530 and the 7730. These systems, which represent the fourth generation of the Precision developer editions, come preloaded with Ubuntu and have been RHEL certified.
These new thinner, lighter, premium-built Precision mobile workstations feature the latest Intel Core and Xeon processors, blazing-fast memory and professional graphics.
The new Precision 3530
Available today
Coming soon
- Dell Precision 5530 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
- Dell Precision 7530 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
- Dell Precision 7730 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
A double click on the specs
Dell Precision 3530 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
15-inch fully customizable and high-performance mobile workstation at an entry-level price point
- 8th Gen Intel® Core™ and next-generation Xeon® processors
- Memory speeds up to 2666MHz up to 32GB
- PCIe storage capacity up to 2TB
- NVIDIA Quadro® P600 professional graphics cards with 4GB of memory
- Support for 4K video to an external monitor at 60fps via HDMI 2.0
- Ports include HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt and VGA
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS preinstalled
- RHEL 7.5 certified (details below)
- Available worldwide
Dell Precision 5530 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
Dell’s thinnest, lightest and smallest 15″ mobile workstation with enhanced graphics, and a stunning design and display
- Available in Platinum Silver or Brushed Onyx, with a 15.6-inch display fit into a 14-inch chassis.
- Next-gen graphics up to NVIDIA® Quadro P2000.
- 8th Gen Intel® Core™ and next-generation Xeon® processors
- Enhanced 2666MHz memory speeds up to 32GB
- Up to 4TB of SSD storage
- USB Type C with x4 PCIe, Thunderbolt™ and HDMI 2.0 ports
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS preinstalled
- RHEL 7.5 certified (details below)
- Available worldwide
Dell Precision 7530 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
The world’s most powerful 15″ mobile workstation, redesigned to be thinner, lighter
- 8th Gen Intel® Core™ and Xeon® processors
- AMD Radeon WX and NVIDIA Quadro® professional graphics
- Largest & fastest memory on the market for mobile workstations up to 128GB of system memory & SuperSpeed memory of 3200MHz
- Largest PCIe SSD storage capacity available for a 15-inch mobile workstation: up to 6TB
- Single cable docking and Thunderbolt™ 3 connectivity
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS preinstalled
- RHEL 7.5 certified (details below)
- Available worldwide
Dell Precision 7730 Mobile Workstation, developer edition
The world’s most powerful 17″ mobile workstation, redesigned to be thinner, lighter
- 8th Gen Intel® Core™ and Xeon® processors
- AMD Radeon WX and NVIDIA Quadro® professional graphics
- Largest & fastest memory on the market for mobile workstations up to 128GB of system memory & SuperSpeed memory of 3200MHz
- Largest storage capacity available for a mobile workstation (up to 8TB)
- Single cable docking and Thunderbolt™ 3 connectivity
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS preinstalled
- RHEL 7.5 certified (details below)
- Available worldwide
RHEL 7.5 certification and drivers
As mentioned above, all four developer editions will be certified for RHEL 7.5 and the needed drivers will be included in the distro. That being said, the AMD and NVIDIA drivers that come with 7.5 are inbox drivers. We will be posting drivers for both graphic cards that will include professional features not included in the inbox drivers. Stay tuned!
How did we get here?
Project Sputnik launched at the end of 2012 with the svelte XPS 13 developer edition. While this fit the bill for a lot of folks, there was a set of folks who needed something beefier. The demand stayed steady so Sputnik team member Jared Dominguez decided to take it upon himself to get Ubuntu up and running on the Precision M3800.
Jared hammock hacking
From this he created step-by-step instructions and posted them to Dell Tech Center for community members to follow.
While customers were excited to be able get Ubuntu going on their systems, they wanted more. Given this sustained demand, in early in 2015 the M3800 developer edition became an official product.
In Spring of the following year our Linux-based Precision offering went from one system to four and the 5510, 3510, 7510 and 7710 developer editions debuted. Last year this line was revved and the next gen, the 5520, 3520, 7520, 7720 were announced along with the addition of the Precision 5720 All-in-One. And today… (see above)
Stay tuned
Watch this space for the upcoming availability of the Dell Precision 5530, 7530 and 7730 developer editions as well as the AMD and NVIDIA graphics drivers for RHEL 7.5 .
Extra-credit reading
The History of the Ubuntu-based Dell Precision mobile workstation line
- November 15, 2013 — Instructions posted to get Ubuntu up and running on a Precision M3800 mobile workstation
- January 27, 2015 — Precision M3800 officially joins Project Sputnik
- March 3, 2016 — Ubuntu-based Precision line 5510, 3510, 7510, 7710 announced
- January 9, 2017 — Next gen Ubuntu-based Precision line-up announced, 5520 and 3520 available
- March 18, 2017 — Precision 7520 and 7720 available
- April 18, 2017 — Precision 5720 All-in-One available
Pau for now…
Barton's Blog 
Will they be fully compatible to Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and why not directly the newest LTS?
