Well after spending all afternoon with this new Dell XPS 13 9315 I absolutely love it. The fit and finish feels exactly like a Macbook Air.

I have Linux installed (Pop_OS) and the only two issues I had were getting the webcam running and the fingerprint reader. I managed getting both of them up and now the hardware is 100% operable! I am so happy I kept giving Linux a go and found a great laptop with few compatibility issues.

Thanks to all of you who recommended Dell laptops. There were a couple minor problems, but both were solvable with a bit of ddg searching.

EDIT: I’ve decided to return this Dell XPS 13 based on some of your replies about the 12th gen intel being out of date for the price and build quality issues with Dell in general. I went with a Lemur Pro i7 Raptor Lake, 40gb ram, 1tb storage System76 build for only $200 more. Only downside is I have to wait a bit for them to confirm my order, assemble, and ship. It’ll be nice to have a machine built exclusively for Linux!

  • Nate Cox@programming.devEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    I have such mixed feelings about my Ergo, I really want to like it but I feel clumsy on it and it seems like the extra strain on my thumb will take a toll long term with that repetitive stress.

    • nonfuinoncuro@lemm.ee
      2·
      1 year ago

      I only use track balls that are bigger and use 4 fingers that way I get way more control, less movement of my joints/wrist, and far more comfortable. Never figured out how to use a thumb one.

      • Nate Cox@programming.devEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I kinda thought that was the way to go as well, but I need to find one that supports my giant troll hands. The ones I’ve tried in the past were too short I think so my hand ended up just on my desk at a weird angle.

        • nonfuinoncuro@lemm.ee
          1·
          1 year ago

          try attaching a wrist support? the Kensington expert comes with one I think, I like the slim blade but may be too low profile for you

    • /home/jeze3d@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Definitely doesn’t feel that way for me. Might have to do with hand shape/size/thumb length/etc…

    • YIj54yALOJxEsY20eU@lemm.ee
      1·
      1 year ago

      I got my trackball due to wrist strain last year and have really only felt my thumb start to strain once or twice. I am definitely less precise but that’s still worth the reduced strain. Also makes me try to keep my hands on my keyboard for longer!