Lessons Learned Installing Linux Mint on Dell XPS 15 9530
TLDR: next time, check Linux compatibility and scout YouTube guides before ordering a machine, and above all, DON’T PANIC.
Out with the old…
A few weeks ago, I started experiencing some issues with my five-year-old Dell XPS 13 9370 laptop. I had to start the machine with secure boot a couple of times, and the ekey was not very responsive anymore. Also, even though I had replaced the battery two years ago, its average lifetime was again starting to dwindle fast. Despite these issues, though, I had always been very happy with this machine, which is still a powerful model even by today’s standards (Intel® Core™ i7–8550U CPU @ 1.80GHz x 4, 16 GB RAM).
However, my company has a policy that laptops can be replaced after five years. So, when my boss suggested I have some fun with the Dell catalog, who was I to argue? 😊
… in with the new
After some consideration, I ended up ordering a Dell XPS 15 9530:
