Dell · 2024
Dell XPS 14 9440
Sharp build and a good 14.5 inch panel, but on Linux the IPU6 webcam stays dark and the cs35l56 speakers need firmware and a UCM patch before they make a sound. Buy it for Windows, not Ubuntu.
Compiled from public sources and community data, not hands-on tested. What that means.
Best on ubuntu LTS. Confidence: medium
Scores
Specs
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop (30W) |
| RAM | 16 GB (soldered) |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Screen | 14.5" 1920x1200 @ 120Hz |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Battery (real) | ~11 h |
Linux compatibility
- ubuntu-lts Poor support
- Wi-Fi
- works
- Bluetooth
- works
- Fingerprint
- works
- Webcam
- broken
- Audio
- needs tweak
- Suspend
- needs tweak
- fedora Poor support
- Wi-Fi
- works
- Bluetooth
- works
- Fingerprint
- works
- Webcam
- broken
- Audio
- needs tweak
- Suspend
- needs tweak
ubuntu-lts: Same Meteor Lake platform as the XPS 16. The IPU6 OV01A1S webcam needs the out-of-tree intel-ipu6 stack and still misbehaves. The cs35l56 amp speakers stay silent until the firmware and patched ALSA UCM land. RTX 4050 wants the proprietary 550 driver plus PRIME offload.
fedora: IPU6 camera is the same dead end as on Ubuntu. cs35l56 audio works on newer kernels once the SoundWire codec firmware is present. The capacitive function row has no haptic feedback and trips up some users.