Re: However, we can report that Ubuntu runs an absolute treat on a Dell XPS.
>Suse linux on as well. The only thing that doesn't work on the laptop in Linux is the fingerprint reader.
Suse Leap runs a conservative LTS kernel, perhaps you could try a later kernel* or Tumbleweed to see if the driver has been added or improved ?
*http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Kernel:/stable/standard/x86_64/
Don't own an XPS but hope it helps.