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Hi Stefan, i apologize for the slow response. We certify on the LTS that is most current during the product development process. In this case it is 16.04. 18.04 should work fairly well with the systems
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[…] last month, featuring high-power specs in (relatively) portable packages. Now the company is introducing “developer edition” versions that have the same feature set, but which ship with Ubuntu Linux instead of Windows 10 […]
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Link takes me to
http://www.dell.com/en-ca
Quite
https://xkcd.com/869/
Guess Dell is to big to be helpful and there are smaller options years ahead like
https://system76.com
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Yup. System76 is nice if you don’t mind overpaying 30-50% versus an identical system from AVADirect (minus all the Linux tweaks). Also, it’s nice Dell is shipping an actual productivity machine (Xeon with ECC and all that) compared to what are basically gaming machines. 😉
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Hi Tim, I greatly apologize for my delay in responding. Are you saying that the link to the 3530 resolves to http://www.dell.com/en-ca? Try the link directly (this is the URL that is linked to the text in the post): https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/precision-3530/spd/precision-15-3530-laptop
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Hi, what about keyboards? I search for new notebook and I tried to find some useful Dell machine but I did not find any with normal keyboard. I found three types:
1) std. sized arrows and PgUp, PgDn, Home and End mapped on them
2) std. sized arrows, standalone PgUp and PgDn, Home and End mapped to arrows
3) left and right arrow std. sized, up and down half height, standalone pgUp, PgDn, Home and End.
Please, does some of these new Dell’s notebooks have keyboard with std. sized arrows and standalone PgUp, PgDn, Home and End?
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Hi Bubak, I greatly apologize for my slow response. Let me check with the team regarding the keyboards and get back to you. Thanks for your patience!
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[…] is rolling out new additions to their Precision series of mobile workstation notebooks. These are “Developer […]
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[…] George, zakladatel a vedoucí projektu Sputnik, představil na svém blogu čtyři nové mobilní pracovní stanice Dell Precision s předinstalovaným Ubuntu. Jedná se o […]
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[…] the latest Intel Core and Xeon processors, blazing-quickly memory and experienced graphics,” claims Barton George, […]
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[…] Dell подготовила к выпуску портативные компьютеры 2018 Precision Developer Edition, […]
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[…] compañía de ordenadores estadounidense ha anunciado hace poco la venta de cuatro nuevos portátiles para desarrolladores que se pueden comprar con Ubuntu y están certificados para funcionar con RHEL (o sea, que se […]
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[…] the latest Intel Core and Xeon processors, blazing-fast memory and professional graphics," says[2] Barton George, […]
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Hi,
any chance to get precision with amd cpu?
Best regards
Alex
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You never know 🙂 Ill pass your comment along to the product team
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[…] New Dell precision laptops running Ubuntu […]
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Great to hear about the continued Linux support.
But a question about the 7730: I’m interested in machine learning – and Dell even advertises the 7730 as beeing a perfect fit for it.
But why are you only selling Quadro cards with it?
Everybody knows that for machine learning a normal GeForce is better suited, especially when the additional money it put into more RAM.
So is there any chance I can buy the 7730 with a GeForce instead of the Quadro?
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Hi Chris, I appreciate the input, this type of feedback is key to the Sputnik program. I cant make any promises but let me go back to the team and see what they have up their sleeves. Is there anything else you would want in an ML focused machine?
What types of apps would you be running. Thanks for the support!
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Hi Barton, thanks for the quick reply.
It’ll be used for “the usual stuff” – which means TensorFlow and it’s GPU support. Which makes an optimal combination – Linux machine + TensorFlow.
Apart from that, the 7730 with it’s option for a 100% AdobeRGB screen and it’s hexa core CPUs is also a really good fit for image processing for photographers – the other option I’d love to use it for. And here a Quadro is wasted money as well – on a system that is already very expensive due to it’s high power.
Actiually, the Quadros are only relevant for CAD. It’s good to have them as an option. But there are so many more use cases for the 7730 that benefit from a quick but normal (and thus cheaper) GeForce.
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Hey Chris, thanks for the feedback. I have forwarded it on to our team that is focusing on AI.
