Support for Dell XPS 15 and HDMI working on hybrid graphics?

Question

So there is a lot of buzz about hybrid graphics having a weak support. I'm currently considering buying a new laptop. Dell XPS 15 caught my eye. I will use it for work as well so I will need a large monitor for it connected by HDMI.

The question is: has someone got a Dell XPS 15 and can confirm that hybrid graphics support is working fine on 12.10 with no issues on the HDMI.

I ask this because all the buzz about the subject stops on 12.04 - does this mean that it's all ok now :) ?

Solution 1

I have a Dell XPS, the HDMI is hard wired to the discrete card. I normally want that card turned off too save battery. I use only the mini Display Port which works out of the box with an adapter to DVI/hdmi. On the rare occasions I need the graphic accelerations of the discrete card I use bumblebee. I normally totally ignore the HDMI port, as the mini DP just works and the HDMI port has issues.

Solution 2

I have an Dell XPS 15 L502x and the HDMI port does not work.

However this article mentions the mini DisplayPort working, so perhaps a miniDP-to-HDMI cable can solve the issue.

Solution 3

I have a Dell Inspiron 7520, which is about the same age as the XPS 15 you're talking about. My Inspiron uses an ATI graphics card, which, long story short, does not work under Linux - the Radeon driver hasn't caught up with the Southern Islands card I have. The HDMI port still works, however.

However, the XPS 15 uses an Nvidia card, which works much better under Linux using Bumblebee. Bumblebee uses a neat solution to make use of the extra card, and both open-source and proprietary drivers are supported.

Also, I hear Nvidia is trying to get X to natively support hybrid graphics. Stay tuned...

Comments

[lsnake]

What do you mean by partly work ? Can you work on two screens ? Have you tried bumblebee with that ?

[lsnake]

Seems promising :) but I actually need someone confirming that it works without too much hustle on XPS 15 :)

[thirtythreeforty]

Well, to answer your question more directly, the answer is yes--Optimus is supported via Bumblebee.

[Eduardo Baitello]

In my case Nvidia has hardware problems...So, i'm unable to use HDMI port. Based on your answer, I bought a Mini Display to HDMI adaptor, and it works like a charm! You saved me, thanks!!