Also, http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/b/techcenter/archive/2015/01/27/you-asked-for-it-ubuntu-officially-on-the-precision-m3800-worldwide

This is great news!

I don't want to be "that guy" though, but...

1. This seems to be the same hardware as last year's m3800 model.  Are there any plans to use more up to date hardware like the broadwell cpu?
2. What about a GeForce GPU option?  The GeForce has much better price/performance compared to the Quadro, and I would primarily be using my next computer for Programming with some occasional gaming on the side.  I like to have some power at my disposal (so a dedicated card is prefered), but I don't want to pay for a card designed for stuff like CAD work which I will never use.

This seems to be the same hardware as last year's m3800 model.  Are there any plans to use more up to date hardware like the broadwell cpu?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2865877/dell-plans-laptops-with-intels-skylake-chips-in-second-half-of-year.html

Though actually, the processor was changed to the i7-4712HQ from the i7-4702HQ. The high-end display has been changed from a QHD+ panel to a UHD panel. Thunderbolt 2 support was added to the hardware for the same cost.

What about a GeForce GPU option?  The GeForce has much better price/performance compared to the Quadro, and I would primarily be using my next computer for Programming with some occasional gaming on the side.  I like to have some power at my disposal (so a dedicated card is prefered), but I don't want to pay for a card designed for stuff like CAD work which I will never use.

Sorry, no GeForce option. I'd love it if we could offer a Linux option for gamers right now (seems like the Ubuntu version of the Alienware X51 got dropped), but we have to focus our resources on where we can make the most impact.

Want one with the 4K display today; can't afford one today LOL

What I can afford is a refurb or used M3800 in eBay; will off-the-shelf Ubuntu pretty much work on the M3800? Anything I need to work around? Been using Linux since the late nineties, not afraid to get my hands dirty to make it work, if I have to.

Thanks!

Is there a docking station for this laptop? Does the laptop and docking station (if there is one) support two monitors?

I want to move away from Windows and want something I can hook into a KVM switch to toggle between Windows and Ubuntu. I would get the high end of this laptop if I could use it as a desktop. I have the XPS 13 DE and like it.

I am glad to see you guys trying to push products into Linux.

EDIT:

I see the Dell Docking Station USB 3.0 – D3100 on this page http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/precision-m3800-workstation/pd.aspx , but do not see how to select it when configuring. I see the docking station supports triple monitors, so the question is does the laptop support two monitors?

Though actually, the processor was changed to the i7-4712HQ from the i7-4702HQ. The high-end display has been changed from a QHD+ panel to a UHD panel. Thunderbolt 2 support was added to the hardware for the same cost.

I think you've convinced me then.  But how do I ship to Canada?  I spec'ed out an m3800 on the US website but there didn't seem to be any Canada shipping options, and I went to the Canada website but it didn't offere Ubuntu, and also had fewer configuration options.

@FinalFantasyKid

It should be available in Canada, let me check into this.

thanks!

@FinalFantasyKid

This is what i learned for the team

If you’re looking at the new “Flex” configs you won’t see UBUNTU – You have to be looking at the full custom build to order code, where it was supposed to have been added 

Can you confirm which you were looking at?  If you were looking at the full custom build then there is I problem.  Let me know.

thanks!

Barton

This is the page I've been looking at: http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=pm38001516c1f01ca&model_id=precision-m3800-workstation&c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1

Ubuntu isn't on any of the options, and there are also no options for a second harddrive, and that one only goes up to 8GB RAM.

This one: http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=pm38001516c1f02ca&model_id=precision-m3800-workstation&c=ca&l=en&s=bsd&cs=cabsdt1 has some of the options like the 2nd harddrive and 16GB memory, but still no Ubuntu and also doesn't have the 30% discount on right now.

This is the configuration that I came up with using the US website:

@FinalFantasyKid,

Ive alerted the team and we're looking into it.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for the heads up!

Barton