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Any chance for a version with Ryzen Pro Mobile or Ryzen 2xxx desktop cpu? Pretty sure my next machine will be either the Precision 5530/7530 or the Latitude 5495. So few laptops with AMD cpu are available at the moment and I think is a good momentum for the AMD+Linux combo …
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Howdy. Ill pass your comment/comment on to the product team. Thanks for the input!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Hi Barton
First of all, thanks and congrats for a great project.
My question: why does Dell only sell laptops with Ubuntu???
I’ve tried Ubuntu but I do not like the UI and the desktop experience. I prefer Solus Budgie. Why does Dell not offer its customers the possibility of choosing between at least 2 or 3 distros??? I do realise that this means +++ work but you could dramatically expand Dell’s consumer base by offering at least one more distro pre-installed on Dell (please check Solus, it is far faster than Ubuntu and the UI is far more palatable to the eye). I am not a Solus developer etc. I just love the Solus distro.
Again, thanks for helping change the mentality concerning linux.
Best wishes
zeke
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What ?
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Thanks Zeke for your kind words.
As you point out, we only ship with Ubuntu (we do however certify for RHEL). The reason behind this is resources. With the resources we have our first priority is to create a top experience on the systems we offer. The concern is that if we expand platforms or OSs offered it would damage the quality of our offerings. What we do do however is we work with Canonical and the device manufacturers to make sure that all drivers written are pushed to the mainline kernel so that people can the distro of their choice on the developer systems we offer.
thanks again for your support!
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Any plans for XPS 15 on Ubuntu. That would be great.
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Hi Stijn, while we have gotten requests for the XPS 15 with Ubuntu it comes down to limited resources. We want to make sure that the systems we do offer are top class. That being said, never say never 🙂
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Mr. George,
This is certainly welcome news for someone who wants to replace their aging laptop with something that has actually been scarce in consumer machines: Xeon processors with ECC RAM for high reliability applications.
Any word on when Linux support will be officially here for the two high end models in the lineup, i.e. the 7530 and 7730? (I noted that for some reason the 5530 does *not* offer ECC RAM!) I talked to a rep this evening who was unable to tell me anything, although they indicated I could install Linux myself.
Right now it’s an extra ~$260 for Windows due to Microsoft requiring a “4 cores + license” for an OS I don’t even want, and I was told getting it OS-less to save this cost when I would just install Linux myself on it wasn’t an option. I assume the delay is due to development of video drivers maybe, so is it even possible to just buy it and “install Linux”? Some indication of time frame would be helpful in making a decision on whether to pull the trigger now on the cheaper 3530 or hold out for the more expensive device that has those “really want” features which will come in handy down the road…
Thanks and Best Regards,
Michael
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To reply to myself and just to add a data point. The first CSR was unable to give me more information on Linux availability on the higher end models. However, more recently I talked to a different CSR who indicated that it would be approximately one month or roughly the middle of July until Linux will be available on the high end models.
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@Michael and @Diggo thanks for support of project Sputnik!
Unfortunately we cant give availability dates because every so often things outside our control come up that push back the date. When they do become available I will be posting a blog here.
Let me check wrt to the HW for the Windows and Ubuntu versions. Im pretty sure they are the same but i want to confirm before saying anything. (Unfortunately if you do get the Windows version and load Ubuntu you void the support agreement)
thanks again for the support and kind words!
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I have exact the same problem. I don´t need windows, but I still can´t order the developers edition and no one can tell me when it will be available. I wonder if I should get one with Windows and use it as a VM-license (if so is possible). Anyway, i´m quite upset, that this machine is announced all over for about 4 weeks now and no one in the sales dep. knows anything about a date, when this model will show up.
Is the developers edition technically identical to a “normal” precision 7530, so I simply could install Linux myself?
Anyway, thanks for this amazing project.
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[…] According to Barton George, a Dell Senior Architect in the office of CTO, the 3530 is just the first of four refreshed Precision workstation lines, with the remaining trio will be available soon, though an exact release date and pricing were not disclosed. George says the 5530 family squeezes a 15.6-inch display into a 14-inch chassis for better portability; it will also come in an onxy color option in addition to platinum silver. Its top graphics card moves up to the Quadro P2000. […]
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[…] Welcome the new Dell Precision developer editions – Barton’s blog […]
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Any update on the 5530 timeline? Thanks!
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All I can say is “soon:)
thanks for the support!
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All i can say is “soon” 🙂
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That’s good news! Looking forward to any update.
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[…] According to Barton George, a Dell Senior Architect in the office of CTO, the 3530 is just the first of four refreshed Precision workstation lines, with the remaining trio will be available soon, though an exact release date and pricing were not disclosed. George says the 5530 family squeezes a 15.6-inch display into a 14-inch chassis for better portability; it will also come in an onxy color option in addition to platinum silver. Its top graphics card moves up to the Quadro P2000. […]
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[…] According to Barton George, a Dell Senior Architect in the office of CTO, the 3530 is just the first of four refreshed Precision workstation lines, with the remaining trio will be available soon, though an exact release date and pricing were not disclosed. George says the 5530 family squeezes a 15.6-inch display into a 14-inch chassis for better portability; it will also come in an onxy color option in addition to platinum silver. Its top graphics card moves up to the Quadro P2000. […]
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[…] last month, including high-power specs in (reasonably) portable packages. Now the company is introducing “designer edition” versions that have the same function set, but which ship with Ubuntu Linux rather of Windows 10 software.The […]
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[…] favourite Linux laptop vendor has lifted the veil on a fresh set of Linux-powered […]
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[…] RHEL certified Ubuntu 18.04 LTS soon. (source) . And they are planning to release their 5th release in […]
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Can we get a version with a higher-end CPU but *not* requiring one of the Nvidia cards? If I’m running Linux its not cause I want to game, and end up resorting to stupid hacks to get the power draw of the Nvidia crap to go to zero (yay acpi_call writing crap straight to the PCI bus).
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Hi Matt, which system are speaking about? (Once i get that info ill pass your input along to the team).
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I have this problem on my 5520 now, but would totally upgrade to the 5530 if I could get one of the 6-core options without a useless Nvidia card (which the website appears to force you to buy for anything except the lowest processor option).
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[…] Project Sputnik goes Precision https://bartongeorge.io/2018/05/24/welcome-the-new-dell-precision-developer-editions/ […]
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[…] According to Barton George, a Dell Senior Architect in the office of CTO, the 3530 is just the first of four refreshed Precision workstation lines, with the remaining trio will be available soon, though an exact release date and pricing were not disclosed. George says the 5530 family squeezes a 15.6-inch display into a 14-inch chassis for better portability; it will also come in an onxy color option in addition to platinum silver. Its top graphics card moves up to the Quadro P2000. […]
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Come from MBP 15″ 16GB / 1TB SSD which is 4 years old. Software hobby turned into contacting vocation so remote coding and support 7 days a week, about 14 hours a day – yes we really do exist and have spare MBP as hot-swap
Switching to Linux / VMWare Workstation / multiple VM OSes for various reasons, so need lotsa RAM and cores – Apple restricts me in this area. With 3 year international warranty as I travel between USA / SA for months at a time.
Digging shows Precision 7530 / 7730 and ThinkPad P52 / P72 offer certified Linux, 6 core i7 and 128GB in due course.
Ordering with 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD cos much cheaper to upgrade post-purchase with same spec parts from other sources.
Anyhow, I ordered 7530 this week, card was billed and a few minutes later the trans was reversed from payment SMS, by Dell and still don’t know why – not a payment problem according to card issuer.
Cannot get serious mobile workstation in South Africa – calling SA Dell support yields unanswered phones, I let it ring for 20 min and then ring off – 4 times during the week so suggests the norm.
Visit http://www.dell.co.za and click either home or work link at bottom-right and get …
Server Error in ‘/’ Application.
The resource cannot be found.
Description: HTTP 404. The resource you are looking for (or one of its dependencies) could have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please review the following URL and make sure that it is spelled correctly.
Requested URL: /za/en/enterprise/df.aspx
Been like that all week which creates the dimmest perceptions of Dell – what happens if I actually need support?
I now see that when I try to visit dell.com to try an order, I am forced back to dell.co.za – but I want a mobile workstation not consumer grade stuff.
http://www.hellopeter.com also shows numerous complaints about Dell in South Africa – they really appear to be a spent force from the above.
So, turned to ThinkPad P52 and they also force you to local site which only deals in the cheaper consumer grade products.
At least they answered the phone within 2 rings and explained they would indeed honor a warranty on a USE sourced device.
In closing, it’s easy to buy from a US online outlet / South African direct importer, and will have it within a week but then I don’t get to configure as I want and some manufacturers (not local Lenovo it seems) claim grey-market import so duck warranty responsibility.
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My two questions then …
1 – how do I purchase 7730 from Cape Town, South Africa off the Dell.com site with my credit card? One issue is that my card billing address does not conform to USA address format which I suspect was why the order placed recently was cancelled.
Neither 7530 nor 7730 appear to be available on dell.co.za which currently is not working anyway.
2 – will the 3 year onsite warranty be honoured in Cape Town, South Africa even if purchased from the US?
I will be in USA for 4 months from mid-Nov and will seek to purchase 7730 with Ubuntu OS.
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Lakshmi Flow
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