Ubuntu on Dell XPS 9520

ubuntu-dell-xps-9520.md

Ubuntu on Dell XPS 9520

Before installing Ubuntu:

1. For dual boot, disable Bitlocker in Windows
2. Update BIOS (and everything else that Dell recommends) via Windows
3. Switch from RAID to AHCI in Bios
4. Use Windows recovery to fix new disk setup
5. Disable Fast Startup in Windows
6. Disable secure boot in BIOS (or make sure it's disabled)
7. Shrink main partition in Windows

Useful links:

• https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/xps-15-9520-laptop/drivers
• https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000131253/how-to-install-ubuntu-and-windows-8-or-10-as-a-dual-boot-on-your-dell-pc
• https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000131901/loading-ubuntu-on-systems-using-pcie-m2-drives

Installing Ubuntu

1. Chose Ubuntu 22.10 - audio is already fixed (see here)
2. If Ubuntu live/installer gets stuck at the beginning: start installer with safe graphics option
3. Install Ubuntu on free space. For encryption you will need a partition for /boot (~1G) and / respectively.
4. After installation install "Additional Drivers": Nvidia driver metapackage 515 (proprietary)

Power/Battery optimization (gives me 6-7 hours of working/web)

1. Chose intel graphics only: sudo prime-select intel (it somehow is disabled in the nvidia-smi)
2. Install tlp and powertop
3. In Bios: Tune down Display brightness on Battery from 50% to 30%
4. Deactivate and mask the power-profiles-daemon service
5. In /etc/tlp.conf set

CPU_MIN_PERF_ON_AC=0
CPU_MAX_PERF_ON_AC=100
CPU_MIN_PERF_ON_BAT=0
CPU_MAX_PERF_ON_BAT=40
CPU_BOOST_ON_AC=1
CPU_BOOST_ON_BAT=0
CPU_HWP_DYN_BOOST_ON_AC=1
CPU_HWP_DYN_BOOST_ON_BAT=0
PLATFORM_PROFILE_ON_AC=balanced
PLATFORM_PROFILE_ON_BAT=low-power

UHD+ display

1. Ubuntu - Settings - Accesibility: Enable Large Text
2. Firefox or any other browser: Adjust default zoom level (e.g. 130%)